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CONTAINING 



Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Proniinenl 
and Representative Citizens of the County, 

TOGETHER WITH 

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALU THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE, AND 
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



ClUCAiU): 

(^HAPMAX BROTHERS, 

1888. 




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-J»6> -H>H- 1«5<^« 

UK greiitost of Kiiglisli liisturians, IMacaui.kv, and one of tlio nio.st biilliunt wiitt-rs 
of the past century, has said : '-Tlie history of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Poktkait and Bioouaphical 
Ai.iii'.M of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to rausty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by "but few, our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
enterprise and industry, brought the; county to a rank second to none among those 
comprising this great and noble Stjite, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
ll^"^ influence extending througliout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
^^W'\S^ become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
"^ ^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 

man\', who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman perfonning a deed of mercy — "the}' have done what 
tiiey could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of j'oung manhood left the jilow anil the 
anvil, llie lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantlj' ''to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of ever}' woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will api)rcciate this volume and i)rcscrve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers llattcr them- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In a<)dilion to the biograph- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
puljlishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necessar}' to compile a sketch, while othei-s were indifferent. Occasionally «omc member of 
the famil}- would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, tliongh repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

( II.M'.M.V.N IlKOS. 
Chujaco, September, 1888. 



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FIJiST PRESWExVT. 








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HE F'ather of our Country was 
<y) born in Westmorland Co., Va., 
-Feb. 2 2, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. Ho had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
hini four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, Ceorge was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
.\ugustine Washington, tiie father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, wlien he received private instruction in 
mathematics. His spelling was rather defective. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opixjsition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was ap[)oinled 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. 1 n 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 175 i, though only 19 years of 
age, he was apix)inted adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was lo pro- 
ceed to the French ix)st near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and tiie journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied ■ ■ ' '^' 



Indians. Tht ^ ' 



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-•ft* 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most imjwrtant pari. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
tvere disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was levelin" my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his conmrission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. iVIartha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

^Vhen the British Parliament had closed the port 
»3f Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years cjf heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and jilanter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

Ill February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmg to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean ; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his rejxjse 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
.\t the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate offlcers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut oflF. December 1 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne with military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, atid which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tali, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 



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SECOND PBESJDENT. 



23 




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^7^)1 OHN ADAMS, the second 
, President and the first Vice- 
' President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree { now 
Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
. sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to whicli he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this Ijy what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, jx)ssessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive jKjwers. He gradually gained [jractice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7'')5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned liim from law to jwlitics. He took initial 
gte|)s toward holding a town meeting, and the resoiu- 



' ■'«"*WjJ( 



tions he offered on the subject became very jwpulat 
throughout the Provmce, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the I.eg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of five 
appointed June it, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by JeflTerson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, 
which, as we read it now, seems to have beendictated 
liy the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, jierhaps, never was or will 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable ejioch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to .Mmighty 
Cod, It ought to be solemnized with ]>omp, shows. 



r 



i. 24 






JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transix)rted 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, 1 can see the 
rays of light and glory. 1 can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which 1 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and an.xiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddesjwnd- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered "illustiious liy his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without muchoi)])osition. 
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded liy 
Mr. Jefferson, hisoppcment in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue wiih 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
ixjwer of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist pliilosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the otiier hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferso)i led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In r824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had lieen rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it js the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard exj^res- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



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THIRD PRESIDENT. 



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27 





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HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
burn April 2, 1743, at Sliad- 
»>*ucll, All>erinarlc < ounty, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of tlie Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences.that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difticult Latin and 
Oreek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls: and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, ujjright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately uixjn leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active iwlitical life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 

UiX)n Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his aiiilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed uix)n a number of imjwrtant committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of indeiiendence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiKjinted 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelii-gs of that 
I *» 



4 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



K- 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. T, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union ; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and althougji it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had lieen elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and resix)nsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and upon the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer. 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 



*t 




■'it 







''!lxu^^-^ j(^C{ ec^oCcf 



(TK, 



-4^ 



FOURTH PRESIDENT. 






3' 




n^EQES npDISOI). 




AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
[^'President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
""'i^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
o James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of tlie imiwrtant 
events in that heroic period of our 
\ country during which tlie founda- 
tions of this great reijubhc were 
laid. He was the last of the fomiders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing uixin the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing uix)n a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mo\intain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
ixjlitical attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he conunenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed es|5ecial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly free from i)assion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled ix)wers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was apjxjinted to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of V'irginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their ai)preciation of his 



■■ 
n 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inetficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any -State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the Ceneral Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 8r to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little jKDwer at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
whom he married. Slie was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat ; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the 1 8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. Tlie contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of tlie United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
ofthePatuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of Marcli, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




M. 



It 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





priQES Il]OI]ItOE. 



^spr 




^p.^ 





AMES. MONROE, the fifth 
Presidentof The United States, 
was liorn in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
S many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. \\'heii, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
^^ of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate ujwn the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came [xjuring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
lX)litical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 
-^ ■- 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly lie shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four nmnths 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Ix)rd Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-canip ; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for tlie Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. l^ixDn 
this failure he entered the otiice of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, se^^'ed as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of tliat ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 

— , ■» 



f 



36 




JAMES MONROE. 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 
Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opiX)sed to the new Constitution, 
ihinking, with many others of the Republican party, 
that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, lie became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much jiower to the 
Central Government as that document could ix)ssibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams tlie Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the ix)licy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three years. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably tlie largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world^ 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. Tliis he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State imder 
Madison. Wiiile in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return ol 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the .South American states, and did not wish 
to have European jxjwers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows". "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interfxisition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831. 

^ •► 




J, ^ . lAi 



aAn-,/^ 



«► ■ ^ - 



SIXTIf PRESIDENT. 



30 



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^i= 



OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
States, was born in the rural 
iiome of his honored fatlier, 
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over liis childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of liis father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his father for Europe, 
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy sjient a year and a half in I'aris, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent aliroad. Again 
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
apjilied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then 
the Ihiiversity at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretar)-. 

In this school of incessant lalx)r .and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a priv.nte tutor, at Hague. Thence, 

4« — 



in the spring of r782, he accompanied his father to 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
with the most distinguisheil men on the Continent; 
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemj)lations of the loftiest temiwral 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 17S5, 
when he returned to .America. 'I'o a Ijrilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of llie world, 
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cmnstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to .\merica to com[)lete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent supiwrt. 

LTlwn leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
ixiinted by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. .Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight in 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
upon arriving in Ixsndon, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. ^\ hile waiting he was mairicd to an 
American lady to whom he had been jirevionsly en- 
gaged, — Miss Ix)uisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London ; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those arroin- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



i 



40 



/OJIJV QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the tiovern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an imjx)rtant 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately apjxjinted Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, forthe United States. On the 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight yearsof Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
the past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. \Vhen at his homein 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery (piestion now began to assume 
}X)rtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he jHirsued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Uix>n taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination ; 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, liefore 
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2 Tst of February, T848, he rose on tlie floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is //if end of earth .-"then after a moment's 
pause he added, "' I am con fen/." These were the 
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent." 

•►• 



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SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



43 




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NDRKW JACKSON, the 
seventh President of tlie 
United States, was born in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. (;., 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
eleepest [Xjverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " 1 am 
a [irisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the otiier u]x)n the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which ([uite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-jxix. Their 
^ ' mother was successful in obtaining their exchange. 




and look iicr sick boys home. Alter a long illness 
.\ndrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supiwrted himself in various ways, sucii as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies, in 1788, he was apiX)inted 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
with the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supjxjsed herself divorced from her former husband, 
(jreat was tlie surprise of l>otli parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 179'i, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. .Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new Stale was entitled to but one member in 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held iis 



> ► l l ^ ^> 



44 



ANDRE W JACKSON. 



sessions, — a. distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took liis seat, Gjn. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. .'\ committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
'" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held fjr si.x years. 

When tiie war of 1812 with (ireat Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in tlie West, Andrew [ackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred u[X3n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack upon New Orleans, where tien. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered l)ack to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions ; and he became tlie most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of "()ld Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a [lart as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brotlier of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering uixm a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Flonda to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to tlie raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayeltesville, .\labama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bends of theTallauoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort .Strother. 
With an army of two thoiisand men. Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow- 
neck the Indians liad constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
witli an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of fiuarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. .Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia uixjn the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousa)id 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. ,\ British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault. The Ijattle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six liundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never l)een surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died )une 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 
1^ 



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EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



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47 




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ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
[)lace, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook, Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unliordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to tlie banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and e.xemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strengtli of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-oftice were required of him 
before he could be adujitted to the bar. Ins|)ired witli 
a lofty ambition, and conscious of liis powers, he pur- 
sued his studies witli indefatigable industry. After 
^pending six years in an office in his native village. 



he went to the city of N'ew York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventii year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Rei)ublican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a ixslitician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's liotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently esiwused the 
cause of State Riglits ; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy lx)th in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th.; 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years , 
constantly gaining strength by contending in the 
courts with some of the ablest men who have .idorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous su|)ix)rt to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed .Attorney-Cieneral, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was .ncknowledged as one of the most 
piouiincnt Icadeis of the Democratic party, he had 




MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



i 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing tlie State. In true consistency with his 
democratic ])iincii)les, lio contended tliat, while the 
[lath leading to tlie privilege of voting sliould be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some ])roperty interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, lie took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United .States, he rose at once to a 
consiiicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the .\dministration, ado|)ting the 
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen (jovernorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of jxjliticians. 
It was supix)sed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secretly and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
apix/inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
|X)sition he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which h.id refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite; and this, probably mure than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Partoii, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor. ' 

His administration was filled with exciting events. 
'l"he insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial ])anic which sisread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re election. 

With the e.\ception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil " Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald^ 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth ; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life, y 



-•► 



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NINTH PRESIDENT. 



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ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. g, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, was early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
William Henry, of course enjoyed 
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after tlie death of his father. He 
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with hi» father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

IJlwn the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
-^« ' 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ajv 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two jwrtions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ajv 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign uixjn the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with jKjwers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white jxipulation. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these res|X}nsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times apix)inted to this office — first by John .Xdams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Ix)uisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 



-ti^M- 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



:i^h^ 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " Tlie Crouching 
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
in the superstitious minds of tlie Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. \Vith an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from trilie to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great .Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approacliing them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by tlie eml)ers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
Dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing i^c foe, 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the ^ 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
(jeneral Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re> 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing, 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five Britisii officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In i8ig, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
iMr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
l)rilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 



^»» ^ H "» 






n 




u 



TENTH PRESIDENT. 




I'YLEM. 




^l OHN TYLER, the ten 

' '*' , Presidentof the United States. 

He was born in Charles-city 

Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 

was the favored child of af- 

;"^^ fluence and high social po- 

/ citinn At the early age of 



sition. 

twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
not retained. When but t\venty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself witli the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by tlie General Govern- 




ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term \\i found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His iwpularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. K iX)rtion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opixanenl, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
IKjpularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, ujxin taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opiX)si- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opjxDsed all restrictions upon slaverv-. resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nuliifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
liis profession. There was a rplit in the Democratic 



V 



r 



I 



;6 



■•► 



JOIfAT TYLER. 



party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine \Vhig, much to the disapix)intment of 
the .South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the North: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, hone it man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would opix)se all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He suggested, however, that he ivould 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. Tlie party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakal.)le relief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with mformation from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
moans for the exercise of a generous hos])itality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

Vv'hen the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he w^s taken sick and soon died 
' ■► 



T 



^i^ 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



t 



59 









^ ^" / 





AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
I ^';!f5&I'''esident of the United States, 
was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
M. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were Samuel and Jane 
(Knox) Polk, the toruicr a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the l)u(k River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their lou huls, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. I'olk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disapiJointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1S15, entered the sophomore 
class ill the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 18 18, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with whicii he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with .Xndrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same jwliti- 
cal faith. He was a iwpular public speaker, and was 
constantly called ujwn to address the meetings of his 
I)arty friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Najxileon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



i 



■^^ 



^^► ^ 11 M * 



JAMES K. POLK. 



courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he vk^ithdrew on the 4t]i of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 1 4th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took tlie oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left tlie country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first' 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal tlie misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lxjwer Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and- domestic ries 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen 



^ 





'a^- 



m 




t 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



■•► 





ssi^EsnsaBassEEa 






•■^ 





ACHARV lAYI.OR, twelfth 
President of the United States, 
'^was born on tlie 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father. Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father witii his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
^- the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In thisfront- 
?W ier liome, away from civilization and 
I all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy hut few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bUmtness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and 
aianifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was jjut in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tip[)ecanoe. 
It was one of tlie first jxiints of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved \\\yun the fort. Their 
approacli was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
l)ated assault. On the 4th of Sei.tember, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared , the 
garrison slept ii(X)n their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his jxjst. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of caj)- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every [wint, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of m.ijor by brevet. 

Until the close of the war. Major Taylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no lKX)ks, no society, no iii- 



i 



64 






ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with iiim the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
had promised they should do. The services rendered 
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
and was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from tlie world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Me.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
the sobriquet of " Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long vears in the public service found 
their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 

»< > = 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the glh of July, 1850. 
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored todomy duty." Hedied 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- 
saving contempt for leamirg of every kind." 

^ •> 



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-4«- 



THIRTEENTH PREStDENT. 



67 





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4-Si. 





ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1800. His 
father was a fiirnier, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she jxjssessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1 83 1 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career ujx)n which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston ("ounty, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 
-^ — 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village librar)-. This i)roved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate: 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read historj', 
biography, oratory; and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal ap[)carance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hapi>ened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence,— Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ajv 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. Hut Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange detusion about 
a collegiate education. \ young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a Ixay loiters through university halls 
ind then enters a law offi< e, who is by no means as 



»» ■ ^ 



68 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 






well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Fleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — -Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Thougii he had never taken a very active 
part in jxjlitics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degrie the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave hmi strength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
names of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Cen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By tiie Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opixjsition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacyof all measures of transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one [)arty or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a rijie 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 

•► 







o^M^'^o'f-^^ a^2^-^' 



-^•- 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



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^FHftNKLIN PIERCE. 



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i~ 



RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
^'"United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate. Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a rmely-develoi)ed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was 
one of the most ]X)pular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
A ! » 



genial nature, rendered him a universal f;ivorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Uixjn graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
IKilitical career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of ixjlitical life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he es|X3iised the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834. he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the 



■» ■ ■4* 



72 



PRANKLIN PIERCE. 






three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of tlie Nortli. He thus became distin- 
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 

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I-IFTEENTH PRESIDENT 



75 





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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., I'enn.,on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic siK)t in a gorfjeof the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, pUmged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and (Ireek. His 
progress was rapid, anil at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 
< • 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wuh 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated witli the highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen yeari of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an e.\uberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admittedto the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the 
judges of the State, who was tried ajKin articles of 
impeachment. .\t the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who ha<i a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his )>rofession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, uiton his elevation to the I'residency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he iierformed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all jiarties. rjwn his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seal in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures projxisedby Tresidciii Jackson, of making repri- 



76 



a 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wiiolesale 
removal from office of those wiio were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, witli voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Clen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
States mails. 

As to Detitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should l)e respectfully received; and 
that the reply should be returned, tliat Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of tlie 
States where it now e.xists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsiliility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio (irande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50, 
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with tlie mission to England. 

In the year I (S5 6, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side ; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
reived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buciianan. (3n 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political ijrinciples and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wldered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
imite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lmcoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slaverv 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the ( jovernment to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed. " The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

.South Carolina seceded in December, 1S60; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : Fort Sumpter 
was l>esieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 









p^y/^^L^<-cri^ 



■^ 



SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



79 <^ 







/ji.^ 



< ABRAHAM > #>f^<il < LINCOLN, !> f 5 



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'^^^^^§M^iie^aiicsiL:<>':V 



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IJRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
f^United States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1809. About the year 1 7S0, a 
V man by the name of Abraham 
Lincohi left Virginia with his 
family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Tiiomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of .\braham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth fcever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the [xjorest of the jwor. His home was a wretched 
log -cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was com|)elled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of iK>or Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was .Miraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, ])ensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. " 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 

<• 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of tlie uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thouglits 
into words. He also became an eager reader. I'he 
books he could obtain were few ; b\it these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed 10 
memory. 

.•\s tiie years rolled on, the lot of tiiis lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. .-\braham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
'I'honias Lincoln sold out his siiuatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

.Abraham Lincobi was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. .Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant ;hat fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to tiie utmost of his ix)wer. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of ii.ioxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. \\\i\ he had read in 
Ciod's word, " Thou shall not take the name of the 
Ix)r<l thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminaled by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham woiked for a time as a hired lalxirer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-lioat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this .idvcii- 



^jk < • 



-4^ 

8o 



A 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



4 



tare his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return they placed a store and niill under liis care. 

In 1832, at tlie outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters lie 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 Ihe great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
ilavery queitiou, and he took the broad ground of 
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
pn the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
■were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
urominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
and as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. .\ detective unravelled 
the plol. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from Harrisl_'urg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
iiniOTrtant positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving ujjon the President been so manifold, and 
the res|)onsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo*h jiersonal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in i86r, however, |)lans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them, .'^pril 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John ^Vilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, its father; his country- 
men being unable to decide which is the greater. 



n 





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■^•- 



SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 




83 





-^ i>rO U W, VY A WkiM^^M. 



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i 



NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
States. The early Hfe of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
'^4'/ tion and friendlessness. He 
W was born Uecember 29, 180S, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education ujwn 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supjx)rted by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1S26, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Oreenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active inember of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 " stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1 84 1, he was elected Stale Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important ix)st for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these re.s|)onsible posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil- 



u 






84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, ^^ ^ad warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of i8oj, ne 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In r86i, when the purpose of the South- 
irn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter iru-.onsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 






-^^r^h^ 



JU 



^•►Hl-^ 



/i/GB TEENTH PRESIDENT. 



87 




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k 

i' 



LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military .\cademy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, T843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military jMsts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came, Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. .\t the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. .\ messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut, 
(irant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the aniro.al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
.was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered u{X)n the cultiva- 
tion of a small fami near St. I>ouis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. .\s the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the anny ; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the Stale, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the isth of 
■» 



A 88 



•»¥ 



UL YSSKS S. GRA NT. 



f 



I 



June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting' condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon the duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the trampof these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 



t- 



<!>• 






NINETEENTH ■PRESIDENT. 



9« 





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UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1 680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmitjj and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



-*»■ 



born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a slock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayts deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son.ofwhom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 

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92 



^ 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 




subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838,31 the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members suck men as'^hief Justice Salmon P.Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the une.\pired term. 

In 1 86 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his country'. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his administration was an average ov:-. 



I 



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f 



TiVEMTIETH PRESIDENT. 



•*¥^m^^ 



95 




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iltPii i, iARFIELn. ffe^ 



'^»^^ 







AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
183 1, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
^as about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
nard working fanner, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
tiieir four children — Mehetabel, Tliomas, Mary and 
James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
[his time James was about eighteen months old, and 
riiomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
tell how much James was indeLted to his biother's 
toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoulitedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to- 



-^t- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The jworest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
Afier making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engagetl as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on tlie Oliio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, heentered Williams College, from which 
lie graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards relumed 10 Hir.nni 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united wiih the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often jjreaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 



i 



96 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



+ 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Couit-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for si.xty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
belter than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his adniinistration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
1 9, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
Tlie murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 



f 



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T WEN T Y- FTRS T PRESIDENT. 



IF 













HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi-'.^iu of the 

United States was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

thefifthof Oc'ober, 1830, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William 

Arthur, a Baptist cJ',rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb'.s country from 

the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 

his 18th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his ixjcket, 
and entered the office of ex- Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a i)artnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered ujxjn a success- 
ful career almost from the start. C.eneral Arthur 
soon afterward marrfd the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
tlie South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the Peo])le, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here esiwused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
Evarts and .\rthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of S500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 

■ > 



V 




CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



\ 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21, 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic [larty, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1881. The jwsition was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until tlie 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 








y^-trU^r- 




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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



103 



h- 













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- OOP - 






TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, thetwenty-second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house whicli is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-[)lace of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To thi^ 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supiwrting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid §50 for his services 
the first year, and if he |)rovcd trustworthy he was to 
receive $too the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
tliat his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for Mew York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and althougti he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 






S. GROVER CLEVELAND. 



f 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
»sk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock- breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy ? " he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked 
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got.?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, wiiile he could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
criminals. Li 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 



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■«IMJI^ll-.S;^ 



f 



•►jll- 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'05 




tSJri|n-vcccc/iS^«'»aj^..«'! r^,as^3>f'&'^"y^ <S:f'-^^^^^^Mi:2!S£2ir~- 5.)u«^^--?'*2'^73'^^ I 



STEPHEN T. KiLSON. 



^"^^ ■^.sum-^rs^r^"^^ '^ 







TEPHEN T. MASON, the 
first Governor of Michigan, was 
a sou of Gen. John T. Mason, 
of Kentucky, but was born in 
^ Virmnia, in 1812. At the age 
'^^ of 19 he was appointed Secre- 
'■•'*i-=) tary of Michigan Territory, and 
served in that capacity during the 
administration of Gov. George b. 
Porter. Upon the death of Gov. 
Porter, which occurred on the 6tii of 
July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Act- 
ing Governor. In October, 1835, he 
was elected Governor under the St ate 
organization, and immediately en- 
tered upon the performance of the 
duties of the office, although the 
State was not yet admitted into the Union. After 
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor 
Mason was re-elected to the position, and served with 
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State. 
Hedied Jan. 4, 1843. The principal event during 
Governor Mason's official career, was that arising from 
the disputed southern boundary of the State. 

Michigan claimed for her southern boundary aline 
running east across the peninsula from the extreme 
southern jwint of Lake Michigan, extending through 
Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line. This she 
claimed as a vested right— a right accruing to her by 
compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787, 
the parties to which were the original 13 States, and 
the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the suc- 
cession of parties under statutory amendments to the 
ordinance and laws of Congress— the United States on 
the one part, and each Territory northwest of the 
Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the 



other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under ilie ]>rior 
grant, or assignation of boundary'. 

Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance 
had been superseded by the Constitution of the 
United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- 
late the boundary. It was also claimed that the 
Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a 
different line, and Congress having admitted the Stale 
under that Constitution, without mentioning the sub- 
ject of the line in dispute, Congress had thereby given 
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- 
tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at 
some periods of the controversy, but at others she ap- 
peared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact 
that she insisted upon Congress taking action in re- 
gard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in 
1812, Congress authorized the Survxyor-General to 
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the i)eople 
of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government. 
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not 
run till 1818. In 1820, the question in dispute 
underwent a rigid examination by the Committee on 
Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously 
urged by her delegation, and as ably opiX)sed by Mr. 
Woodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The 
result was that the committee decided unanimously 
in favor of Michigan; but, in the hurry of business, 
no action was taken by Congress, and the question 
remained open till Michiijan organized her Stale gov- 
ernment. 

The Territory in dispute is al>oui five miles in 
width at the west end, and about eight miles in width 
at the east end, and extends along the whole north- 
ern tine of Ohio, west of Lake Erie. The line claimed 
by Micliigan was known as the " Fulton line," and 
that claimed l>y Ohio was known as the" H.irrisline," 



-i^ 



io6 



STEPHEN T. MASON. 



^i^h-4 



from the names of the surveyors. The territory was 
vahiable for its rich agricultural lands; but the chief 
value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the 
Maumee River, where now stands the flourishing city 
■of Toledo, was included within its limits The town 
originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards 
Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo. 

In February, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed 
an act e.xtending the jurisdiction of the State over 
the territory in question; erected townships and 
directed them to hold elections in April following. It 
also directed Governor Lucus to appoint three com- 
missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and 
named the first of April as the day to commence the 
survey. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated 
this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent 
a special message to the Legislative Council, appris- 
ing it of Governor Lucas' message, and advised imme- 
diate action by that body to anticipate and counteract 
the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the 12th 
of February, the council passed an act making it a 
crimmal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im- 
prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any 
official functions, or accept any office within the juris- 
diction of Michigan, under or by virture of any au- 
thority not derived from the Territory, or the United 
States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote 
General Brown, then in command of the Michigan 
militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to 
meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt was 
made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions 
of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March, 
Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at 
Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying 
the Harris line. He was accompanied by General 
Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to 
muster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This 
was soon accomplished, and the force fully armed and 
equipped. The force then went into camp at Fort 
Miami, to await the Governor's orders. 

In the meantime. Governor Mason, with General 
Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200 
strong, and were in possession of Toledo. General 
Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of 
Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Con- 
stantine, Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of 
Detroit, and .Mpheus lelch, of Monroe, Aids-de- 
( amp. When Governor Lucas observed the deter- 
mined bearing of the Michigan brave-;, and took note 



of their number, he found it convenient to content 
himself for a time with " watching over the border.' 
Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- 
ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his 
mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar- 
rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They 
remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of 
the consequences to himself and his State if he per- 
sisted in his attempt to gain possessionof the disputed 
territory by force. After several conferences with 
both governors, the connnissioners submitted proposi- 
tions for their consideration. 

Governor Lucas at once accepted the propositions, 
and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the 
other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and 
declined to compromise the rights of his people by a 
surrender of possession and jurisdiction. When Gov- 
ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however. Governor 
Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself 
in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. 

Governor Lucus now supposed that his way was 
clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- 
out being molested, and ordered the commissioners 
to proceed with their work. 

In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watch- 
ful eye upon the proceedings. General Brown sent 
scouts through the woods to watch their movements, 
and report when operations were commenced. When 
the surveying party got within the county of Lena- 
wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a 
warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made 
his appearance, and succeeded m arresting a portion 
of the party. The rest, including the commissioners, 
took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- 
puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- 
lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and 
reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of 
General Brown. 

This summary breaking up of the surveying party 
produced the most tremendous excitement throughout 
Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the 
Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference 
to the "war." The question continued for some time 
to agitate the minds of the opposing parties; and the 
action of Congress was impatiently awaited. Michigan 
was admitted into the Union on the condition that 
she give to Ohio the disputed territon,', and accept 
ni return the Northern Peninsula, which she did. 



•> 11 ^ <• 




JL 






SECOND GOVERyOR OF .\[ ICING AN. 



109 






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ILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, 

'Lsecond (iovernor of Michigan, 
fV was born at Norwich, Conn., 
Aug. 20, 1780, and died at 
Detroit Oct. 20, 1S61. lie 
r^A was of a family of three brothers 
and two sisters. His father, 
Dudley Woodbridge, removed to 
Marietta, Ohio, aiiout 1790. The 
life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas. 
Lauman, from which this sketch 
JiJ is largely compiled, mentions noth- 
ing concerning his early education 
beyond the fact that it was such as 



r»( was afforded by the average school 
*,( of the time, e.xcept a year with the 
French colonists at Oallii)olis, 
, , where he acquired a knowledge of 
I jQ the French language. It should 
be borne in mind, however, that 
home education at that time was 
an indispensable feature in the 
training of the young. To this and 
and to a few studies well mastered, 
is due that strong mental discipline which has served 
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have 
adorned and lielped to make our National history. 
Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having 
as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a 
young man subsequently distinguished, but known 
at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at 
the l.iw school in Connecticut, after a course there of 
nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta 
in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Con- 
necticut, luleanna, daughter of John Trumbell, a 
distinguished author and judge; and author of the 



i 



peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the 
Revolution, wrought such a magic change ujwn the 
spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes- 
tic relations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2,19, i860. 
Our written biographi';s necessarily speak more 
fully of men, because of their active jiarticipation in 
public affairs, but human actions are stamped ujxjn 
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled 
the influence of good women uixjn the history of the 
world will be read side by side with the deeds of men. 
How much success and renown in life many men owe 
to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. W. en- 
joyed the best means of early education that the 
country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled 
her to improve her advantages. During her life, side 
by side with the highest tyi)e of domestic and social 
graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that 
formed the crown of a faultless character. She was 
a natural jwet, and wrote quite a large number of fine 
verses, some of wliich are preserved in a i)rinted 
memorial essay written ujxjn the occasion of her 
death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute 
even in matters of minor imixjrtance, to elevate the 
reputation and add to the well being of her husband 
in the various stations he was called \\\)k>\\ to fill, gave 
her the highest satisfaction " She was an invalid 
during the latter (wrtion of her life, but was patient 
and cheerful to the end. 

In 1807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the 
(ieneral .Assembly of Ohio, and in f 809 was elected to 
the Senate, continuing a member l>y re-election until 
his removal from the State. He also held, by ap- 
pointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in 
the Legislature, and in 1S12 drew upadeclar.ationand 
resolutions, which passed the twohousesunaminously 




J, 



-•► 



WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE. 



aiid attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest 
a.id most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- 
dent Madison. During the period from 1804 to 1814 
the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, liad be- 
come widely separated. The latter was Governor of 
the Territory of Micliigan under the historic "Governor 
and Judges" plan, with tlie indispensable requisite of a 
Secretary of the Territorry. This latter position was, 
in 1814, without solicitation on his part, tendered to 
Mr. W. He accepted the position with some hesita- 
tion, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could 
make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio. 
The office of Secretary involved also the duties of 
collectorof customsat the port of Detroit, and during 
the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof 
of his duties, also including those of Superintendent 
of Indian Affairs. Mr. \S . officiated as Governor for 
about two years out of the eight years that he held the 
office of Secretary Under the administration of "Gov- 
ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory 
preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time 
after their numbers entitled them to a more popular 
representative system, they were allowed no delegate 
in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of 
the people, by correspondence and also by a visit to 
the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand 
for representation by a delegate, that an act was 
passed in Congress in 1 8 1 9 authorizing one tobe chosen. 
Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence 
of all parties. His first action in Congress was to secure 
the ]jassage of a bill recognizing and confirming the 
old French land titles in the Territory according to 
the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain 
at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the 
construction of a Government road through the "blacl< 
swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus oi)en- 
ing a means of land transit between Ohio and Mich- 
igan. He was influential in securing the passage of 
bills for the construction of Government roads from 
Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and 
for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex- 
pedition for the exploration of the country around 
Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, projected by Governor Cass, was set on foot 
by means of representations made to the head of the 
department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren- 
uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip 
of territory now forming the northern boundary of 
Ohio, which formed the subject of sucli grave dispute 
between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad- 
mission of the latter into the Union. He served 
but one term as delegate to Congress, de- 
clining further service on account of personal and 
family considerations. Mr. VV. continued to discharge 
the duties of Secretary of the Territory up to the time 
its Government passed into the "second grade." 

In 1824, he was appointed one of a board of 
commissioners for adjusting private land claims in 



the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of 
his profession, having the best law library in the Ter- 
ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the 
Governor, Judges and others, lie was appointed by the 
President, J. Q. Adams, to succeed Hon. James With- 
erell, wlio liad resigned as a Judgeof wliat is conven- 
tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory. 
This court was apparently a continuation of the Terri- 
torial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and 
Judges" system, .\lthough it was supreme in its ju- 
dicial functions within the Territory, its powers ind 
duties were of a very general character. 

In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge ex- 
piring. President Jackson appointed a successor, it is 
supposed on political grounds, much to the disappoint- 
ment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The 
partisan feehngof the time extended into the Terri- 
tory, and its people began to think of assuming the 
dignity of a State government. Party lines becom- 
ing very sharply drawn, he identified himself with 
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- 
tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. 
In 1837 he was elected a member of tie St ate Senate. 

This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail 
with what may be called Judge W's. earlier career, 
because it is closely identified with the early his- 
tory of the State, and the develojiment of its politi- 
cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov- 
ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and 
hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor 
and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov- 
ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that the 
affairs of the State had not been ])rudently adminis- 
tered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but 
little more than a year, when he was elected to the 
Senate of the United States. 

His term in the Senate practically closed his polit- 
ical life, although he was strongly urged by many 
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice 
President in 1848. 

Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Gov- 
ernor W. took up his residence on a tract of land 
which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a 
short distance below what was then the corporate lim- 
its of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder 
of his life. Both in his public papers and private 
communications. Governor W. shows himself a mas- 
ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra- 
tion, logical in arrangement, happy in the choice and 
treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres- 
sion. Judge W. was a ("ongregationalist. His opinions 
on all subjects were decided ; he was earnest and 
energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times ex- 
hibited a vein of fine humor that was the more at- 
tractive because not too often allowed to come to the 
surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and 
earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but 
the home of his adoption and for friends and family. 



:?^r#^ 



/ 



/ 




JU 



t 



GOl'EJiA'-ORS OF M/CII/G.UY. 



■•► 



1 1 





xJOHN S. BARRY 



om^ ►— 




■V' 




4 



OHN STEWARD BARRY, 
Governor of Michigan from 
Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, 1846, 
and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 
1852, was born at Amherst, 
N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par- 
ents, John and Ellen (Steward) 
Barry, early removed to Rocking- 
liam, Vt., where he remained until 
lie became of age, working on his 
father's farm, and pursuing his 
studies at the same time. He mar- 
ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt., 
and in 1824 went to (ieorgia, Vt., 
where he had charge of an academy 
for two years, meanwhile studying 
law. He afterward practiced law in 
that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some 
time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title 
of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period 
was Captain of a company of State militia. In 1831 
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon, 
where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. 
WiUard. 

Four years after, 1834, Mr. Barry removed to Con- 



stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He 
became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich.i 
in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835. 
Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member 
of the first constitutional convention, which assembled 
and framed the constitution upon which Michigan 
was admitted into the Union. He took an important 
and prominent part in the proceedings of that body, 
and showed himself to be a man of far more than 
ordinary ability. 

Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union, 
Mr. Barrv was chosen State Senator, and so favorably 
were his associates impressed with his abilities at the 
first session of the Legislature that they looked to him 
as a party leader, and that he should head the State 
ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re- 
ceived the nomination for Governor at the hands 
of his party assembled in convention. He was 
elected, and so (wpular was his administration that, in 
1842, he was again elected. During these years 
Michigan was enil)arrassed l>y great financial diffi- 
culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- 
ment that the State was finally placed upon a solid 
financial basis. 

During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the 
University at .■Vnn .\rbor was o|)ened for the reception 



-4^ 



114 



JOHN STEWARD BARRY. 



of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan 
Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and 
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842, 
the number of pupils reported as attending the public 
schools was nearly fifty -eight thousand. In 1843, a 
State land office was established at Marshall, which 
was invested with the charge and disposition of all 
the lands belonging to the State In 1844, the tax- 
able property of the State was found to be over 
twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the 
rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the 
State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the 
income from the railroads was nearly three hundred 
thousand dollars. At this time the University of 
Michigan had become so prosperous that its income 
was ample to pay the interest on the University debt ; 
and the amount of money which the State was able 
to loan the several progressing railroads was one 
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were 
made to increase the efficiency of the common schools 
with good results In 1845, when Gov. Barry's sec- 
ond term expired, the population of the State was 
more than three hundred thousand. 

The constitution of the State forbade more than two 
consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the 
position again in 1850 — the only instance of the kind 
in the history of the State. He was a member of the 
Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent- 
atives. 

During Mr. Barry's third term as Governor the Nor- 
mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was 
endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board 
of education consisting of six persons. A new con- 
stitution for the government of the State was also 
adopted and the ''(rreat Railway Conspiracy Case" 
was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts 
which had been committed upon the property of the 
Michigan Central Railroad Comi)any, along the line 
of their road, and finally the burning of the depot 
at Detroit, in 1850. 

At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County, 
April 24, 185 T, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this 
crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused 
parties appeared at the Circuit Court of Wayne, of 
which Warner Wing was resident judge. The Rail- 
road Company employed ten eminent lawyers, in- 
cluding David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A. 
Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Dan- 
iel Goodwin and William Gray. The defendants were 
represented by six members of the State bar, led by 
William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied 
four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam- 
ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants 
249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury 
for the prosecution ; William H. Seward for the 
defense. 

The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence 
■^« ^ " 



of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the 
sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his 
clients were the victims of purchased treachery, 
rather than so many sacrifices to justice. 

The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock 
p. M., Sept. 25, 185 1. On the 26th the prisoners were 
put forward to receive sentence, when many of them 
protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- 
siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol- 
lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within 
the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi 
Filley, ten years ; Orlando L. Williams, ten years ; 
Aaron Mount, eight years ; Andrew J. Freeland, eight 
years; Eben Fariiham, eight years; William Corvin, 
eight years ; Richard Price, eight years ; Evan Price, 
eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard 
W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five 
years; Erastus Smith, five years. 

In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in 
the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe 
to obtain information in reference to its culture. 

He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last 
public service was that of a delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864. 

He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a 
high character for integrity and fidelitv to the trusts 
bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private 
nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been 
one of the most efficient and {xjpular Governors the 
State has ever had. 

Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity. 
His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough 
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- 
victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for 
him to take an undefined jxisition wlien a principle 
was involved. His attachments and prejudices were 
strong, yet lie was never accused of favoritism in his 
administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was 
not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- 
acterized his oratory, which is described as argument- 
ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely 
wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo- 
quent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner 
rather awkward. 

Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were 
so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered 
both ancient and modern languages, and acquired a 
thorough knowledge of history. No man owed less 
to political intrigue as a means of gaining posi- 
tion. He was a true statesman, and gained pul)lic es- 
teem by his solid worth. His political connections 
were always with the Democratic party, and his opin- 
ions were usually extreme. 

Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning 
of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car- 
ried on his mercantile !)usiness at Constantine. He 
died Jan. 14, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a 
year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children. 



2,^ J 



-4«- 



t 



GOl'F.RXORS OF MICHIGAN. 



117 





')7^^^ 









=;i^^ 



"imi 




A 



LPHEUS FELCH, the third 
(iovernor of Michigan, was 
)orn ill l.inicrick, Maine, Sep- 
tember 28, 1806. His grand- 
father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- 
V'', " '/""^ dier ill the Revolution; and 
""■' i-=) when a young man, having with 
others obtained a grant of land be- 
tween the Great and Little Ossipee 
Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- 
gion when it was yet a wilderness. 
The father of Mr. Felch embarked in 
mercantile life at Limerick. He was 
the first to engage in that business in 
that section, and continued it until 
his death. The death of the father, 
followed within a year by the death of 
the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three 
years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a 
home with his paternal grandfather, where he re- 
mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early 
education in the district school and a neighboring 
academy, in 1821 he became a student at Phillips 
E.xter Academy, and, subseiiuently, entered Kowdoin 
College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at 
once began the study of law and was admitted to 
practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. 

He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, 
Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity 
of the climate impaired his health, never very good, 
and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. 
He disposed of his librar)- and started to seek 
a new home. His intention was to join his friend, 



^<->-..j 




Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his 
arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by 
cholera, and when he had lecovered suflicientiy to 
permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the 
disease was too great to permit a journey down the 
river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- 
gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- 
roe, where he continued uiitil 1843, when he removed 
to Ann Arbor, He was elected to the State Legisla- 
ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body 
during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this- 
office, the general banking law of the State was enact- 
ed, and went into operation. After mature delibera- 
tion, he became convinced that the proposed system 
of banking could not i)rove beneficial to the public 
interests ; and that, instead of relieving the people 
from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were 
laboring, it would result in still further embarrass- 
ment. He, therefore, opjxjsed the bill, and pointed 
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, 
were sure to follow its passage. The i)ublic mind, 
however, was so favorably impressed by the measure 
that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla- 
ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with 
him in opixDsition to the bill. Early in 183S, he was 
appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the 
State, and held that office for mote than a year. I )ur- 
ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to 
that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. 
Almost every village had its bank. The country was 
flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- 
aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to 
lii^ht frauds at every jioint, which were fearlessly re- 



4 



ii8 



ALPHEUS FELCH. 



ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- 
inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing 
of many of their institutions. The duties of the of- 
fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re- 
signed. The chartered right of almost every bank 
had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and 
the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to 
be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. 
In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed 
to the office of Auditor General of the State; but 
after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- 
missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was 
elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired 
term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, 
and entered upon his duties at the commencement of 
the ne.xl year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator 
in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from 
the office of Governor, by resignation, which took 
effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- 
menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on 
the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years 
was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position 
of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great 
credit to the State of Michigan. 

During Governor Felch 's administration the two 
railroads belonging to the State were sold to private 
corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the 
Southern for $500,000. The e.xports of the State 
amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity 
of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit 
was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and 
the sailmg vessels t8,528 tons, the whole giving em- 
ployment to 18,000 seamen. In 1847, there were 39 
counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 
275 of these townships were supplied with good libra- 
ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. 

At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, 
Mr. Felch was apixiinted, by President Pierce, one of 
the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish 



and Mexican land claims in California, under the 

treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress 
passed for that purpose. He went to California in 
May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis- 
sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- 
portant and delicate character. The interest of the 
new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, 
both the native Mexican [wpulation and the recent 
American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to 
their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to 
the lands of the Missions, — the most valuable of the 
State, — wereinvolved in the adjudicationsof this Com- 
mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought 
to a close by the final disposition of all the claims 
which were presented. The record of their proceed- 
ings, — the testimony which was given in each case, 
and the decision of the Commissioners thereon, — 
consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited 
in the Department of the Interior at Washington. 

In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to 
Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged piinci- 
pally in legal business. Since his return he has 
been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- 
ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But 
the Democratic party, to which he has always been 
attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- 
tion. In 1 87 3 he withdrew from the active practice 
of law, and, with the exception of a tour in Europe, 
in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home 
in Ann Arbor. In 1877 the University of Michigan 
conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. For 
many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan 
University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed 
Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is 
the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from 
Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com- 
missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor 
General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of 
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United 
States Senator from the State of Michigan. 
4^ 






GO VERNORS. 





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ILLIAM L. GREENLY 
(lovernor of Michigan for the 
year 1847, was born at Hamil- 
ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 



I'r'v .tj^p 18,1813. He graduated at Un- 



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ion College, Schenectady, in 
1831, studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the liar in 1834. In 
1836, having removed to Michi- 
gan, he settled in Adrian, where 
he has since resided. The year 
following his arrival in Michigan 
he was elected State Senator and 
served in that capacity until 1S39. 
In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- 
ernor and became acting Governor 
by the resignation of Gov. Felch, 
who was elected to the United 
States Senate. 

The war with Mexico was brought 
to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly s 
administration. \Ve regret to say that there are only 
few records e.xtant of the action of Michigan troops 
in the Mexican war. That many went there and 
fought well are points conceded ; but their names and 
nativity are hidden away in United States archives 
4* 



and where it is almost impossible to find them. 

The soldiers of this State deserve much of the 
credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d 
Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf.' 
The two former of these companies, recruited in this 
State, were reduced to one-third their original num- 
ber. 

In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- 
fied by the War Department of the United States to 
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- 
ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- 
mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of 
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of 
tho mfantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- 
ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, 
Scott and Brady uiwn their banners. Of the re- 
mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, 
St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne 
County an additional company. Of these alone the 
veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- 
vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the 
First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing 
from various parts of the State, but embodying 10 a 
great degree the material of which the first volunteers 
was formed, were not called for until October follow- 
ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- 
ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war. 
■» 



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GOVERNORS. 













EP:9PI}ItODITUS PI^SOIIJ. 











HE HON. EPAPHRODI- 
TUS RANSOM, the Seventh 
Governor of Michiijan, was a 
native of Massacliusetts. In 
that State lie received a col- 
legiate education, studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar. 
Removing to Michigan about 
the time of its admission to the 
Union, he took up his residence 
at Kalamazoo. 

Mr. Ransom served with marked 
ability for a number of years in the 
State Legislature, and in 1837 he was appointed As- 
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he 
was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- 
tained until 1845, when he resigned. 

Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in 
the building of plank roads in the western portion of 
the State, and in this business lost the greater jwrtion 
of the property wliich he had accumulated by years 
of toil and industry. 

Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of 
Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one 
term, performing the duties of the office in a truly 
statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became 
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in 
whirh i^sition he disi)layetl the same ability thai 
< • — — 



shone forth so ijrominently in his acts as Governor. 
He held the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer- 
sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy 
in its management. 

Subsequently he was ap|)ointed receiver ul the 
land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres- 
ident Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and 
where he died before the expiration of his term of 
office. 

We sum up the events and affairs of the State un- 
der Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The 
Asylum for the Insane was establised, as also the 
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of 
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands, 
and each of them placed in charge of a board of five 
trustees. The appropriation in 1S49 for the deaf and 
dumb and blind amounted to $8 < 1500. On the first 
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- 
pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- 
patch transmitted on that day. The foUowmg figures 
show the progress in agriculture : The land reiwrted 
as under cultivation in 1848 was 1,437,460 acres; of 
wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other 
grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 jwunds; 
maple sugar, 1,774.369 liounds; horses, 51,305 ; cat- 
tle, 210,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610,534; while 
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills 
amounted to 730. 1S47, an act was passed removing 
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and temix)- 
tary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im- 
mediately erected, at a cost of $1^,450. 







>»« 



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"^•- 



GOVERyORS OF MJCIUGAN. 



129 



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OBERT McClelland, 

®^Ciovernor of Michigan from 
Jan. I, 1852, to March 8,1853, 
wasbornatGrcencastle.Frank- 
_ lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1807. 
Among his ancestors were several 
'tficers of rank in tlic Revolution- 
ar)' war, and some of his family con- 
nections were distinguished in the 
war of 1812, and that with Mexico. 
His father was an eminent physician 
and surgeon who studied under Dr. 
Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and 
practiced his profession successfully 
until six months before his death, at 
the age of 84 years. Although Mr. 
McClelland's family had been in good circum- 
stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown 
uiwn hisown resources, .\fter taking the usual pre- 
liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the 
means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, 
Penn., from which he graduated among the first in 
his class, in 1 829. He then resumed teaching, and 
having completed the course of study for the legal 
profession, was admitted 10 the bar at Chambersburg, 
Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the 
city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a 
year. 

In 1833, Mr. McClelland rcmov<-d lo .Monroe, in 

<• ' — -"! ^^ 



the 'Icrritory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- 
amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- 
gan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of 
success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame 
a constitution for the proj^sed State of Michigan, of 
which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He 
took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked 
among its ablest debaters. He was apjwinted the 
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Cov. Mason, 
and received an offer of the .\ttorney Generalship, but 
declined both of these offices in order to attend to his 
professional duties. 

In 1838, Mr. .McClelland was elected to the State 
Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished 
as the head of several imixirtant committees. Speaker 
pro lemfort, and as an active, zealous and efficient 
member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for 
the Presidency, swci)t the country with an overwhelm- 
ing majority, and at the same time the State of Michi- 
gan was carried by the Whigs under the (wpular cr>' 
of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic 
party. .At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the 
acknowledged leaders of the latter organization ; was 
elected a member of the St.ite House of Representa- 
tives, and with others adopted a ])lan to regain a lost 
authority and jirestige. 

This party soon came again into (wwcr in the State, 
and having been returned to the Stale Legislature Mr. 
McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his 
election as S|>eaker of the House of Representatives 



1 



-<•- 



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ROBERT McCLELI.AXD 



-h 



in 1843. Down to this time Michigan had consti- 
tuted one congressional district. The kite Hon. Jacob 
M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus 
Felch by a strong majority; but, in 1843, so tlioroiighly 
had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat 
of 1840 that Mr. McClellandj as a candidate forCon- 
gress, carried Detroit district by a majority ot about 
2,500. Mr. McClelland soon tocV a prominent posi 
lion in Congress among the veteians of that body. 
During his first term he was placed on Committee on 
Commerce, and organized and carried through what 
were known as the " Harljor bills." The continued 
confidence of his constituency was manifested in his 
election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this 
session he had acquired a National reputation, and so 
favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his 
name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- 
resentatives. He declined the offer in favor of J. W. 
Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term 
he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in 
which positipn his reports and advocacy of important 
measures at once attracted public attention. The 
members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- 
teem in which they held his services and of their 
personal regard for him, presented him with a cane 
which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of 
his labors in Congress. 

In 1847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con- 
gress, and at the opening of the 3oih Congress be- 
came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- 
tions. \Vhile acting in this capacity, what was known 
as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his spe- 
cial charge, and his management of the same was such 
as to command universal approbation. While in 
Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the 
right of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams, 
when the petition, was clothed in decorous language 
and presented in the proper manner. This he re- 
garded as the citizensconstitutional right wjiich should 
not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expe- 
diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- 
dings's bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District 
of Columbia, Mr. McClelland was one of the few 
Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn- 
sylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot 
Proviso," with a view to prevent further extension of 
slavery in new territory which might be acquired by 
the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were to- 
gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate 
and confidential terms, Mr. McClelland was in sev- 
eral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- 
vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President, 
in 1848, doing valiant service that year for t>e elec- 
tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving 
Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the 
practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a 
convention of the State of Michigan was called to 
revise the State constitution. He was elected a 

.^a : . 



member and was regarded therein as among the ablest 
and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment 
and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the 
committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850, 
he was President of the Democratic State convention 
which adopted resolutions in support of Henry Clay's 
famous compromise measures,, of which Mr,, McClel- 
land was a strong advocate He was a member of 
tlie Democratic National convention in 1852, and in 
that year, in company with Gen Cass and Governor 
Felch,, he made a thorough canvass of the State. 
He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com- 
promise measures, and took an active part in the 
canvass which resulted in the election of Gen Pierce 
to the Presidency, 

In 185 r, the new Stat; constitution took effect and 
it was necessary that a Governor should be elected 
for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and 
to bring the State Government mto operat.r 1 jnder 
the new constitution Mr, McClelland was elected 
Governor, and in the fall of 1S52 was re-elected for 
a term of two years, from Jan. r, 1853. His admin- 
istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- 
tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a 
time when party spirit ran high. There was really 
no opposition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853, 
the State Treasury was well filled, and the State 
otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably had 
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on 
tlie organization of the cabinet by President Pierce, in 
March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior,in 
which capacity he served most creditably during four 
years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly 
re-organized his department and reduced the expend- 
itures. He adopted a course with the Indians which 
relieved them from the impositions and annoyances 
of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization 
among them. During his administration there was 
neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among 
agents, and he left the department in perfect order 
and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con- 
vention to revise the State constitution. Mr. McClel- 
land was a member and here again his long experi- 
ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a 
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was 
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im- 
pressive in his addresses to the jury His sincerity 
and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled 
a pleasant humor, made him an able and effective 
advocate. In speaking before the people on political 
subjects he was especially forcible and ha])py. In 
1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his 
extensive personal acquaintance with European dip- 
lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than 
most travelers 

Mr. McClelland married, in 1837, Miss Sarah 
E. Sabin,of Williamstown, Mass. They have had 
six children two of whom now survive. 

•►- 



1 



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GOlEA'.yORS OF MICHIGAN. 



^17, 





i ANDREW P4RS)()NS. 

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NDRKW I'ARSONS, Gover- 
nor of Michiiian from March 
8, 1853 to Jan. 3, 1855, was 
born in the town of Hoosick, 
County of Rensselaer, and 
State of New N'ork, on the 2 2d 
day of July, 1817, and died June 
6, 1855, at the early age of 38 
years. lie was tlie son of John 
Parsons, born at Newburyixirt, 
jMass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the 
sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revohitionary 
soldier, who was the son of Phineas 
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, 
a descendant of Walter l\-irsons, born 
in Ireland in 1290. 
(Jf this name and family, some one hundred and 
lliirty years ago. Bishop (litson remarked in his edi- 
tion of Camden's Britannia : "The lionorable family 
of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of 
Viscounts and more lately Earls of Ross." 

The following are descendants of these families: 
Sir John Parsons, born 1 481, was Mayor of Hereford; 
Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Piridgewater, 
HIngland. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- 
ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the 
Romish faith. He established an English College at 
Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, 
born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in N'otingham; 
Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another 
noted member of the family. I n 1 634, Thomas Parsons 
was knighted by Charles i. Joseph and Benjamin, 
bmthers, were born in Great Torringtoii, Engl.ind, 



*■ 



and acconiiKinieii their father and others to New 
England about 1630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- 
bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 
1730, ordained at Rye, .N. H., Nov. 3, 1736. married 
Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Bosloi , 
Oct. g, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in 
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfatherof Maty 
Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson 
of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first set- 
tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous 
race of the name are descended, including two Presi- 
dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- 
come very numerous and are found throughout New 
England, and many of the descedants are scattered 
in all parts of the United States, and especially in 
the Middle and Western States. Governor Andrew 
Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the ape of 17 
years, and spent the first summer at Ixjwer Ann 
Arbor, where for a lew months he taught school which 
he was compelled to abandon from ill health 

He was one of the large number of men of sterling 
worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it 
was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming 
the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom, 
enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful 
natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proud- 
est States of the L'nion. These brave men came to 
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the contpiest 
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and slmng 
and willing hands. They gloriously conrpiered, how- 
ever, and to them is cine all honor for the lalx-iis 
so nobly i)erforined, for the solid and sure foundation 
which they laid of a great Commonwealth. 



^^1 

r 



134 



A 



ANDREW PARSONS 



In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River 
Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river, 
from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following 
winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia, 
County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he 
resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons, 
also now deceased, until fall, when he went to Shia- 
wasse County, then with Clinton County, and an almost 
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized 
township. In 1837 this territory was organized into 
a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (An- 
drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was 
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and 
also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to the State 
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848, 
and elected Regent of the University in 185 i, and 
Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor, 
in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and, 
overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the 
responsibilities of his office and cares of his business, 
retired to his farm, where he died soon after. 

He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well 
calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He 
was always true to his trust, and the whole world 
could not ijersuade nor drive him to do what he con- 
ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power- 
ful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him, 
to induce liim to call an extra session of the Legisla- 
ture. Meetings were lield in all parts of the State 
for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions 
were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do 
their bidding by resort to friendly and flattering words. 
In other places the resolutions were of a demanding 
nature, while in others they were threatening beyond 
measure. Fearing that all these influences might 
fail to induce him to call the extra session, a large 
sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers ten- 
dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of 
the State and call the extra session, but, immovable, 
he returned the money and refused to receive 
any fa vol s, whether from any party who would ;it- 
1 ' tempt to corrupt him by laudations, liberal offers, or 




by threats, and in a short letter to the people, after 
giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man 
could dispute, showing the circumstances were not 
"extraordinary," he refused to call the extra session. 
This brought down the wrath of various parties upon 
his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge 
the wisdom and the justice of his course. One of 
his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance : 
"tliough not always coinciding with his views I never 
doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times 
sought to perform his duties in strict accordance, 
with the dictates of his conscience, and the behests 
ofhisoath." The following eulogium from a politcal op- 
ponent is just in its conception and creditable to its 
author: "Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Dem- 
ocratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed 
and exemplary hnbits, and entirely blameless in every 
public and private relation of life. As a politician he 
was candid, frank and free from bitterness, as an ex- 
ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." The 
highest commendations we can pay the deceased is 
to give his just record, — that of being an honest man. 
In the spring of 1854, during the administration of 
Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least 
as a State organization, was first formed in the United 
States " under the oaks " at Jackson, by anti-slavery 
men of both the old parties. Great excitement pre- 
vailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of 
Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether 
slavery should exist there. For the purpose of permit- 
ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (which 
limited slavery to the south of 36° 30") was re- 
repealed, under the leadership of Stephen A, Douglas. 
This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and 
Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who 
were opposed to this repeal measure were in short 
called "anti-Nebraska" men. The epithets, "Ne- 
braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally em- 
ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery 
parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic 
and Whig parties rind the organization of the nevyf 
Democratic and Republican parties of the present. 



I 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



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INSLEY S. 



BliVGHAM, 
fe^^ Governor of Michigan from 
1855 to 1859, and United 
States Senator, was born in 
Camillus, Onondaga County, 
N. Y., Dec. 16, 1808. His 
father was a farmer, and his own 
early life was consequently de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits, but 
notwithstanding the disadvan- 
tages related to the acquisition 
of knowledge in the life of a farmer 
he managed to secure a good aca- 
demic education in his native State 
and studied law in the office of 
Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of 
Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 
1833, he married an estimable lady 
who had recently arrived from Scot- 
land, and obeying the impulse of a 
naturally enterprising dis]X)sition, 
he emigrated to Michigan and 
lurchased a new farm in company 
witli his lirother-in-law, Mr. Robert 
\Vorden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on 
the border of civilization, buried in the primeval for- 
est, our late student commenced the arduous task of 
preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put- 
ting u|) buildings, etc., at such a rate that the land 



chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. 

Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- 
master under tlie Territorial governmenf, and was the 
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836, 
when Michigan became a State, he was elected to the 
first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and 
Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. 
In 1846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Rei>- 
resentative to Congress, and was the only practical 
farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the 
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opposed 
to the introduction of " Wood's Patent Cast Iron 
Plow " which he completely \)revented. He was re- 
elected to Congress in 1S48, during which time he 
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the 
territory of the United States and w.as committed to 
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. 

In 1S54, at the first organization of the Republican 
party, in consecjuence of his record in Congress as a 
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated 
and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 
1856. Still faithful to the memory of his own former 
occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his 
administration, and among other profits of his zeal in 
their l)ehalf, he became mainly instrumental in the 
establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansing. 

In 1859, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in 
Congress and took an active part in the stormy cam- 
paign in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He wit- 



t^ 



:* 



4^ 



138 



A'/NSLEY S. BINGHAM. 



nessed the commencement of the civil war while a 
member of the United States Senate. After a com- 
paratively short life of remarkable promise and pub- 
lic activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died 
suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, 1861. 
The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's 
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the 
Falls of St. Mary. In 1852, Angust 26, an act of 
Congress was approved, granting to the State of Mich- 
igan seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land 
for the purpose of constructing a ship canal between 
Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1853, the Legislature 
accepted the grant, and provided tor the appointment 
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to 
arrange for building the canal. A company of enter- 
prising men was formed, and a contract was entered 
into by which it was arranged that the canal should 
be finished in two years, and the work was pushed 
rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, ma- 
chinery, working implements and materials, timber 
for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and 
supplies, had to be transported to the site of the canal 
from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake ports. The 
rapids which had to be surmounted have a fall of 
seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The 
length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one 
hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks 
of solid masonary. In May, 1855, the work was com- 
pleted, accepted by the commissioners, and formally 
delivered to the State authorities. 

The disbursements on account of the construction 
of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one 
million of dollars ; while the lands which were as- 
signed to the company, and selected through the 
agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the 
Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the 
Government grant. The opening of the canal was 
an important event in the history of the improvement 
of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of 
lake commerce, and particularly important to the 
interests of the Upper Peninsula. 

There were several educational, charitable and re- 
formatory institutions inaugurated and opened during 
Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Ag- 
ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision 
of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, 
" The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, pro- 
vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." 
For the purpose of caryinginto practice this provision, 
legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act re- 
quired that the school should be within ten miles of 
Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should 
be paid for the farm and college grounds. The col- 
lege was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of 
existing argricultural colleges in the United States 
Until the spring of 186 i, it was under the control 
of the State Board of Education; since that time it 
has been under the management of the State Board 



of Agriculture, which was created for that purpose. 

In its essential features, of combining study and 
labor, and of uniting general and professional studies 
in its course, the college has remained virtually un- 
changed from the first. It has a steady growth in 
number of students, in means of illustration and 
efficiency of instruction. 

The Agricultural College is three miles east of 
Lansing, comprising several fine buildings ; and there 
are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the 
professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled 
green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemical 
laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the 
United States, a general museum, a meseum of me- 
chanical inventions, another of vegetable products, 
extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for 
the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 
acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a 
systematic rotation of crops, 

Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan 
Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the 
Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20 
acres. There are four buildings, capable of accom- 
modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 
was 179; total number of graduates for previous year, 
121 ; ten professors and teachers are employed. Ex- 
clusive of the endowment fund ($80,000), the assets 
of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni- 
ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, 
etc., amount to more than $137,000. 

Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the 
Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at 
Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1845 It was kept 
in operation until it was merged into the present 
Hillsdale College. The site comprses 25 acres, 
beautifully situated on an eminence in the western 
part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and impos- 
ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire 
in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more 
modern style have been erected. They are of brick, 
three stories with basement, arranged on three sides 
of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 
48 by 72, 48 by 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- 
tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. 
The State Reform School. This was established 
at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern jwrtion of the 
city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of- 
fenders, having about it many of the features of a 
prison. In 1859 the name was changed to the State 
Reform School. The government and dicipline, have 
undergone many and radical changes, until all the 
prison features have been removed except those that 
remain in the walls of the original structure, and 
which remain only as monuments of instructive his- 
tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The 
inmates are necessaiily kept under the surveillance of 
officers, luit the attempts at escape are much fewer 
than under the more rigid regime of former days. 




4 



■4•■ 



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'65 







.<Jl9k^^ 



;-^i 











t 



DAVID H. JEROME, Gover- 

uq^^nor of from Jan. i, 1881, to 
Jan. I, 1883, was born at De- 
troit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829. 
His parents emigrated to 
Michigan from Trumansburg, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1828, 
locating at Detroit. His father 
died March 30, 1831, leaving 
nine children. He had been 
twice married, and four of the 
children living at the time of his 
i^ death were grown up sons, the ofif- 
I spring of his first union. Of the 
five children by his second marriage, David H. was 
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his 
widow moved back to New York and settled in 
Onondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained 
until the fall of 1834, the four sons by the first wife 
continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall 
of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan, 
locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the 
Governor formed those habits of industry and ster- 
ling integrity that have been so characteristic of the 
man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the 
district school, and in the acquisition of the funda- 
mental branches of learning he disjilayed a precocity 
and an application which won for him the admiration 
of his teachers, and always placed him at the head 
of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on 
the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful hear; 
and willing hand to assist liis widowed mother. The 
' heavy labor of the farm was carried on by liis two I 



older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13 
years of age David received his mother's permission to 
attend school at the St. Clair .\cademy. While attend- 
ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de- 
ceased, doing chores for his board, and the following 
winter performed the same service for James Ogden, 
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome 
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purix)se of 
continuing her son in school. While attending said 
academy one of his associate students was Sena- 
tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate 
before the gubernatorial convention in 1880. He 
completed his education in the fall of his 16th year, 
and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy 
m hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer 
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to .A.lgonac. 

In iS47,M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. ClairCoun- 
ty, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David 
H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining 
as such during i848-'49, and receiving much praise 
from his employers and the people in general for the 
ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He 
spent his summer vacation at clerical work on tward 
the lake vessels. 

In 1849- '50, he abandoned office work, and for the 
proper development of his physical system spent 
several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, 
his brother "Tiff" and iiimself chartered the steamer 
"Chautau(iua,"and "Young Dave" became her mas- 
ter. .'V portion of the season the boat was engaged 
in the passenger and freight traffic between Port 
Huron and Detroit, but during the Litter part was 
used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious 
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair 
Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which 



-4»- 



^ 



1 66 



DA VID H. JEROME. 



"F W^ ^" 



vessels could carry only about 10,000 bushels of grain. 
Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels 
from one lake to the other, and put his plan into 
operation. Through the influence of practical men, — 
among them the subject of this sketch, — Congress 
removed the obstruction above referred to, and now 
vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000 
bushels of grain. 

During the season, the two brothers succeeded 
in making a neat little sum of money by the sum- 
mer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract 
to raise the "Gen. Scott," a vessel that had sunk in 
Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt, 
but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the 
spring of 185 i, he was clerk and acting master of the 
steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying be- 
tween Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The 
following year he was clerk of the propeller "Prince- 
ton," running between Detroit and Buffalo. 

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, 
by way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary 
success in selling goods in a new place of his selec- 
tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re- 
mained there during the summer, and located the 
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded 
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment. 
He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into tlie mine, 
but when the water supply began to fail with the dry 
season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of 
1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for 
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County, 
about a year after his departure. During his absence 
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in 
1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operations 
in the valley. In 1855 the brothers bought Black- 
mer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores, 
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management 
of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was also ex- 
tensively engaged in lumbering operations. 

Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated 
for Alderman against Stewart B. Williams, a rising 
young man, of strong Democratic principles. The 
ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was 
elected by a handsome majority. When the Repub- 
lican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H. 
Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention, 
one of its "charter members." In 1862, he was com- 
missioned by Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the 



six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. 
Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held 
meetings at .arious points. The zeal and enthusiasm 
displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a 
feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many 
brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d 
Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed 
in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a bril- 
liant record. 

In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by 
the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th 
district, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his op- 
ponent. The contest was very exciting, and resulted 
in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was 
twice renominated and elected both times by in- 
creased majorities, defeating 'Teorge Lord, of Bay 
City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On tak- 
ing his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chair- 
man of the Committee on State Affairs, and was ac- 
tive in raising means and troops to carry on the war. 
He held the same position during his three terms of 
service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers' 
Home at Harper Hospital, Detroit. 

He was selected by Gov. Crapo as a military aid, 
and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State 
Military Board, and served as its President for eight 
consecutive years. In 1873, he was appointed by 
Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare 
a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the 
Committee on Finance. 

In 1875, Mr. Jerome was apjxiinted a member of 
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In I876 he was 
Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the 
Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement 
of all existing difficulties. The commission went to 
Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, 
a distance of 600 miles up the Columbia River. 

At the Republican State Convention, convened at 
Jackson in August, 1880, Mr. Jerome was placed in 
the field for nomination, and on the 5 th day of the 
month received the highest honor the convention 
could confer on any one. His opponent was Freder- 
ick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was sup- 
ported by the Democratic and Greenback parties. 
The State was thoroughly canvassed by both parties, 
and when the polls were closed on the evening of 
election dav, it was found thnt David H. Jerome had 
been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to 
occupy the highest position within their gift 



H 





^^^■^Le-/ :k^-^^^--i^i.e^y--^ 



-U 






GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



141 




.| OSES WISNER. Governor of 
Vj, Michigan from 1859 to 1861, 
"was born in Springport, Cayu- 
ga Co., N Y., June 3, 1815. 
His early education was only 
what could be obtained at a 
r ■g) common school. Agricultural labor 
iVi and frugality of his parents gave 
^•M\^ him a physical constitution of unus- 
~®Ha * ^^ strength and endurance, which 
^ \was ever preserved by temperate hab- 
its. In 1837 he emigrated to Michi- 
nV^' gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer 
County It was new land and he at 
once set to work to clear it and plant 
crops. He labored diligently at his 
task for two years, when he gave up 
the idea of being a fanner, and removed to Tontiac, 
Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law 
in the office of his brother, George W. Wisner. and 
Rufus Hosmer. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar 
and established himself in his new vocation at the 
village of Lapeer. While there he was apppointed 
by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting Attorney for that 
county, in which capacity he acquitted himself well 
and gave promise of that eminence he after^vard at- 
tained in the profession. He remained at Lapeer but 
a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he became 
a member of a firm and entered fully ujwn the 
practice. 

In politics he was like his talented brother, a Whig 
of the Henry Clay stamp, but with a decided anti- 
slaverybias. His practice becoming extensive, he 



took little part in jwlitics until after the election of 
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1S52, when he took an 
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a 
man of great ability, but relied less ujxin mere book 
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal 
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of 
his client, and no facts escaped hjs attention or his 
memory which bore ujKjn the case. He was no friend 
of tricker)- or artifice in conducting a case As an ad- 
vocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the 
merits of his subject his eloquence was at once grace- 
ful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most 
original, the most jwinted illustrations, and his logic 
became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the 
adversary shrank and withered. Nature had be- 
stowed uix)n him rare (lualities, and his i)cwers as a 
jwpular orator were of a high order. 

On the passage of tlic Kansas-Nebraska Act of 
1854, repealing the Missouri compromise and opening 
the Territories to slaverj'. he was among the foremost 
in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He 
actively participated in organizing and consolidating 
the elements opixssed to it in that State, and wis a 
member of the popular gathering at Jackson, in July, 
1854, which was the first formal Repuiilican Conven- 
tion held in the United States. At this meeting the 
name " Republican " was adopted as a designation of 
the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Whigs, 
Liberty men. Free Soil Democrats and all others op- 
posed to the extension of slavery and favorable to its 
expulsion from the Territories and the District of 
Columbia. At this convention Mr. W. was urged to 
accept the nomination for Attorney Genera! of the 



V 



-U 



142 



MOSES WISNER. 



1 ' 



State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nom- 
inated and at the annual election in November was 
elected by an average majority of nearly 10,000. 
Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought to 
its support all his personal influence and talents. In 
his views he was bold and radical. He believed from 
the beginning that the political power of the slave- 
holders would have to be overthrown before quiet 
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential 
canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Re- 
publican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of 
1857 he was a candidate for United States Senator, 
and as such received a very handsome support. 

In 1858, he was nominated for Governor of the 
State by the Republican convention that met at De- 
troit, and at the subsequent November election was 
chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of 
the election he had addressed the people of almost 
every county and his majority was greater even than 
that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham. 
He served as Governor two years, from Jan. i, 1859, 
to Jan. 1, 1861. His first message to the Legislature 
was an able and statesman-like production, and was 
read with usual favor. It showed that lie was awake 
to all the interests of the State and set forth an en- 
lightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid 
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel- 
opment of our immense agricultural and mineral re- 
sources. It was a document that reflected the highest 
credit upon the author. 

His term having expired Jan. i, 1861, he returned 
to his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his 
profession. There were those in the State who 
counselled the sending of delegates to the peace con- 
ference at Washington, but Mr. VV. was opposed to all 
such temporizing expedients. His counsel was to 
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight. 

After Congress had met and passed the necessary 
legislation he resohed to take part in the war. In 
the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to 
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland 
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 2 2d 
Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to 
march in September, a regiment whose solid quali- 
ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field. 
Col. W's. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1862. 
Before parting with liis family he made his will. His 
regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at 



Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the 
war turned his attention to military studies and be- 
came proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline. 
His entire attention was now devoted to his duties. 
His treatment of his men was kind, though his disci- 
pline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree 
the spirit of command, and had he lived he would 
no doubt have distinguished himself as a good 
officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at 
being kept in Kentucky where there was so little 
prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp, 
so different from the one he had been leading, and 
his incessant labors, coupled witli that impatience 
which was so natural and so general among the vol- 
unteers in the early part of the war, soon made their 
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with 
typhoid fever and removed to a private house near 
Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the 
hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him. 
In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was dis- 
ciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for 
an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the jus- 
tice of their cause and the necessity of their crush- 
ing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poig- 
nant griet was the prospect of not being able to come 
to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry." 
He was proud of his regiment, and felt that if it could 
find the enemy it would cover itself with glory, — a 
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col \V. 
was no more. The malady baffled all medical treat- 
ment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed 
his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and 
interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest 
by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who re- 
ceived his mortal wound at the battle of Antietam. 
Col. W'. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless 
ambitious of military renown and would have striven 
for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war 
to defend and uphold the principles he had so much 
at heart. Few men were more familiar than he with 
the causes and the underlying principles that led to 
the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of 
Gen. C. C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to 
mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the 
tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and 
welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, gen- 
erous and brave, and like thousands of otneis he 
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country. 



f 



I 



♦- 



GOVERA'ORS OF AffCII/GAiY. 



MS 



,t 



.^5^ 




^■=1^. 



yt^i 








■r 



i^ USTIN BLAIR, Govemoi- 
t^^of Michigan from Jan. 2, 
186 1, to Jan. 4, 1865, and 
kown as the War (iovernor, is 
and illustration of the benifi- 
cent influence of republican in- 
'^7 stitutions, having inherited neith- 
er fortune nor fame. He was born 
in a log cabin at Caroline, Tomp- 
kins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 18:8. 
His ancestors came from Scot- 
land in the time of (jeorge I, and 
for many generations followed the 
'SW pursuit of agriculture. His father, 
I George Blair, settled in Tompkins 
County in 1809, and felled the trees and erected the 
first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four- 
score years of his life were spent on that spot. He 
married Rhoda Beackman, who now sleeps with him 
in the soil of the old homestead. The first 17 years 
of Mr. Blair's life were spent there, rendering his 
father what aid he could upon the farm. He then 
spent a year and a half in Cazenovia Seminary pre- 
paring for college; entered Hamilton College, in 
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of 
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr. 
Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he 
graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving col- 
lege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet 
& Davis, Oswego, N. Y., and was admitted to practice 
in 1 84 1, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat- 



ing in Jackson. During a temporar)' residence in 
Eaton Rapids, in 1842, he was elected Clerk of Eaton 
County. .At the close of the official term he returned to 
Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously esjxjused the cause 
of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1S44. He was chosen 
Representative to the Legislature ni 1845, at which 
session, as a member of the Judiciar)' Committee, he 
rendered valuable service in the revision of the gen- 
eral statutes ; also made an able support in favor of 
abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elec- 
tive franchise, and at the same session was active in 
securing the abolition of capital punishment. In 1848 
Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig 
party, because of its refusial to endorse in convention 
any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil 
movement, and was a delegate to their convention 
which nominated Van Buren for President that year. 
Upon the birth of the Republican party at Jackson, 
in 1854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil 
elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the 
movement, and acted as a member of the Committee 
on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of Jackson County in 1852; was chosen State Senator 
two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Re- 
publican administration of 1855, and holding the 
position of parliamentar)' leader in the Senate. He 
was a delegate to the National Convention which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair 
was elected (^vernor of Michigan in i860, and re- 
elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably discharging 
the arduous duties of the office during that most mo- 



n 



146 



AUSTIN BLAIR. 



mentous and stormy period of the Nation's life. Gov. 
Blair possessed a clear comprehension of the perilous 
situation from the inception of the Rebellion, and his 
inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive 
policy and the administrative ability which charac- 
terized his gubernatorial career. 

Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a 
brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacri- 
fice been made, than that which distinguished Mich- 
igan during the civil war. All, from the "War Gov- 
ernor." down to the poorest citizen of the State, were 
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently 
sublime and wisely directed. 

Very early in 1861 the coming struggle cast its 
shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his mes- 
sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt 
very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and 
as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles 
of the Republic. After a review of the conditions 
of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the 
relations between the free and slave States of the 
Republic, saying: " While we arecitizensof the State 
of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her in- 
terests and honor, we have a still prouder title. We 
are also citizeas of the United States of America. By 
this title we are known among the nations of the earth. 
In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of 
the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic, 
the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect 
her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the 
prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Govern- 
ment, we are deeply interested. The people of Mich- 
igan are loyal to that Government — faithful to its con- 
stitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace 
and prosperity, and under it they mean to abide to 
the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history 
of the past, they will not renounce the equally glo- 
rious hopes of the future. But they will rally around 
the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity 
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para- 
graph being : 

" I recommend you at an early day to make mani- 



fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the 
two Houses of Congress, and to the country, that 
Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and 
the laws and will defend them to the uttermost ; and 
to proffer to the President of the United States, the 
whole military power of the State for that purixjse. 
Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a 
Jackson, to guide the ship of State in this perilous 
storm ! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th 
of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our 
fathers — ' Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, 
now and forever. 

How this stirring appeal was responded to by the 
people of Michigan will be seen by the statement 
that the State furnished 88,1 1 1 men during the war. 
Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abun- 
dantly supplied by this State during all these years of 
darkness and blood shed. No State won a brighter 
record for her devotion to our country than the Pen- 
insula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any 
other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal 
and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism 
manifested in its defense. 

Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the 
Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Forty- 
first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third Dis- 
trict of Michigan. While a member of that body he 
was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures, 
and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His 
speech upon the national finances, delivered on the 
floor of the House March 21, 1868, was a clear and 
convincing argument. Since his retirement from Con- 
gress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied witli his ex- 
tensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L. 
Ford, of Seneca County N. Y., in February, 1849. 
Their family consists of 4 sons — George H., a law 
partner of A. J. Gould ; Charles A., a law partner with 
hir father, and Fred. J. and Austin T. Blair, at home. 
Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and 
centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair 
was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the State by the Republican party, but was defeated. 
•>. 



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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



•4'; 





HENRY H. CRAPO. 







ENRY ROWLAND CRAPO, 

Governor of Michigan from 
ll^iSes to 1869, was born May 
24, 1804, at Dartmoutli, Bris- 
tol Co., Mass., and died at 
.,/ "^ Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869. 
^ He was the eldest son of Jesse 
and Phoebe (Rowland) Crajx). 
His father was of French descent 
and was very poor, sustaining his 
^family liy the cultivation of a farm in 
Dartmouth township, which yielded 
I nothing beyond a mere livelihood. 
His early life was consequently one 
of toil and devoid of advantages for 
intellectual culture, but his desire for 
an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- 
cessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a compara- 
tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing 
for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for 
them in an education. His struggles to secure this 
end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would 
have discouraged any but the most courageous and 
persevering. He became an ardent student and 
worker from his boyhood, though the means of carry- 
ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. He 
sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having 
money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to 
procure one in his neighborhood, he set out to compile 
one for himself In order to acipiire a knowledge of 
the English language, he copied into a book every 
word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and 
uiK>n meeting the same word again in the newsi)apers 
and books, which came into his hands, from the 



T^ 



context, would then record the definition. Whenever 
unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word 
in which he liad become interested he would walk 
from Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purixjse 
alone, and after referring to the books at the library 
and satisfynig himself thoroughly as to itsdeunition, 
would walk back, a distance of about seven miles, 
the same night. This was no unusual circumstance. 
Under such difficulties and in this manner he com- 
piled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscript 
which is believed to be still in existence. 

Ever \\\ pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posses- 
sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself 
diligently to its study became familiar with this art, 
which he soon had an opixjrtunity to practice. The 
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was 
called uix)n, but had no compass and no money with 
which to purchase one. \ compass, however, he 
must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop 
near at hand, \.\\x>n the forge, with such tools as he 
could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner, 
he constructed the compass and commenced life as a 
surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- 
self for teaching, and took charge of the village school 
at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and un- 
der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 
0|)encd, he jjassed a successful examination for its 
principalship and received the apjwintment. To do 
this was no small task. The law required a rigid 
examination in various subjects, which necessitated 
days and nights of study. One evening, after con- 
cluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot 
to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called 
upon the preceptor of Friend's .Academy and passed 



4 



15° 



HENRY HOWLAND CRAPO. 



•^^^f^^ 



a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that 
he was qualified, he walked back to his home the 
same night, highly elated in being possessed of the 
acquirements and. requirements of a master of the 
high school. 

In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native 
town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he 
followed the occupation of land surveyor, and oc- 
casionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becom- 
ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, 
Treasurer, and Collector of ta.xes, which office he held 
until the municipal government was changed, — about 
fifteen years, — when, upon the inauguration of the city 
government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector 
of taxes, a position which he held two or three years. 
He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. 
He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was 
Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and 
as such prepared a report upon which was based the 
order for the establishment of the free Public Library 
of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was 
chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This 
was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if 
not in the world. The Boston Free Library was es- 
tablished, however, soon afterwards. While a resident 
in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul- 
ture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out 
his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of 
rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here 
he started a nursery, which he filled with almost every 
description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took 
great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New 
England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled 
as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indica- 
tion of the wide reputation he acquired in that field 
of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an 
affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the 
President of the National Horticultural Society at its 
meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his resi- 
dence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged 
in the whaling business. A fine barque built at Dart- 
mouth, of which he was part owner, was named the 
"H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him. 

Mr. C. also took part in the State Militia, and for 
several years held a commission as Colonel of one of 
the regiments. He was President of the Bristol 
County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretary of 
the Bedford Connnercial Insurance Company in New 
Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov- 
ernment hecompiled and published, Vietween the years 
1836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford 
Directory, the first work of the kind ever published 
there. 

Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been 
induced to do so by investments made principally in 
pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856. 
He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en- 



gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber 
at Flint, Feutonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming 
one of the largest and most successful business men 
of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the 
construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was 
President of that corporation until its consolidation 
with the Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. Company. 
He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been 
a resident of the place only five or six years. In 
1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of 
1864 he received the nomination on the Republican 
ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a 
large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding 
the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869, 
having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties. 

While serving his last term he was attacked with a 
disease which terminated his life within one year 
afterwards. During much of this time he was an in- 
tense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his 
attention to public matters. A few weeks previous 
to his death a successful surgical operation was i)er- 
formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he 
overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion 
in business matters and State affairs suffered arelapse 
from which there was no rebound, and he died July 
2,7>^ 1869. 

In the early part of his life. Gov. Crapo affiliated 
with the Whig party in politics, but became an active 
member of the Republican party after its organization. 
He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called 
the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its 
welfare and prosperity. 

Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mary A. Slocum, 
of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after 
he had attained his majority, and before his struggles 
with fortune had been rewarded with any great meas- 
ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great 
strength of character and possessed of courage, hope- 
fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and 
encouraged her husband in the various pursuits of 
his early years. For several years after his marriage 
he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living 
with her parents at the time, at whose home his two 
older children were born. While thus situated he 
was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see 
his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready 
for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good 
part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident 
that at that period of his life no common obstacles 
deterred him from performing what he regarded 
as a duty. His wife was none the less consci- 
entious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities 
and increasing requirements she labored faithfully 
in the ]3erfonirance of all her duties. They had 
ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, 
Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an 
honored Representative to Congress from the First 
Congressional District of Massachusetts. 



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CO VERNORS OF AfrCff/GAiY. 



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I 



ENRY P. BALDWIN, Gov- 
ernor of Michigan from Jan. 
4, 1869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a 
lineal descendant of Nathan- 
-^--^=— — j^Jj iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- 
*'^^^T':^^ ingluunshire, England, who set- 
tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639. 
His father was John Baldwin, 
a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
lege. He died at North Provi- 
dence, R. I., in 1826. His 
paternal grandfather was Rev. 
Moses Baldwin, a graduate of 
Princeton College, in 1757, and the 
first who received collegiate hon- 
ors at that ancient and honored institution. He died 
at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more than 50 
years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 
On his mother's side Covernor B. is descended from 
Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Rox- 
bury, Mass., about 1638. His mother was a daughter 
of. Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard 
College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where 
tor 21 years lie was pastor of the Congregationalist 
Church. The subject of this sketch was born at 
Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1S14. He received a New 
England common-school education until the age of 
12 years, when, both his parents having died, he be- 
came a clerk in a mercantile estalilishment. He re- 
mained there, employing his leisure hours in study, 
until 20 years of age. 

At this early period Mr. 15. engaged in business on 
his own account, lie made a visit to the West, in 
■'*^37i which resulted in his removal to Detroit in tiie 
spring of 18^8. Here he established a mercantile 
house which has been successfully conducted until 
the present time. Although he successfully conducted 



a large business, he has ever taken a deep interest in 
all things affecting the prosperity of the city and 
State of his adoption. He was for several years a 
Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's 
Society, an institution with a large library designed 
for the benefit of young men and citizens generally 
An Episcojialian in religious belief, he has been 
prominent in home matters connected with that de- 
nomination. The large and flourishing parish of St. 
John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who 
gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and 
also contributed the larger share of the cost of their 
erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in 
the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has 
always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- 
ious enterprises whether connected with his own 
Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few 
public and social improvements of Detroit during the 
past 40 years with which Governor B.'s name is not 
in some way connected. He was a director in the 
Michigan State Hank until the expiration of its char- 
ter, and has been President of the Second National 
Bank since its organization. 

In i860, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State 
.Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of i86i-'2 he 
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a 
member of Committee on Banks and Incor|X)rations, 
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the two 
Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Dejiart- 
ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of 
the letting of the contract for the improvement of 
Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected 
Governor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving 
from 1S69 to 1 87 2, inclusive. It is no undeserved 
eulogy to say that (Jovernor H.'s hapi)y faculty of es- 
timating the necessary means loan end — the knowing 
of how much effort or attention to bestow uixjn the 
thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform 



*>> ■ 4* 



i 



^^ 



fJi 



HENR Y P. BALD WIN. 



success that has attended his efforts in all relations 
of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis- 
tinguished him prior to this term as Governor was 
manifest in his career as the chief magistrate of the 
State, and while his influence appears in all things 
with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in 
the most prominent position to which he was called. 
With rare exceptions the important commendations 
of Governor B. received the sanction of the Legislat- 
ure. During his administration marked improve- 
ments were made in the charitable, penal and reforma- 
tory institutions of the State. The State Public School 
for dependent children was founded and a permanent 
commission for the supervision of the several State 
institutions. The initiatory steps toward building the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of 
Correction, and the establishment of the State Board 
of Health were recommended by Governor B. in his 
message of 1873. The new State Capitol also owes 
its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection 
was made upon his recommendation, and the contract 
for the entire work let under this administration. 
Governor B. also appointed the commissioners under 
whose faithful supervision the building was erected in 
a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State. 
He advised and earnestly urged at different times 
such amendments of the constitution as would jier- 
mit a more equitable compensation to State officers 
and judges, Thelawof 1869, and prior also, permitting 
municipalities to vote aid toward the construc- 
tion of railro.ads was, in 1870, declared unconstitu- 
tional by the Supreme Court. Many of the munici- 
palities having in the meantime issued and sold their 
bonds in good faith. Governor B. felt that the honor 
and credit of the State were in jeopardy. His sense 
of justice impelled him to call an extra session of the 
Legislature to propose the submission to the people a 
constitutional amendment, authorizing the payment 
of such bonds as were already in the hands of bona- 
yf(/c holders. In his special message he says : "The 
credit of no State stands liighcr than that of Michigan, 
and the people can not afford, and I trust will not 
consent, to have her good name tarnislied by the repu- 
diation of either legal or moral obligations." A spe- 
cial session was called in March, 1872, principally for 
the division of the State into congressional districts. 
A number of other important suggestions were made, 
however, ai d as an evidence of the Governor's la- 
borious and thouglitful care for the financial condition 

-^ ■' ' 



of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- 
mitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, 
expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 
1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- 
istration were the devastating fires which swept over 
many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 1871. 
-A. large part of the city of Chicago having been re- 
duced to ashes. Governor B. promptly issued a proc- 
lamation calling upon the people of Michigan for 
liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had 
this been issued when several counties in his State 
were laid waste by the same destroying element. 
K second call was made asking assistance for the suf- 
fering people of Michigan. The contributions for 
these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than 
$700,000 having been received in money and supplies 
for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were 
these contributions during the short period of about 
3 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation 
expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- 
ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further 
aid was unnecessary. 

Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own 
country and has also made several visits to Europe 
and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- 
senger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and 
bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by 
Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- 
count of the transaction. The following estimate of 
Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading 
newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message 
of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is 
a characteristic document and possesses the lucid 
statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which 
have been marked features of all preceding documents 
from the same source. Governor B. retired to private 
life after four years of unusually successful adminis- 
tration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the 
State. For many years eminent and capable men 
have filled the executive chair of this State, but in 
painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine 
public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical 
capacitv, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be 
the peer of any or all of them. The State has been un- 
usually prosperous during his two terms, and the State 
administration has fully kept pace with the needs of 
the times. The retiring Governor has fully earned 
the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day 
possesses to such remarkable degree. ' 



*t 



i^ 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 









K J, IBAeiT^T, 





^ 



OHN JUDSON BAGLEY, 
ILGovernor of Michigan from 
1873 to 1877, was born in 
Mt'dina, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
July 24, 1832. His father, John 
Bagley, was a native of New 
Hampshire, his mother, Mary M. 
Bagley, of Connecticut. He at- 
tended the district school of Lock- 
IX)rt, N. Y., until he was eight years 
old, at which time his father moved 
to Constantine, Mich., and he at- 
tended the common schools of that 
village. His early experience was 
like that of many country boys whose 
parents removed from Eastern States 
to the newer portion of the West. 
His father being in very poor circum- 
|il!f[] stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work 
as soon as he was able to do so. 
Leaving school when 13 years of age 
he entered acountr)' storein Constan- 
tine as clerk. His father then re- 
moved toOwosso, Mich., and he again 
engaged as clerk in a store. From 
early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading 
and devoted every leisure moment to the perusal of 
such books, papers and periodicals as came within 
his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he 
secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and 
remained in this position for about five years. 

In 1853, he began business for himself in the man- 
ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become 



one of the largest of the kind in the West. Mr. B. 
has also been greatly interested in other manufactur- 
ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in- 
surance corporations. He was President of the 
Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one 
of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from 
1867 to 1872. He was a director of the Amer- 
ican National Bank for many years, and a stock- 
holder and director in various other corporations. 
Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two 
years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same 
length of time. In 1865 he was ai)ix)intcd by Gover- 
nor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the 
Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serv- 
ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected 
Governor of Michigan, and two years later was re- 
elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877. 
He was an active worker in the Republican party, and 
for many years was Chairman of the Republican 
State Central committee. 

Governor Bagley was quite liberal in his religious 
views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church. 
He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new 
thought, from whatever source it may come, but was not 
bound by any religious creed or formula. He held 
in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one 
can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- 
nomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. 
r6, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionar)- of Michigan, 
who took an active part in the eariy educational mat- 
ters of the State and in the establishment uf its ex- 
cellent system of education. It was principally 



>» ■ ^ 



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•S8 



JOHN J. BAGLEY. 



t^.rough his exertions that the State University was 
founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children. 

As Governor his administration was charac- 
terized by several important features, chief among 
which were his efforts to improve and make popular 
the educational agencies of the State by increasing 
the faculty of the University for more thorough in- 
struction in technical studies,by strengthening the hold 
of the Agricultural College uixjn the public good will 
and making the general change which has manifested 
itself in many scattered primary districts. Among 
others were an almost complete revolution in the 
management of the penal and charitable institutions 
of the State; the passage of the liquor-tax law, taking 
the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab- 
lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend- 
ers through county agents, which has proved of great 
good in turning the young back from crime and plac- 
ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent ; in se- 
curing for the militia the first time in tlie history of 
Michigan a systematized organization \\\)0\\ a service- 
able footing. It was uixsn the suggestion of Gov. B. 
in the earlier part of his administration that the law 
creating the State Board of Health, and also the law 
creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the 
State, were passed, both of which have proved of great 
benefit to the Slate. The successful representation 
of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an 
honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s adminis- 
tration. 

As Governor, he felt that he represented the State 
— not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same 
sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rep- 
resents his employer, and as the Executive of the 
State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelli- 
gent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of 
the people he so much loved. He was ambitious — 
ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind 
is ambitious, because these give opportunity. How- 
ever strong the mind and powerful the will, if there 
be no ambition, life is a failure. He was not blind to 
the fact that the more we have the more is required 
of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He 
had great hopes for his State and his country. He had 
his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as 
broad as humanity itself; with an intelligent, able and 
cultured brain, the will and the power to do, he 
asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to 
labor for tliem. Self entered not into the calculation. 



His whole life was a battle for others ; and he entered 
the conflict eagerly and hopefully. 

His State papers were models of compact, busi- 
ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of 
practical suggestions, and hi;? administrations will long 
be considered as among the ablest in this or any 
other State. 

His noble, generous nature made his innumerable 
benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter- 
ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to 
receive." 

His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com- 
fort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his char- 
ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even 
to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipi- 
ent of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew 
the hand that gave. 

At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re- 
sponse to some charitable request, and said to him : 
"Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; about 
how much does your charities amount to in a year?" 
He turned at once and said: "I do not know, sir; I 
do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more 
this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more 
next year than I have this." This expressed his idea 
of charity, that the giving should at all times be free 
and spontaneous. 

During his leasure hours from early life, and espe- 
cially during the last few years, he devoted much time 
to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog- 
raphy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life 
and Woik of John Adams," in ten volumes. 

\\\ all questions of business or public affairs he 
seemed to have the power of getting at the kernel of 
the nut in the least possible time. In reading he 
would spend scarcely more time with a volume than 
most persons would devote to a chapter. After what 
seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value 
the book contained. Rarely do we see a business 
man so familiar with the best English authors. He 
was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and 
his elegant home w.as a study and a pleasure 
to his many friends, who always found there a 
hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend 
days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas 
eve he gathered his children about him and, taking 
the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story, 
closing the entertainment with "The Night Before 
Christmas," or Dickens's "Christmas Carol." 



n 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



i6i 1 







CROSWELL 



i-\i2jL£j^'oj^' 











\ 

T 



HARLES M. CROSWELL, 

Governor of Michigan from 
Jan. 3, 1S77 to Jan. i, 1881, 
was born at Newburg, Orange 
County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825. 
He is the only son of John and 
Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His 
father, who was of Scotch-Irish 
e.xtraction, was a paper-maker, 
and carried on business in New 
York Cily. His ancestors on 
his mother's side were of Knicker- 
bocker descent. The Croswell 
family may be found connected 
with prominent events, in New York 
and Connecticut, in the early exis- 
tence of the Republic. Harry Cros- 
well, during the administration of 
President Jefferson, published a pa- 
per called the Balance, and was 
prosecuted for libeling the President 
under the obnoxious Sedition Law. 
He was defended by the celebrated 
.\lexander Hamilton, and the decis- 
Kyi. A the case establiscd the important ruling that 
the truth might be shown in cases of libel, .\nother 
member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the fam- 
ous editor of the .\lbany A/i^iis ; also, Rev. William 
Croswell, noted as a divine and poet. 

When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age, 
liis father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson 
River, at Xewburg ; and, within three months preced- 
ing that event, his mother and only sister had died, — 
thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the 
familv, without fortune or means. Upon the death 



of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in 
1837, emigrated with him to .'\drain, Michigan. .Vt 
sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the car- 
penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for 
four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare 
time to reading and the accpiiremcnt of knowledge. 
In 1S46, he began the study of law, and was ap- 
pointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du- 
ties of this office he performed four years, when he 
was elected Register of Deeds, anrd was re-elected 
in 1852. In 1854, he took part in the first movements 
for the formation of the Republican party, and was a 
member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack- 
son in that year, which put in the field the first Re- 
publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he 
fonned a law partnership with the present Chief-Jus- 
tice Cooley, which continued until tlie removal of 
Judge Cooley to .\nn .\rbor. 

In 1862, Mr. Croswell was apix)inted City Attorney 
of -Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city 
in the spring of tlie same year; and in the fall was 
chosen to represent Lenawee County in the State 
Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1864, 
and again in 1866, during each term filling the jtosi- 
tions above mentioned. Among various rei»rts made 
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the 
death penalty, and another against a pro|>osition lo 
pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coin, 
which then commanded a very large premium, may 
be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the 
Thirteenth .Amendment to the ?'ederal Constitution, 
for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first 
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan. 
In 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he de- 
livered an elaborate sjHiech in favor of the Proclama- 
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CHARLES M. CRO SWELL 



A 



tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, 
and of his general policy in the prosecution of the 
war. This, at the request of his Republican associ- 
ates, was afterwards published. In 1867, he was 
elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
and chosen its presiding officer. This convention 
was composed of an able body of men ; and though, 
in the general distrust of constitutional changes 
which for some years had been taking possession of 
the people, their labors were not accepted by the pop- 
ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu- 
tion they proposed had been prepared with great care 
and skill. 

In i86S, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on 
the Republican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was 
elected a Representative to the State Legislature 
from Lenawee County, and was chosen Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. At the close of the 
session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, 
and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- 
ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre- 
sented with a superb collection of their portraits 
handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years. 
Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis- 
ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi- 
gan ; in which position, his propositions for the amel- 
ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the 
reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be- 
nevolence of his nature, and the practical character 
of his mind. 

In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of 
the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for 
Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party 
in August of the same year, he was put in nomination 
by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot, .^t 
the election in November following, he was chosen to 
the high position for which he had been nominated, 
by a very large majority over all opposing candidates. 
His inaugural message was received with general 
favor; and his career as Governor was marked with 
the same qualitirs of head and heart that have ever 
distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. 



Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- 
dresses with care ; and, as his diction is terse, clear, 
and strong, without excess of ornament, and his de- 
livery impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many 
of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in 
the public prints, and have a permanent value. He 
has always manifested a deep interest in educational 
matters, and was foryears a member and Secretary of 
the Board of Education of Adrain. At the formal 
opening of the Central School building in that city, 
on the 24th day of April, 1869, he gave, in a public 
address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public 
Schools." 

In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as 
exemplary as in his public career he has been suc- 
cessful and useful. In February, 1852, he was mar- 
ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, 
a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She 
suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- 
ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member 
of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- 
byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, 
but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his 
own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in 
business difficulties, for which his unfailing pru- 
dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov- 
ernor Croswell is truly popular, not only with those of 
like political faith with himself, but with those who 
differ from him in this regard. 

During Gov. Croswell's administration the public 
debt was greatly reduced ; a policy adopted requiring 
the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap- 
propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually 
for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elec- 
tions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, 
and the new capital at Lansing was completed and 
occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- 
side at the dedication of this building Tlie great riot 
at Jackson occured during his administration, and it 
was only bv his promptness that great distruction of 
both life and property was prevented at that time. ^ ' 



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GOVERXORS OF MJCIIIGAX 



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OSIAH W. BEGOLE, the 

present (1883), Governor of 
Michigan was born in Living- 
ston, County, N. Y., Jan. 20, 
18 1 5. His ancestors were of 
French descent, and settled at 
• t' an early period in the State of 
Maryland. Hisgrandfather,Capt. 
BoUes, of tliat State, was an offi- 
cer in the American army during 
^ tlie war of the Revolution. About 
the beginning of the present cent- 
ury both his grandparents, having 
become dissatisfied with the insti- 



ll tution of slavery, although slave- 
\j[ holders themselves, emigrated to 
Livingston County, N. Y., then 
a new country, taking with them a 
P number of their former slaves, who 
volunteered to accompany them. 
His father was an officer in the 
American army, and served during 
the war of 1812. 
Mr. B. received his early education in a log school- 
house, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill 
Academy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a 
family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- 
ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early 
taught habits of industry, and when 21 years of age, 
being ambitious to better his condition in life, he re- 
solved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was 



then called. In August, 1S36, he left the parental 
roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan 
tlien an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in 
Genesee County, and aided with his own hands in 
building some of the early residences in what is now 
known as the city of Flint. There were but four or 
five houses where this flourishing city now stands 
when he selected it as his home. 

In the spring of 1839 he married .Miss Harriet .\. 
Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one, 
and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to en- 
joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- 
petence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in 
life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced 
work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perse- 
verance and energy, he soon established a good home, 
and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a 
well improved farm of five hundred acres. 

Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a 
member of the Reiiublican party at its organization. 
He served his townsmen in various offices, and was^ 
in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he 
held for eight years. 

,\t the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not 
carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will 
bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting 
and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking 
after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The 
death ofhis eldest son near Atlanta, Ga., by a Confed- 
rate bullet, in 1 864, was the greatest sorrow of his life. 
>Vhen a few years later he was a member in Congress 



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170 



JOSIAH W. BEGOLE. 



..1 



Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers' 
bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the 
soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and 
who should fare equally with him who came in at the 
eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House 
on account of the large appropriation that would be 
required to pay the same. 

In 1870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclama- 
tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a 
large majority. In that body he served on the Com- 
mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman 
of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and 
Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- 
spirited view of the importance of a new capitol 
building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- 
ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the 
same He was a delegate to the National Republi- 
can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and 
was the chosen member of that delegation to go to 
Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator 
Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that 
convention that, by the express wish of his many 
friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- 
didate for the nomination of member to tlic 43d Con- 
gress, in which he was successful, aftercomiietingfor 
the nomination with several of the most worthy, able 
and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- 
trict, and was elected by a very large jnajority. In 
Congress, he was a member of the Committee on 
Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of 
the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active 
part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was ap- 
pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- 
tant report made by that committee, and upon the 
only subject recommended by the President in his 
message, which he did and the rejXjrt was printed in 
records of Congress ; he took an efficient though an 
unobtrusive part in all its proceedings. 

He voted for the currency bill, remonetization uf 
silver, and other financial measures, many of which, 
though defeated then, have since become the settled 
policy of the country. Owing to the position which 
Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a 
"Greenbacker." 

In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole 
was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- 
ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, 
the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, 



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receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering 
upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit 
that has already won him many friends, and bids fair 
to make his administration both successful and pop- 
ular. 

The very best indications of what a man is, is what 
his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- 
lowing extract from the Flint Globe^ the leading Re- 
publican paper \\\ Gov. Begole's own county, and it, 
too, written during the heat of a political campaign, 
which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- 
ling worth : 

" So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the 
ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to 
his character that can be alleged against, him. He 
has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for 
sincerity of his beliefs and tlie earnestness of his pur- 
pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He 
is incapable of Ijearing malice, even against his bit- 
terest political enemies. He has a warm, generous 
nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not lieat in 
the l)Osom of any man in Michigan. He is not much 
given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- 
icant of a man's character than words. There are 
many scores of men in all parts of the State where 
Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical 
demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to 
step outside of party lines to show that they do not 
forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he 
was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a 
forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan 
is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- 
crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so 
good a man as Mr. Begole." 

This sketch would be imperfect without referring 
to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity 
that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern 
Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties 
by fire and destroying the results and accumulations 
of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. 
While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were 
■quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole 
wrote to an agent in the "[burnt district" a letter, from 
which we make an extract of but a single sentence: 
" Until the differences between the two committees 
are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies 
from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while 1 
have money." This displays his true character. 



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aOVEllXORS OF. MK'IllGAS. 



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ITSSELL A. ALGER,r.ovein()r 
of Michigan for the term com- 
mencing Jan. 1, 1885, was 
born in Lafiiyette Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 
183G. Having livcil a tem- 
perate life, he is a comparative 
mg man in api)earance, and pos- 
sesses those mental faculties that arc 
distinguishing characteristics of 
ust, mature and educated man- 
liood. Wiieii 11 years of age both 
lus (larents died, leaving him witha 
younger brother and sister to sup- 
port and without any of the substan- 
tial means of existence. Lacking tlie opportunity of 
better employmcut, he worked on a farm in Kiclifield, 
Ohio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding 
seven years, saving money enough to defray hises- 
I)enses at Richfield Academy during the winter 
terms. He obtained a very good Englisii cdiic.ition, 
and was enabled to te.ach school for several subse- 
quent winters. In 1 8.)7 he commenced the study of 
law in the offices of Wolcott <& Upson at Akron, re- 
maining until March, 18')9, when he was admitted 
to the bar by the Ohio Supreme Court. He then 
removed to Cleveland, and entered the law office of 
Otis (t Coffinbury, where he remained several 
months. Here he continued his studies with in- 
creased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard 
study and close confinement to office work, however, 
iiegan to tell on his constitution, and failing health 
warned him that he must seek other occupation. 



He therefore reluctantly abandoned the law and re- 
moved to Gran<l Kapids, Mich., to engage in the 
lumber business. 

When Michigan was called upon to furnish troops 
for the war, Mr. Alger enlisted in the Second Mich. 
Cav. and was mustered into the service of the 
United Stjites as Captsiin of Co. C. His record as 
a cavalry officer was brilliant and honorable to 
himself and his conipanj'. He participated in some 
of the fiercest contests of the rebellion and was 
twice wounded. His first injury was received in 
the battle of Hooncville, Miss., July 2, 1862. 
His conduct in this engagement was so distin- 
guished that he was ]>romoted to the rank of 
Major. On the same occasion his Colonel, the 
gallant Phil. Sheridan, was advanced to the rank 
of Brigadier General. A few months later, on the 
1 0th of October, Major Alger became Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Sixth Mich. Cav., and was ordered 
with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac. 
After marked service in the early campaign of 1 8ri3, 
he was again advanced, and on June 2 received his 
commission as Colonel of the Fifth Mich. Cav. His 
regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michi- 
gan cavalry brig.ade. On the Gth of July occurred 
the battle of Boonesboro, Md. In this conflict he 
was again wt>unded. His health received a more 
than temporary impairment, and in October, 1864, 
he was obliged to retire from the service. His 
career .as a soldier included many of the most cele- 
brated contests of the war. He was an active charac- 
tcr in all the battles fought by the Army of the 



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174 



RUSSELL A. ALGER. 






Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Mary- 
land by Gen. Lee in 1863, up to the date of his 
retirement, with the exception of those engagements 
whicli occiH'red while he was absent from duty on 
account of wounds. In all he took part in CO bat- 
tles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted 
Brigadier General and Major General for "gallant 
and meritorious services in the field." 

Aside from regular dut}', Gen. Alger was on 
private service during the winter of 1863-4, receiv- 
ing orders personally from President Lincoln and 
visiting nearly all the armies in the field. 

Gen. Alger came to Detroit in 1865, and since 
that time has been extensively engaged in the pine 
timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He 
was a member of the well-known firm of Moore & 
Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of 
the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive 
pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is 
now president of the corporation of Alger, Smith & 
Co., which succeeded R. A. Alger & Co. He is also 
president of the Manistique Lumbering Company 
and president of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena 
Railroad Company, besides being a stockholder and 
director of the Detroit National Bank, the Peninsu- 
lar Car Company and several other large corpor- 
ations. 

While always an active and influential Republi- 
can, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a sal- 
aried office. He was a delegate from the First Dis- 
trict to the last Republican National Convention, 
but aside from this his connection with politics has 
not extended bej'oud the duties of every good cit- 
izen to his party and iiis country. 

Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an 
active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living 
the life of a busj- man of affairs. His military 
bearing at once indicates his army life, and although 
slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect 
carriage give the casual observer the impression 
that his weight is fully 180 pounds. He is a firm, 
yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with 
a fine forehead, rather a prominent nose, an iron- 
gray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head 
of black hair sprinkled with gray. He is usually 
attired in the prevailing st3de of business suits. His 
favorite dress lias been a high buttoned cutawa}' 



frock coat, witli the predominating cut of vest and 
trousers, made of firm gray suiting. A high collar, 
small cravat, easy slioes and white plug liat com- 
plete his personal apparel. He is very particular 
as to his appearance, and always wears neat clothes 
of the best goods, but sliuns any display of jewelry 
or extravagant eml)ellishnient. He is one of the 
most approachable men imaginable. No matter 
how busy he may be, he always leaves his desk to 
extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be he of 
Iiigh or low situation. His affable manners delight 
his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark 
eyes always animate liis hearers. 

Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his 
office promptly in the morning and stays as long as 
anything remains tliat demands his attention. In 
business matters he is alwa3'S decided, and is never 
shaken or disturbed by any reverses. He h.as the 
confidence of his associates to a high degree, and all 
liis business relations are tempered with those little 
kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office 
life. Although deeply engrossed in various busi- 
ness pursuits, Gen. Alger has yet found time for 
general culture. He owns a large library and his 
stock of general information is as complete as it is 
reliable. His collection of paintings has been se- 
lected with rare good taste, and contains some of 
the finest productions of modern artists. His team 
of bays are perhaps the handsomest tliat grace the 
roads of Detroit, and usually lead the other outfits 
when their owner holds the reins. 

Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wife 
was Annette II. Henry, the daughter of W. G. 
Henry, of Grand Rapids, to whom he was married 
April 2, 1861. She is a slender wom.an of fair com- 
plexion, bright and attractive, and a charming host- 
ess. She is gifted with many accumplishments and 
appears quite young. There are six children. Fay, 
a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tall 
and resembles her mother, have completed a course 
at an Eastern seminary, and during the past year 
traveled in Europe. The remaining members of 
the family are Frances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr., 
aged 11 ; Fred, aged 9, and Allan, aged 3. All are 
bright and promising children. Gen. Alger makes 
Ins home at his handsome and large new residence on 
Fort street, at tiie corner of First street, Detroit. 

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OOVEHNOliS OF MICHIGAN. 



177 




i 













\- 



YRUS GRAY LFCE, the 
present Governor of Miclii- 
gan, combines in his charac- 
ter the substantial traits of 
the Now England ancestry 
of his father, and the chival- 
rous antl hospitable elements 
'&^'K P'^'C'iliar to the fSoutherners, which 
came to him fnmi his mother's side of 
the Iiouse. Tiie New Englanders, act- 
ive in the cause of American libertj', 
after tiiis desired result was accom- 
plished, turned tiieir attention to the 
growth and development of the 
country which their noble daring had 
constitutea independent of foreign rule. The pri- 
vations they endured and the struggles from which 
the}' had achieved victory liuilt up in them those 
qualities which in the ver}' nature of events could 
not be otherwise than transmitted to thoir posteritj', 
and this iiosterity comprises a large number of the 
men who to-day, like the sultject of this history, 
are making a record of which their descendants will 
be erpiall}' proud. 

Gov. Luce was born in Windsor, Ashtabula Co., 
Ohio, July 2, 1824. His father was a native of 
Tolland, Comi., served as a soldier in the War of 
1812, and soon after its close emigrated from New 
England and settled on the Western Reserve in 
Northem Ohio. Ilis mother, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Mary Gra3', w.as born in Winchester, V.a. 
Her father, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his 
liome in tiie Old Dominion becoming uncomfortii- 
ble as an abiding-place at that time, and accord- 
ingly, with his wife and family of young cliildrcn. 



ho also migrated, in 181;"), to the wilds of Northern 
Ohio. Thoro the i)arents of our subject, in isr.t. 
were united in marriage, and continued residents of 
Ashtabula County until 18:i(;. There also were 
born to them six sons, Cyrus G. of this sketch being 
the second. 

The incidents in the early life of Gov. Luce were 
not materially different from those of other l)oys 
living on the farms in that new country. lie was 
taught to work at anything necessary for him to do 
and to make himself useful around the pioneer 
homestead. When twelve years of age his parents 
removed further West, this time locating in .Steu- 
ben County, Ind. This section of country w.as still 
newer and more thinly settled, ami without recount- 
ing the particular hardships and piivations wlileh tlie 
family experienced, it is sullicient to say that but few 
enjoyed or suffered a greater variety. Markets were 
distant and diflicult c)f access, the conifort.s of life 
scarce, and sickness universal. Young Luce, in com- 
mon with other boys, attended school winters in the 
stereotyped log school-house, and in summer as- 
sisted in clearing away the forests, fencing the 
fields and raising crops after the lan<l was improved. 
He attended three terms an academy locateil at On- 
tario, Ind., and his habit of reading and observation 
added essentially to liis limited school privileges. 

When seventeen years of age the father of our 
subject erected a. cloth-<lrossiiig and wool-carding 
establishment, where Cyrus (i. acquired a full 
knowledge of this business and subsequently had 
charge of the factory for a period of seven years. 
In the meantime he had >)econie interested in local 
politics, in which he displayed rare judgment and 
sound connnon sense, and on account of wliicli, in 
1848, he was nominateil by the Whigs in a district 
composed of the counties of DcKalb and .Steuben 
for Representative in the State Legislature. He 
m.ade a vigorous canv:».ss but was defeated by eleven 
majority." This incident w:is but a transient bub- 
ble on the stream of his life, and that sjune year 



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178 



GYRUS GRAY LUCE. 



Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near 
Gilead, Branch Co., Midi., the improvement of 
which he at once entered upon, clearing away the 
trees and otherwise making arrangements for the 
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he 
was united in marriage witii Miss Julia A. Dickinson, 
of Gilead, and the j'oung people immediately com- 
menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on the 
new farm. Here they resided until the death of the 
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs. 
Luce was the daughter of Obed and Experience 
Dickinson, well-to-do and highly respected residents 
of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there 
were born five children, one now deceased. 

In Novcmbei-, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a sec- 
ond marriage, with IMrs. Maiy Thompson, of Eron- 
son, this State. He continued on the same farm, 
which, however, by subsequent purchase had been 
considerably extended, until after his election to the 
ofllce of which he is now the incumbent. In the 
meantime he has ha<l a wide and varied experience 
in public life. In 1 852 he was elected to represent his 
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and 
two years later, in 1 854, was elected Representative to 
the first Rei)ulilican Legislature convened in the State 
of Michigan. He served his township altogether 
eleven years as a memljer of the Board of Supervisors. 
In 1858 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch 
County and re-elected in 1860. In 1864 he was 
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in 
1866. In the spring of 1867 he was made a member of 
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Consti- 
tution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the 
positions to which he has been called has evidenced 
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed 
to his care. To the duties of each he gave the most 
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride 
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service 
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears 
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent 
from his post a day. 

In July, 1879, Mr. Luce was appointed State Oil 
Inspector by Gov. Croswell, and re-appointed by 
C!ov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity tiu'ce 
and one-half 3-eai's. In the management of tiie 
duties of this oflice he is entitled to great credit. 
'I'he ottice was not sought by him, but the Governor 
..^^ 



urged him to accejjt it, claiming that the office was 
the most difHcult he had to fill, and was one which 
required first-class executive ability. He organized 
the State into districts, appointed an .adequate force 
of dei)uties and no more, secured a reduction of the 
fees by nearly one-half, and in every v;ay managed 
the .affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfac- 
torily that above all expenses he was enabled to 
pay into the State Treasury during his management 
$32,000.49. 

In August of tlic year 1886 Mr. Luce was nom- 
inated by the Republicans in convention assembled 
at Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor of 
Michigan by acclamation, and on the 2d of Novem- 
ber following was elected by a majority of 7,432 
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In 
1874 he became an active member of the farm- 
ers' organization known as the Grange. Believing 
.as he does that agriculture furnishes the basis of 
National prosperity, he was anxious to contribute to 
the education and elevation of the farming com- 
munity, and thus availed himself of the opportuni- 
ties offered by this organization to aid in accom- 
plishing this result. For a period of seven years he 
was Master of the State Grange but resigned the 
position last November. Fidelity to convictions, 
close application to business, whether agricultural or 
affairs of State, coupled with untiring industry, are 
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator, 
executive officer, and manager of county as well as 
State affairs, as a private as well as a puljlic citizen, 
his career has all along been marked with success. 
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit in 
his public career or private life. He is a man of 
tlic people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His 
whole life has been among the people, in full sym- 
patiiy with them, and in their spec i.al confidence and 
esteem. 

Personally, Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is higii-minded, 
intellectual and affable, the object of man}' 
and warm friendships, and a man in all respects 
above reproach. To the duties of his high position 
he has brougiit a fitting dignity, and in all the re- 
lations of life that conscientious regard to dut}' of 
wliich we often read but which is too seldom seen, 
especially among those having within tlieir Iiands 

the interests of State and Nation. 
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'«i INTRODUCTi^O 





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5,HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people (if tliis county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of tlieir 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
j-ieople who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the };reat and aged men, who in their prime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The numl)er re- 
maining wlio can relate the incidents of tlie first days 
jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for tlie collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
The [jyramids of Kgypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations Tuade by the archeologists of Egyi)t from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



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to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. 
The erection of the great obelisks were for tl'.e same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in jiiling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave sometliing to show that they had lived. All 
tliese works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give !)ut a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory the^ were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is i)cri)etuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their ixjrtraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unworthy of public record. 
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IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 










m HILLSDALE COLLLGL. m 



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• 1 1. LSI) A I. E C0LI>K(;K was 
the fiisl one cslahlislicd 
by tlie Free-Will Bap- 
tist ilenoiuiiiatiuii, and 
was the first college, after 
the nnivei-sity, chartered 
by the State oi Michigan. Denomi- 
national action with reference to 
the establishment of an educational 
inslilntion was first taken r.t the 
INIichigan Yearly Meeting, held at 
Franklin, Lenawee Connty, in .June, 
1844, when Koscvclt Davis made a 
motion to raise §10,000 for the 
establishment of a denominational 
school, to be located at such a point within the terri- 
tory of the Y'early Meeting as would give the most 
liberal inducements. After a thorough canvass, 
Si)ring Arbor, in .Jackson County, having raised the 
largest subscription, secured the school, called at 
lirst Spring Arbor Seminary, but afterward known 
as Micliigan Central College. 

Hev. Daniel M. Graham was its first President, 
and Gen. Clinton B. Fiske, of New Jersey, was one 
of the five students who were present at the opening 
of the school, Dee. 4. 1844. In 1848 President 
Graham resigned, and Rev. Kdmund B. Fairfield 
was elected his successor. Later ou, Charles II. 
Churchill, Ransom Dunn and Henry E. Whipple 

-^« _i_ : 



were elected Professors, and were connected with 
the institution in 18o;i, when the Faculty and Trn-s- 
tees deemed a change of locat,io" desirable, in 
order to secure better buildings, greater facilities 
and a larger support. A committee was appointed 
to visit other localities, and ascertain which was 
the most desirable, all things considered. After 
their return this committee rccommemled a choice 
from live, viz: Jackson, .\drian, Hillsdale, Cold- 
water and Marshall, the choice to dei)end largely 
upon the aid offered for building pur|)Oses. 

Hillsdale and Coldwater were the only places 
which seemed intcresteil in securing the educational 
l)lant, and the choice was therefore soon narrowed 
down to one of these two. Coldwater offered 
810,000, but Hillsdale, headed by such men as Will- 
iam Waldron, G. W. Indcrwood. Daniel Beebc 
and others, offered to raise *1 .i.OOO for building pur- 
poses in the township in which Hills<lale was then 
located, and the committee on location agreed on 
behalf of the college to raise an ctpial amount in 
Hillsdale County for the same purpose. Hill^dale 
thus became the seat of an in^titulion which has 
grown to proportions niarvelously beyond the antici- 
pations of its fiiunders. Hon. K>bon Blackmar 
donated the site of twenty-five acres, making c.m- 
ditions that an institution of learning sbouhl for- 
ever be maintained thereon, and that a majority of 
its Board of Tru.-tecs should be residents of Hillsdale 



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182 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



County. He also gave §1,000. Six olhers, .ill citi- 
zens of llillsd.ile, pledged ^l.OiiO each, viz: C. W. 
Fcnis, C. T. Mitchell, O. W. Underwood, Henry 
Waldron, William Waldron and John P. Cook, and 
more than the qnota was pledged by the townsliij) 
and county. The college authorities deteiiiiincd to 
endow the college in the sum of §100,000, which 
was done mainly by the sale of scholarsiiips. On 
.account of the panics of 18."i7 and 187.'], the war of 
the Rebellion, and the (iioof 1.S74, the invested funds 
did not reach that amount till 1880, but now the 
various funded endowments amount to nearly 
$150,000. 

It was found impossible to remove the property 
of the college at Spring Arbor, on account of legal 
impediments, and so it was onl3^ the soul of the col- 
lege, and the living, active men who wisiicd to give 
to their work of molding minds and hearts greater 
eHiciency, that were removed to Hillsdale. About 
700 students, it is said, had been in attendance up 
to this time, and thirteen had been graduated. 
Since its location at Hillsdale about 7,000 different 
students have been in .attendance, varying from a 
single terra to seven years each, and over GOO have 
been graduated. Of these graduates more than 
one-third have been residents of Hillsdale Count}', 
and the catalogue shows that of the whole number 
who have attended nearly two-fifths have resided 
in the county. 

When the college was organized under the gen- 
eral law, the first meeting was held March 22, 1855, 
in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, at 
Hillsdale, and there has ever been a fraternal feel- 
ing between the church on College Hill and those 
of the city and surrounding country. On educa- 
tional, social, moral and political questions, the 
college has always taken advanced ground, and 
has had a potent influence in qualifj'ing young men 
and women for holding high positions in society, 
the State and nation. Thousands of teachers have 
gone forth from this center of educational influence 
to impress the force and energy of their lives upon 
scores of thousands of pupils throughout the land 
in all grades of schools, from the kindergarten to 
llie university. The enthusiastic, impressive force 
of a Fairfield, the classical culture of a McMillan, 
the theological talent of a Dunn, the scientific re- 

4* 



searches of a Collier, the astronomical acquirements 
of a Payne, the rare mathematical genius and pro- 
ficiency of a Downey, the musical .accomplishments 
of a Rice and a Chase, the artistic ability of a Gard- 
ner, the expert chirography of a Drake, the womanly 
dignity and tiie lare refinement of a Julia Moore 
and Laura Rowe, not to mention the skill and ex- 
cellence, in these same and other departments, of 
scores of other teachers, heretofore and now em- 
ployed in giving instruction in the college, have 
been reproduced in others, and have helped to 
make the masses more scholarly, more devout and 
more noble than as if the college had not been 
planted. 

Names might be mentioned of those prominent 
in the professions of the law, medicine and theology', 
as well as teaching. Several have visited foreign 
lands for travel and further study, some have trav- 
ersed the globe, some have served in Legislative 
balls, not a few have been deemed worthy of seats 
upon the bench, and one is now in Congress. In 
point of eelebrit}', however, none has acquired so 
world-wide a fame as our own poet, reared in Hills- 
dale County, the gifted AViU M. Carletou, a gradu- 
ate in the class of '69. 

The literary societies of the college have had 
few peers, and perhaps no superiors, in all the laud. 
These have given students a rare jKiwer in the 
knowledge of parliamentarj- usage which they have 
acquired, which, added to the oratorical excellence, 
skill in debate, and gener.al literary culture devel- 
oped in them, has made them leaders in the circles 
they have entered after going forth from college 
halls. 

Hillsdale College has always thrown open its 
doors equally to all classes, '-irrespective of nation- 
ality, color or sex," and was one of the pioneers in 
the movement for the co-education of the sexes in 
collegiate institutions. Michigan University was 
nearly a quarter of a century behind Hillsdale Col- 
lege in according such rights and privileges to 
women. About thirty-nine per cent of the stu- 
dents of the latter have been ladies, and in application 
to study and thoroughness of scholarship they have 
taken rank beside their sturdy brothers, and in 
competitive examinations have, perhaps, as often 
borne o2 the laurels. The effect of their presence 



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HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



183 



lias also been visible in the more refined culture 
given to all organizations, and pervading all assem- 
blies and ranks in tlie college and coniniunit^'. 
Tliirt3'-six per cent of those completing the full 
course to graduation have been ladies, nearly as 
large as the percentage of general attendance, show- 
ing their power ti> endure a long continued course 
of study. The wonder is, after such lirilliant and 
general successes in the field of co-edncation, that 
the avenues to knowledge w'crc so long closed to 
one- half the race. 

Two events in the history of Hillsdale College 
have especially retarded its growth for a time, but 
they have onlj' shown the splendid material of its 
students, and the ability of its sujjportcrs to turn 
disaster into fortune. 

When the war broke out in 18G1, more than 200 
who were and had been students donned the soldier's 
garb to do battle for their country. Manj' of these 
came not back, but left their bodies on the field of 
strife; others, wounded, bear the "glory marks" 
whicii are their proudest monument. Some re- 
turned after their term of service, and took np 
again the books they had laid aside, but during the 
two years after the departure of so many in 1861, 
the average attendance at college was nearly 100 
less than in the two jirevious j'ears. 

The other event was the fire which occurred 
March (!, 1S74, and by which three-fifths of the 
college building was destroyed, besides the museum, 
cabinetand laboratory', which had been accumulated 
during the first twenlj' years of the existence of 
the college, and which were entirely dcstroj'ed. 
A gri>u|) of l)uiMings un very nearly the same 
ground was resolved upon, and four of the five, in 
accordance with the |)lan then adupled, have already 
been constructed. Three of these four, viz: the 
Center IJuilding. '-Knowlton Hall'" and the East 
Building, having cost about x^O.OOO more than the 
money (130,000) received for the insurance upon 
the |)roperty burned in 1 874, the citizens of the 
city an<l county were again appealed to for aid, and 
subscriptions and donations to the amount of sev- 
eral thousand dollars were received. Col. F. ^I. 
IloUoway, as Sui)erintendent, .-ippointed by the 
building committee, and L. P. Reynolds, as Secre- 
tary and Treasurer, during this period of rebuilding 



held positions of great resiwnsibility, and spent 
much time and energy in the work, showing a 
fidelity and devotion to the college which are worthy 
of grateful remembrance. 

Those who have been most conspicuous for their 
services in raising funds for the college are Hev. I{. 
Dunn, Prof. S. J. Fowler and Rev. I). L. Rice, Ihoy 
having secured pledges and payment <if iR-rhnps 
half the funds that were ever given to the cfillege 
for endowment purposes. The largest single con- 
tributor to the funds of the c<jllegc nt Spring Arl)or 
is said to have been Rev. Chauncey Reynolds, now 
living at Hillsdale, who gave ^COO toward the erec- 
tion of buildings, a princely sum for one in his cir- 
cumstances. He is one of the only three dele- 
gates now living who were present at the yearly 
meeting forty-four 3-ears ago, when the germ of 
Hillsdale College w.-is i)lanted. He was a Trustee 
at Spring Arbor for several j-ears, and of Hillsdale 
College from IS.'.D to 1881. All of his nine chil- 
dren who grew t<j maturity were students in one 
or both colleges. The most liberal individual 
donors to Hillsdale College have been the Waldrons, 
Hon. Henry Waldron having paid ab<iut ^((,000 
during his lifetime, and his brother, Rev. Charles 
N. AValdron, his widow, Mrs. Caroline M. Waldron, 
and his sister, Mrs. Mary E. Waterman, having 
shortly after his death, and in the fall of 1880, 
jointly endowed a professorshi|) by each of the 
three paying ^.5,000. These, being all residents of 
the county, except the latter, make the contribu- 
tions by citizens of the county, for building and 
endowment, amount to >!G0,000 in round nund)ers. 
besides the subscriptions made for the erection of 
Griflln Hall, amounting to about ?il.'».000 more. 
This cerUiinly shows an appreciation which is com- 
mendable, and the cosmopolitan character of the 
attendance as well as of the contributions, conclu- 
sively proves that although the college is denomi- 
national it is not oflfensively sectarian. 

In its earlier days the labors of the faculty were 
especially arduous, the attendance being large, the 
number of teachei-s smaller than now, and the com- 
pensation for the work performed pitifully low. 
Only bv the course of the Trustees in acting always 
upon the principle of not going into debt, of divid 
iu"^ among the f.nculty what there wa~ to divide 






184 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



has the institution kept upon its feet, and shown a 
continuous growth from its location here to the 
present time. The average attendance for the 
thiity-threc _years has been about 300, and the out- 
looic for tlie future is full of encouragement. 

Tlie Presidents of the college have so far been as 
follows: 18,5.1 to 1869, Rev. Edmund B. Fairfield, 
D. D., LL. D.; I8G9 to 1871, Eev. James Calder, 
D. 1).: 1871 to 1874, Rev. Daniel M.* Graham, D. 
D. ; 1874 to Jan. 1, 1885, Rev. DeWitt C. Durgin, 
D. D. ; Jan. 1, 1885, to 188(5, Rev. Ransom Dunn, 
D. D.; 1880 to date, Hon. George F. IMosher, A. 
M. The following have tilled llie olilce of Secretary 



and Treasurer: 1855 to 1862, Henry J. King; 1862 
to 1877, Lorenzo P. Reynolds; 1877 to 1884, 
Charles B. Mills; 1884 to date, Oscar A. Janes. 
The Faculty at present is constituted as follows: 
Hon. George F. Mosher, A. M., President; Rev. 
Ransom Dunn, D. D.; Rev. John S. Copp, A. W. ; 
Arthur E. Haynes, M. Ph.; Kingsbury Bachelder, 
A. M.; Rev. Ashniun T. Salley, A. M.; Frank 
Smith, B. Ph.; Clarence O. Williams, A. M.; Mrs. 
Marie M. Pierce; Miss Harriet A. Deering; Mel- 
ville W. Chase, Mus. Doc. ; George B. Gardner, 
Alexandci' C. Ridcout. 




PJJ^ 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



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185 




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4 



[)N. p:bj:nezer Oliver 

GROSVENOR, banker 
and merchant, of Jones- 
ville, lias been for man}- 
— I'^ years proniinenlly idenli- 
-"^h" fied Willi tlie cotninercia!, 
c5\(b^oyt> social and political life of Michi- 
^^^^ o^i'i- -I'ltl is numbered among her 
- ~ ' ■' most eminent citizens. He was 
born in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. 
Y., Jan. 2ti, 1820, and was the 
third of the nine children, four of 
whom are living, born to his father, 
E. O. Grosvenor. Sr. The latter 
was a son of the Rev. Daniel Grosve- 
nor, a man of sound learning and ability, who 
gave his children all the advantages of a liberal 
education, and many of them were graduates of 
Eastern colleges, and occupied prominent positions 
in the professional world. The father of our sub- 
ject was boi'n and reared in Worcester County, 
Mass., and there married Mary Ann Livermore, a 
native of Massachusetts, and an accomplished lady 
of true culture, who was educated at Leicester 
Academy, near Worcester, Mass. After marriage 
Mr. Grosvenor continued to live in his native 
county for several years, but having met with some 
business reverses, he removed with his family to 



■♦■ 




Stillwater, N. Y'., where he was engaged for a num- 
ber of years on the public works of the State. In 
1S2.T he removed with his family to Schenectady, 
and in 1820 from thereto Chittenango. N. Y. For 
further parental history see sketch of Ebenezer O. 
Grosvenor, Sr., in this volume. 

The subject of this sketch received a sound edu- 
cation in his native Stale, that amply qualifled him 
to contend with the intricacies of the business life 
tiiat he afterward entered upon. He Wiis a student 
in the Lancixsterian Academy, at .Schenectady, sub- 
sequently attended a public school at Chittenango, 
and tinally, at the age of thirteen, entered the 
Polytechnic Academy at that place, where, during 
a two-years course of earnest study, he gained a 
brilliant rank for fine scholarship. Having decided 
to adopt a business career, at the age of sixteen he 
left school to take a position as clerk in a store in 
Chittenango, where he w.is employed the following 
year. In June, 1837. our subject, who had not 
then attained manhood, being but seventeen years 
of age, left his native .Slate and came to the young 
commonwealth of .Michigan, which had been ad- 
mitted into the Union but a few months before, and 
of which, in future years, he was to become a lead- 
\na citizen and take an impoi-tant part in the ad- 
ministration of some of its highest olHces. On his 
arrival here he entered into the employ of an elder 



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186 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



brother in Albion, in one of the first stores of the 
town. He remained there until the winter of 1839, 
when he went to Monroe and served as a clerk for 
one 3'e.ir in the State Commissioner's offlce, during 
the construction of the Michigan Southern Railwaj', 
which was then in the hands of the State. He first 
became a citizen of Jonesville in the summer of 
1840, when he came here to take a position as clerk 
in a dry-goods store, where he was employed until 
in April, 1844. By his faithfulness to the interests 
of his employers and cflieient work while in the serv- 
ice of others, and bj' his rare energy and extraor- 
din.ary business tact, he has worked himself up to 
his present high jtosition among the men of wealth 
and high standing in this State, and it is his pride 
that in all of his business connections, and in what- 
ever he has attempted to do, he has always been 
successful, and everything h.is turned out in the 
most satisfactory manner. 

In April, 1844, Mr. Grosvenor established him- 
self in a general mercantile business, with Mr. E. S. 
Varnum as partner, and they conducted it together 
until 1847, when Mr. Varnum sold out his share to 
Mr. Champlin, the f.ather-in-law of our subject. 
They carried on the business together verj' success- 
fully until 1851, when Mr. Grosvenor bought out 
his father-in-law's interest, and conducted the busi- 
ness alone until 1864. He then admitted some 
young men who had been in his emploj' for a num- 
ber of years. The business grew and flourished in 
a marked degree under the new order of tilings, and 
in 1875 a further change was made, and the firm 
name was changed to Sibbald, Spalding & Co., Mr. 
Grosvenor still remaining a partner, although out- 
side interests absorbed much of his attention, and 
at the present time he is two-thirds owner of the 
stock of J. A. Sibbald & Co. Outside of the mer- 
cantile trade he has been engaged in buying and 
selling the general produce of this section of the 
country', making it a feature of the business always 
to pay cash. Our subject established his present 
banking business, under the firm name of the Ex- 
change Bank of Grosvenor & Co., in April, 1854, 
of which he has since been the principal owner and 
manager. 

Our subject has taken a distinguished part in all 
the public enterprises th.at would in any way pro- 



mote the growth and prosperity of his adopted 
county and Slate. He has been identified with the 
railw.iy interests of Michigan for many years, and 
in the latter part of 1868, when the Ft. Wa3'nc, 
Jackson & Saginaw Railway was being located, he 
was largely instrumental in directing its route, is 
now a stockholder in the company, and was Vice 
President of the railway before it was leased to 
the Michigan Southern. He has been connected 
with the following life insurance companies in vari- 
ous capacities : He w.as one of the organizers of 
the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, of 
Detroit; an early stockholder and Director of the 
Detroit Fire and Marine Insurance Company; also 
of the Michigan State Fire Insurance Company, at 
Adrian (this latter corapan}- has now gone into 
liquidalion) ; he is still connected with the insurance 
companies as stockholder and Director. He has 
donated liber.ally to the industrial enterprises of 
Hillsdale County, noticeably to the cotton .and 
woolen mills of this place, and was the first Treas- 
urer of the Jonesville Cotton Manufacturing Com- 
pany, and was for some time its President. Our 
subject has been engaged in the mercantile business 
from our best information a greater length of time 
than any other man in this State. Commencing life 
poor, he laid the foundations of his present fortune 
when a clerk bj' wisely laying up iu's earnings. 

Mr. Grosvenor w.as married, Feb. 22, 1844, to 
Miss Sally Ann Champlin, daughter of the Hon. 
Elisha P. Champlin, wlio was one of the first settlers 
of Lenawee County. She has ever been a devoted 
.and affectionate companion to her hnsband, making 
their home a pleasant and inviting retreat frf m the 
cares of business or public life. She is a valued 
member of the Presbyterian Church, of which her 
husband is also a regular attendant. One child, a 
daughter, has been born to them, who was married 
in 1873 to Mr. Charles E. AVhite; they are also resi- 
dents of this city, and to them have been born two 
sons — Charles Grosvenor and Oliver S. 

Since first settling in Jonesville, Mr. Grosve- 
nor has taken a very active .and conspicuous part 
in public affairs; a man of his superior mental cali- 
ber, well-known executive ability and integrity, 
could not long be allowed to remain in the obscurity 
of private life, and he has been repeatedly and often 

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HILLSDALE COUNTY 



187 



callcd upon to fill some of the liigbest offices within 
the gift of his admiring fellow-countrymen. lie 
has !i brilliant and clean record as a statesman, and 
his name is to be found on the annals of his adopted 
State as a firm supporter of many of the measures 
which have best contributed to its advanei'nient. In 
his twenty-nine years of pul)lic life, he never sougiit 
but one nomination, no odium has ever been at- 
tached to his name, or selfish motives ini|)uled to 
liis acts, and he may well look back upon his political 
life with giatification that he was ever true to the 
trusts imposed u|)on him by his fellow-citizens. The 
limitations of this liiogra|)ii3' forbid more than a 
brief mention of the offices that he lias held. He 
was at an early da3' elected to all of the important 
ofiices of this township, held the oHice of Supervisor 
before the township was divided, and was the first 
Supervisor of PXyclte Townshii) after liie division 
was made. In 18.')8 he was chosen a member of 
the State Senate. When the late Civil War brnke 
out in April, 1801, he was commissioned Colonel 
on the staff of Gov. Blair, and received an ai)iioint- 
ment on the Military Contract Board, of which he 
became President, and he afterward held the posi- 
tion of President of the Military State Boaid. In 
1862 he again liccame State Senator, and took an 
imi)ortnnt part in the legislation of that year as 
Chairman of the Committee on Finance. In 18()4 
his constituents elected him to the office of Lieuten- 
ant Governor of the State of Michigan, on the ticket 
with Gov. Crapo. By virtue of this ollice he was 
President of the State Board of Piqualization in 
1800, and in the same year he was elected State 
Treasurer, his wide exi)erience in business peculi- 
arly fitting him for that important position, and he 
so ably managed the financial affairs of the State 
that he was again and again called upon to occupy 
the office, being re-elected in 1868, and remaining 
Treasiner until 1871. In A|)ril of that year he 
received an appointment on the Board of State 
Building Commissioners, for the purpose of erecting 
a new capitol, his appointment being confirmed by 
the Senate and House in joint session without a 
dissenting vote. He became the Vice President and 
presiding officer in tlie ab.sence of the Governor of 
the commission. The work on the capital was full 
and complete, and no fault was ever found; the 



*-HI-^ 



building stands to-daj' a proud monument to the 

efliciencj', zeal and faithfulness of the presiding 
officer of that Board of Commissioners and his fel- 
low-associat<^s. 

The State of Michigan is also indebted to our 
sul)ject for his work in the interests of her famous 
University at Ami Arbor. In the spring of 1879 
he was elected Regent of that institution of learn- 
ing, and in January-, 1880, took his seat, retained 
the position until in January, 1888, and during the 
entire eight years he served without compensation. 
While he was a member of the Board of Regents 
he was Chairman of the Financial Committee, was 
one of the Executive Committee of the University 
for four j'cars, and was Chairman of the Medical 
Committee for six years. 

Socially, our subject is a Master Mason, having 
joined that order in 18.i.5, andhe is also an Odil 
Fellow, being a charter member of the lodge formed 
in Jonesvillc in 1840, and he h.as passed all the 
chairs in that order. Mr. Grosvenor h:i.s been a 
stanch member of the Republica'n party since the 
days of its organization in 1854, having previously 
been a Whig. 

The portrait of this eminent citizen occupies its 
appropriate place at the beginning of the local pan 
of this volume. An esteemed, valued and worthy 
citizen, to him is due the distinction of having the 
most honored place in the Ai.i'.im of his county. 



#^ 



-v 




EXRY VANDKRVOLGAN resides on sec- 
tion 8, Pitlsford Township, where he has 
built up a plciisant home, and is actively 
engaged in the occui)ation of farming. For 
the^past two years he has been principally en- 
gaged in buying and shipping stock. The parents 
of our subject, and also of his wife, were early 
settlers of Hillsdale County, and their children 
were reared amid the scenes of a pioneer life, and 
experienced its jiriv.ations and trials in eommon with 
those about them. Since the d.ays of their child- 
hood the face of the country has entirely clianged, 
and their jiresent comfortable, cosy home, situated 
amid broad, well-tilled fields, forms a great con- 
trast between the humble phmeer homes in which 



4 



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188 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



they were reared, with wild surroundings, lofty 
trees of the primeval forest stretching for miles 
and miles on either hand with scarcely a break, ex- 
cepting here and there the small clearings of some 
settler, and haunted by wolves, bears, deer, wild 
turkeys, and other wild animals, and even the 
aboriginal settlers of this country still lurked in 
their forest haunts when the parents of our subject 
first moved here. The conditions of such a life 
developed in the people a hardihood, vigor of 
mind, self-reliance and mutual helpfulness, that were 
a great power in the making of this noble com- 
monwealth of Michigan, and have left their unmis- 
takable impress upon the generation of to-day. 

Mr. Vandervolgan was born in the town of 
Root, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1834. His 
father. Freeman S. Vandervolgan, was born in the 
same town, where his father, Lawrence Vander- 
volgan, a native of Holland, or of Dutch parentage, 
spent Ills last years, engaged at his trade of shoe- 
maker. The father of our subject was rear'id and 
married there to Mary Clement, a native, and daugh- 
ter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Ottman) Clement, 
pioneers of Pittsford Township (for history of 
them see sketch of Christopher Clement). After 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Vandervolgan continued to 
live in their native town until 1838, and then 
started with their five children to build for them- 
selves a home in Michigan, taking the most con- 
venient and expeditious route, via Ph'ie Canal and 
lake to Toledo. They then proceeded on the rail- 
way to Adrian, which was then the western ter- 
minus of the railway, the cars being drawn by 
horses. They made their way from there through 
the wilderness across Bean Creek Valley to Pitts- 
ford Township, where Mr. Vandervolgan bought a 
tract of land on section 4, it being at the time the 
settlement furthest west on the town line. He soon 
erected a comfortable log house for the shelter of 
his family, with the usual mud and stick chimney, 
and an elm bark covered roof. Mrs. Vandervolgan 
was a notable housewife, and used to cook de- 
licious meals before the huge fireplace, and for 
some years spun and wove all the flax and wool, 
and made the clothes for the famil3^ The indus- 
trious and useful life of that good woman closed on 
the scenes of earth June 2, 1847. After her death 



Mr. Vandervolgan moved to Wheatland and made 
his home there until his death, Oct. 11, 1873. He 
was a trustworthj-, upright man, and was respected 
bj' all in the community. 

The subject of this sketch was in his fourth j'ear 
when he came to Hillsdale County with his parents, 
and he has since been a witness of its development 
and growth, and has borne an honorable part in pro- 
moling its agricultural interests. After his mar- 
riage he bought forty acres of land on section 4, 
and resided on it for a few years, and then sold 
that place and purchased a tract on section 15. A 
few months later he also disposed of that in order 
to buy a part of the old homestead on section 4. 
After living there eleven j-eais he bought the place 
where .he now resides. His present farm contains 
sixty-six acres of land under an excellent state of 
culture, and with good modern improvements, 
noticeable among which are a substantial dwelling 
and ample out-buildiugs. 

Li these years of persistent and courageous labor 
Mr. Vandervolgan's efforts in the upbuilding of a 
home have been ably seconded by the devoted co- 
operation of his excellent wife, to whom he was 
united in marriage Sept. 13, 1860. Her maiden 
name was Susan M. Rush, and her birth took place 
in Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., Aug. 27, 1836. 
Two children have blessed their union — Laura A. 
and Mary E. Their happy married life has been 
saddened by the death of their eldest daughter, 
Laura, who was born Sept. 21, 1861, and died Jan. 
6, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Vandervolgan are highly 
respected for genuine kindly hearts and true worth 
of character; they are members of the Free-Will 
Baptist Church, and zealously uphold its good 
works. lu politics Mr. Vandervolgan is a firm sup- 
porter of the Republicans. 

Mrs. Vandervolgan's parents were pioneers of 
Pittsford Township, and as such we are pleased to 
incorporate a brief record of their lives in this 
sketch. Her father, Jehial M. Rush, was born in 
Ontario County, N. Y., March 13, 1808, and was a 
son of Samuel F. Rush, a native of Connecticut, 
whose father, it is thought, came to America from 
Scotland with his mother when quite young, and 
settled iu that New England State. The grand- 
father of Mrs. V. grew to manhood in his tiative 



•^ 



t 



► ■ ^> 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ISO 



State, and when a young man went to New York 
and settled in Ontario County, and was a pioneer of 
the town of Farmington. He bought timbered 
land, improved a good form, and lived there many 
ycin\-!. He subsequently removed to Wayne County, 
resided there until 1840. and then came to this 
county and made his home in I'ittsford Township. 
where he improved a farm from its wild state, and 
eontinued to liv(,' here until his death. The maiden 
nanie of his wife was Catherine Dellezenne, and she 
was born in New York State. Her father. Michael 
Dellezenne. was a native of Fi'.ince, who emigrated 
to America some time during the last century, and 
settled in the Stale of New York. 

jNlrs. Ynndervolgan's father was reared on a farm 
in his native State until twenty years old. and then 
he learned to be a carpenter, and followed that trade 
in New York State for some years. He married, 
Aug. "iH, 1835, Miss Laura A. Wilber, who was 
lioni in Wicntlinm, near Boston, Mass., Feb. lo, 
lUl.i. Her father wasEpliraim Wilber; his father was 
a farmer, ami spent his last years in Norton, Mass.. 
whcic lie died about 1823. Mrs. Yandervolgan's 
malernal grandi)arents moved to New York, and 
settled near .Syracuse, Onondaga C'oinit}', where her 
grandfather died about one year later. Two 3'ears 
after that his widow married again, moved to 
Wayne County, and settled in Maeedon, where she 
spent her last years. Her niaiden nan)e was Susan 
Lcfinanl. and her father. Job Leonard, the great- 
grnndfather of Mrs. Y., was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, where he owned a foundry in Wrentham. 

In the year 1837 the parents of Mrs. V. catne to 
.Michigan, and located near Hillsdale, where Mr. 
Rush bought a tract of timbered land. He cleared 
some of his land, aTid continued to work at his 
trade a part of the time. He built a log house on 
Ills place, which the Indians, who still lingered in 
this vicinity, used to call -The Clean House" to 
distinguish it from the other log houses, as it w.as 
built of hewn logs. He resided there seven years, 
and then moved to Pittsford Township, where he 
bought a isartially improved farm on section 9, 
and continued to be .actively engaged in his trade. 
He erected a suitable set of frame buildings, and 
lived there until 18()4, when he sold that pLace and 
bought the one where he now resides, and has since 



devoted his entire time to farming. He owns a 
good farm of forty acres, well provided with good 
buildings, and he and his good wife are spending 
their declining years in comfort and in the enjoy- 
ment of the respect of the people about them. They 
are the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. 
Yandervolgan is the eldest: the record of the 
others is as follows: Eliza is the wife of Jonathan 
Stafford, of Wheatland Township: Alice is the 
wife of John A'andcrvolgan. and lives in Eaton 
Comity: Delora is at home with her parents. 

^^^OODWIN HOWARD. The thrilling scenes 
III <^ through which the pioneer settlers passed 
^^4 during the early period of development of 
this portion of the State of Michigan, must ever 
awaken enn)tious of warmest regard for them. To 
pave the way for those who should f<illow and to 
make their lives pleasanter and easier, the pioneers 
stemmed the flood tide wave of civilization, endured 
all and Tuffercd all. I!iil few of these spirits now 
survive; they have passed away full of years .■ind 
honors, leaving their children, their children's chil- 
dren, and strangers to succeed them and enjoy the 
fruits of their toil and privations and the savings 
of their long and eventful lives. The career of the 
subject of this biography as a pioneer citizen h.-ut 
been one eminentl}' worthj' and useful to the 
community in which he has resided, and his neigh- 
bors and old friends iiiiitcilly bear testimony to his 
sterling worth, integrity and services, as a frontier 
citizen. 

Goodwin Howard, now a retired farmer making 
his home in Allen Yill.ige, is the son of I'hineas 
Howard, who was liorn near the Atlantic Co!u^l in 
the State of Maine. The latter when a small boy 
removed with his parents to the vicinity of what 
wiis afterward Livonia, Livingston Co.. N. Y., 
where he grew to manhood. He there married 
Miss Abigail IVirnard, who was born at Litchfield 
South Farms. Conn., where she grew to womanhood, 
and then, accompanied l>y her brother, removed to 
Livingston County, N. Y., ami eng.iged in leaching. 
This section of country was then but thinly settled 
and money as well as people was scarce. Miss 



«» ■ ^» 



14 190 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Barnard freqiieiilly, in payment for her services, was 
obliged to talce wlieat and dispose of it to the best 
advantage, sometimes at twenty-five cents per bushel. 
She first met her future husband in Livonia, that 
county, where their marriage tool< place, and wlience 
after sojourning there a biief time, they removed 
to Allegany County. Here the father purchased a 
tract of land, taking an article for a deed, but in- 
stead of farming engaged in the manufacture of 
potash. He met with many leverses, but being a 
man of unconquerable resolution, managed in spite 
of all to pay for his land, which was a rare occui'- 
rence in that section of country, as many were in 
debt and all were poor. 

Phineas Howard continued a resident of Allegany 
County, N. Y., nntil 1835, then disposing of his 
property made his way to Southern INIichigan and 
purchased 120 acres of land in Allen Township, this 
county. He had made this trip alone, and the pur- 
pose of his visit accomplished, he returned to the 
Empire State, and brought his family with him to 
Michigan in the s|)ring of 18;3G. They settled on 
the land in Allen Township, and here four of their 
children were born. Here also the parents spent 
the remainder of their lives, the mother dying March 
7, 1868, and the father, Feb. 7, 187.3. 

In making the journey from New York State the 
parents of our subject started out from Allegany 
County with two yoke of oxen, expecting to com- 
plete the journey by this means. After reaching 
Buffalo, however, they changed their plans and em- 
barked on a lake vessel, bringing with them their 
cattle, and landing .at Toledo. Here they resumed 
their former method of travel by means of their 
oxen, which transported s.'iffl^' to their destin.ation 
the father, mother and four children. 'J'he latter 
all lived to m.ature years. The eldest daughter, 
Mar3% became the wife of Daniel Nichols, and died 
at her home in Allen Township, Feb. 18, 1851; 
Goodwin, our subject, was the second child; Bar- 
nard died in Allen Township when about fort}' 
years of age; Wealthy A. is the wife of Andrew 
Winchester, of Chicago. 

Goodwin Howard was born in Ossian, N. Y., 
Jan. 22, 1823, and w.as a lad of thirteen years when 
he came with his parents, in the spring of 183(3, to 
the Territory of Michigan. He has for a period of 



!1i 



fifty-two years made his home in Allen Township. 
As a man of more than ordinary capacities and 
intelligence, he has been closely identified with the 
interests i>f Hillsdale County, and large!}' instru- 
mental in the growth and prosperity of Allen Town- 
ship. Reared to farming pursuits, these have been 
his pleasure and his pride and in which he has aimed 
to excel. For many j'ears he has engaged exten- 
sively in Ijuying and shipping stock, and was famil- 
iarly known as a drover, making many trips from 
this count}' east as far as Massachusetts, driving 
his cattle before him, mostlj' on horseback and 
sometimes on foot. Later the construction of tiie 
railroads westward did away witii this tedious i)ro- 
ced u re, an d M r. Howard , w i th scores of others, glad 1}' 
availed himself of the modern innovation. 

Mw Howard was married early in life, Jan. 14, 
IS 10, at tiie home of the Iiride in Allen Township. 
to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah 
(Chenry) Bra}'. John Bray was a native of New 
Jersey, and his wife, Sarah, was born in Carmi, N. Y. 
After marriage they settled in Ontario County, that 
State, near Richmond, where the mother died. Mr. 
Bray survived his wife, and died in Bristol, Ontario 
County. Their five children were named respect- 
ively: Maxwell, Fanny, Lucy A., Elizabeth and 
Jane. Elizabeth, Mrs. Howard, was born in Bristol, 
N. Y., March 27, 1822, and came to the West with 
her brother and sister in 1839. 

ISIr. and Mrs. Howard commenced life together 
upon a tract of land in Allen Township, which was 
owned by the Allen heirs. He jjurchased tiie first 
forty acres of his present farm in 1840, and h.as 
acquired his present beautiful and valuable prop- 
erty by the exercise of untiring industry and the 
good judgment with which nature bountifully en- 
dowed him. He has now 330 acres in Allen Town- 
ship, upon which is a fine residence, which with its 
surroundings forms all that the heart can reasonably 
desire in the shape of a modern country home. 
Besides this he owns the greater ])art of the land 
familiarly known as the Allen farm, which was the 
first land taken up from the Government in Allen 
Township, .and u[)on wiiich was built the Allen grist 
mill, an institution wiiich afterward became known 
far and wide by the people of this section, to whom 
it proved for many years .almost indispensable. 



■^•- 



■*► ■- 



4- 



J^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY 



191 



In close proximity to tiiis mill, which was run 
on the mortar plan, was a hollow in tliu grouiul, 
which ill tho fail of the year would fill up with 
water, and upon the ioo of which in the winter 
tiijic the neighliors round would Ihrasli their grain. 
Mr. Howard formerlj' owned llic land including 
this 1k)11ow. In 1881 our suhject, imoinpany with 
his estiniahle wife, made a trip to California, being 
gone three or four months, and feeling that the time 
and money thus employed were well spent, luthe 
winter of 1885 Mr. Howard again visited the P.i- 
ciflc Coast, journeying hj- way of Arizona and re- 
turning via tiie Denver \' Rio G ramie. 

The household of this gentleman and his excel- 
lent wife was completed b3- the birth of seven cliil- 
dren, of whom the eldest son. Chancy, died when 
two years of age; Harriet is the wife of Charles 
Winchester, of Elkhart. Ind.; Amoretdicd in Allen 
Township when twenty-one years old; Edwin C. 
married Miss Edna Diirand, and is a lesident of 
Allen Township; Mary A. died when four niontlis 
old: Wealthy became tiie wife of ICiigciic Dresser, 
and died in Allen Township, aged about twentj'-one 
years and six months; Ida, Mrs. Frank Avery, is a 
resident of Hillsdale. 

Mr. Howard, politically, is a solid Republican, 
and has held the various minor offices of his town- 
ship. He was one year President of the Hillsdale 
County Agricultural 8ociet}% but has usuallj- been 
disinclined to place himself very prominently be- 
fore the jiublic, preferring the unostentatious life 
of a private citizen. Mrs. Howard is a lady greatly 
esteemed by her neighbors and acquaintances, and 
has nobly fulfilled her duties in life, first as the 
companion and helpuLite of the struggling pioneer, 
and later as tlie wise and judicious mother of his 
children. 



lj=^OBERT M. COX is a gentleman in the prime 
\lL^ of life, and is held in high regard among 
^\\\ the people of Scipio Township. Hehasbeena 
wg;resident of this county, with the exception 
of the years spent in the army, since a lad eight 
ye.irs of .age. He is of English descent, being the 
son of Charles and Diana (Denning) Cox, who 
were natives of England, and who emigrated to 



America in 1840, after their marriage and the birth 
of six children. Our subject, one sister and a 
brother were the only members of their father's 
family Americaii-ljorn, and the youngest children. 
He first opened his eyes to the light in Orleans 
County, iS'. Y., .June 30, 1844, in which county his 
parents settled when they Hist came to ,\meriea. 

The parents of our subject left the Empire Slate 
in 1852, and coming lo this county, the father pur- 
chased land in Scipio Township on section G, where 
he built up a comfortable home, and where the 
mother died Oct. 30, 1887. .Mr. Charles Cox is 
still living, and makes his home with his son Rt>b- 
ert M. Of the nine children comprising the i)ar- 
ental family, six are now living, and residents 
mostly of Michigan. Robert M. was a lad of eiglit 
j'ears when he came with his |)arcnts to this county, 
and remained upon the farm until the outbreak of 
the late Rebellion. In the fall of 1803. when a 
youth of nineteen years, he enlisted in Company A, 
1 nil Michigan Cavalry, and marche^d with his com- 
rades to the seat of war. being assigned to the Army 
of the Cumberland. He shai-ed the common lot of 
the soldier, became familiar with his hardships, 
dangers and privations, met the enemy bravely, and 
fortunately escaped unhai'meil to return tohishome 
and friends. He received his honorable discharge 
in the fall of 1865, and w.as mustered out at Cin- 
cinnati. 

Mr. Cox during his army life had passed thi' 
period of his majority, but he continued a member 
of his father's household thereafter until 1M75. He 
had always loved the peaceful pursuits of farm life, 
anil now contentedly followed agriculture, aiming 
to gain a knowledge of the best methods of manip- 
ulating the soil to the best advantiige. lie was 
not married until rather late in life, his union with 
.Miss Eliza Teno^'ar taking place .at the home of the 
bride in .Scipio Township. Aug. 2. 1875. Mrs. Cox 
was born Nov. 22. 1857, in this township, and is 
the daughter of Reuben and Eliza (.Malcom) I'en- 
oyar, who were natives of New York, and are now 
liviii" in .Scipio Township. Mr. and Mrs. Cox 
couuncnced life together ujion the f:n-m which they 
now occupy, and are the parents of three interest- 
ing children: Verna M., Henry and Franklin, the 
eldest nine years of .age and the young<"st four. 



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i 



i 



192 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Mr. Cox has but little time to devote to political 
matters, but uniformly votes the Republican ticket, 
and socially, is a member f)f Stewart Post No. 2.59, 
G. A. R., at Litchfield. 



0-~- APT. WILLIAM W. WADE, of Jonesville, 
is the son of John and Mary Wade, who 
were natives of Ireland, whence they emi- 
grated to America in 18(54, and settled first in New 
York State. A year later they came to Southern 
Michigan, settling in Litchfield Township, this 
county, where their decease took place. Of their 
seven children five are living. 

Our subject was born in Ireland, March 14, 1836, 
and was reared on a farm until a youth of fourteen 
years. About that time he changed his occupation 
to that of clerk in a dry-goods store at Hillsdale, 
but several months later went into a drug and gro- 
cery store at Jonesville, where he remained about 
three years. He then took up the tinner's trade, 
serving an apprenticeship of three years, and at 
which he worked as a journeyman also three years 
in different places. At the expiration of these six 
years he resumed his old occupation as clerjf at 
Jonesville until the Pike's Peak excitement, when 
he crossed the plains to Colorado, but soon returned 
again and remained connected with the dry-goods 
trade until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. 

Mr. Wade, soon after the first call for troops, en- 
listed, June 19, 1861. anrl was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant of Company C, 7th Infantry, with which 
he served until the close of the war. His army ex- 
perience was similar to that of others, but greatly 
to his credit, he being promoted to the rank of 
First Lieutenant, and subsequently Captain, and 
having tendered him also a Colonel's commission, 
which he declined ; he was also Quartermaster of his 
regiment. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, 
in June, 1865, he returned to his old haunts in 
J(jnesville, and became interested in the hardware 
trade, in which he was engaged nearly eight years. 
In connection therewith he purcliased wheat, pork 
and wood for nineteen years, and then became in- 
terested in the boot and shoe trade, in which he 



was engaged until the winter of 1887-88. Then 
selling out he engaged in tlie manufacture of road- 
carts, with the business of vviiich he now occupies 
himself. 

Mr. Wade has held the office of Village Trustee 
for a period of fourteen years, w.is President of the 
board four years and Village Treasurer two 3'ears. 
Socially, he belongs to Henry Baxter Post, G. A. 
R. He was married, Dec. 19. 187.'), in the city of 
Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Lillian B. Dunham, and 
they are the parents of one child. Demon t W. 

-»-»* .o*o.-@JA><\^..o*o.. 1^-— 

ONATHAN WHITNEY, whose name is fa- 
miliar among the prominent men and honored 
pioneers of Allen Township, is the owner of 
a good farm on section 9, but has his present 
residence in the village. A man liberal minded 
and pi'ogressive in his ideas, he has formed no 
unimportant factor in the development of the west- 
ern part of Hillsdale County, and his own township 
especially. Here he has been prominent in local 
affairs, serving as Treasurer and School Inspector, 
represented the township in the County Board of 
Supervisors two years, and served as Justice of the 
Peace for twelve years. Politically, he is a con- 
scientious Republican, and with his excellent wife, 
a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Church. 

The parental history of our subject is essentially 
as follows: His father. Ami Whitney, was born in 
Massachusetts, Jan. 18, 1781. The latter when 
eleven years of age, vvith his parents, Jonathan and 
Esther (Parkhurst) Whitney, removed from the 
Bay State to Seneca, Ontario Co.. N. 1'., and settled 
on what was then known as the old •' Indian Castle 
farm." Jonathan Whitne}' died two years later, 
being cut down in the prime of life, and in the 
midst of a useful career. He was a man of great 
force of character, and served as Captain in the 
Revolutionary army, being prominent at the sur- 
render of the British General, Burgoyne. 

Grandmother Whitney was subsequently married 
to a man by the name of Parker, and died in the 
vicinity of Painted Post, as it was then called, but 
which is now known as Jefferson, N. Y''. Of her 



•Mh-i^ 



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u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



193 ' 



marriage with Jonathan Whitney there had been 
born nine children, of whom Ami, the father of our 
subject, was next to the youngest. He grew to 
manhood in his native county, being reared upon a 
farm, and there spent his entire life, engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, his death occurring Dec. 14, 
1867. He married ]Miss Anna Ainsdcn, who was 
also a native of Massachusetts, and buin Dec. 7, 
1784. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
fifteen children, nine of whom lived to become men 
and women. The eldest son, Theodore, died in 
New York, Nov. 30, 18.50; Isaac A. died in Michi- 
gan, in October, 1876; Jasper is a resident of Wood 
County, Ohio; William G. lives in Geauga Count}-, 
Ohio; Ami continues a resident of Seneca, N. Y. ; 
Jonathan, our subject, was the sixth child: Eliza- 
beth E. is the widow of John Lewis, of Hopewell, 
N. Y. ; Esther G. married Franklin Hooper, who is 
now deceased, and lives in Siskiyou County, Cal. ; 
Anna is the widow of James Wilson, and a resident 
of Geneva. N. Y. 

Jonathan Whitney, our subject, was liorn in 
Seneca, Ontario Co..N. Y'., Nov. 3, 181G. Like his 
father before him he was reared to farm pursuits, 
and as was the custom of most of the 3'oung men 
of those days, continued under the parental roof 
until reaching his majority. He then started out 
for himself, and for two years thereafter was em- 
ployed as a farm laborer in his native county. In 
the latter part of September, 1839, having resolved 
to see something of the farther West, he migrated to 
this county, arriving here on the 29th of October, 
1839. In the meantime he had stojiped in Niagara 
County, N. Y'., and consummated a very important 
event, namely, his marriage, and with him brought 
his bride. They conimcnced housekeeping in Allen 
Township in a little l)uil(ling south of the tnrn|)ike, 
near .loiin R(c<rs, which was tlu ii known .as the 
"Mill House," and which they occupied for a period 
of three months, during which time Mi'. Whitney 
put up a log house on the land which he had pur- 
chased, and of which they took pos'^ession on the 
4lh of Februnry, 1840. 

Our subject has since that time continued in pos- 
session of the land which he secured upon first 
coming to Allen Townshi)). It was 280 acres in 



extent, in a wild and uncultivated condition, but 
after the incessant labors of a series of years he 
effected good improvements, bringing the soil to a 
productive condition, and erecting substantial frame 
buildings. He and his family occupied their fii-st 
dwelling for a period of twelve years, then removed 
into their present residence. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
in Niagara County. N. Y., Oct. 5, 1839, was in her 
girlhood Miss Ann J. Garrett, and was born at 
Ramsey, Isle of Man, Nov. 10, 1823. William and 
JIargaret Garrett, the parents of Mrs. Whitnej', 
emigrated to the United States about 1828, anil 
both died in Niagara Count}', N. Y'., in the summer 
of 1840. Our subject and his wife became the 
parents of four children, and Mrs. Whitney died at 
her home in Allen Township, July 9, 1879. She 
was a most excellent lady, and a consistent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their eldest 
son, Willi.am G., married Mrs. Bessie Kay, and is 
carrying on farming in Allen Township; Anna E. 
became the wife of John M. Watkins, and died in 
Allen Township, Jan. 2,1878; Jtmalhan C. marri<"d 
Miss Fanny Ellis, and resides in the cit}' of Illlls- 
daie; Jennie S. is the wife of Archibald Wier, a 
well-to-do farmer of Allen Township. 

Mr. Whitney, Oct. 5, 1880, contractcil a second 
marriage, in Seneca, N. Y., with Miss Ruth Hooper, 
who was born in that place Dec. 2.5. 1821, and 
whose parents were Robert and Clara (Culver) 
Hooper. The mother died when a young woman. 
July 26. 1829. in New Y'ork Suite. The father 
subsequently went to California, and died there 
Sept. 26, 18.52. 

"^ ^^B- ^ 

ylLLIAM A. UNDKRWOOD. Clerk of I'itu- 
ford Township, was born in the town of 
Palmyra. Lenawee Comity, this Stale, Aug. 
10. 1854. He is the son of one of the oldest pioneers 
of that section, nan.cly. Thomas I'ndcrwootl, wlu. 
was a native of Williamson. Wayne Co.. N. Y., ami 
born Oct. 20. 1827. The paternal grandfather, 
Edward I'nderwooii, was born in Dutches? County 

in 1800, and was the son of Joseph II. Undorw I, 

who was of English parentJige, and whom it Is be- 
■> 



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r 



194 



hillsdalp: county. 



4 




lieved was born on the other side of the Atlantic. 
The latter spent his last years in the town of Will- 
iamson, Waj'ne Co., N. Y. 

In the spring of 1836, Edward Underwood, mak- 
ing his way to the undeveloped West, purchased land 
in Palmyra Township, Lenawee County, this State, 
for which he paid $11 per acre. Here he built up 
a comfortable homestead, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life, passing away on the 20th of 
May, 1878. 

The father of our subject, who had been carefully 
reared to habits of industry and economy, assisted 
his father in clearing the new farm, and when ready 
to marry, with the assistance of the latter, purchased 
131 acres in Palmyra Township. The maiden of 
his choice was aiiss Mary Comstock; a native of 
Niagara County, N. Y., and tlie daughter of .Tared 
and Catherine (Hall) Comstock, who removed from 
the Empire State to Lenawee County in 1835. 
They spent the last years of their lives in Raisin 
Township. The father passed away in 1865 and 
the mother in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock were 
highly educated and taught school some years after 
their marriage. Their daughter Mar3\ the mother 
of our subject, was born Dec. 22, 1828, and of her 
union with Thomas Underwood there were born 
three sons and one daughter — Edward, Ella, Will- 
iam A. and Harley. Ella became the wife of 
Rev. Harvey S. AVidney, who was a graduate of 
Adrian College, later a minister of the Protestant 
Methodist Church, but linally left the ministry to 
assume charge ot Gideon Seminar}', at LaHarpe, 
111., where he was Principal six years. In 1886 he 
assumed the same position in the Galpin Academy, 
at Excelsior, Minn., whicli he held at the time of 
his death, on the 25th of August, 1887. Thomas 
Underwood and his wife are still living on their fine 
farm in Palmyra Townshij), Lenawee County, where 
they are cLassed among its leading citizens, widely 
and favorably known by the people of that section, 
among whom they have lived for so many years, 
and have assisted in developing one of the richest 
sections of Southern Michigan. 

The subject of this biography was reared in his 
native township, and after leaving the district 
school took a course of instruction at Adrian Col- 
lege. So well had he improved his time and op- 






portunities that he commenced teaching at the 
age of eighteen years, which occupation he followed 
four winters in succession, while in the summer he 
assisted in the labors of the homstcad. He re- 
mained a member of the parental household until 
1877, and tiien settled upon the farm which he now 
owns and occupies. This is a tine body of land, and 
is pleasantly located on section 10, in Pittsford 
Township. The buildings are substantial and con- 
venient, and the cultivation of the soil is carried 
on in a wise and judicious manner. The farm 
stock and maehinerj- are creditable to the proprietor 
and signalize him as one of the progressive men 
of the West. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
in this township, Sept. 13, 1876, was forniorly Miss 
Lozetta A. Holden, who was born on the farm 
where she now resides, Aug. 2, 1858. Her father, 
Lyman Holden, a native of Vermont, was born 
Aug. 29, 1821, and was the son of P^lisha Holden, 
whom it is supposed was also a native of the Green 
Mountain State, and where he spent his entire life. 
Lyman Holden came to Michigan with his mother 
and stepfather, .lames Anderson, in 1836. He 
married a lady of Hillsdale County and settled up- 
on the land now occupied by his daughter and son- 
in-law, where he spent his last years. 

Lyman Holden, upon reaching manhood, married 
Miss Roen Stark, who was born in Clermont County, 
Ohio, and was the daughter of Daniel Stark, a na- 
tive of New York State. The latter was the son of 
John Stark, who removed from New Y<jrk to Ohio, 
and settling among the earliest pioneers of Cler- 
mont Countj', cleared a farm from the wilderness 
and there spent his last days, his death taking place 
in 1^26. His wife was Miss Jane Kennedy, a native 
of his own State, and the daughter of Robert and 
Margaret (McClarren) Kennedy, who after the death 
of her husband returned to New York and resided 
for a time there with her father. Subsequently she 
was married to a Mr. Robert Tobias, with whom 
she returned to Michigan, and died in Shiawassee 
County. The mother of Mrs. Underwood is still 
living in that county. 

Mr. Underwood, politically, uniformly votes the 
Republican ticket, and takes a warm interest in mat- 
ters pertaining to the general welfare of the com- 



I 



<^ m ^*- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in.". 



munity, morally and socially. In 1887 he was 
elected Township Clerk, and is discharging the du- 
ties of his oflice witli great credit to himself and 
satisfaction to all concerned. Both he and his es- 
timable wife are members in good standing of the 
Free-Will IJaiitist Cluircli. They have no cliildren. 
Their home is replete with all the couiforls of life 
and, respected by their neighbors, they have little 
reason to complain of the lot which is meted out to 
them. 

^^ PKNCKR S. HARDING, who h.is been a 
^^^ resident of Jonesville, this county, since the 
lll/_^) sijring of 1870. was born in Madison 
— " County, N. Y., April 23, 1808. His father, 
Abiel Harding, was of Scotch ancestry, and served 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The mother, 
who in her girlhood was Miss Olive Smith, w.as of 
English descent. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to tlie pur- 
suits of farm life, remaining in his native township 
until a Lad twelve years of age, and then removed 
with his brothers to Barre, Orleans County, in the 
western part of the State, where they cleared a farm, 
and where Spencer S. continued to reside until 
reaching his majority. His talents, however, l.a3' in 
a far different direction than the pursuits of agri- 
culture. When but a lad he had evinced great ap- 
titude with tiie jiainter's brush, his genius lying 
principally in the line of portraits. To this art he 
now gave his attention, and in it received the hearty 
co-operation of three of his brothers, who were also 
gifte<l with more than ordinary genius in this line. 
Chester Harding became especially noted, his work 
receiving the most flattering attention and a pat- 
ronage which resulted in his name being j.laced in 
the leading encyclopedias. The success of Chester 
Harding proved an inspiration to the other broth- 
ers, especially to S|>encer S., who since that time 
has followed his beloved art and made for himself 
an enviable rcputntion. His work adorns the walls 
of many of the dwellings of Hillsdale County, and 
his life-like copies o( the huniau countcuau<-e have 
seldc-ni been excelled. 

■Spencer S., upon leaving his native Stiite, took 



f 



up his residence in Massachusetts, whore be made 
liis home until coming to the West. He was mar- 
ried in Athens, Ohio, April r>, 1847, to Miss Louisa 
T., daughter of I'rof. .Joseph Dana, who at that 
time occupied the chair of languages in the Ohio 
University at Athens, and was a near relative of the 
distinguished Dana family, of Massachusetts. .Mrs. 
Harding was born in Marblehe.ad, Mass., Dec. lo, 
1816, and is a lady of great cidiure. evincing in her 
bearing and manner that she is the descendant of 
the family so well known in the history of New 
England as rejiresenting its l)est element. 

Mr. Harding upon becoming a voting citizen 
identified himself with the Whig party, but upon 
its abandonment cordially endorsed Republican 
principles, of which he still remains a warm sup- 
porter. 'I'he pleasant home of .Mi-, ami Mrs. Hard- 
ing is located in Jonesville, and during their resi- 
dence of nearly twenty years in this county they 
have fully established themselves in the frienilship 
and esteem of its best people. 




OMEU WARNER, who is prominent among 
the farmers and stock-raisers of Camden 
Township, .also operates largely as a ship- 
per, and is one of the men whose energy and 
industrj- have greatly contributed to the progress 
of this section of the countrj-. His home occupies 
160 acres on section 2, of which he has been in 
possession since the spring of 1886. His stock op- 
erations have extended over a i)eriod of eighteen 
3'ears, and have yielded him a handsome sum an- 
nually. 

Mr. Warner is a gentleman in the prime of life, 
having been born March 25, 1814, in Onondaga, N. 
Y. His father, Calvin, and his mother, Clarissa 
(Fitch) Warner, were also natives of the Emiiire 
State. His paternal grandfather, Amos Warner, 
served valiantly in the Revolutionary War, and as 
the result of a temperate life and correct habits, .-it- 
tained to the .-idvanced .age of ninety years, spend- 
ing his last d.ays in New York State. The parents 
of our subject spent their entire lives in their native 
Stiite, and there were born lo them two sons and 
one daughter : Homer and George, of lieadiug Tuwn- 



r 



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196 



^l 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ship, this county, and Hannah, the wife of Adonis 
Fellows, of Steuben County, Ind. Homer was 
reared to manhood in his native State, wliere he ac- 
quired a cominon-school education, atsd became 
familiar with the various employments of farm life. 
While a resident of Kew York, he was married, 
March 1, 1S71, to Miss Melissa Roe, a native of his 
own State, and the daughter of .John T. and INLarion 
lioe, of Memphis, N. Y. This union resulted in the 
birth of two children : Adah, born Feb. 22, 1872, 
and Clarence, Aug. 14, 1879. 

Mr. Warner, in the fall of 1871, left his native 
State, and coming to this county, took up his abode 
in Cambria Township, wlience he removed later to 
Woodbridge Township, where he resided thirteen 
3'ears. Me then returned to Cambria, and in the 
spring of 1887 settled on his present farm in Cam- 
den Township. He has been the architect of his 
own fortune, as he was thrown upon his own re- 
S(jurces at an early age without means or influential 
friends. He has viewed with satisfaction the growth 
and progress of his adopted county, and to the best 
of his ability has contributed his quota to bring 
about its pros|)erity. 






"Jt; AMES W. WINSOR, a retired business man 
I and dealer in real estate, was born in Rhode 
] Island, twelve miles from Providence. Aug. 
J 30, 1813, and is the son of Welcome and 
Tabitha (Burlingame) Winsor, both natives of the 
same State, and born near Gloucester. Tlie grand- 
father, Elisha, and his father, Joshua, came of along 
line of ancestors, dating back to the j'ear 1344. 
Upon arriving in this country, the representatives of 
the Winsor family' first settled in New England, and 
some of them came over in the "Mayflower." From 
Massachusetts several of them subsequently mi- 
grated to Rhode Island. 

Welcome Winsor, the father of our subject, was 
a farmer by occupation, and followed his calling in 
the latter State. James W. began his attendance at 
school at six years of age, anri when eighteen years 
of age he entered the academy at Bolton, Mass., 



where he continued his studies. He then removed 
to Providence, and obtained employment in a store 
as clerk, in which he continued five years. He then 
purchased a general stock of goods, and embarked 
in the retail trade on his own account. Five years 
later he converted his business into a wholesale 
grocery trade, and did a large and successful busi- 
ness until 1863, when he removed with his family 
to this county. After his arrival here he was con- 
nected with the retail grocery and lumber business 
until 1887, when he sold out and retired from active 
life. He was also a successful dealer in real estate, 
and owns a number of houses which he rents, and 
receive therefrom a fair income. 

Mr. Winsor was united in marriage, Oct. 17, 
1 837, with Miss Ann Chillson, who was born in Guil- 
ford, Chenango Co., N. Y., and is the daughter 
of James V. Chillson, Esq. This union resulted in 
the birth of seven children, five of whom lived to 
maturity; they are recorded as follows: James H. 
was born May 28, 183t), and died Nov. 30, 1884; 
Ann B. was born March 15, 1841, and died Feb. 18, 
1842; Anna L. was born Jan. 11, 1843, married Mr. 
A. C. Stich, a banker of Independence, Kan., and 
died Jan. 30, 1882, leaving three children; Cassius 
C. was born April 1. 1844, and resides in Mexico, 
where he is engaged in putting in mining machin- 
ery ; Frank was born Dec. 19, 1846, and married 
Annie Johnson, June 3, 1880; he now resides in 
Petoskey, Mich., where he is engaged in the manu- 
facture of woodenvvare. Louis W. was born Feb. 
11, 1852, and died March 9, 1856; Louis B. was 
born Jan. 24, 1858, and was married, Sept. 16, 1886, 
to Miss Emma Adams; he is an attorney at Reed 
City, Mich. 

While in Rhode Island, Mr. Winsor served four 
years .as Councilman, and five years in Hillsdale. 
He was elected one of the Trustees of Hillsdale Col- 
lege in June, 1863, and has held the office ever since; 
ho has also been a member of the Prudential Com- 
mittee most of the time. Mr. and Airs. Winsor are 
members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. W. 
has served as Deacon for the last ten ye.ars, and was 
also Superintendent of the Sunday-school for a 
number of years. His beautiful residence is situ- 
ated on College Hill, while its handsome and beauti- 
ful grounds surrounding occupy nearly four lots. 



■*► 



t 





OJ^^ 




I 



■^- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



199 



Louis R., the son of our subject, is a graduate of 
Hillsdale College, and also of the law school of the 
Michigan State University, of Ann Arbor. In 
politics Mr. AVinsor affiliates with the Republican 
party. 



SARRY SARLKS. The subject of this liiog- 
rapliy, whose portrait is presented on the 
^;;_^ opposite page, owns and occupies one of 
the finest farms in Southern Michigan. It com- 
prises 194 acres of land, the greater part under 
good cultivation, and is embellished with a tasteful 
and imposing dwelling, ample barns and other out- 
houses, fruit trees and shrubbery, and all the other 
appurtenances of a modern country estate. The 
land is well watered with living springs, and the 
whole presents one of the most attractive spots in 
the landscape of Hillsdale County. 

j\Ir. Sarles commenced for himself early in life, 
dependent upon his own resources, without any cap- 
ital whatever. His first purcliase of land in this 
county was eight}- acres, to whicii he gradually 
added as years passed by, and which was secured 
by the most untiring industry' and rigid economy. 
He knows all about the hardships and privations of 
life in a new country, and has borne no unimpor- 
tant part in the development of this section. He 
now gives much of his attention to the growing of 
fine stock, and in all his laljois has operated wilii 
that system and good order which unifoi-mly result 
in success. 

A native of Tioga County, N. V., uur .sulijoct 
was born Oct. 25, 1824, and is the son of Garry, 
Sr., and Nancy (Flddy) Sarles, who were also na- 
tives of the Empire State. The father, born in 
1803, departed this life at his home in Hills- 
dale Township in 1840. He carried on farming 
during his entire life, and, with his estimable 
wife, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The mother was born in 1804, and after 
the death of her first husband was married to Will- 
iam Cleveland. She passed away at her home al 
the old homestead in Hillsdale Township in 18G6, 
and Mr. Cleveland is .also decea.-<cd. Of the first 
marriage there were liorn nine chi!<lren, namely : 
Lewis: Carry, .Jr., iif our sketch; Ann, Mis. Cole, 



\ 



f 



of Reading; Marg.aret, Samantha anrl .Mah ina, all 
three of whom are decea.-<ed ; .lohn. doceasi'd, and 
Jane, widow of Henry .Sutherland, of Adams Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Sarles, like his brotiiers and sisters, received 
a limited education, and earl}' in life was trained 
to make himself u.seful about the homestead. He 
left his native State in September. 183(1. taking up 
his residence in Hillsdale Township, and was mar- 
ried quite late in life. May 10, 18.58, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Warren, who w:is also a native of New York 
State, and born .Ian. 1, 1839. Mrs. Sarles is the 
daughter of Ira and Ann E. (.Sharpsteen) Warren, 
also natives of New York, the father born .Ian. 1 1, 
1798, and the mother Aug. 6. IHOO. Ira Warren 
departed this life al his home in Hillsdale County, 
Nov. 7, 1870. He was a farmer by ociMipation 
and a man who always provided comfortably for 
his family. Tiio mother p.assed away previous to 
the death of her husband, Aug. 13, 1800. She wjis 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a 
good wife and a devoted Christian^ lady. Ten of 
their eleven children .-ire still living; thej' were 
named respectivel}': Alniira, Hannah, Eliza, .Maria, 
Samuel, Harriet, John, Walter, Elizabeth, George 
and Amanda. 

The children of our subject and his wife are re- 
corded as follows: The eldest son. Frederick W., 
married Miss Katie Cozens, and is engaged in 
farming .Tud lives in Bankers; Eiiward H. is unmar- 
ried; George W. married Miss Sarah Foster, and 
lives in Hillsdale; Charles II. married Miss Kate 
Hicks, and is carrying on farming; Anna M. is the 
wife of John Herring; he is also a farmer. Albert 
E. is at home with his [)arents. .Mr. .Sarles east his 
first Presidential vote for James K. I'olk, and uni- 
formly supports the Democratic part}'. 



"tasiv^SiS'''—^, 



*@fa<CT9»»« 



ARNARD B. HOWARD, who departed this 

life at his home in Allen Township, Aug. (>. 

jyi)))|' 1870, was liorn in Livingston County, N. 

, /^ Y.. March <>. l.S3fl. He was, c(»nsequently. 

at the time of his decea.se eompni-alively a young 
man, and in the mi<Ist of his usefulness. He came 




i~ 



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200 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






with his parents to Hillsdale County in 1835, and 
they settled in Allen Township. They died many 
years ago. 

Mr. Howard was .iboiit seven years of age upon 
coming to this county. He had been married in 
Monroe ville, Huron Co. Ohio, IJec. IG, 1857, to 
Miss Anetta, daughter of Otis and Sarah (Fay) 
Jefferson, who were natives respectively of Ver- 
mont and New Hampshire. The parents of Mrs. 
Howard spent their last j'ears in Ohio, the mother 
dying on the 2d of May, 1848. The fallier sur- 
vived his wife over thirty years, his death taking 
place in August, 1878. They were the parents of 
nine children, four sons and five daughters, five of 
whom are living- and residents of Michigan and 
Ohio. 

Mrs. Howard was Ijorn in North Monrocville, 
Huron Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1837, and came to Michi- 
gan with her husband in 1857. Of her union with 
our subject there vvere born three children: The 
eldest daughter, Genevra M., is the wife of Sey- 
mour N. Gurney, of Detroit; Harriet W. makes her 
home with her mother; Frederick J. marrieil Miss 
Belle Pomeroj', and is farming in Allen Township. 
The homestead includes 150 acres of land, which 
comprised the [irincipal portion of the farm prop- 
erty of the late Phiueas Howard. Of this, since 
the death of her husband, Mrs. Howard has had the 
main charge, and has proved herself a lady of more 
than ordinary good judgment and business capac- 
ity. She is intelligent and well informed, and is 
the center of a large circle of warm and admiring 
friends. To her careful management the present 
thrifty aspect of the farm is almost wholly due. 
Many of the improvements have been carried on 
under her direction, in fact little has been done 
witliout consulting her, and the estate bears fair 
comparison with the ijroperty of the progi'essive 
farmers of Allen Township. 

Phine.-is Howard, the father of our subject, a 
New Englander by birth and ancestry, was born in 
the State of Maine, whence he removed with his 
parents when a small boy to Livingston County, N. 
Y. There he developed into manhood and married 
Miss Abigail Barnard, a native of Cennecticut, 
and born at what was known as Litchfield South 
Farms. She was reared to womanhood in her na- 
-<• 



five county, from which she removed when a j'oung 
lady to Livingston County, N. Y., where she en- 
gaged in teaching, and was one of the pioneers of 
education in that region. Going there before the 
country had settled up she was frequently obliged 
to take wheat instead of money in payment for 
her services, and often could only get but twenty- 
five cents iier bushel for this. 

After their marriage Phineas Howard and liis 
wife resided in Livingston County a brief time, 
then removed to Allegany County, where Mr. H.. 
although purchasing land, turned his attention to 
the manufacture of potash. Thej' encountered 
hardships and privations in common with the peo- 
l)le about them, and the father after great exertions 
was enabled to jiay for his land, which was quite 
an event in those times. In 1 835 he sold o\it, and 
coming to this county purchased 120 acres of land 
in Allen Township, to which he removed with his 
family the spring following. They had started 
upon this journey equipped with two yoke of oxen, 
by which means they proposed to travel, but 
changed their minds and took passage with their 
oxen and household goods on a lake vessel, which 
conveyed them from Buffalo to Toledo. At that 
point they availed themselves once more of their 
ox-team, which convej'ed the parents and their 
four children to their destination in Allen Town- 
ship. Here Phineas Howard and his wife spent 
the remainder of their lives. Mary, their eldest 
daughter, became the wife of Daniel Nichols, and 
died in Allen Township, Feb. 19, 1837; Goodwin, 
the eldest son, is a well-to-do farmer of Allen 
Township; Barnard B., our subject, was the third 
child ; Wealthy A. is the wife of Andrew Winches- 
ter, of Chic.igo. 



AMUEL LOVEJOY, of Litchfield, has done 
jjrobably more than anj' other man toward 
building up his town, and interests himself 
in everything which will conduce to its 
growth and in)i)oilance. He is the scion of an old 
historic family which became identified with New 
England during the Colonial daj'S. From father to 
son they have been distinguished as patriots, people 




-•► 



! 



11-^- 



It 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



201 



who ever clioiished a jealous solicitude for the pros- 
perity and iiidepenclencc of their country, and who 
were tirst in putting tlieir siioulder to tiie wheel to 
bring about its freedom. 

AVilliain Lovejoy, the father of our subject, was 
l)orn in (Jrcenficld, Mass., and married J.liss Mary 
Barker, a native of Vcnnout. He developed into 
a very capable bn.siness man, and accumulated a 
ver^' fine pro|)erty. Wiien a youth of sixteen years 
he took up arms in defense of the Colonies against 
the mother country, and was in seventeen active 
engagements during the llevohitionarj' War, and 
later, when American commerce was tlu'eatened, 
both he and his eldest son left again the scenes of 
])eace for those of war, and only laid down their 
arras when victory had been once move accomplished. 

The father of our subject upon retiring fi'om the 
army, settled down to mercantile puisuitsat Salem, 
Mass., anil in a few j'ears found himself on the 
highway to pros|)erity, but b}' misplacing his confi- 
dence in a banking firm, lost the sum of §35,000 — 
nearly his entire property. Wishing now to remove 
from the scenes of his misfortune, he made his way 
to Essex County, N. Y., and turned his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. He was thus engaged at 
tlic time of tiie outbreak of tiie War of 1812, and 
after his service in this had ended he settled once 
more in New England, taking up his abode in Addi- 
son County, ^'t., and on the borders of Lake Cham- 
l>lain becanu' the owner of agood farm. He turned 
his attention chiefly to the breeding of slieep and 
horses, and prosperit}' once more smiled upon him. 
After nine years lie returned to New York State, 
settling liiis time near the town of Lyons, in Wayne 
County, where his death occur.-'ed in 1835, when he 
was seveut3'-three years old. The faithful wife 
and mother had preceded her liuslian<l to the silent 
land, her death taking place in 18.1."., at tlie age of 
tifly-two. 

The parental union was blessed by the liiitli of 
ten children, five sons and five daughters, our sub- 
ject being the fifth son and eighth child. He was 
born in Essex County, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1812, and 
his first recollections are of the home on the beauti- 
ful shores of Lake Champlain to which hehad been 
l)rought by his parents when a boy scarcely four 
years of age. His educational advantages were not 



great, but he was bright and observant, possessing 
in a marked degree the energj' and business capaci- 
ties of his father, and when a lad of twelve years 
handled with great dexterity a team of four j-oke 
of oxen in hauling ship spars to the lake. In later 
j-ears, realizing the value of learning, lie entered 
the Geneva Lyceum Academy, at Geneva, where he 
closely applied himself to his books for two years, 
and sLibsequentl.y occu|)ied liimself as a teacher sev- 
eral terms. 

Upon reaeliing his majority Mr. Lovejoy decided 
to join the tide of emigration which was pushing 
westward, and making his way to Michigan Terri- 
tory, took uj) land in I83C, in Oakland County. 
Upon this he labored until the following year, and 
then engaged as a contractor on the Wabash & 
Erie Canal, wliich was then in process of construc- 
tion, and with the 300 men whom he had in charge, 
completed seven miles of this famous waterway. A 
severe illness of two months susi)ended further 
operations until the fall of the year, and he then 
engaged with a large force of men in cutting and 
banking wood u|)on steamers plying on the Missis- 
sippi River. 

About this time Elijah P. ]^ovejoy,an own cousin 
of our subject, was killed by the mob .at Alton, HI., 
because he would express his anti-slavery sentiments 
in the paper of which he was publisher. The sacri- 
fice of that brave and courageous man, who dared to 
maintain his principles in the f.ace of opposition and 
contumely, lias gone down in history as that of one 
of the martyrs of his country. In a recent history' of 
Illinois is given the full account of this tragic 
affair, and the name of Elijah P. Lovejo\' will be 
remend)ered among Ameiican heroes and nuirt^M's 
as long .as the Nation shall stand. The direct cause 
of his death was the writing of an article on the 
morning (;f the Eourth of Jul}' when he heard the 
sounds of celebration, ostensibly of a freedom-lov- 
ing people whom, he declared, bj' their enslavement 
of 3,000,000 Africans were illustrating one of the 
darkest phases of tyranny. 

Samuel Lovejoy, our subject, w.as known to be a 
cousin of Elijah P., and the excitement running 
very high in the vicinity of Vicksburg, where the 
former was at the lime, he judged it best to leave 
the South. Coming u\> the river he landed at what 



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i' 



ive 
bat k 



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202 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



t 



is now Burlington. lona, whence lie proceeded 
■nestwnrd to the present site of Iowa Citj', where 
lie purchased 480 acres of land, and took a large 
contract for the furnishing of rock and Ijrick for 
the State House, which was to be built tliere. Mr. 
Lovejoy made the first brick whicii was manufact- 
ured in Johnson County, Iowa. Tliis contract 
filled, he ventured back to Illinois, and at Joliet 
made the acquaintance of Joel A. Matteson, who 
subsequently became Governor of the Prairie State. 
Mr. M. being also a heavy contractor, the two 
united their forces in the construction of a section 
of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which occupied 
the time of our subject until 1841. 

Having now been away from his home and friends 
for a period of five years, Mr. Lovejoy decided to 
revisit the scenes of his thildhood. In the spring 
of 1842 he was married there, to Miss Mary B. 
Morse, of Monroe Countj', N. Y., and returning to 
Jlichigan with his bride, our subject settled in 
Shiawassee C'ountj- and engaged in farming. From 
there, in 1847, he came to the embryo town of 
Litchfield, with whose interests he at once identi- 
fied himself, and was soon recognized as a very 
valued addition to the community. Since that 
time Litchfield has been, as it were, a child of his 
fostering care, for whfim he was willing to make 
.sacrifices and to labor in order tlmt she might pros- ' 
per. Here he has invested his capital and here 
given his best thoughts, and at the same time has 
been the means of bringing to this section a class 
of enterprising and intelligent people. 

Upon settling in Litchfield, Mr. Lovejoy occupied 
himself at first mostly in merchandising, and had 
his home in a modest dwelling on what is now St. 
Joseph street. In due time his household included 
four bright children, namely: Frank E., Ellen A., 
Albert J. and Aroline A. The eldest son at an 
earl3' age developed the same energj' and business 
capacities of his father, and enteriDg a wholesale 
establishment at Toledo, Ohio, occupied himself 
there until the outbreak of the war. Then, although 
but a youth of eighteen years, he entered the Union 
service, and soon, on account of his bright intelli- 
gence, was made the head clerk of Gen. Grant, and 
it fell to his lot to pen the stipulations of "uncon- 
ditional surrender" to Gen. Pemberton, at \'icks- 

4* 



^ 



burg. Later, while Gen. Grant was reviewing the 
troops at Cairo, he noticed the overworked and 
wearied expression of countenance of his favorite 
clerk, and clirectcd that he should return home on 
a furlough. Young Lovejoy while thus recuper- 
ating received a warm and cordial telegram from 
his great chief, who at the same time conferred 
upon him the appointment of cadet to West Point, 
for reasons then unknown to his father, our subject. 
Frank at once dispatched the General that he could 
not accept the position on account of the failure of 
his health, but that he would soon again return to 
the service in the field. Ui)on rejoining his regi- 
ment he was promoted to the rank of First Lieu- 
tenant of the 3d Colored Mississii)pi Cavalry, and 
from this worked his way up so that at the close of 
the war he was appointed Major on Gen. Wilson's 
staff. Upon returning to Litchfield he engaged in 
merchandising with his father and brother, and was 
thus occupied until his death, which occurred Dec. 
23, 1870. He left a wife and one child, the latter 
a daughter. Lena, who is now with her mother at 
Angola, Ind. Miss Ellen Lovejoy, the second child 
of our subject, became the wife of B. F. Rand, who 
is now Postmaster at Morris, and a prosperous .and 
energetic business man ; they have five children — 
Earl, Morton, George, Belle and Theo. Albert 
J., one of Litchfield's leading business men, is writ- 
ten of elsewhere in this volume; Aroline is the wife 
of F. E. Church, the partner of his brother-in-law, 
Albert J. Lovejoy, in Litchfield. 

In the fall of 1853 Mr. Lovejoy s.ailed from New 
York for San Francisco, arriving there with but ^5 
in his i)Ocket. He engaged in lumbering sixteen 
miles from Sonora City, and twentj'-eight miles 
from California's celebrated grove of mammoth 
trees. He there found a good outlook for his pe- 
culiar business qualifications, and in the course of 
time contracted for the erection tif three large saw- 
mills, and commanded a very extensive business, 
while his capital of $5 increa.sod to §5,000. .Since 
his return to Litchfield he has been the instigator of 
many projects which have not only benefited him- 
self, but been the means of benefiting those around 
him. He was instrumental in the organization of 
the Union Agricultural Association of the St. Joseph 
Valley, the grounds being laid out on land belong- 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



203 



i 



ing to liiti), :i property which now, in the eighth 
year to which it has ijeeii devoted to tiiis purpose, 
is valued at $8,000. Tiirough his efforts also the 
Northern Branch of tlie Southern Michigan Raih'oad 
was directed through this town, and the freigiit 
house at Litchfield was made eighty -six feet long 
instead of fifty-six, as originally' intended. His 
experienced eye at once detected the inadequacy 
of a smaller structure, and tiiat it would be expedi- 
ent to build at once a depot large enough to meet 
tiie future demands of a country prolific in its re- 
sources and destined to great things. 

In the construction of this road Mr, Lovejoy was 
the contractor for from :ji;JO,000 to ^7o,000 wt>rth 
ot ties and building material. He was also a lieavj- 
contractor in furnishing material for bridges, fences 
and cattle-yards, Itclng the contractor for all the 
latter from Jonesville to Eaton Rapids. Li addition 
to this he instituted an extensive grain business at 
Litchfield, in which he was continuously engaged 
from 1868 to 1880, having purchased as high as 
150,000 bushels of wheat per year, and being the 
leader in this respect throughout Litchfield and 
vicinity. 

Mr. Lovejoy, althougli now over seventy-six 
years old, has lost none of his old love for the 
equine race, in the training of which he distinguished 
himself during his early years, and still loves to 
ride at a 2:40 pace. Among his other fine horses 
he is the owner of Troy, Jr., whom he purchased 
from the Washington Park staliles at Chicago, and 
who is a valuable addition to this species of prop- 
erty in Hillsdale County. He also has ant)ther very 
valuable animal, Nestor, who has made a splendid 
record. 

Mrs. Mary B. Lovejoy, the first wife of our sub- 
ject, departed this life at her home in Litchfield, 
July 23, 1850. He was then married to Miss I'heba 
Weaver, by whom he became the father of a son 
and daugiiter — George E. and Myrtie B. The 
former married Miss Julia Caniff, and is one of the 
enterprising business men of Muskegon ; he has two 
ciiildren — Claude and Mabel. Myrtie is the wife 
of John H. Stoddard, a commercial man of Chicago, 
and the mother of oneciiild, a daughter, Nina. The 
mother of tiicse children is dead. 

Tlie present wife of our subject, to whom he was 



married Dec. 28, 1875, was formerly Miss Elitha 
V. Breckenridge, who was born Nov. 9, 1824, in 
Massacliusetts, and is the daughter of William and 
Violate (Fuller) Breckenridge. Mr. Lovejoj', true 
to the principles of freedom and patriotism which 
distinguished his ancestors, is Republican in politi- 
cal sentiment, and is now a member of tiie Prohi- 
bition party. The results of a long career, which 
has been filled in with arduous and useful labor, 
which has not only lienefited himself but his entire 
community, will live long after the spirit which 
inspired them is no longer apparent among men. 
His history is one of which his posterity will be proud, 
and one which they will preserve for future gen- 
erations. 

^^JiHJi ' ti - — : 

J/ AMES BOONE, who is prominent among the 
thrifty farmers and stock-growers of Cain- 
I bria Township, owns a good home on section 
;3G, where he has ninety7six acres of fertile 
land under an excellent state of cultivation. He 
came to this section of country' from Peini Yan, 
Yates Co., N. Y., in 1865, and during his residence 
in Cambria Township of over twenty-five years, 
has gained the good-will and respect of all who 
know him. 

Our subject is of English ancestry, and was born 
in Somersetshire, England, Feb. 14, 1817. His 
father, John Boone, a native of the same county, 
was also of English parentage, and a farmer by oc- 
cupation. He spent his entire life upon In's native 
soil and died when middle-aged, about 1819, and 
when bis son James was but two years of age. The 
mother of our subject, Maria (Trott) Boone, also a 
native of Somersetshire, was subsequently married 
to Robert Davies, and lived until after her son. our 
subject, had attained manhood, her death taking 
place about 1850, in England. The parental house- 
hold included two sons and twodaugliters, the latter 
deceased, and the remaining son, Henry, is a resi- 
dent of Somersetsiiire, England. 

Mr. Boone of our sketch was reared to manhood 
in his native shire, and married one of tiie maidens 
of his own neighborhood. Miss Louisa Loxstone, 
the wedding taking ])lace at tiie home of the bride, 
Dec. 2(5, 1840. Mrs. Boone is the daugiiter of 



• ^ ■ ^« 



204 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



\ 




AVilliam and Sarah (Fox) Loxstone, also natives of 
Somersetshire, where the father carried on his trade 
of carpenter and joiner, and where both parents 
spent tlieir entire lives. The mother, however, 
died when a young woman tvventj'-four jears old, 
leaving three children, all daughters, of whom Mrs. 
B. was the second born. They are all living. .Jane 
and Ann are residents of England. 

The father of Mrs. Boone, after the death of his 
first wife, married Miss Harriet Harrington, who is 
also deceased. Mrs. B. continued with her father 
until her marriage, and by her union with our sub- 
ject became the mother of twelve children, two of 
whom are deceased. The living are all married and 
comfortably settled in life. The eldest son, John 
took to wife Miss Almira Freer, and is farming in 
Saginaw County, this State; Sarah is the wife of 
Edward Easling, and is a resident of Hillsdale, her 
husband being sexton of the cemetery there ; Henry 
married Miss Sarah Rose, and is following his trade 
of carriage painter in Osage, Chemung Co., N. Y. ; 
George married Miss Nina Niver, and lives in Ed- 
wardsburg, Cass Countj', being employed by the 
Grand Trunk Railroad ; Ann, Mrs. Spencer Welch, 
is the wife of a well-to-do farmer near Eaton Rapids ; 
Edwin, who married Miss Elora Hammond; William, 
who married Miss Alice Inckle, and Alice, Mrs. 
Edward Hinkle, are resiilents of Woodbridge Town- 
ship; Flora married Milan Reynolds, who is now 
deceased, and she makes her home with her parents ; 
F^rank married Miss Irene Turner, and is living on 
a farm in Ransom Township; Louisa died when 
about three years old; Lincoln was drowned while 
bathing in Gr.ass Lake, when a prt)mising lad of 
fifteen j'ears. 

After fheir marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boone con- 
tinued residents of their native count}' until 1856. 
Our subject then determining to better his condi- 
tion if possible, gathered together his family and 
personal effects, and embarked at Liverpool on a 
sailing-vessel bound for the United States. After 
a rough V03'age of seven weeks and three days, they 
landed in New York City on the 1st of Januarj', 
whence they proceeded directly to Yates County, 
N. Y., where Mr. Boone began farming on rented 
land and lived nine j'ears. Southern Michigan then 
seeming to hold out better inducements than the 



Empire State, they accordingly pushed farther 
westward, and he feels that he has had no reason to 
regret the step. He has been very successful in his 
farmingand stock-raising, and by his straigiitforward 
methods of doing business has placed himself in a 
good position, socially and financially. He votes the 
straight Republican ticket, and with his wife and chil- 
dren, religiously, is still identified with the Church 
of F^ngland. The children have all grown up in- 
telligent and respectable citizens, and are an honor 
to their parents and their early training. 




^-S-HOMAS W. BENEDICT, a gentleman of 
great intelligence, and "possessing an excel- 
lent education, forms a most desirable mem- 
ber of the farming community of Litchfield Town- 
ship. He is located on section 21, where he has a 
well-conducted farm and a comfortable home, which 
he has secured by his own industry and good man- 
agement. He was born in Seneca County, N. Y., at 
his father's home in the township of Galen, June 9, 
1815, and was the eldest child of the first marriage 
of his father. The latter, Samuel P. Benedict, was 
born near Burlington Bay, Vt., and when a young 
man twenty-three years of age emigrated to Seneca 
Count}', N. Y., where he was married to Miss Deb- 
orah Willis, a native of that county. 

The parents of our subject lived three years 
after their marriage in Seneca County, N. Y., and 
then removed to Springwater Township, Living- 
ston Co., N. Y"., where the father carried on farm- 
ing, and where the mother died in middle life, 
Dec. 19, 1826, when about thirty-five or fort}' 
years of age. Mr. Benedict, after the death of his 
wife, came lo the Territory of Michigan, in Octo- 
ber, 1838, about the time of the organization of 
Litchfield Township. Our subject was then twenty- 
four years of age. The father had in the inean- 
time contracted a second marriage, and by each 
wife had six children. He succeeded in building 
up a comfortable home in his adopted county, and 
died in Litchfield Township, April 18, 1866, at the 
advanced age of eighty-one years. 

The subject of this sketch received only ordinary 
school advantages, but being fond of his books, be- ' 



HILLSDALE COUNTY'. 



205 



4 



caiiio quite well educated, and for three years oc- 
cupied himself as a teacher in his native county. 
By this means he acquired suflicient funds to come 
West and purchase eighty acres of land in Litch- 
field Township, this county, at which time he was 
twenty-four years of age. He worked upon his 
land two years, then gave one-half of it to his father, 
and in the winter of 1840. h}' teaching school again, 
added to his fund of knowledge and his finances. 
That 3'ear he traded his forty acres, and in 1846 
took possession of the farm whicli he now occupies. 
This at the time had received very little cultivation, 
and he labored after the pioneer fashion, amid 
many disadvantages. In 1841 he was married, and 
settled with his j'oung wife in a modest dwelling in 
Litchfield Township. Since a youth he had been 
interested in political affairs, and kept himself well 
posted upon the various questions pertaining thereto. 
In 1840 he took the stump for Harrison, and be- 
came quite noted as an orator, being very clear and 
forcible in his manner of presenting facts, and per- 
suasive in his arguments. It was while on this 
electioneering tour that he met his future wife. 

Mrs. Benedict was in her girlhood Miss Jane Par- 
dee, and was born Sept. 23, 1824, in Onondaga 
County, N. Y. She was the fourth child of 
Sheldon and Sarah (Wisner) Pardee, the father born 
near Hartford, Conn., and the mother in Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. They were Quakers in religious 
faith, and after marriage settled in Skaneateles, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., where the father held the 
otlice of salt inspector, and also engaged in general 
merchandising. On account of failing health, he 
was induced to visit the State of Ohio, in the hopes 
that a change of climate would prove beneficial. 
A j-ear later, however, he died there in Medina 
County, at the age of forty-three years. 

Mrs. Pardee, after the death of her husband, came 
to this State, and located with her children in Jaek- 
.son County, wliere she lived until they were mar- 
ricfl. She then divided up the property, and 
thereafter made her home with her son, our subject, 
until her decease, which look pl.ace Ai>ril 21, i8.5G, 
at the age of fift}- -seven years. She was the mother 
of six children, two of whom arc living, and resi- 
dents of Michigan. Jane was a girl nine 3'ears of 
age when her parents removed from New York to 

•«• — , 



Ohio, and she completed her studies at Akron, that 
State. She engaged in teaching at an early age. 
and was married to our subject when seventeen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Benedict began life together in 
Litchfield Township, where tiiey remained five years, 
and then moved upon their present farm in the 
same township. They became the parents of seven 
children, of whom their first-born, Francis, died in 
infancy: P>mily is the wife of Prof. E. G. Rey- 
nolds, of Hillsdale College, and a sketch of whom 
appears elsewhere in this Ai.ium; the}' have one 
child, a son, Leon. Mrs. Reynolds is a graduate 
of Hillsdale College, and for a number of j-ears has 
occupied herself as a teacher, and stands high in 
the profession. Julia died in 1879; like her sister, 
she also completed her studies in Hillsdale College, 
and employed herself as a teacher before her mar- 
riage. She became the wife of Rev. D. D. Tibbits, 
who, as minister of the Congregational Church, now 
has charge of a congregation in Salcin, Henry Co., 
Iowa. George married Miss Mary Rainy, and is 
farming in Litchfield Township; Charles and Joel 
have charge of the homestead ; the latter married 
Miss Milly Lott. Francis (2d), next to the j'oung- 
est child, died at the age of fifteen years. 

Our subject was in early life thrown upon his 
own resources, notwithstanding the fact that he was 
suffering from a cold which settled in his hip, whicli 
crippled him physically, and from which he prob- 
ably suffered fidl}' as much mentally. The larger 
portion of his leisure hours in his 3'outh was spent 
in poring over his books, while his more fortunate 
companions were at play. He, however, h.as per- 
haps been in some respects more fortunate than 
they, as he was endowed by nature with the steady 
persistence which has been the means of fair suc- 
cess in life, and the building up of a comfortable 
home where he will be enabled to s|)end his later 
3'ears in comparative case. His farm . comprises 
180 acres of fertile land, with good buildings and 
all the appliances of a well-regulated country home. 

Mr. Benedict during the days of slavery was en- 
tirel3' opposed to the [)eciiliar institution, and 
brought the weight of his infiueuce to bear against 
it upon cver3' occasion. lJp<in the organization of 
the Republican [larty, he was the most cordial sup- 
porter of its jirinciples, voting for John C. Fre- 



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t 



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206 



Hillsdale county. 



mont, and has since been its loyal adherent. Later 
he became interested in the Grange movement, and 
did good service as a lecturer. He has never been 
ambitious for office, but has officiated as Director 
in his school district for many j'ears. Quiet and 
unobtrusive in his demeanor, he is a man upon 
whom all his ueiglibors know they can depend for 
the encouragement of everj^ worthy enterprise cal- 
culated to advance the people, and although per- 
haps not making as much stir in the world as many 
men, has exerted a steady, quiet influence, which 
has been the result of much good, and which will 
leave a lasting impression. 



kA. SHEPARD, one of the wealthy citizens 
of Pittsford Township, is also well known 
throughout his section of the county. Kotice- 
able among the many fine dwellings, which, with 
their lovely grounds artistically laid out with orna- 
mental shrubs and trees, form such a plcaasnt 
feature in the landscape of Hillsdale County, is the 
beautiful residence of our subject. A view of this 
place adorns an accompanying page of this volume. 
He is a native of Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., Aug. 
8, 1817, having been the date of his birth in that 
town. His father, Itussell Sylvester Shcpard, was 
born in Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt.TlTis father, Levi 
Shepard, having been a pioneer of that county, 
improving a farm in the aforesaid town, and living 
there the remainder of his life, until about two 
years before his death, when he took up his residence 
with a son in Georgia, Vt. 

The father of our subject was reared on the old 
homestead in his native county, and there married 
Miss Fannj' Maria Cheney, also of Franklin County, 
born Dec. 2, 1799. After marriage Mr. Shepard 
moved to New York and bought a tract of tim- 
ber land in the wilds of Genesee County, where, 
in 1819, he died in the prime of early life, leaving 
his wife with one child, our subject, and soon after 
the sad event of her husband's death she returned 
with her son to her native Vermont. She made 
her home with her people and worked at millinorv 
and dressmaking. She subsequent!}' married Clark 
Gates, and spent her last years in Franklin County, 



dying Nov. 6, 1858, leaving two children by her 
second marriage, one of whom is now living, Dell 
J. Gates, born in Franklin County. 

The subject of this sketch was two years old 
when his father died, and he continued to live with 
his mother until he was eight years old, when he 
went to the home of a neighbor and worked for his 
board and clothes. He was thus employed for va- 
rious people for some years. He grew up to be a 
sturdy, manly, self-reliant lad, ambitious to make 
his own w.ay in the world, and in 1838 went to Ohio 
and took cliarge of a store for J. T. Ainsworth, and 
continued its management very successfully until 
1842. He then went to Huron County, and was 
employed .as a clerk the two succeeding years by 
Henry Aiuswortii. After that he turned his attention 
to agricultural pursuits, locating on a farm of- 300 
acres in Rugglcs Township, where he remained for 
four years. At the expiration of that time he dis- 
posed of his farming interests to form a partnership 
with his former employer, Henr}- Ainsworth, in the 
mercantile trade, remaining with him until 1853, 
when he again resumed farming. In 1860 he sold 
out his farming interests to form a partnership with 
Mr. Ainsworth, in Lodi, Medina Co., Ohio. At the 
end of three years he had a favorable chance to dis- 
pose of his share in the business very profitably, and 
did so. Subsequently, in 1864, he removed to Illi- 
nois, and bought a v.iluable farm of 400 acres in 
Genesee Township, Henry County, half a mile from 
the town of Genesee, paj'ing tlierefor $12,000. 
Two j-ears later he sold that place and returned to 
Norvvalk, Ohio, where he remained for one year. 
He then sold out his property in Ohio, and came 
to the pleasant township of Pittsford in 1866, 
and has ever since been a permanent resident of 
this place, buying at that time the house, situated 
one-half mile from Hudson, in which he and his 
family have ever since lived. 

Mr. Shepard w.as married, April 20, 1848, to 
Eliza K., daughter of Nezer and Phebe (Kniffiu) 
Sutherland, and a native of Dutchess Count}-, N. Y. 
Her father came of an ancient Scottish family, 
whose early home was in Sutherland, in the north- 
ern part of Scotland ; three brothers came to Amer- 
ica in Colonial times, and were the founders of 
the family of that name on this side of the Atlantic. 





'-^M.'.. ., : 

\^'"'-^^:^.'^i. 














to 



CO 



(T 



h 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



209 



i~ 



Mrs. She]iard's motlier was of English ancestry, and 
lier parents, James and .Sarah Kiiillhi, were early 
settlers of Cayuga Countj", N. Y., and later, of 
Greenwieh, Ihiron Co., Ohio. ]t is thought that 
Mrs. Shepard's jiarents were born in New York 
State; after marriage they resided for awhile in Cay- 
uga C'onnt\, thence removed to Dutchess County, 
and ill 1838 went from there to Ohio, and settled 
in that part of Huron County now known as Ash- 
land C'ount3'. Mr. Sutherland bought a large tract 
of land containing 1.800 acres, also G-JO acres, sepa- 
rate from the rest, which are included in the home- 
stead that he improved, besides improving the 
greater part of the remainder of his land. He died 
on the home farm in Ruggles Township, in December, 
1848, his wife surviving him until 1854. Mrs. 
Shepaid is a lady of culture, and an artist of con- 
siderable ability ; the walls of her beautiful home 
are adorned with fine oil paintings of her own work. 
Mr. Shepard's active career in life has been one 
of wide and varied experience, and before his re- 
tirement he occujiied a high position in business 
circles, as a man pre-eminently characterized by 
financial abilty of a high order and remarkable 
judgment, everything that he undertook tending 
to his general prosperity. He has always mani- 
fested an intelligent interest in public affairs, and in 
politics is identified with the Republicans. 



-3»*- 



^f^AMILTON WARREN. Among the good 
' "^y citizens of Woodbridge Township who are 
actively engaged in .agricultural pursuits, 
no one is more worthy of consideration in 
this biograi)hical work than the gentleman whose 
name heids this sketch. He is a native of Ohio, 
born in Hancock County, March 12, 183G, and is a 
son of John and Isabel (Black) Warren, both 
natives of County Tyrone in the northern part of 
Ireland. The father was a laborer by occupation, 
and was born in 1788, emigrated to this countrj^ 
and settled in Columbia County, Ohio, where he died 
in 1839. He was sober, honest and upright in his 
daily life, and gained the full respect of his neigh- 
bors. To him and his wife were born three chil- 
^« 



dren — William, Isabel and our subject. The mother 
was born May It, 17'J',), and is still living at an ad- 
vanced age. She is a firm Christian, and has been 
for many years a faithful member of the Presby- 
terian Church. After the death of her first hus- 
band she married William Pelle, by whom she Lad 
seven children, of whom the following arc living: 
Warren, Lewis, Harriet, Estella and Matilda. Her 
son Warrick took part in the late Civil War, and 
was wounded at Lookout Mountain, which caused 
his death. 

Hamilton Warren grew to manhood in his native 
State, lieing strong, vigorous, and capable of mak- 
ing his own waj' in the world. In the earl^' years 
of his manhood the late Civil War was raging, and 
in August, 18G2. he enlisted in Corapan}' B, 99th 
Ohio Infantry, for three J'ears, or until the expira- 
tion of the war. He entered the army as a Corporal, 
was mustered into service August 26, and first took 
an active part in battle at Pen-}' ville, Ky., the follow- 
ing September. He then engaged in the battles of 
Murfreesboro and Stone River, and in some very 
heavy skirmishes in Tennessee., remaining in that 
State some time. The next general battle in which 
he fought was Chickamauga, and in the two-days 
fight there he was wounded in the left artn, and it 
was broken between the elbow and wrist: was sent 
to the hospital for a short time, and after that w.as 
sent home on a ninct^'-days leave of absence 
to recruit his failing health. At the expiration of 
his furlough, our subject returned to his regi- 
ment, and remained in the South until the war w.as 
over. His regiment was consolidated with the 50th 
Ohio, and he was registered in Coinpan3' V. Mr. 
Warren was present at the siege of Atlanta, and 
was within about thirty rods of the train of the rebel 
ammunition when it blew up. Subsequently his 
regiment marched under Sherman from Atlanta to 
the sea, and thence through the Carolinas. lie 
was with Gen. Blj'ers, Gen. Howard command- 
ing odicer, .at the time of Lee's surrender. Our 
subject very fortunately escaped imprisonment from 
the hands of the rebels during the whole of his 
long experience on Southern battle-fields, and he was 
honorabl}' discharged from the army at the close of 
the Rebellion, at Raleigh, N. C, and came to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and was i)aid off at Camp Dennison. He 



210 



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HILLSDALE COUXTY. 



then returned to his native place, and spent some 
time in the home of liis mother and stepfather. 
He resumed the occupation of farmer, and was en- 
wao-eil in agricultural pursuits in his native State 
for some time. In September, 186G, Mr. Warren 
was married to Wiss Mary Bender, wlio has since 
faithfully devoted lierself to iiis interests, and has 
afforded him much assistance in building up a 
home. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, 
Aug. 22, 1850, and is a daughter of Samuel and 
Sarah (Keasey) Bender, who arc natives of Penn- 
sj'lvania, where the father was born in 1813, and 
the motlier in 1815. Mrs. Warren is an esteemed 
member of the United Bretliren Church. To her 
and her husband have been born ten children, of 
wiiom the following is the record: William; Jere- 
miah is a great Western traveler; John served in the 
army three mouths, and was in California thirteen 
years, mining; Daniel is a minister of the United 
Brethren Chutcli; David was in the army tliree 
years as a private in the 4!)th Ohio Regiment, and 
was a prisoner for three months; Charles was a pri- 
vate in the 57th Ohio Regiment; Henry was a mem- 
ber of an Ohio regiment during the war, and 
was a prisoner for five months ; Mary, Mrs. Warren ; 
Elizabeth and Alice are the names of the youngest 
children. 

Mr. Warren moved to Michigan March 20, 1867, 
and bought his present place of residence in Wood- 
bridge Township, and has a good farm of forty 
acres of highly productive and well-tilled laud on 
section 17; it is very finely located, admirably 
adapted to the raising of cereals and other crops 
for which this county is noted, and has proved a 
ver_y profitable investment to its owner. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Warren have been born three 
children, as follows: John, born June 12, 1867; 
Kdwiu-d, who died at the age of three years ; Charlie, 
born Feb. 25, 1877. Mrs. AVarren is an active 
memlier of the United Brethren Church, an<l her 
daily walk in life shows her to be a true Christian. 
Mr. Warren is not a member of any church, but his 
life is guided by good principles, and his habits are 
unexceptionable. As a neighbor he is kind and 
trustworthy, and as a husband and father he is de- 
voted and affectionate. In his political views our 
sul)ject is a good Rei)ublican, and that party has no 



stronger supporter in this township than he who 
more than a quarter of a century ago enlisted with 
other brave citizens in defense of our noble country 
and its grand institutions. 



(^ BRAIIAM F. MtFARLAND, a general raer- 

< Wfu\ chant at Waldron, is a native of Knox 
l/ril Count^', Ohio, where he began life on the 
* 24th of February, 1 849. His father, George 

McFarland, was born in Virginia, and was the son 
of Eleven McFarland, whom it is believed was a 
native of Scotland. However that maj- be, he lo- 
cated in Virginia, purchasing a farm in Frederick 
County, and died there. 

George McFarland learned the trade of cooper 
in his youth, and about 1837 removed to Ohio, 
settling in the young town of Zanesville, where he 
followed his trade first, and then carried on busi- 
ness in a shop of his own. From that place he re- 
moved to the portion of Williams County which is 
now included in Fulton, and settled in the midst of 
a timbered tract, eighty acres of which he had se- 
cured by purchase, and where he cleared a good 
farm. Of this, however, he only retained posses- 
sion until 1848, removing thence to Knox County, 
where he followed faruiing three years, then re- 
turned to Zanesville, and resumed coopering until 
1855. During this year the father of our subject 
purchased another tract of timber land in W^illiams 
Country, where he had again to cut away the trees 
in order to make i-ooni for the log house. LTpon 
this he resided until his death, which occurred on 
the 25th of September, 1887, at the advanced age 
of eighty-foin- years. In the meantime he had elim- 
inated a good farm from the wilderness, and in 
his later days was surrounded by all the comforts 
of life. 

Mrs. Sarah (Jennings) McFarland, mother of 
our subject, was also a native of A'irginia, is still 
living, and occupies the old homestead in Mill 
Creek Township, AVilliams Co., Ohio. The par- 
ental household included eleven children, eight of 
whom grew to mature years. Abraham F. was 
six years of age when his p.arents settled atnong 
the pioneers of Williams County, Ohio. He at- 



/ 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



211 



'i= 



tended the district sciiool when a small l>oy, and as 
soon as large enough was required to make himself 
nseful about the farm. When a youth of seventeen 
he began learning the blacksmith's trade at East 
Ilanier, where he continued nine months, and after 
his emploj-er sold out worked elsewhere as a "jour," 
being fully competent. He was thus occupied si.x 
years, then puicliasing a sl)oi> in Ilamcr continued 
there two years, at the expiration of which time lie 
made his w.ay to this county, and invested his 
little capital in a lot in Waldron, wlierc he put up 
a shop, and presided at the anvil six years more. 
Failing hcaltli now coinpellcd him toal)audon mus- 
cular labor, and renting his shop, he purcliased a 
small stock of groceries, in which he began to 
build uji a good trade. The following spring he 
was obliged to seek more commodious qu.arters, 
and a year later purchased ground and erected 
his present buildings. His straightforward manner 
of tloing business has secured him a generous pat- 
ronage from the people of this section, and he now 
carries a large stock of clothing, dry-goods, boots 
and shoes, groceries (both fancy and staple), and 
has, in connection with these, a drug department. 
The marriage of Abraham F. McFarland and 
l\liss Sarah L. Seeley tocA place at the home of 
the bride, near Morenci, Mich.,on the .30tli of July, 
1H72. INI rs. McFarland was born in Erie County, 
I'a., in August, 185.5, and is the daughter of Will- 
iam and Mary (Weed) Seeley, natives of Spring- 
field, Erie Co., Pa.; the father departed this life in 
1872; the mother was born Jan. 30, 1831. Mr. 
Seeley was reared and married in his native county, 
where he purchased twenty acres of land, upon 
which he operated for two years, then sold out, and 
purchased fiftj'-six acres near the town of Spring- 
lield, where he continued with his family- until 18G7, 
then coming to Southern Michigan, he purchased a 
farm on section 2(j, in Wright Township, upon 
which he lived and labored until called hence. 

'Ihe paternal grandfather of Mrs. McFarland, 
Austin Seeley b}' name, was a native of \'ermont, 
and the son of David Seele}', who removed from 
the Green Mountain State to Erie County, Pa., 
about 1818, and there spent his last days. Austin 
Seele}' took for his wife Miss Mary Hart, a native 
of New York State. He purcluised land in Eric 
4*— 



County, improved a farm from the wilderness, and 
there spent the remainder of his life. 

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. McFarland, 
William Weed, Sr., was born in Luzerne, N. Y. 
His father was also named William Weed. lie 
was of Welsh ancestry, and one of the early settlers 
of Luzerne. He removed from there to Attica, 
and thence to Chautauqua Count}-, where his death 
took place. The great-grandmother in her girlhood 
was Miss Mary Selleck. a native of New York 
State. Their son William, tiie grandfatlier of Mrs. 
McF., was married, in Albion, N. Y., to Miss Martha 
Peckham, a native of that place, and the daughter 
of Allen and Martha (Mattison) Peckiiam. After 
marriage he purchased a tract of timber land in 
Springfield Township, Erie Co., Pa., where he cleared 
a farm, and subsequcnll}' added more land, upon 
which he operated until resting from his earthly 
labors. The mother of Mrs. McF. resided with her 
parent-s until her marriage, and became an expert 
at spinning wool and flax and weaving cloth. She 
is still living, and occupies the old homestead with 
her youngest son and daughter. 

Abraham F. McFarland is ranked among the self- 
made men of Uillsdidc County, and one who has 
contributed his full quota townr<l the development 
of its resources. Politically, he is a Republican. 
Mr. McFarland and wife have five children, viz. : 
William W., Frank W., Hermey, Abraham F., Jr., 
and Nevada. 



<^^»t^- 



>4r*c-« 



ylLLIAM R. MONTGOMERY, Ji:., Super- 
visor of Adams Township, is one of its 
most thorough and skillful farmers, and 
successful breeders of fine stock. Of this latter in- 
dustry he has for the last ten 3'ears m.-ide a s|)ec- 
ialty, and has now a herd of thoroughbred Jersey 
cattle, with .about forty head of Cotswold and 
Shropshire sheep. The head of e.ach is a registered 
animal. The homestead is noticeable for its well- 
kept fields and elegant buildings, which are second 
to none in the county, and the proprietor is one of 
its most esteemed men and citizens. 

William R. Montgomery, Sr., came to this county 



-t 



^f 212 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in the pioneer daj's, and after liis marriage with 
Miss Amanda Mills, wlio like himself was a native 
of New York State. They settled first in the south- 
western part of the county, in Camden Townsliip, 
where the family, in 1841), met witli its first great 
aftlietion in the death of the wife and mother, which 
occurred soon after tlie birth of her son, our subject, 
which took phice on the 12tli of February, that 
year. The two elder children were also boys. 
The elder, Harvey, is in the enii>Ioy of the Govern- 
ment in the Postal De])artnient in Texas; the 
younger, Thomas C, is Freight Agent for the Lake 
•Shore Railroad, and has his residence in Hillsdale. 

The father of our subject before coming to the 
AVest had studied law, and been admitted to the 
liar in the city of Rochester, N. Y. After the 
death of his first wife he contracted a second mar- 
riage, and William R., our snliject, continued a 
member of his father's houselKjld, to which there 
were subsequently added four more children. From 
the age of six years, they resided in the city of 
Hillsdale, and <as soon as old en(jugh William R., Jr., 
entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad 
Company, and operated in Wyoming Territory 
from 18G8 to 1871. He then returned to this county 
and resumed farming. 

Our subject in the meantime, on the 4tli of No- 
vember, 18G9, was united in marriage with Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of David and Sarah (Evans) 
Stone, who were natives respectively of England 
and Wales. Mr. Stone emigrated to America when 
a -young man and settled in New York, where he 
eng.aged in agriculture, but later came to this 
county, and died at the home of his son in Adams 
Townslii]) in 1871. The motlier is still living, being 
novv seventy-eight years of age, and continues on 
the old homestead. Their children included three 
sons and two daughters. Mrs. Montgomery, the 
youngest, was born June 23, 1850, acquired a com- 
mon-school education, and continued at home until 
hei' marriage. Of her union with our subject there 
is one child, a son Austin, born Sept. 23, 1871. 
He continues to make his home with his parents, 
and is attending school at Hillsdale. 

The homestead of our subject includes sixty 
acres of highly cultivated land, finely located on 
section 19. He takes [irido in his farm, his cattle 



and his horses, and is no less thoughtful for the 
comfort of his home and famil}'. For the past nine 
ye.ars he has oflBciated as School Director in his dis- 
trict, and was Township Treasurer two years. He 
cast his first Presidential vote for Grant, and is a 
reliable supporter of the Republican part}^ 



••o>o.-@^<A^-.o*o.. 



- <^ .* ■ 



EDWARD WEATHERINGTON. Weather- 
ington Brothers, of Wright Township,are well 
J -; known throughout Southern Michigan as 
extensive general farmers and stock-raisers, and as 
owners of the imported English shire draft horse. 
Black Rock, one of the finest stock horses in the 
United States. They are men of energy and enter- 
prise, thoroughly in love vvith their vocation, in 
which they take pride, and in their endeavors to 
excel have come very little short of their ambition. 
Their beautiful farming estate is finely located on 
section 3.0, and forms one of the most attractive 
spots in the landscape of Wright Township. 

The gentleman whose name stands at the head of 
this sketch was born in Warmington, Northampton- 
shire, England, Feb. 13, 1844, and is the son of 
John Weatherington, who was also of English birth 
and ancestrj-, and w.as reared and married in the 
count}' where his son was born. He learned the 
trade of thatcher and stacker in England, which he 
followed some years, but finally engaged as an hotel- 
keeper in Warmington. In July, 1845, with his 
wife and six children, he boarded a sailing-vessel 
bound from Liver|)ool to America, landing in New 
York after a voyage of forty days. Thence he 
made his way directly to Michigan, via the Hudson 
River and Erie Canal to Buffalo and thence by lake 
to Toledo. 

During this journey the father of our subject 
made the acquaintance of a man from Wright Town- 
ship, this county, who portrayed to him the advan- 
tages of this section, and induced tiie newl}- arrived 
candidate for citizenship to settle in Southern Mich- 
igan, instead of Illinois, as he had at first intended. 
Upon the arrival at Toledo they boarded a train 
for Adrian, and hired a team to transport the family 
and their effects to Wright Township. LTpon his 
arrival here John Weatherington purch.ased eighty 
m^ 



I 



I 



^•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



213 



acres on section 35. a portion (if which wns cleared 
and upon «liich a log house had lioon erected. 
The settlers at tiiis time were few and far betvveen 
— indeed not enough to yet scare away the deer, 
wild turkeys and wolves, which were ])lentiful. 
Upon the ijrinciple that a rolling stone gatiiers no 
moss, the father of our subject here continued a 
resident, clearing his land, putting u|i good farm 
buildings, and working up to the day of his death, 
on the 25tli of Blarch, 1863, when he was killed by 
the falling of a tree. He was then sixtj'-two j-ears 
of age. lie had added to his first jiurchase, and 
at the time of his death had i)ut up a handsome 
brick residence, with a frame bain, and brought 
the homestead generally to the condition where it 
would bear comparison with that of his neighbors 
— and indeed excelling most of them. Thishome- 
ste.id the bo3-s now occupy, and it is hardly nec- 
essary to say that it po.ssesses for them, with its 
old meniories and associations, a far more than 
moneyed value. 

John AVeatherington had mairied in his native 
England. Miss Bridget Upex, also a native of North- 
anii)tonshire, and who, surviving her husliand a 
period of thirteen years, also died at the old home- 
stead, in 187G. The record of the seven children 
of the parental family is as follows: William is a 
resident of Wright Townsliij); Alice married Robert 
Iluniberstone, who died in 1880; John and Thomas 
are the associates of our subject in his farming and 
stock-raising, and live with him at the homestead; 
Sarah lives with her brothers; Mary A. was born 
in Wright Township, and died there Jan. 11, 18.S-2. 

Edward Wcatherington was but a year old when 
his parents brought him to the United States, and 
consequenll}^ knows no other home than Hillsdale 
Count}-. He acquired his education in the jiioneer 
schools of Wright Township, and has been a con- 
tinuous resident on the homestead since his earliest 
recollection. In company with his brothers he has 
l)urchased land, until their property now includes 
GOO broad .acres, embracing some of tiie linest soil 
of Southern Michigan. \U' w.as married on the 
8th of March, 1884, to Miss Jane Stooi)s, who was 
born in Milford, Wayne Co., Ohio, April 18, ISU.'J, 
and whose i>irents, .loioph and Susiiuiah Stoops, 
were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio ; 



both are living. Of this union there was one 
child onl}^ a daughter, Fuschia Anna, who was born 
April i), 1885, and died Aj^ril 14, 1888. Mr. 
Weatherington votes the straight Democr.ntic ticket, 
and in tiie spring of 1 887 was elected .lustice of the 
Peace, which oflico he still holds. Both he and 
his estimable wife are members in good standing of 
the United Baptist Church, at Waldron. 




MRS. HARRIET A. RICHARDS, who is 
pleasantly situated on sections 17 and 18 
of Moscow Township, this count}', is the 
widow of Mark 15. Richards, formerly a 
most intluentiai citizen of this i)lace, who died in 
1877 at the age of fifty-five years. Mrs. Richards 
is the daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Curtiss) 
Russell, natives respectively of Vermont and New- 
York. After their marri.age tliey settled in Wyo- 
ming County, N. Y., where they remained until their 
removal to Michigan, when they located in Rich- 
mond, Macomb Coinitj'. The}' spent the closing 
years of their lives in that place, her father dying 
in October, 1866, at the age of fifty-two j'ears, and 
her mother in 1883, at the venerable age of seventy- 
six years. They were the parents of five children, 
.all girls, four of whom were born during their resi- 
dence in New York, .<ind not having an}' sons of 
their own, they .adojited a boy. 

Mrs. Richards, of whom we write, was the second 
child born to her parents, her birth having taken 
place in (Jainesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., May 27, 
18311. She was naturally an apt, studious scholar, 
and after coming to Michigan she pursued her 
studies, which were l)egun in the district schools of 
her native State, in the public schools of this Stale, 
and afterward in a select school. After completing 
lier e<lucation, our subject taught very successfully 
for two terms in the schools of Macomb County. 
This arduous but pleasant task she gave up to be- 
come the wife of Mr. Richards, to whom she was 
united in marriage Feb. 2, 1860. He was a son of 
Charles and Melinda (.Stevens) Richards, both na- 
tives of New York, and pioneers of Macomb County, 
this State. To them wi'ic born three bo} s and two 
girls, Mark having been the second child in order 



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h 



t. 



'214 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



{ 



of birth. He was born Aug. 27, 1822, in Wj-o- 
ining Coiint}% N. Y.,ancl was a young man when he 
came to Michigan witii his parents. He soon afier 
married for his first wife Miss Amy Walton, who 
after a few years of married life died, leaving two 
children, Byron and Adelbert, both of whom are 
prosperous farmers in Washington Territory. Mr. 
Richards subsequently' married the subject of this 
sketch, and to them was born one child, Carrie, who 
is now the wife of Elva Finch; they reside on the 
homestead with Mis. Richards and liave one child, 
a daughter named Hattie. 

Mr. Richards was a representative man of the 
county, and one of the most prominent men of 
Moscow Township. Politically, he was a stanch 
Democrat. His excellent judgment, ability and 
integrity, made him worthy of the confidence re- 
posed in him by his fellow-citizens, who elected him 
to various offices of profit and trust in this county. 
His widow resides on the liome farm. She is a 
woman of culture and refinement, and highly es- 
teemed for her many sterling qualities of heart and 
intellect. Li religion Mrs. Richards is in sj'mpathy 
with the tenets of tlie Metliodist Episcopal Church; 
she is progressive in her views, and is a strong 
advocate of the temperance cause. 



Sl^^fr 



■VfUDGE WILLIAM MERCER, who is widely 
and favorably liuown throughout .Southern 
Micliigan, owns one of the finest farms in 
Hillsdale County, and with his sons is oi)crat- 
ing 360 acres of land, mostly improved, but 100 acres 
reserved for timber. The buildings of his homestead 
are commodious and substantial, including a hand- 
some residence with ample barns and other structures 
adapted to the shelter of stock and the storing of 
grain. The farm machinery, the cattle and horses, 
and all the appurtenances of the country estate, are 
fully in keeping with the tastes and means of the pro- 
prietor, who has availed himself of modern methods 
and made an art of agriculture, by which he has 
achieved success. 

The boyhood home of our subject was on the 



other side of the Atlantic, in County Donegal, Ire- 
land, where he was born Oct. C, 1811. His parents, 
Samuel and Hannah (Culbert) Mercer, were natives 
of the same county, whence they emigrated to 
America, in 1819, and settled in Livingston County, 
N. Y. The father purchased land upon which he 
operated for a period of sixteen j'ears, then deter- 
mined to emigrate to the Territory of Michigan. 
He reached Hillsdale County in October, 1835, and 
with his family took up 320 acres of Government 
land in Somerset Township. Part of that purchase 
is now included in the farm of our subject. The 
old log house which the father built is still stand- 
ing, and under that humble roof his death took 
place about 18J2, when he was sixty-seven years of 
age. 

Samuel Mercer was a man of great energy and 
industr}', and became thoroughly- identified with the 
interests of his adopted country. He was active 
in the various enterprises inaugurated for the benefit 
of the people around him, and after coming to this 
county was numbered among its most valued citi- 
zens. The mother was a native of the same county' 
as her husband, where they were married and be- 
came the parents of two children. Seven more 
were added to the household after their arrival in 
America. The mother passed away thirteen years 
after the death of her husband, when seventy-seven 
years of age, her death taking place at the home of 
her son, our subject. Their eldest daughter, Eliza, 
was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 181 4, and 
is now living in Wheatland; Margaret was born 
in Livingston County, N. Y., July 21, 1824, and 
makes her home with her brother William; Hannah 
was born about 1821), and Isabelle in 1833, in Liv- 
ingston County, N. Y.; the}' are now residents of 
Hillsdale County. But five of the children arc liv- 
ing. All the grandparents were natives of County 
Donegal, Ireland, where the grandfathers were en- 
gaged in farming pursuits. 

Our subject continued under the home roof until 
1845. When thirty-three years of age he was united 
in marriage \k'ith Miss Sarah Gamble, who was born 
in Livingston County, N. Y., in 1818, and is the 
daughter of David and Rebecca (Carroll) Gamble^ 
David Gamble, also a native of Ireland, emigrated 
to the United States in early manhood and located in 

•^ 



t 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



215 



Livingston Couiit3% N. Y., where he lived from 1810 
until iiis decease. lie passed away in 1802, at tlie 
ripe old age of eight3' years. His wife was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and died in Livingston C'ountj^ 
N. Y., in 1832, when a young woman. Mrs. Mer- 
cer was one of twelve children, l)Ut seven of whom 
arc living. Siie became tlie mother of seven chil- 
dren, and died at her liome in Somerset Townsiiip 
on the 4th of April, 18G4. One of their children 
died when seven days old. All were born in Som- 
erset Township. David G., who was born Feb. 21, 
184G, mari'ied Miss Frances Campbell, and is the 
father of a son and daughter; Samuel A. was born 
Nov. 23, 1«48, and married Miss ?^stelia Bilby;they 
have two sons, and Samuel is farming on a part of 
the old liomestcad. Elizabeth was born March 23, 
1849, and is now the wife of William Robbins, of 
Wheatland Townsiiip; AVilliam AV. was born March 
10, 1853, and married Miss Betsy Voorhees; they 
are living in Somerset Township, and have one son. 
John G., who carries on the farm witii his father, 
was born Dec. 20, 1854; Sarah, Mrs. William liilby, 
of Somerset Township, was born Dec. 3, 1858, and 
is the mother of a son and daughter. 

Judge Mercer i)uisued his early studies in the dis- 
trict school, and his subsequent education has been 
carried on mostly b}^ himself. He is fond of reading, 
and as soon as old enough to think, acquired the habit 
of observation, which has proved a large element 
in securing his success in life. Upon the organiza- 
tion of the township of Somerset, he was chosen 
Assessor, which ollice he filled two years, and sub- 
sequently served as Justice of the Peace for about 
litteen years. He served as Inspector in his town- 
ship two years, and in January, 1844, was elected 
Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, and in No- 
vember, 1850, elected County Judge, which office 
he occupied until it was abolished, in 1852. He 
represented Somerset Township in the County Board 
of Supervisors for a period of ten years, and is 
|)robabl3- the oidy one remaining who was a mem- 
ber of the board at the time of his first election. 
In 1842 he was elected on the first board under 
the State Law, and was Supervisor most of the time 
up to 18(19, and since that lime his son David G. 
was the incumbent of the same office from Somer- 
set Township. 



Judge Mercer has always been a stanch Demo- 
crat, politically, and although not a member of any 
church organization, believes in the establishment 
of religious institutions, and attends church quite 
regularly. The two sisters living with him are 
active mcndjers of the Ladies' Aid Society. There 
are few who pass within sight of the Mercer hoine- 
.'itead who do not stop to inquire as to the leading- 
spirit which has built it up and sustained its rei)U- 
tation as one of the most desirable farms within the 
limits of Hillsdale County. 



:^fl_^ ARVEY COLBURN, who is a retired fanner 
^ of Cambria Township, and now occupying 
a snug home in the village, has been a rcsi- 
j\ dent of Hillsd.Mle County' since the spring 
of 18G8. A native of the Old Granite State, he 
was born in the town of Lyme, Oct. 30, 1812, and 
is the son of William Colliurn, who was born in 
Grafton Count}', N. 11., and whose descendants 
crossed over from England, it is supposei), pri(jr to 
the Revolutionary A\ar. 

William Colbnrn spent his life in agriculUual 
pursuits, and during his early maidiood married 
Miss Phebe Hobart, a Vermont lad^- of New En- 
gland ancestry. Her death took place in Lj'nie, 
N. H., at the age of seventy-four years. Both par- 
ents were members of the Regular Baptist Church. 
The husband survived his vvife some years, and 
spent his last days with his son, our sultject, in 
Marslifield, Vt., p:issing away at the ripe old age of 
eighty-four years. He was a man of much force of 
character, and after the election of Andrew Jack- 
son as President identified himself with the Whig 
party. The subject of this sketch was the 3-oungest 
of ten children bom to his parents, all of whom 
lived to become men and women, niarrietl and had 
families of their own. Of these, three are now- 
living, and only one died under seventy- ^-ears of 
age. (Jne, Ziba b^' name, died recently at the age 
of ninet^'-one years, in Wisconsin; Frank W., aged 
eighty-four, is now living at Schuyler Falls, N. Y. ; 
Alanson, aged seventy-nine, is a resident uf Branch 
County, this State, and has not yet abandoned the 



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4 



a 



216 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



farming pursuits wbicli lie ciiose for iiis occupation 
when a youth. 

Mr. Colburn, our subject, when twenty-three 
years of age emigrated from his native place into 
Washington County, Vt., and tliere made the ac- 
quaintance of Miss Sopliia Dodge, to wliom he was 
married April 24, 183G. This lady was born in 
Marshfield, Washington Co.. Vt., Aug. 2.3, 1817, 
and was llic daughter of Nathan and Annie (Po- 
land) Dodge, who were natives of New Hampshire, 
and wl\o died in Marshfield at the ages respectively 
of sixty-six and seventy- four years. The father, also 
a farmer, was tlie son of Nathaniel Dodge, who was 
born in New Boston, N. H., and went with but a 
moment's notice to assist tiie Colonists in the Revo- 
lutionar}' War. He got tliere just in time to wit- 
ness tiie surrender of the British forces. He w.as a 
Whig politicall}', and religiously, a member of tiie 
Old-Scbool Baptist Church. 

Mrs. Colburn was the youngest of the three sons 
and seven daugliters born to her parents, and was 
reared to womanhood in her native township. Her- 
self and lie- sister Jlorricy, the wife of Alanson 
Colburn, of Branch County, this State, are the only 
survivors of their family. Of her marriage with 
our subject there were born four children, three 
of whom are deceased. Their only child living, 
Cora S., was graduated from Hillsdale College in 
the class of 1870, being third in the class. She was 
born in Marshfield, \t., Dec. 13, 1843, and was the 
third eliiid of her parents. She acquired her earl3' 
education in her native township, and began teach- 
ing at the age of sixteen jears. Her studies there 
were completed in Newberry Seminary. She is a 
very intelligent and accomplished lady, and, it is 
hardly necessary to say, constitutes the chief com- 
fort of lier parents. 

The deceased children of Mr. and Mrs. Colburn 
are reetnded as follows: Corydon A. and Caroline 
A. (twins), died when two and one-half j'ears old, 
in Marshfield. Vt. ; William A. lived to manhood, 
and was married in Charleston, S. C, to Miss Alice 
ISL Cade, who was a native of New York; they 
became the parents of one child, a son, Harvey C, 
named after liis grandfather, and who is now thir- 
teen years of age. William H. Colburn died in 
Walhalla, S. C, at the age of thirty-four years; his 



widow is a resident of Cambri.a. AVilliam H. was 
a young man who was fond of reading, and who 
possessed more than ordinary intelligence; he en- 
tered a printing-office at Montpelier, ^'t., when 
about fifteen years of age, and served a thorough 
apprenticeship to the "art preservative," finally be- 
coming foreman of one of the largest printing- 
liouses in the city of Charleston, and holding this 
position at the time of his death, which occurred 
Sept. 29, 1879. 

Our subject and liis estimable wife, with their 
daughter, are members in good standing of the 
Christian Church, and during their long residence 
in this county have made for themselves hosts of 
friends. Their early years were spent mostly in 
continuous labor, by which they accumulated a 
comfortable property, and are now in a condition 
to enjoy their declining years surrounded by the 
comforts of life and many of its luxuries. IMr. 
Colburn has Ijeen a member of the Republican 
party since its organization, and has always taken 
a warm interest in the establishment and mainten- 
ance of educational institutions. He has been the 
incumbent of the various local offices in his town- 
ship, the duties of which he discharged with that 
conscientious care and fidelity which are his second 
nature. 









■SJOHN WIIITTEN, formerly a pioneer, an<l a 
I respected citizen and representative farmer 
] of Fayette Township, was born across the 
^^)) ocean in Scotland, in December, 1804. When 
a young man he came to America, settling first in 
Canada, but after a short time he removed to 
Oneida County, N. Y., which he made his home 
until 1837, and then, accompanied by his wife and 
one child, came to this county and settled in Fayette 
Township, where he improved a farm and resided 
until his death, Dec. 28, 1870. 

The subject of this notice was united in marriage, 
in Oneida County, N. Y., with Miss Mary St. Clair, 
who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1 807. She sur- 
vived her husliand a sliort time, dying in April, 1879_ 
Their union resulted in the birth of three children, 
who grew to mature years. 

•p. 



I 



L.. 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



217 



ANDREW BUSIIONG. While traveling 
i 0/J| tlii'ougli llillsil;ile Coutity, tlie biographical 
|l\ writers of tiiis Ai.ium met witli hut few- 
active business men wlio are natives of liic 
county. Tiic vast majority of those vvlio to-day 
are tilling the soil and raising stock, or are engaged 
in l)usiness or commercial enterprises, were born 
without tlie borders of tliis county. In presenting 
this sketch of the career of one of the leading men 
of Hillsdale County, and a gentleman wiio is thor- 
oughly representative of its progressive element, 
we deem it our duty first to advert briefly to the 
life story of those from whom he derives his origin. 
Mr. Busiioug was born in Columbiana County', 
Ohio, Sept. 24, 1828, while his father, Jacob Bush- 
ong, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., and his 
grandfather, Andrew Bushong, was also, it is 
thought, born in the Old Dominion, and was of 
French ancestry; he followed the occupation of a 
farmer, and spent liis entire life in that State. The 
father of our subject was reared on the farm in 
Virginia, and removed thence to Columbiana 
County, Ohio, where he was among the early set- 
tlers of Fairfield Township. He made the toilsome 
overland journey, l)ringing his wife with their two 
children and their worldly effects, their conveyance 
consisting of a pair of horses and one wagon, which 
constituted tlieir sleeping apartments at night, 
while they cooked their food as their horses grazed 
by the wayside. Upon his arrival Jacob Bushong 
purchased a tract of timber land, and erecting a 
pioneer log cabin, he commenced at once to clear 
and improve a farm. He resided iu this place tlius 
employed until 1849, during which time our subject 
was born in the old log cabin; he then sold out, 
and accou)|>anied 1)}' his wife and six children 
started for \\'illiam?. County. He again found 
himself a pioneer, ami buying a tract of timber 
land in Jefferson Township, he reiieated his expe- 
rience of [jioneer life. On this farm, however, 
twenty acres of land were partially cleared and the 
ivgulalion log caljin w:us already built. He found 
anii)lc room for improvement, however, and lived 
to sec the desire of his heart accomplished, namely, 
a good farm with suitable buildings and ai)pliances 
to leave to his children, whom he had fitted not 
Old}' by giving them such education as the facilities 



i~ 



of the day afforded, but by imi)arting to them 
those |)ractical lessons whicli can Ije learned only in 
the school of experience. In 187G he was called 
to "t'lat land from whose bourne no traveler 
returns." The mother of our subject, who in her 
girlhood was Ilannali Keller, was boni iu Shenan- 
doah County, Va., of German ancestry, and sur- 
viving her husband several 3'ears, died at the iionie 
of our sul)ject in 1887, at the advanced age of 
eighty-one years. 

Andrew Bushong remained at home with his 
parents, spending his boyhood in the manner com- 
n)on to the sons of pioneers, until seventeen years 
of age, when he engaged to learn the potter's trade, 
and after his marriage he started a pottery on his 
father's farm, which he carried on five years. He 
then worked at the carpenter's trade for a period of 
live years, after which he i-ented land in Williams 
County, Ohio, whicli he operated until about 1863. 
In September of tliat year he enlisted in Company 
F, 182d Ohio Infantry, and served until the close 
of the war. He went with his regiment to Tennessee, 
and was on duty principally in that State. He was 
mustered out with his regiment in July, 1865, and 
receiving his honorable discharge returned to this 
count}' and located on his present farm in Amboy 
Township. The land was still in a state of nature, 
covered with a growth of heavy timber, and he put 
upon it a log house, and set to work with a will 
about its improvement and cultivation. His in- 
domitable industry and perseverance, coupled with 
his good judgment and frugality, have already 
borne their legitimate fruit, and he is now in pos- 
session of a property which compares favorably 
with the best in this township. 

Our subject was united in marriage, .Ian. 7, 1852, 
with Miss Mary Ilisey, »nd to them were born the 
following chihlren: Klizabcth F., Josei)h William, 
Jacob I)., George E., John II., Isabelle, Emma 
Isadore and Dalla May. 

Mrs. Bushong was born iu Columbiana County. 
Ohio, April 17, 1828, while her father, Joseph 
Ilisey, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., and 
removing to Columbiana County, Ohio, was among 
its pioneer settlers. In 1 837 he removed to Rich- 
land County, ami purchasing a farm, engaged in 
its improvement, and resided there until his death 



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218 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



h 






in 184G. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza- 
beth Altaffer, was born in Virginia, and was the 
danghter of George Altaffer. After the death of 
her hnsband Mrs. Hisey removed to Williams 
County', Ohio, and settled in Jefferson Townshi|), 
upon a tract of land which he had purchased, and 
there she resided until her decease. 

Mr. Bushong is a public-spirited man, and is well 
informed on the topics of the day, though his 
devotion to his f.arm and family, and his unostenta- 
tious disposition, prevent him from taking an active 
part in public affairs. In politics his sympathies 
are with the Republican party. 

€C. CORTRIGirr has been for many years 
identifled with the farming and industrial 
' interests of Soutlicrn Michigan, and at jjres- 
ent owns a large farm in Reading Township, wliorc 
he resides, and has an extensive interest in the 
Homer Full Roller Water Power Flouring Mills, 
which are conducted under the name of Cortright 
& Son. These mills were established in 1887, and 
are reputed as being among the best in the Slate, 
and have a capacity of live barrels of Hour an hour. 

Mr. Cortright's landed possessions arc all in Read- 
ing Township, and comprise 220 acres on sections 
12 and 1. He owned this farm Ix'fore 18G0. It 
is under good management, a pait of it well im- 
proved, and is supplied with an excellent class of 
buildings, amply sufficient for all his purposes, and 
a very comfortable and cosy dwelling, everything 
about the place betokening the greatest thrift and 
care. Besides paying due attention to his agri- 
cultural [jursuits, Air. Cortright has been for many 
years successfully engaged as a miller, having 
owned and managed sawmills at various times since 
1857. He built his first mill in Branch County, 
and after conducting it quite prolilalily for some 
time he sold it, and built a second mill at Bankers, 
which was afterward burned. Nothing daunted by 
that misfortune he immediately built another in the 
same place, which he subsequently sold. Later we 
hear of him as engaged for half-a-dozen years in 
the sawmill business in Cambria Township. 

Our subject was born in Wayne County, the 

4* 



township of Wolcott, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1827, and is a 
son of the late Martin Cortright, who was for 
many years prosperously engaged in farming in the 
Empire State. In 18G() he left his old home in 
that State, and came with his family to Michigan. 
He purchased a place in Cambria, and died there a 
few years later, at the age of sixty-eight. lie was 
twice married. His first wife, to whom he was 
united in Eastern New Y'ork, was Miss Bran. She 
was a highly respected, amiable woman, and left 
three children, of whom only one is now living to 
mourn her untimely death. Mr. Cortright's second 
marriage, which took place in Wayne County, N. 
Y., was to Miss Sally Biglow, a native of Hoosick 
Falls, N. Y. This excellent woman lives with her 
daughter, Ann M. Phelps, of Hillsdale Township, 
and is more than eighty years old. Levi, the 
brother of our subject, was a soldier in the late 
war, and fell while skirmishing at Bailey's Cross 
Roads. 

Our subject was the lifth child born to his par- 
ents, and was reared and educated in his native 
county, anil was trained by his worth3' parents to 
good and useful habits. When quite a young man 
he started out in the world to see life for himself, 
and earn his own living, and in nearly ever^'thing 
that he has undertaken he has met with a good de- 
gree of success, as he was well endowed with ambi- 
tion, energy and persistence. lie came to ftlichigan 
in 1849, and first located in California Township, 
Branch County, where he i)urchased land, and im- 
proved a good farm, which he subsequently dis- 
posed of at an advanced price, 'and since then, as 
we have seen, has been engaged in milling and 
farming in different places. 

Mr. Cortright was married in Cambria to Miss 
Cornelia Webber, who was born in Ohio, and came 
to that township with her parents, David and Lucy 
(Conkling) AVebbcr. Her father is now dead ; her 
mother lives in Ohio at a very advanced .age. The 
marriage of our subject has been bles.sed by the 
l)irth of five children now living, namely: William 
H. married Lydia Mitchell, and is connected with 
the flouring-mills at Homer; Fred married Jennie 
Holmes, and assists in the management of the flour- 
ing-mills at Homer; David lives on the farm in 
Reading Township, assisting his father in the man- 




u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 







agenient of it; Lucj" is the wife of Steiihen Crano, 
who is a drug ciork at Hillsdale; Jonnic is the wife 
of Geoi'ge Hising, and they live in Kearney, Neli., 
where he is a Station Agent on the Northern Pacific 
Railway. 

Our subject and his estimable wife are people of 
high ciiaracter and good social standing. Mr. Cort- 
right is eminently practical and methodical in the 
conduct of his various interests, and his prompt 
anil u[iriglil dialings have won him a good position 
among the business men with whom he deals. In 
politics he alliliates with the Democrats, and is a 
stanch supporter of the party. 



E. MURRAY is a wide-awake, [iraetical 
farmer, who is performing his share in sus- 
taining the extensive agricultural interests 
of this, his native State, and by his energy 
anil industry has gained for himself an honorable 
position among the representative farmers of Read- 
ing Townshij), which was his place of birth. He 
has lived on his present farm, on section 12, for 
three years. It comprises eighty-two and one- 
half acres of as fine land ivv agricultural and stock 
purposes as is to be found in Hillsdale County, and 
1)3' his careful culture he has greatly increased its 
value since it camt; into his possession, and is con- 
stantly making valuable improvements. 

Our subject was born on the old homestead of 
his parents, Daniel and Eliza (IJowen) Murray, 
.July 12, 184'J. His father was an honored pioneer 
of Reading Townshij), and fur many years held a 
leading place among the prominent citizens who 
had charge of its local affairs. He was born in 
Rensselaer Count}', N. Y., shortly after the arrival 
of his mother in this country. Her husband had 
bi'cn lost at sea while on the voyage to this country 
fritni their native Scotland. 

When quite young Mr. Murray was taken to 
AN'cstern New York, and there grew to manliood. 
lie was more than ordinarily capable, steady and 
si'lf-reliant, and after marriage, and the birth of one 
child, in l.H3(), he and his wife decided that they 
could better their fortunes and build up a more 
comfortable home for themselves anil their children 



in the Territory of Southern Michigan, whose rich 
and fertile soil, still mostly covered with forest 
trees of many centuries' growth, was not worn out 
by many years of tillage. On their arrival here 
they settled in Adrian Township, Lenawee County, 
where for four years I\lr. Murray worked on farms, 
and by his industry and prudence saved money 
enough to make him independent, so that in 1839 
he was enabled to enter a tract of land from the 
Government. He was pleased with the location of 
the townshi[) of Reading, in Hillsdale County, and 
resolving to make his abiding-place here, he was 
soon in possession of a tract of eighty acres of lantl. 
and shortly after, in 1840, moved to this place 
with his small family. The years that followed 
their settlement here were records of unceasing 
labor, many sacrifices, and a patient endurance of 
the hardships of life in a new country, on the \nivi 
of both husband and wife, but they were rewarded 
by the uiibuildiiig of the comfortable home that they 
had sought in the primeval forests of Southern 
Michigan. 

Mr. Murray improved a line farm of 100 acres, 
having increased his original purchase by the ad- 
dition of twenty more acres, and remained a resi- 
dent here until his death, Dec. 20, 1884, at the 
advanced age of seventy-seven years. His faithful 
and loving companion, who unmurmuringly had 
left her old home and old friends, and followed him 
into the wilderness, to be his chief stay and help 
amid their new and strange surroundings, departed 
this life on tlu' old homesteatl in this township, 
April 13, 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. 
Murray always took an earnest interest in the wel- 
fare of his adopted township, and was prominently 
identified with the conduct of its government, hav- 
ing been an incumbent of all the responsible and 
important oflices within the gift of his fellow- 
townsmen. He was Supervisor for several terms, 
Town Clerk, Treasurer, and also held other local 
oflices. His stability of character, his honesty and 
liberality, rendered him a good citizen and a true 
man. In politics he was a firm Republican. 

Our subject is the fifth child and fourth son of 
six children, of whom one is now deceased, lie 
was reared and educated in this township, and 
lived at home until hi,- father's death, actively 



219 1 



••► 



220 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



assisting in the management uf the old homestead. 
He tlicre took his bride, Miss Helen Whitehead, to 
whom he was married (Jet. G, 1875. She was a 
daughter of Henry and Lorandia (Bigelow) While- 
head, both now deceased, and was born on her uncle's 
farm in this township, Jan. 10, 1849. The mother 
of Mrs. Murray died when she was but four years 
old, and she was taken to rear by her aunt, Mrs. 
Ciates, and remained with her until her marriage. 
She was educated and always lived here. She is 
devoted to her husband's interests, and has been an 
import.ant aid to him in bringing about the pros- 
perity that they at present enjoy. Their pleasant 
household is made more cheerful by the i)resence of 
the live children born to them, whom they are care- 
fully educating and training to ways of usefulness, 
and whose names are as follows: John G., Otto E.. 
H. Laura, Daniel E. and IJion B. 

After the death of his father Mr. Murray pur- 
chased his present farm, and removing here with 
his family, has since made his home here, and has 
devx)ted his time and energies to the improvement 
of his land. He is eminently practical and sjstcm- 
atic in his methods of conducting his work, and has 
met with fine success in his calling. Our suliject 
has alw.ays shown himself to be worthy of the con- 
fidence and respect of his fellow-citizens, by whom 
he is well liked. In politics Mr. Murray is a true 
Republican, and uses his inlluunee to promote the 
interests of that party. 



wvW~4jlZfiJ2/®-|®* 



„^^^ymir>'^-./v\^ 



eAPT. LUCIEN MEIGS has for many years 
been a prominent citizen of Heading Town- 
' ship, taking a Icailing part in public and 
political affairs, while at the same time actively 
and successfully prosecuting his business as a gen- 
eral farmer on section 1 tJ. He has been a resident 
here since Movember, 1847, purchasing at that time 
the sixty acres of land which forms his i)resenl farm, 
on which he immediately located with his young 
bride, to whom he had been married in Allen Town- 
ship on the 7th of that month. They commenced 
life together in the primitive little log house which 
he had previously erected, and which was, as he 
says, "provided with only a small sled-load of fur- 



niture." His land was at that time covered with a 
dense growth of the primeval forest trees, the 
growth of centuries, and, like the earlier |)i<)neers 
of Reading Township, he had to hew his \\:\y into 
the wildeiness for some distance, in order to get 
to it. With a good ax, and a courageous deter- 
mination to overcome all obstacles, aided by the 
cheerful and ever ready assistance of his good wife, 
he has, as it were, brought order out of chaos, has 
eliminated a fine farm from the forest-covered land, 
the humble log cabin has given place to a substan- 
tial and commodious residence, and the fifty-live 
acres of his land, which he improved himself, are 
now in a highly cultivated condition. 

Capt. Meigs is a native of the townshiii of N'an 
Bnren, Onondaga Co., N. Y., whoe his l)irth vc- 
currcd March 17, 1820. He is a descendant of an 
old New F^ngland family. Ilis grandfather and 
father, Phineas Meigs, Sr. and Jr., were natives of 
Connecticut. The former took an active and pat- 
riotic part in the Revolutionary Wa}-, serving for 
seven years and four months. He died in Van 
Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y'., after an 
honorable and useful existence of seventy-seven 
j-ears. I'hineas Meigs, Jr., the father of our sub- 
ject, was an intelligent, hard-wurking farmer, and 
highly respected as a good citizen and as an iuinest 
man in the community where he made his home for 
many years. He was three times married, first to 
Waitstill Williams, who bore him four children, 
three daughters and a son; she died in 1831, while 
yet young. His second wife, whom he married in 
Onondaga County, N. Y., was Polly Ingoldsby, 
who was born in Jefferson County, N. Y'., of Massa- 
chusetts iiarentage. She became the mother of four 
sons an<l two daughters, of whom our subject was 
the eldest; she died in 18G1. His third marriage 
was to Lydia Gardner, who died Feb. 14, 1872, 
aged sixty-nine. She was a member of the Regular 
Baptist Church, and the mother of two sons. Two 
of Mr. Meigs' boys, our subject and a half-brotiier, 
served in the late war. The latter was a private in 
a New Y'ork regiment, and died at City Point, Va., 
of a disease contracted on the battle-field. The 
father of our subject lived to a good old age, being 
seventj--sevcn at the time of his death, in 18G8, in 
Van Buren Township, Onondaga Cu.,N.Y'. In his 



■•► 



* 



h 



■<»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



221 



earl}' life he liail lieen allieil with the Democrats, 
but later ho joined the Republicans, and remained 
an honorable member of that party until his death. 
Our subject was reared in his native township, 
and received an excellent education, which ho util- 
ized when lie attained the ago of twenty-one by 
entering the profession of a te.acher, and w;is thus 
successfull}' employed forsomo years. When twen- 
ty-two years old he came to Michigan, in May, 
1842, and purchased eighty acres of land in Girard 
'l\)vvnshi|), Branch County. He li ve<l in that county 
for five years, but did not attempt to improve his 
farm, as he taught school in the winter seasons and 
worked around summers. After his marriage he 
located on his present farm, and was busily engaged 
in .agricultural pursuits, when, in the darkest hours 
of the great Rebellion that w.as casting its sh.adows 
over our land, he enlisted, in January, 18G3, as a 
mcndjcr of Company C, 1st Michigan Sharpshoot- 
ers. He w.as commissioned Captain of his company 
on the 31st of March, and w.as assigned to his 
position in M.a}'. The regiment was stationed at 
Ft. Dearborn, Mich., until earlj' in July, 18G;>, when 
six of the companies were ordered to Ohio and 
Southern Indiana in pursuit of Morgan and his 
raiders. They were stationed for some lime in 
Jennings Conntv, Ind., and were instrumental, with 
others, in driving Morgan from that locality, and 
in the capture of some of his scouts. After the 
capture of the daring rebel, Morgan, the regiment 
returned to Ft. Di'arborn, where they remained 
until llio ITtli of the following August, when tiiey 
were ordered to Cam|) Douglas, Chicago, III., where 
they were on guard duty until March 17, 18(;i. 
The regiment was then dispatched to Annapolis, 
Md., where it was consolidated with the lM Ihigade, 
3d Division, iUh Corps, and soon after joined the 
Army of the I'otomac. On liic Gtli and Till of 
May the whole regiment was brougiit into action in 
the battle of the Wilderness. Shortly after Capt. 
Meigs was disal)led on account of sickness, and was 
honorably discharged Aug. 11, 18(!|. having won a 
good reputation forlidelit}' and zeal in the dischaige 
of his duties .as an odiccr both in the eain[) and on 
the field of battle. Upon his return to the North 
lie made a visit to his old home in New York Slate, 
and llien settled ilown on his farm, and when his 



-*•■ 



health w.as sufficiently recovered, resumed his duties 
as a i)rivate citizen, and has ever sii»ce been actively 
identified with the local and political affairs of 
Reading Township. His well-known ability, integ- 
rity anil honorable character, have made him a safe 
an<l wise counselor, and he li.as held all the olliees 
of responsibility and importance in this community, 
except that of Road Commissioner. He is now 
Drain Commissioner, which ollicc he has hehl for 
some time. He w.as Supervisor for two terms, for 
four years Justice of the Peace, has been Township 
Tre.asnrer and Township Clerk, and has held other 
offices too numerous to mention. In politics he 
h.as always been identified with the Ropublican 
party. 

AVc should do but scant justice to our subject if 
we did not incorporate in this sketch a brief record 
of his noble companion and helpmate. Her maiden 
n.ame was Amanda Thomas, and she w.as born in 
Ontario Count}', N. V., July 11, iS-iiJ, being a 
daughter of David an<l Polly (Webster) Thomas, 
natives of Massachusetts and New York. They 
were married in Ontario County, in the townshi|i of 
Seneca, where her father wa.s engaged in farming. 
In 1834 they removed to Ohio and settled in Men- 
tor, near the home of President Garfield, where 
Mr. Thomas improved a farm. In 1811 he removed 
with his family to Allen Township, this county, on 
a new farm, and there he and his wife spent the 
remaining days of their lives. The father ilied at 
the .age of seventy-eight, and the mother at th(> age 
of seventy-two. They were greatly esteemed in 
the community where they had lived so many years, 
and their life record was (^ne of honesty, .sobrietj' 
and industry. Mr. Thomas was in his younger 
days a Whig, but afterward becan)e .a strong Re- 
pul)lican. Of tlu^ mari-iage of himself and wife 
eleven children were born, four sons and seven 
daughters, and two sons and five ilaughters are jet 
living; all married and have families. IMrs. Meigs 
was thceldest Imt one of the family. She was given 
good educational advantages, both in Ohio and 
Michigan, and when a young lady Ijcgan to teach, 
and was engaged in that profession until her mar- 
riage. She is the mother of three children, namely: 
Ella A., Morris I. and I. May. lOlla is the wife of 
Frank M. Fr.azier, who is now eng.aged in farming 

^_ i.^^ 



t 



•^f^ 



^^ ^ m • » 



222 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in Crawford County, Pa.; she was educated in 
Hillsdale County, and was for some time engaged 
in teaching. Morris was educated at Hillsdale 
College, and is now a druggist at Camden, Mich. : 
he married Miss Agnes C. Martin, of Dexter, Mich. 
May is the wife of Edgar B. Bailly, a farmer in the 
township of Reading. Our subject is a lady of 
high character and good mental endowments. She 
and her younger daughter are memliers of the 
P'irst Baptist Church, and gladly lend their influ- 
ence to all the good projects of the day. 

PREEMAN FULLER, who is widely and 
I favor.ably known in Wheatland Township, 
is, like many of his compeers, a native of 
the Empire State, and w.as born in Greece Township, 
Monroe County, Jan. 15, 182(1. His parents, Lewis 
and Rebecca (Williams) Fuller, were natives of 
Dutchess and Monroe Counties respectively, the 
father born April 18, 1798, and the mother Septem- 
ber 7 of the same year. The latter died in Monroe 
County, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1827. while a young 
wom.an. Lewis Fuller survived his wife manj' years, 
.and died at the home of his son, onr subject, in 
Whe.atland Township, on the 30th of June, 1887, 
at the adv.anced age of eiglit3'-ninc years. .John 
Williams, the matern.al grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Monroe Countj% N. Y., and born 
Oct. 7, 1770. He died April 19, 184G, after .spend- 
ing his entire life in his native county. His wife, 
Rebecca (Clare) Williams, was born Sept. 28, 1775, 
and also died at the iiomestead in Monroe County, 
Feb. 23, 1851. 

Our subject was the onlj' child of his mother, 
but his father w.as a second time m.arried and there 
were l)orn five more children. The grandparents 
on botli sides of the house were the parents of 
seven children. Lewis Fuller continued a resident 
of New York State until 1835, then coming to the 
Territory of Michigan took up ICO acres of Gov- 
ernment land in Calhoun County, uj)on which he 
lived two years. Then selling out, he returned to 
his native State, where he spent one winter, but the 
sjiring following retraced his steps westward and 
settled .in Somerset Township, this county, where 



he conducted a hotel and operated a sawmill in 
different parts of the county for many years there- 
after. Freeman, when about twelve j'ears old, went 
to live with his grandp.arents in Greece, Monroe 
Co., N. Y., and learned the tr.ade of carpenter and 
joiner. This he followed principally during his 
early manhood, but subsequently turned his atten- 
tion to agriculture, purchasing liis first land, a wild, 
unbroken tract, in AVright Township, in 18G5. 

In the meantime, during the progress of the late 
war, our subject, on the 2d of Janu.ary, 18G4, en- 
listed in Company F, 1st Michigan Engineers and 
Mechanics, and was in the service until the close 
of the war, doing duty mostlj' in Tennessee and 
Alabama, and took part in Sherman's march to the 
sea. He finally became ill, and was confined to the 
hospital .at Philadelphia some time before his final 
disch.arge. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject was his marriage, which took place on 
the 15th of March, 184!t, at tlie home of the bride, 
Miss .Tane E. Jennings, who was born in Wayne 
County, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1827. Mrs. Fuller is the 
daughter of Daniel and Polly (Clark) Jennings, 
natives respective!}' of New York and Massachu- 
setts. The father was born Aug. 18, 1702, in the 
town of Burlington, Otsego Count}', and his wife 
Polly, Nov. 9, 1792, in Coleraine, M.ass. Daniel 
Jennings removed from his native State when a 
young man, during the pioneer d.aj-s of Otsego 
County, N. Y., where he settled, but later removed 
to Ontario Countj', and died there Oct. 6, 1868. 
The wife had died at the same place some years 
previously, on the 23d of July, 1801. 

The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are 
recorded as follows: Charles M., who is working 
Ills father's farm, was born April IG, 1850, was 
married to Miss Sarah Mead, and is tiie father of 
two boys; Lewis E., a stationary engineer in the 
city of Chicago, was born April 15, 1852, and 
married Miss Nellie Dutton; Alice A., who con- 
tinues under the parental roof, was born Feb. 17, 
1857. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, after their marriage, set- 
tled in Monroe County, N. Y., where our subject 
followed his trade of carpenter until coming to this 
State. Their first home in Hillsdale County was 



M^ 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



223 



in Wright Township, where Mr. Fuller had secured 
eighty acres of land, and which, a j-ear later, he 
traded for his present farm. lie is considered one 
of the most worthy and capable men of the town- 
ship, is a strong Ropiiblican, politically, and a 
lively advocate of the temperance parly. lie was 
Secretary of the local Grange three or four j'ears, 
and iiis son Charles and daughter Alice are con- 
nected with the Congregational Church. 



^)MHif ■ t ' i:=^ ^ 



lF_^ON. ARCIIKR II. CRANE first saw light 
|lv Jj in Onondaga, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 
\^ 30, 1821, and is the son of Archer Crane, 
((^ who was a native of Simsburj', Conn. Ilis 
grand fatliei', Samuel Crane, was born in Ma.ssachu- 
setts,as was also his great-grandfather, John Crane, 
who afterward removed to Connecticut and settled 
in Simsbury, wher(> he resided the remainder of his 
d:iys. The grandfather of our subject went to 
Connecticut with his parents, and made that State 
his home until 1810, when he removed to Onon- 
daga County, N. Y. Tiieir ienu)val was eft'ected 
by means of a laborious jouriuy with teams, and 
they located at Onondaga Hill, on a tract of linil)er 
land, upon which he labored with that eneigy 
char.'icteristic of the Crane family', and made it his 
home until his decease. lie was one of the earlj' 
settlers of that part of the countrj', and well did he 
l)('rf(irm his part in bringing about tlK)sc changes 
which the visitor to that section of country beholds 
with admiration. 

The father of our suliject sjient his e:uly years in 
Connecticut, receiving his education in the manner 
common to farmers' sons at that time, altcrnaliug 
between the labors of the farm .and the instruction 
to be acfiuircd at the public schools. He w.as eight- 
een 3ears of age when his |)arents leinoved to New 
York State, and he remained with his father on the 
farm until his marriage with Miss Vilitia Cornish, 
also a native of Comiecticut. Archer Crane con- 
tracted with the llollanil I'uichase Company for a 
tr.act of timber land, of which he took possession, 
and resided there three or four years. He then 
returned to Onondaga, Onondaga County, and in 
1828 he Went to Wayne County, and bought a 



tract of timber land in Sodus Tf)wnship, from 
which he cleared a farm, and resided there until 
1834, when he came to the Territory of Michigan. 
He followed the usual route for emigrants at that 
early d.ay, coming by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, 
thence by lake to Detroit, after which he came l)y 
team to Washtenaw County, where he was a pio- 
neer. He entered a tract of land of eighty acres in 
Freedom Township, built a log house, and at once 
commenced to clear a farm from the wilderness. 
His labors were attended with that success which 
well-directed effort usuall3' brings, and he lived to 
see himself the possessor of a finely improved farm, 
while the log house had given place to good farm 
buildings. Shortly before his death he sold that 
place and removed to Blisslield, Lenawee County, 
and died there at the home of his son, E. D. Crane, 
Dec. 17, 185;3. His estimable wife, who had been 
to him a helpmate in every sense of the word, was 
called to her reward two weeks |)rior to the death 
of her husband. 

The parental family of our s'ubjcct included five 
children, of whom Archer II. is the only one living. 
Young Crane was thirteen years old when he came 
to the Territory of Michigan. He had leceived 
the educational advantages of his native State, and 
was a bright and intelligent boy, fully able to ap- 
preciate the novelty of the join-ncy to this wild 
country, where the pioneei's ax was the oni^- sound 
of civilization that awoke the; echoes of the forests, 
in which deer, wild turkeys and a great variety of 
small game, roamed free and undisturbed. Arriv- 
ing in this State in October, they shared a log house 
with anollicr family until spiing, when they eri'Cted 
a rude cabin for themselves, into which I hey re- 
moved liefore it could boast of windows, doors or 
chimney, while his mother i)crformed her culinaiy 
duties arotuul the slump of a iree outside. She 
had no stove, which was a great liixiuy in this |»art 
of the eonntry at that tinu', and after the comple- 
tion of their elumney she worked over the large 
fireplace, which also served to illuminate their 
cabin after the shades of night had fallen. Oiu- 
subject continued his education in the pioneer 
schools, l.'uight in school-rooms as humble as the 
settler's cal)in. The furniture was of the most 
primitive nature, the seats merely consisting of slabs 



-^ 



i 



^ 224 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



with wooden pins for legs, which often projected 
through the slabs, and made the boy whose lot was 
oast in that particular section of the seat exceed- 
inglj' i]nconifortal)le. 

As soon as he grew strong enough Mr. Cr.ine 
was called upon to assist in the labors of the farm, 
and continned thus ably assisting liis parents until 
twenty-two years of age. 'Ihe education he had 
already acquired instead of satisfying him served 
only to increase his desire for more; his book 
knowledge had been supplemented by information 
gained from close observation and the perusal of 
the books to which he had access, and at this time 
he succeeded in entering the .academy at Grass 
Lake, Jackson Co., Mich., in which he spent one 
year, after whicii lie spent a year at Auburn Acad- 
emy, in Auburn, N. Y. He had taught one term 
of school previtius to entering the academy, and 
resuming the sclf-saeriflcing profession he taught 
school nine winters, spending his summers engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. He resided in Washtenaw 
County until 1851, and then removed to Blissfield, 
where he bought a farm, which he conducted in 
connection with the mercantile business, and con- 
tinued thus emploj'cd in ih.at place until 1877. He 
then removed to Hudson Township, Lenawee 
(Jounty, and purchased a farm, upon which he lived 
four years, when ho retiuiied to Hillsdale County, 
and took np his residence in Pittsford Township, 
where he now resides. 

On the 6th of March, 1840, our subject was 
united in marriage with INIiss Helen AVoods, a 
native of Vermont, but two years later she was re- 
moved from his side by death. Mr. Crane chose 
for his second wife Helen Rowe, a native of New 
York State, but he suffered another alUiction in her 
loss b}' death in 18.t2. He w.as a third time mar- 
ried, to Mrs. Sallie Barrett, also a native of New 
York State, but she died on the 20th of Januar}', 
1874. 

Mr. Crane was again married, Sept. 2.'i, 1878, to 
Julia E. Robinson, who was born in Jefferson 
County, Ind., and is the daughter of Edward J. 
Robinson, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. Her grand- 
father, George Robinson, settled in Ohio, and later 
removed to Indiana, where he died in Madison, 
Jefferson County. The father of Mrs. Crane learned 



the trade of a wagon-maker, and followed that oc- 
cupation a few years. He has since been engaged 
in mercantile business, and was for a time cashier 
and Paymaster of the Narrow Gauge Railroad in 
Lawrence County; he is now in the insurance busi- 
ness at Bedford, Lawrence County. His wife, the 
mother of Jlrs. Crane, whose maiden name was 
Mar}- L. Branham. was a native of the State of 
Indiana. Of Miss Robinson's union with our sub- 
ject there was born one child, a daughter, whom the}' 
named Helen M. By his third m.arriage there was 
.also one child, Clara A., who became the wife of 
Jacob Nachtrieb; he assists in carrying on the home 
f.arm. 

Mr. Crane was formerl}- a Democrat, but on the 
organization of tiie Republican party, which form- 
ulated more nearly his ideas in regard to politics, 
he joined its ranks and has since continued a strong 
supporter of that party. He represented Blissfield 
on the County Board of Supervisors ten years, and 
also represented this township two years, discharg- 
ing the duties of the office in such a manner .as to 
gain the approbation of his fellow-townsinen, re- 
gardless of their political proclivities. To show 
still further their appreciation of the business-like 
qualities and statesmanship of Mr. Crane, as well 
as to prove their personal respect and esteem for 
this gentleman, they elected him to the State Legis- 
lature from Lenawee County, and he served tliem 
faithfully and impartially during two terms. 



r^-^- 



■if OSEPII B. HUBBELL is classed among the 
progressive farmers and stock -raisers of Hills- 
dale County, who are .actively maintaining 
) the .agricultural interests of that part of it 
embraced in the fertile and exceedingly productive 
region wherein lies Camden Township. Our sub- 
ject is a native of Allegany County, N. Y., born 
Dec. 12, 1830. He is a son of Vernon and Lucy 
Hubbell, natives respectively of Connecticut and 
New York. His paternal ancestry is supposed to be 
of Scotch-Welsh origin, and on his mother's side he 
is supposed to be a descendant of Germ.an-Engli.sh 
ancestry, and some of his mother's relatives took 
an active jiart in the War of 1812. Sometime after 



1' 






,/i ■;, ,» iX.^., .lifei te-_ 




Res of C M Parker, Sec d. Moscow Township. 




Reg . or J. F.Taylor, _. ^ . 



t 



■<^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



227 



marriage and llif biitli of soriipof their chilrlren the 
parents of onr subjeet left their old home in New 
York antl migrated to Ohio with llieii- children, 
having decided to take np their abode in I^ueas 
('<)unt._v. The father has sinee died. The niotiier 
is spending lier deelining years in Camden Town- 
ship. To lier and her hnsband were born eleven 
eliildren, of whom ei<)ht are living, nainelj-: Mer- 
ritt S., of Toledo, Ohio; Vernon, .also of that eitj': 
.loseph 15.: Harrison, of Camden Township; Adelia, 
wife of Andrew RleDongall, of Woodbridge Town- 
ship: Nancy A., wife of A. C. DeMott, of Stenben 
Connty, Ind.: Mary J., w'ife of Seott Rugg, of 
Woodbridge Township: Nettie, wife of E. R. Fitz- 
simmons, of Camden Township. 

Onr snbject was six years of age when his par- 
ents moved to Lncas County, Ohio, wlierc the 
remaining years of his boyhood and youth were 
passed. He inherited a fine constitution and excel- 
lent traits of character from his wortliy i>arents, and 
grew to be a vigorous and manly man. His edu- 
cational .advantages were exceedingly limited, but 
having a naturally quick mind, retentive memory, 
and keen i)owers of ob.servation, aided by instruc- 
tion at home and constant reading of good literature, 
he li.as become well informed, and can converse 
intelligently and interestingly on all topics of gen- 
eral interest. (Shortly after lie attained his majority 
he turned his attention to railroading and became 
a competent engineer, and was thus eng.aged for 
some twenty-eight ye.ars on the Lake Shore .and 
many other roads. 

Mr. IInbl)cll was married, Aug. 2S, 1859, to Miss 
Mary Lingle, daughter of .John and Sarah Lingle, 
natives of Pennsylvania. Jlrs. Ilubbell was born 
in Holmes County, Ohio, Feb. 11, l.S.'JO, being one 
f)f ten ehililren, of whom the following is the record 
of tho.se surviving: Catherine is the wife of Daniel 
Wise, of Fulton County, Ohio: J.ackson lives in 
Shiawassee County, Mich.: Sarah is the wife of 
William liarkman, of Fulton County. Ohio: I'aul 
lives in Midland City, RHch.; .Mary is the wife of 
our subjeet. The record of the four children l)orn 
to her and her husband is as follows: Cora D. was 
born M.ay 28, 18f.l : Ella, wife of C. W. Masters, 
of l'"reinont, Ind., was born Sept. 21, IStJ-J; A<igie 
was born May 21, ISIm. and Carrie. Aug. "28, 1871. 



In 186.5 Mr. Hubbell came with his family to 
Hillsdale County,- and has made his home nearly 
ever since in Camden Township. He has now aban- 
doned his (idling ns engineer and p.ays exclusive 
attention to cultivating his land and- raising stock. 
He has a fine farm on section ICi, wiiich he has 
so improved by careful culture and a wise ex- 
penditure fcir many and valuable improvements, 
that it is considered one of the best in this locality. 
He owns a good cla.ss of stock, which has i)roved 
the source of quite an income. 

Our sidiject is a self-made man in every sense of 
the word, as he has become prosperous entirely 
ihrough his own efforts. His life has been guided 
by correct principles, and he is trusted and esteemed 
by all who know him. He and his wife occu|)y an 
important iiosition in this community, and zeal- 
ously hdjor to i)roni()te its social and material ad- 
vancement. Mr Ilubliell has taken a deep interest 
in educational matters, realizing that in our schools 
are being trained the citizens of the future who are 
to guide and control the affairs of this township. 
In politics he is a strong advocate of the Union 
Labor i)arty, believing in .alleviating the hardships 
of the laboring m.an as much as possible. He is an 
esteemed member of the Masonic fraternity, of 
Camden. 



'iflEFFERSON STOUT. The subject of this 
sketch is a striking example of the self-made 
man, who, against many dillicuUies, and 
) without means, sUrrted out to l)uild up his 
fortunes entirely from his own resources. That he 
has succeeded in a most admirable manner is at 
once apparent from iiis surroundings and the posi- 
tion which he occupies in his conununity. He has 
a fine home, one of the best farms in Reading 
Township, and is surrounded by all the comforts 
of life. Among his fellow-citizens none stands 
higher, .as his course h.as been straightfoi ward and 
honorable in a marked degree. 

IMr. Stout was occupied in farm [jursuits all 
his life until 1 88.'i, when he practically retired, and 
has delegated to other h.ands the labors of which he 
has h:ul his full share. He still, however, has the 
gener.al supervision of his farm of 210 acres, which 



• ^^ U 4» 



if 



228 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



is pleasantly located on section 9. The buildings 
are among the best in the county. The residence 
is commodious and substantial, finished in modern 
style, and the barn and other out-buildings are ad- 
mirably adapted to the purjioscs of the modern and 
progressive agriculturist. The farm machinery- is 
after the most improved pattern, amply adapted for 
the cultivation of the soil to the best advantage. 
There are excellent grades of horses, cattle and 
swine on the place, fruit trees in abundance, both 
appleand finer species, and the f.arm, with its appurte- 
nances, forms a most attractive picture of the 
landscape. 

Mr. Stout took possession of this land in the fall 
of 1849, when it was practically in a state of nature. 
He first put up a log house which he occupied with 
his family about eight years and which was then 
almndoned for the present residence. After he had 
brought the soil to a good state of cultivation and 
effected other urgent improvements, Mr. Stout be- 
gan turning his attention to the breeding of live 
stock, making a specialty of Durham cattle. In 
this industry he has been remarkably successful, nnd 
unquestionably takes the lead among the fnrmers 
of this section. He has exitended much time and 
money in securing some of the best blood, and 
exhibits some of the handsomest animals to be 
found in this part of tiie count3'. 

Besides his farm Mr. Stout invested a jiortion of 
his capital in village projierty, including a fine 
brick residence, where he has made his home since 
1883. This is not only an ornament to the town, 
but has greatly added to the value of pr()i)erty in its 
vicinit}'. The grounds adjacent are in keeping with 
the tastes and means of the proprietor, and the whole 
forms a most handsome and attractive home, where 
the hospitable host entertains the many friends who 
have known him so long and so well. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne 
Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, July 3, 1820. His 
father. Christian Stout, a native of Washington 
County, Pa., w.as a carpenter by trade, and a skilled 
mechanic. He left the Keystone State early in life, 
and taking up his abode in Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio, accumulated a snug bank .account, which he 
lost later by placing his name upon the note of a 
friend, with the usual result, and on account of this 



Christian Stout died a poor man, when about scv- 
entj'-two years of age, passing away in the fall of 
18G9, at his home in Ohio. He was a man of great 
energy and physical strength, and these traits have 
descended to his son Jeffeison in a marked degree. 

The mother of our subject, who in her girliiood 
was Miss Marj' Krets, was a native of the same 
count}' in Pennsylvania as her husband, wlierc she 
was reared to womanhood and was married. While 
yet a bride she and her husband removed to Ohio 
and settled first at New Philadelphia, which at 
tliat time held out not the remotest prosi)ect of 
ever becoming the site of a flourishing town. 
Christian Stout was the first man to locate there, 
when the country around was a biur-oak plain and 
Indians and wild animals, equall}- dangerous, roamed 
over the countrj-. Mr. Stout once had an encounter 
with three drunken Indians who came into his house 
and were conducting themselves toward his wife in 
a threatening manner, while the poor woman sat 
crying with fear. Christian Stout in his r.age 
caught up a square table leg which he had hewed 
out of hard lumber, and with it attacked his foes, 
who had already begun their onslaught upon him. 
lie felled one of the three to the floor, nearly kill- 
ing him, and the others seeing the slrength and 
determination of the while man, made their escape. 
He threw the wounded Indian out on the snow, be- 
lieving him to l)e dead, but he final!}' revived and 
walked off. About the beginning of the War of 
1812, after all the other Indians had left that part 
of the country, these three set out with the avowed 
purpose of killing i\Ir. Stout and his famil}'. They 
accordingly sought his cabin and attempted to enter 
it by way of the chimney. Failing in this they took 
their departure for the time, and not long aflciward 
were captured b}' the Sheriff on an island in the 
Tuscarawas River, and confined in [irison until the 
close of the war, when they were set free, and Mr. 
Stout was no further molested b}' them. 

The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Stout, 
whom they named Joseph, was the first white 
chi'd born in Tuscarawas County. He made his 
home in Ohio the greater part of his life and died 
about 18G8. Later there were added to the house- 
hold circle two sons and six daughters, of whom 
Jefferson, our subject, was the seventh child and 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



229 



Uiiid son. All but one f)f the children lived to be 
in!iriio(l, and two sistei's bosido our subject survive, 
'riiey lire residents of the Disliict of {'olunibia and 
Ohio. Mrs. Mary Stout lived lo the advanced age 
of eighty-one years, and died in 1 H72, nearthc place 
where she had come :is a bride to make her lirst 
home, r.olli she and her husband were active 
memhers of the Fuited Hrethren t'luireh, and Chris- 
tian Stout, politically, was in early life :in old-line 
Whlii, l)iit later identified himself with the Repub- 
licans. 

JetTerson Stout developed into manhood in his 
native county, and at an early age began to labor 
anil earn money in order to assist in the inain- 
lenance of the family. lie came to Micliiyan in 
IMl'.i, a single man, empty-handed, and commenced 
the improvement f>f the land he had purchased 
while a resident of Ohio. During the fifth year of 
his residence in Reading Township he was united 
in marriage lo Miss Laura Palmer, who was born 
in i'attaraugus County, N. Y., Aug. 1 •">, 182(;. The 
parents of Mrs. Stout, Enoch and Polly (l'>aily) 
Palmer, came to IMichigan in the latter i)art of the 
thiilies, joining their eldest son who had preceded 
them, and started a little home in the wilds of 
Peading Township and upon the present site of the 
village. Here the parents spent their last days, 
l)assing away when ripe in years. As the result of 
hlameless lives and good habits, they were strong 
physicallj' and nicntallj', and bequeathed to their 
children the w^ealth of good constitutions and high 
moral jninciples. Enoch Palmer, politically, also in 
eMrl3' life an old-line Whig, became a Republican 
upon the organization of that party, and was a man 
who defended his prineii)les with all the natural en- 
ergy of his character, Their family consisted of 
nine children, five of whom are still living. 

Our subject and his estimable wife began the 
journey of life together in a style suited to their 
means and surroundings, and in due time bc-gan to 
re.-dize the legitimate reward of frugalitv and indus- 
try. A few years found the wilderness around 
their little home transformed into a good farm and 
themselves surrounded by all the comforts of life. 
Of their union there were born two children only, 
oni' of whom died in infancy. 'I'heir only child 
living, a daULihtcr .liiiiiie, boiii Alay 28, 18;j4, is 



the wife of Thomas Stephens, of Reading, and the 
mother of two children: Lotta, and Laura, who died 
at the age of two years. Mr. Stephens is a prominent 
citizen and engaged as a stock dealer. 

Our sid)ject, politically, like his father before him, 
is .a solid Repidilicau, and although having no desire 
for the responsibilities of odicc, keci)s himself well 
posted upon current events, and takes a lively 
interest in the success of his part}'. lie has been 
no unimportant factor in building up and maintain- 
ing the reputation of this jiitrt of the county, and is 
numbered among its most useful citizens. 



^^- 



--v 



W E\'I IIAWLKY, .lu., is a prominent farmer 
I (j^ and representative citizen of this county, 
j'^^ , pleasantly located in Wheatland Township, 
where, after a long and well-spent life, crowned 
with honor and success, he has practically retired 
from active life. Now, as the shadows lengthen, he 
is spending the remainder of hit; days in content- 
ment and the enjoyment of a competency, waiting 
patientl}' and trustingly for a pleasant sunset. 

The subject of this notice w.as Ixirn in Ontario 
County, N. Y., Aug. ."51, 181 G. and is the son of 
Levi and Olive (Paine) Ilawlc}", natives I'cspectivel}' 
of New York ami Providence, R. L 'l"he father 
w.as a farmer by occaipation, and followed his calling 
in his native State until his son Levi was nineteen 
j-ears of age, when he came to Michigan and located 
in Lenawee Count}'. He purch.ased a tract of land, 
and directing his efforts to the building up of a 
homestead, he met with success, and carved out for 
himself and his famil}' a comfortable lK)me sui)plied 
with the convenience and comforts of life, and died 
in this place at the age of eighty-two years. Olive, his 
wife, was reared by her grandfather, and died at the 
residence of her son in Rome Townshi|), Lenawee 
County, at about eighty -two years of age, her death 
occurring al)out eight months after that of her hus- 
band. 

The i>arenl:d family of our subject included eleven 
children, of whom only two at present survive — 
Mrs. David Smith and Levi. In is;?.') Levi accom- 
panied his |>arents to this State auil resiiled with 
them, assisting in the arduous duties of the farm. 



-4»- 



_ ■► ■ 4» 



230 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



uuLil Lis iiiairiage, Nov. 1, 1840, with Miss Polly 
R. Scott, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., 
Sept. 21. 1820, and is the daughter of Cornelius 
and Sarah (Dixon) Scott. The Scott family came 
originally from Holland, and Mrs. Hawley's father 
died in Lenawee County, aged about sixt\'-six 
years, while his wife died sixteen years previously 
in New York State. Their family included nine 
children, of whom three are still living. One brother 
of Mrs. Hawley resides in Coldwater, Mich., and 
one sister resides in Paw Paw, this State. 

The union of Levi Hawley and Polly R. (Scott) 
Hawley was blessed b}' the birth of six children — 
Almon W., Elmira L., Winfield S., Lewis Do \'alois, 
Oscar M. and Alice M. Almon W. was born .lune 
1.3, 1842, and lives at Ovid, Mich.; he married 
Susan Stafford and has four children. Elmira L. 
was born Feb. C, 1844, and was married three 
times; she had one child, and died Aug. 1.5, 1883. 
Winfield was born Feb. 11, 1847, and died Jan. 25, 
184!); Lewis De Valois was born Jan. 20, 18.50, 
married Miss Frances Sabin, and lias two children 
living, while one daughter is deceased; Oscar M. 
was born July 27, 1852, married Miss Ida Haines, 
and has three children; Alice M. was born Sept. 
25, 185G, and became the wife of W. J. Sloan, to 
whom she h.as borne two children. 

After his marri.age our subject rented a farm in 
Rome Township for two years, and then rented and 
sub.seqiientl}' bought forty acres of land twenty -one 
miles east of Hudson. Twenty-eight years ago he 
trailed that tr.act of forty .acres for sixty-eight acres 
of land in Wheatland Township, which he h.as since 
made his home, and erected thereon commodious 
and substantial out-bnildings suitable for the call- 
ing in which he is engaged. Mr. Hawley is what 
is know n as a general or mixed farmer, believing 
that the land is kept in better conilition by the sys- 
tem known as rotation of crops, and has met with 
good success in his work. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hawley are active and influential 
members of the Congregational Church, and Mrs. 
Hawley is a member of the Foreign Missionary So- 
ciety. Theirs is a fatnily who "ask for the old 
paths and walk therein," their |)rofession being no 
mere omi)ty show, but being exemplified in their 
daily walk and conversation. Politically, our sub- 



ject was foruicrly an old-line Whig, and therefore 
we find him as we might expect, in the ranks of the 
Republican party. Himself of temperate habits, 
Mr. Hawley is an advocate of temperance princi- 
ples, which he encour.ages by all feasible means. 

_,,.., NDREW HOARD is a representative far- 
^( <g//j| | mer and citizen of Hillsdale County, where 
ho is pleasantly located in Ransom Town- 
ship, of which he has been a constant resi- 
dent on one farm since his arrival in this State. His 
farm consists of fifty acres of land, most of which 
is cleared, and by thorough and carefid cultivation 
and strict attention to minor details, is made to pro- 
duce much more in proportion than farms of much 
larger area. 

Mr. Hoard w.as born in Hurton, Oeaiiga Co.. 
Ohio, May 7, 1840, and is the son of Justus Hoard, 
who vvas born and reared in York .State. From 
there he moved to Geauga County, Ohio, and 
renting land, engaged in farming until 1844, when 
he came to Hillsdale County and settled in Ransimi 
Township, purchasing forty acres of timber land. 
Seven acres of the tract were cleared, anil contained 
a log cabin, into which Jlr. Hoard removed with 
his family, and remained on this farm engaged in its 
cultivation and improvement until his decease, 
which occurred Dec. 23, 187(5. He added to his 
possessions until at the time of his death he had 
eighty acres of land, the greater jiait of which he 
had cleared and provided with commodious and 
conveniently arranged frame I)uildings. The maiden 
name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was 
Maria McLean; she was born in Pennsylvania, and 
died at the homestead in Ransom Township. 

The [larent.al family included eight children, and 
Andrew was four years old when he accompanied 
his parents to this State. The entire journey w.as 
made with a pair of horses and a wagon, in which 
the household goods and the family were brought 
to this county, and upon his arrival the father sold 
his horses and bought oxen, with which he did his 
farm work, marketing and milling. The log cabin 
which awaited their reception w.as of the rudest 
dcscri[)tion, one end of it being occupied with a 

t» 



I 



; 




HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



231 



■■1 




iiiaiiiiiiotli tlri'iilaec. llie sinoke from wliitli nscendeil 
lliidiigli M cliiiiuK'y of «<iu.ally Jii:i"t proportions and 
made of oaitli and slii-k.s. Over Uiis lireplaec llie 
niotlier of our sul)jecl iise(] to peifoim lier cooking, 
allacliinjf lier pots and kettles to a '"erane," wiiieii 
could he swuny around clear of the fire to enahle 
the operator to jiiace and remove tlie vessels from 
the hdiiks witliont <Ianger. IJesides yivinu a great 
amount of heat, these large tiresalst) furnished light, 
around which the female memheis of the household 
di<l the knitting for the family', while the lioys 
ccpuld study their lessons by the same cheerful light. 
They also furnished good ventilation, anil wc 
doulit if, with .all the iniprovenienls of the last quar- 
ter oi the nineteenth century', the arrangements arc 
moie ci)ndueive to health and longevity than were 
those of the log caliin in the forests [)rimeval. 
Mrs. Hoard was a very industrious woman, and 
used to spin and knit and make all the clothes for 
the famil}', licsides assisting her husband in time of 
pressure of farm duties. 

The school-houses at that earl}' day were in keep- 
ing with the general surroundings, resembling very 
much the structure built for a residence. The fur- 
niture was of the most primitive descrii)tion, con- 
sisting of slabs for benches, with other slabs resting 
on ijegs in the wall for desks. Andrew Hoard at- 
leuiied the lirst school ever taught in this district, 
and as soon as he was large enough he was removed 
from school and his services were utilized upon the 
farm. And yvi it is .1 noticeable fact that although 
many of the descendants of the old pioneers grew 
up with but little op|)»jrtunity for receiving an edu- 
cation, nu>st of them arc noble, high-minded men 
and women, and are generally among the foremost 
to secure for their children a substantial education. 
'I'hey received in the rugged school of experience 
those les.sons of discipline and self-denial which 
have given them strength of character winch aii- 
|)cars to be as hereditary as constitutional charac- 
teristics. 

The subject tif this notice was united in mar- 
riage, March 6, Ks7;j, with M i.-^s Magdalene Knecht, 
who was born in France, June 30, 1852, and is the 
daughter of Christian Knecht, who was also a native 
of that country, and .served several years in the 
French aiinv. He came to America in lS.")L',and at 



once ])ushed his way west to Amboy Township, in 
this county, where he purchased a tract of timber 
land on which was the regulation log cabin, and 
made this his residence until 1880. He then sold 
out, and going to Missouri, settled in Davis County, 
where he made his home until his decease, which took 
place March 6, 1884. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Solema Zimmerman, wasalsoa native of France; 
she still survives, and resides with her daughter in 
Kansas. 

Jlr. and INlrs. IU>ard have become the parents of 
two children — Justus H. and l''red. lveligiously\ 
they are members of the Free Methoilist Church. 
In |)olilics Mr. Hoard is found in the ranks of the 
Republican party. 



OHN >S. LEWIS, a leading hardware mer- 
chant of Jonesville, was born in Farming- 
ton, Conn., Sei)t. 28, 1825, where he lived 
until fourteen years of ;\'j;c. He then com- 
menced his ap|)reuticeship at the tinnei's trade, 
serving three years, at the expiration of which 
time he determined to leave New England and 
seek his fortunes in the West. Making his way to 
Detroit, he tarried there a comparatively brief 
time, and came to this county in the fall of 18l(i. 
He workiMl at his trade in Jonesville two and one- 
half years, and was then seized with an attack of 
the California gold fever, and journeyed overland 
to the I'.acilic Slo|)e. Two years later he returned 
to Jonesville and invested his capital in a stock 
of hardware, to which trade he has since given his 
time and attention. 

Seth Lewis, the father of our subject, was also a 
native of Farmington, Conn., and married Miss 
Julia A. Hart, who was born in New York City. 
The}' made their home lirst in Farmington, init a 
few years Later removed to Macon, Ga., of which 
they were residents two years, then returned to 
Farmington, where the father died. The mother 
was afterward married to Samuel Hull, with whom 
she removed to Candor, Tioga Co.. N. Y., where 
her death also took place. 

Oui' subject was the lirst child of his mother by 
her lirst marriage, and was eight years. of :igc at the 



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232 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



4 



lime of his father's death. Of the years interven- 
ing, from tlie time he commenced his trade until 
the present, we have aheady written. He was 
married in Cold water, this State, in December, 
1801, to Miss Harriet Alden, vviio was born in that 
city and is now tlie mother of five children, namely: 
Anna, Herbert A., Belle, Frederick, and John 8., ,Jr. 
The eldest son is engaged in business for himself in 
Detroit; Belle is the wife of D. M. Baker, and re- 
sifies in Jonesville; Frederick is connected with a 
newspaper office in Minnesota. Mr. Lewis has 
served as School Director in his district several 
years and has also been connected with the Village 
Board at different times. 






'Sp^iA EV. AVILLl AM S. WARRKN. Tlie subject 
ill>'' of this biograph}', a gentleman of intelli- 
^\V gence and excellent education, wiiu h.as 
wQ been occujjied much of his life as a teacher 
and preacher, is a .'on of one of tlie earl3' pioneers 
of Sduthern Michigan, and was born in the then in- 
fant city of Detroit on the 11th of January, 182G. 
His father, I'hilip Warren, a native of Norfolk 
County, Mass., was born M.ay 2.'), 1783, and departei] 
tliis life at his home in Oakland Count}', this .State, 
June 24, 1857. He was a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, but fur a period of fifteen years officiated as 
"iiiine host" of the Warren's Temperance Hotel, .at 
Gieenficld, AV.-iyne County, this State. In his de- 
clining years he retired from active l.abur. 

The mother of our suliject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Celiiida Dodamed, was born Nov. 17, 
171)1, and departed this life on the 7tli of JMay, 
1831, while still a young woman. The family 
included tvvo sons and two daughters, of whom 
William S. is the only one living. The latter con- 
tinued with his jiarents until fourteen 3'eais of age, 
tiicn became .a nieuilicr of the family of his brolhor- 
iii-law, and thereafter attended school duiiiig the 
winter season for about live years. ]ii the mean- 
time he pursued his studies in the academy at I'l^'- 
niouth two years, and had identified himself with 
llie Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, having in view 



his preparation for the ministry. He was a youth 
of a thoughtful and religious turn of mind, and 
commenced his pious labors at the early age of 
nineteen years. Upon leaving school he learned 
the trade of potter, which he carried on jointly 
with preaching for a period of five years. His la- 
bors were often attended with considerable diffi- 
culty and much weariness, he having often to travel 
long distances to reach his appointments. He rec- 
ollects one Sunday in particular where he com- 
passed thirty miles and jireached three times. 

On the 2d of February, 1847, Mr. AVanen, 
shortly after reaching the twent^'-first year of his 
.age, was united in marriage with Miss Ann Har- 
mon, who was born in Utica, N, Y., Oct. 12, 1828, 
and is the daughter of Asa and Hannah (Stevens) 
Harmon, who were natives of Vermont, whence 
they emigrated to Michigan and spent their last 
days in this county. After marriage our siil)ject 
and his young wife took up their residence in a 
modest dwelling at Northville, where Mr. Warren 
engaged in teaching and preaching alternately, and 
after a time was tendered many of the local offices, 
in which he served with credit to himself and sat- 
isfaction to all concerned. He came to Wheatland 
Township in May, 1886, and was joined by his 
family in June following. He has always been act- 
ive in Sunday-school work, and his estimable lady, 
who forms a most admirable heli)mate for one zeal- 
ous in all good work, is iironiinent in the Mission- 
ary Society and the W. C. T. U. Their three 
children are all sons. Their eldest, William, Jr., 
was born in Plymouth, this State, Oct. 28, 1847, 
and is employed ;is a traveling salesmen, operating 
at present in the vicinity of Fargo, Dak.; he mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Hamilton, and they are the 
parents of three children. Jerome W. w;is born 
Aug. 24, 1851, ill Dover, Fulton Co., Ohio; he mar- 
ried Miss Candia Sekell, who died, and he then mar- 
ried Jennie Day, and is now a resident of ( I rand 
Raiiids. engaged as a portrait painter, for which he 
has developed rare talent. George W. was born Feb. 
22, 1859, in Bayfield, Wis., married Miss Emma 
Zimmerman, and is tlie father of two children, a 
daughter and son ; he is engaged in the grocery 
trade in Toledo. These boys received a thorough 
education and are lirsl-class business men. Jerome 



t 



u 




hillsdalp: county. 



233 



W. filtered in e.'iniesl upon liis work :is ;iii arList at 
the early age of twelve year;;, and very soon eelipsed 
his leaelier in the excellence of his drawings. The 
very lirst week he received *i2 i)er da^'. 



<*, WILLIAM NKLSON CASE. The lii.story of 
\/iJ/' '^'''■'' '"'"*'''<''' pioneer of Hillsdale County is 
\^^ of more than ordinal-}' interest, and we will 
begin it at about the time that he left his native 
State of New York with the intention in view of 
building up his permanent home in the AY est. A 
short time previously' he had traded personal prop- 
erty for 100 acres of land in Pittsford Township, 
this county, for which he was to pay ^i! 1,000. Un- 
fortunately he was not acquainted with the value 
of land here at this time, and found u|)on his arrival 
that he could have purchased .'is good a tract for 
one-half the money. He had already turned over 
^300 worth of proi)erty, and upon his arrival here 
with his wife had a cash capital of ifi l.GO in his 
[MicUet. Consequently his lirst business was to seek 
employincnt. lie had Ijecn particularly fortunate iir 
his selection of a wife and helpmate, and Mrs. 
Case commenced leaching the first school in the 
Likely district. 

(Jur subject, with the assistance of his excellent 
wife, was so(ni enaliled to buy a yoke of oxen, and for 
several years thereafter did all his marketing and 
III 11 ling, besides the farm work with them. Letter 
postage in those days was twenty-flve cents, and 
Mr. Case stjites that at one time he walked to 
Lanesville, eight miles distant, carrying five dozen 
eggs, which he turned over for the postage on one 
letter. 

Deer, wild turkey ami other game were plentiful, 
not yet having learned to become afraid of the 
hunter's rille, so the family did not want for meat. 
Mrs. Case could use (he gun almost equally well 
with her husband, and one day in his absence shot 
a wild tiirke}' that was picking up corn near the 
door. At another time she killed a deer, which was 
grazing in a wheatlleld in sight of the house. 
Neither husband nor wife lacked in courage and cii- 
lUirance, and had their days of dilliculty as well as 
sunshine, living the lirst few years in the most eco- 



nomical manner, but in due lime beginning to reap 
their reward. They are now well-to-do, and amid 
the comforts of a modern home feel fully repaid 
for the toils and sacrifices of their younger years. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the vicinity 
of Johnstown, Montgomery Co., N. Y'., on May 5, 
1814. His father, Ezekiel Case, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, was born in ^Vashillgton. lierkshire County, 
and was the son of a substantial Massachusetts 
farmer, who spent his last days in Berkshire County. 
There Ezekiel grew to manhood, then starling out 
for himself sought his fortunes in the Empire Sl.ite. 
He was accompanied in his journey by the wife 
whom he had recently married, and they lived in 
Montgomery County until 1820, when our subject 
was a lad six years of age. 

At the date mentioned Ezekiel Case with his 
family returned to the Old Granite State, and lived 
two years in Itockingham County, occupying him- 
self in burning charcoal, and at other employments 
as he could find. In 1828 he returned to New 
York, remaining, with his family, :i resident of 
Johnstown, until the winter of 1829-30. TlieiD 
accompanied by his son, William N., who was now 
a lad of about si.xtecn years, he started for the 
Territory of IMichigan, making the greater part of 
the distance on foot. They first stop|)ed in the 
vicinity of Sturgis, St. Joseph County, at the home 
of an uncle, and John Case bought land near White 
Pigeon. After several changes of residence he 
finally settled down on a farm about two and one- 
half miles from lirighton, in J^ivingston County, 
where with his family he spent his last years. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Elizabeth Scarls. She was a native of Cam- 
bridge, Washington Co., N. Y'., became the mother 
of nine children, and spent her last years in the cit}' 
of Albany, N. Y'., with her daughter. Four of the 
children are now living. 

\\'illiani Nelson Case remembers well the ledious 
journey which he made with his father from New 
Y'ork to Michigan. He crossed the IJear Creek 
Valley before it was tenanted by a single settler. 
He was taken ill a few months later, and his uncle 
conveying him with a team to Detroit, he made the 
b.'daiKc of the journey by lake and canal to Meads- 
port. Tlivie lie was met by another uncle who 



h 



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234 



A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



lived near by, and upon his recovery lie continued 
a resident of that section of country' two or three 
years, lie then returned U> his ciiildhood's lionie, 
and was employed as a farm laborer by the month 
for a period of three 3'cars. Thence lie went into 
Onondaga County. 

(Jur subject continued in the Empire State until 
1840, and in llie meantime had taken unto iamself 
a wife and lielpinate. In tlie spring of that year with 
liis family he made iiis way once more to this State, 
this time locating in Pittsford Township, this 
count}'. They liad made tlie journey b}' canal and lake 
to Toledo, anil thence to Adrian by rail. Tliere 
tiiey iiired a man witli an ox-team to take tliem to 
Pittsford Tovvnsliip. Tiiis. although quite a primi- 
tive mode of traveling, was an improvement upon 
walking, in which manner lie liad made his first 
journiy to Michigan. He now purchased a tract of 
timber laud on section 31, at a time when the set- 
tlers were few and far between. Tlie}' arrived liere 
on the 7th of May, wlien tliere were but few log 
houses in the vicinity of Lanesvillc. I\lr. and Mrs. 
Case took possession of a part of one of these through 
the kindness of the original proprietors, and resided 
until a log house could be put up on their own 
land. 

The iirst purchase uf our subject had been se- 
cured before his arrival here, and later he bought 
eighty acres more. In due time he succeeded in 
clearing 100 acres, and niion tliis farm lived and 
labored until the close of the late war. Then rent- 
ing this farm he removed to Hudson Toiviiship, 
taking up a fine tract of land, upon which he erected 
a brick house and frame barn, and where he lived 
until 187G. He then traded this propert}' for a farm 
on section 21, adjoining liis present homestead, and 
in 1882 pun'liMsed the |)Iace where he now resides. 
His career, although similar to that of many of the 
early pioneers, is highly creditable to his persever- 
ance and industry, illustrating the results of a reso- 
lute will and a good constitution. He presents the 
picture of a hale and hearty old gentleman at peace 
with the world and himself, and who justl}' feels 
that his time has been reasonabi}' well spent. He 
is surrounded by hosts of friends who render him 
the tacit respect and affection naturally accorded to 
those who have lived so long and hibored so well. 



The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
on the 20th of December, 1837, was Miss Fanny 
Losee, who was born near the town of Elbritlgc, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 8, 1818. Her father, 
Joseph Losee, it is believed was a native of Saratoga 
County. It is known that he was reared there ■until 
reaching manhood, then took up his residence in 
Elbridge, where he was married and lived until 
about 1820. He then cast his lot with the pioneers 
of Southern Michigan, and in comi)any with some 
of his children, i)uichased a tract of timber land 
in Pittsford Township, on section 32. They cleared 
a farm, but later Mr. L. removed to Round Lake, 
Lenawee County, where he spent his last years, at 
the home of a daughter in Dover Township. 

The mother of Mrs. Case in her girlhood was 
Miss Lucy Bennett, a native of Balston Spa, Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., the daughter of Miles and Lucina 
Bennett, natives of Reading, Conn. The father 
spent his last years in Dover, Mich. Mrs. Bennett 
died at the home of her daughter in Dover, in 
Ma^', 1885. To our subject and liis wife there 
have been born two children only, a son and 
daughter — Charles B. and Mary. The former mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth AVindle, and lives on the old 
homestead ; they have three children — Ida, William 
N. and Lulu May. ISIary is the wife of G. L. 
Miner, of Roanoke, Huntington Co., Ind.; they 
have one child, a son, Karl L. 



♦J-3S 



--K:^ 



:u, — >-^^j>^£t'<- 



<4\ I*;1LL1AM TERPEN UNO, a leading farm 

\/jJ/ '^"'^ stock-raiser of Reading Township, hi 

W^ for twenty years owned and successful 



^;ILLIAM TERPENING, a leading farmer 

has 

i.y 

managed one of the most productive and best 
stocked farms in this part of Hillsdale County. It 
is beautifully located on the borders of Long Lake, 
and is abundantly supplied with water from a liv- 
ing stream. Its rich soil is especially well adapted 
to the growth of all the cereals common to this 
climate, and it also possesses superior advantages 
for rearing cattle, horses, sheep and swine. His 
cattle represent the Durham strain, and are thor- 
oughbred in part; his swine are of the celebrated 
Poland-China breed. He owns a fine, thorough- 

—^ 



I 



■"^ 



f 




^ 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



237 



I 



bred flial't .slallioii, called Gray Diiko, wliidi is the 
best t«u-yoar-uld in this |)art of the eoimli-y. Mr. 
Tei'pcniiig has erected a fine class of biiildiiigs, con- 
veniently arranged fur the .'icconimodation of his 
stock and for other [Hirposes, and a tasty and coni- 
niodioiis lesidence. He has nearly the whole of 
the 170 acres of laud comprising his farm under a 
high state of culture. By his energetic and [W'rsist- 
ent efforts, coinliincd with liis keen judguicut and 
good talent for business, he has })laeed himself in 
his iiresciit i)ros|)erous condition among the well- 
to-do and substantial citizens of Hillsdale County. 

Our subject was born in the township of Clifton 
Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,M.iy 81, 1818. Ilis par- 
ents, Lucas and Jane (Faliug) Terpening, were 
also natives of that county, whence, after the 
birth of their children, they removed to C.ayuga 
County, in the same State, and settled in the town- 
ship of Ira, where they built u|) a home in which 
they spent their remaining days, the father dying 
at the age of sixty-four years and the mother at the 
age of forty-four years. There were eleven children 
born to them, and of the nine yet living the oldest 
is eighty-six and the youngest sixty-five, the aver- 
age age being eighty years. All the children grew 
to maturity, married and reared families. 

The subject of this sketch was the seventh child 
born to his father and mother, and from his worthy 
parents he inherited high principles of rectitude 
and honesty, and in their household'was carefidly 
trained to good and useful habits. [lis education 
was couductcil in the old log school-house of the 
d.iy. lie si)ent his early manhood in his native 
State, but migrated from there to Michigan. 

Mr. Tei'pening has been twice married. Ilis first 
marriage, which look place in Cayuga County, was 
to Miss Kanette Hunt, who was reared in Saratoga 
County, but when a young woman moved with her 
l)arents to C:iyuga County. She died in the home 
where her wedded life had been sjicnt, in the latter 
County, leaving two (hiughters — Maldanett and 
Tamnicy. The former is the wife of James Ilotal- 
ing, and they at present live on a farm in Ira Town- 
ship, N. v.; the latter is the wife of O. P. Taber, 
and they live near Remington, Jasper Co., Ind. 
Mrs. Terpening was about forty years of agt> when 

-<• 



she died. She was a woman of excellent worth, a 
true wife and a devoted mother. 

Mr. Teri»ening met and married his second wife 
ne.arPainesville, Ohio, in 1804. She was formerly 
Miss Addie Rogers, and w.as born near that town 
in 1844. She is a daughter of Ceorgc and Eliza- 
beth (Ford) Rogers, the former now deceased, hav- 
ing died in Ohio before reaching middle age. The 
mother is the present wife of Stillnum Post, and 
they now live in Allen Township, Hillsdale County. 
Mrs. Terpening, of this notice, was re;ircd in Paines- 
ville, and received an excellent education in the 
academy of her native town. She is a woman of 
superior intelligence, is a capable housewife, and 
has ever been faithful in the varied relations of life. 
To her and her husband has been born one child, 
George W. M. He married Emma .Megs, of this 
township, and is engaged with his father in man- 
aging his extensive farming interests. 

Our subject is widely known, and is highly 
honored and esteemed for his genial and kindly 
manner, his prompt business habits, and his unim- 
peachable integrity. In politics he is a strong Re- 
publican, heartily sui)porting the measures of his 
part3' whenever occasion offers. 

^ IjriLLAUI) F. DAY, a retired farmer and 
\^fl resident of Hudson Village, was born in 
W^ Chesterfield, Cheshire Co., N. H., Sept. 14, 
1817. His father, Samuel Day, one of llie pioneer 
.settlers of Hillsdale County, this State, was born in 
the same town, June 2o, 1784. The latter's child- 
hood .and j'outh were spent in the agricultural dis- 
tricts, where he obtained a limited education in 
the district schools. In the meantime he was reared 
to habits of industrj-. mid u[)on reaching his major- 
itj' started (jut for himself, and w.as employed as a 
farm laborer for four years before his marria"e. 

After this most interesting and important event 
of his life Mr. Day rented a tract of land in Ches- 
hire County, where, after several years of liard 
labor, he found himself in but little better condition 
fin.ancially than when he started. He had now quite 
a family upon his hands and rcsolveil that he must 
make a change of location. He had but little 




-U. 



238 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



,a 



i 



means, and having been in communication with 
friends near Dayton, Ohio, he prei)ared in the spring 
of 1834 to remove his family and their personal 
effects thither. They chose tlie cheapest route, 
hiring a team to convey the family and goods to 
the Erie Canal. They crossed the Connecticut 
River at Brattleboro, Vt., and from there proceeded 
over the Green Mountains to Schenectady, and at 
that point boarded a canal-boat which conve3'ed 
them, via Buffalo, to Fairport, Ohio. They visited 
with friends seven miles from the latter place, and 
there learned that laud in the vicinity of Dayton 
was held at high prices, and but little more desirable 
than the Government land which was being dis- 
posed of at a less figure in the Territory of Michi- 
gan. 

Mr. Da\', in view of these facts, early in the 
month of May, 1834, hired his friends to take him 
and his family to Lenawee County, and during the 
trip thither encountered the Worden family, and in 
their journey between Saudusky, Ohio, and Lena- 
wee County', in the Cottonwood swamps they en- 
countered the mud so deep that they could not get 
over three miles in a day some days, and later Mr. 
Treadwell and R. IL Whitehorne, who were boinid 
for the same locality. At Baker's Corners, in Madi- 
son Township, they found a vacant log cabin into 
which they removed their goods, and leaving their 
families there the men of the expedition proceeded 
to exploie the Bean Creek Valley. Mr. Day se- 
lected the west half of the southwest quarter of 
section 11, in what is now Pittsford Township 
Hillsdale County, and sent the money to Monroe to 
enter the land from the Government. He then re- 
turned to the spot where he had left his family. 
He hired a team to transfer the goods while the 
family trudged along on foot. When we take into 
consideration the fact that the greater part of their 
way lay through an unbroken wilderness in which 
a simple trail was the nearest approach 'to a road, 
and that in some places they were obliged to cut 
their way through with their axes, the tediousness 
of the journey can be better imagined than de- 
scribed. 

Our travelers arrived at Bean Creek about 1 1 
o'clock one very dark night early in the month of 
June, and after some difficulty found that there was 

< » 



nothing but a foot log by which they could cross 
the stream. Mr. Worden waded in the water, and 
carried his wife across the creek on his back, and 
kindly offered to carrj- Mrs. Day, the mother of 
our subject, over the same way, but she preferred 
to crawl over the log on her hands and knees. They 
were made comfortable in the log house of a Mr. 
Kidder, and remained there until Mr. Day could 
remove to a building of similar description which 
he had found in the neighborhood. He had entered 
eighty acres near the Kidder settlement, but found, 
that there were 160 acres of land in the same town- 
ship on section 13, the east halt of the northwest 
quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter, 
which he could obtain, made a claim to it, and as 
soon as possible put up a comfortable log house 
which, although making no pretensions to elegance, 
served right well as a pioneer home. The roof was 
covered with bark, and the floor to the loft was 
made of the same material. In this unpretentious 
dwelling the Pittsford Township courts convened, 
and our subject, Willard F., acted as [(residing 
Justice of the Peace. 

Mr. Day after enleiing his land had money 
enough left to buy a 3'oke of oxen to assist in the 
farm work, and which were considered quite a lux- 
ury, as both horses and oxen were scarce and few 
men could afford them at first. The next question 
was to get something to eat. There was plenty of 
wild meat roaming around in the shape of deer, 
turkey and other game, and AVillard F. had already 
acquired a reputation as a good shot. He kept the 
family su])plied with the choicest of meats, but 
bread was not so plentiful. In order to increase 
the family income he secured a job of clearing and 
fencing five acres of land at lililO per acre, the first 
winter of their residence here, which was considered 
quite a bonanza, as the family were entireh' out of 
provisions and monej', and knew not where else they 
could procure any subsistence outside of wild n\eat, 
and were therefore compelled to burn green and 
frozen timber in the winter snows as fast as possible 
to obtain the wherewith to sustain and supply the 
family with provisions. 

Samuel Day, not long afterward, was stricken with 
fever and ague, which incapacitated him from hard 
labor. Fortunately in his younger j-ears he hail 






•►-11-^- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



239 






learned t<> make b;iskets, and having plenty of 
niateiinl lie turned liis kuowledj^e of this art to good 
aeeount. While he sat at home and manufaetiiied 
baskets liis eldest son, Warren, operated as travel- 
ing salesman, journeying with his wares, by the aid 
of a yoke of oxen, to Monroe, wliere lie sold them 
for cash. His sons were energetic workers like 
himself, anil in due lime tiiere was a largo tract of 
land cleared around the cabin and the}' found their 
linancial condition assuming a firm basis. The Day 
liDmcstead finally came to be known as one of the 
most thoroughly cultivated and valuable in that 
section of eountiy. Samuel Day lived to see his 
children grow up around him, enterprising and 
[irosperous, and the wilderness transformed into 
pleasant fields and well-ordered homesteads. He 
rested from his eaitlih' labors on the "ith of June, 
18j(), when about seventy-two years of age. 

Samuel Day in his early manhood was united in 
marriage with Miss Lucy Cutler, the mother of our 
subject, who was born in Chesterfield, N. II., Sept. 
"29, 1782. She came to the West witli her husband, 
and died on the llth of November, 1880, having 
nearly completed a century of years. She was a 
woman strong both jAysically and intellectually, 
and fulfillcfl her duties as a wife and mother in the 
most praiseworthy manner. She was very coura- 
geous, and met the hardships and dangers of pioneer 
life with that brave and fearless spirit which was so 
much needed in those times of dilliculty and dan- 
ger. When they came to Micliigan the settlers 
were often auno^'cd and frightened bj- wolves, but 
after the exteiinination of these they comnienccil 
keeping a Hock of sheep and also raising flax. The 
mother siiuii and wove b(jth woolen Mini linen cloth 
for the use of the household, and spent ver^' few 
idle hours while providing for the wants of her 
family. Hotli parents were members of the Con- 
gregational Church for many years, and tlu'ir kind- 
ness and lios|)itality, both to friend and stranger, 
were proverbial. 

The .seven children of Samuel and Lucy Day are 
recorded ;is follows: Warren, their eldest son, was 
\'<nu May 16, 1812, and died in Hudson Township 
in I .S8.') ; William was born May 5, 1815, and served 
in a company of Michigan infanliy duiing the late 
war; he died while in the aniiv. at Nashville, three 



years after the time of his enlistment. Willard F., 
our subject, was born Sept. 14, 1817; Mary A., 
born Oct. 23, 1819, died when an interesting young 
lady twenty-two years old; Wilson L. was born 
July 12, 1821, and is farming in I'ittsford Town- 
ship; Winslow II. occu|)ies the old homestead; 
Fanny A., the widow of Augustus Kent, lives in 
Hudson Village. 

Our subject spent his boyhood years in the Old 
Granite St.ate, and was a youth of sixteen when his 
l)areiits came to the Territory of Michigan, and 
during his boyhood \'ears, his father having a large 
family and his means being limited, he was required 
to go from home, and commenced working by the 
month on a farm in New Hampshire at the early age 
of ten years, the first year working eight months, and 
continued to work out every year during the summer 
-seasons until they came to Michigan, going to a 
country school only three months each winter, which 
closed his educational advantages, there being at 
that time no schools in reach. He felt the impor- 
Uuice of increasing his education, and he at once 
adopted the plan of improving all leisure moments 
in long winter evenings in studying his book before 
the log house fireplace, Abe Lincoln style, until he 
acquired a competent business education, and put 
it at once into practice, even bookkeeping, with- 
out a college course. In politics he has always 
been active, but not an ofiice-seeker, first as a Whig 
until the adoption of the Republican party, since 
that an earnest Republican. The land which his 
father had |)urcliased was covered with limber from 
which it was the custom to cut the trees, roll the 
logs together and burn them. Thus hundreds of 
fine black- walnut logs which a few years later would 
have brought a handsome price, were destroj'ed 
simply to get rid of them. Some of them were 
also split into fence rails, but iis maj' be supposed 
no great number of these were needett at once, as 
the clearing necessarily proceeded slowly. Besides 
the deer, wolves and wild turkeys already' mentioned, 
a bear was occasionally' seen, and sometimes with- 
out being seen, would abstract a pig from the pen 
and make off with it. Mr. Da3' made his home with 
his parents until his election as Register of Deeds 
for Hillsdale County, and then took up his abode 
in U»e town of Hillsdale. Two years Inter, having 
,» 



i 



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240 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



served his terra of oflice, he returned to Pittsford 
Township, and pureliascd a farm on section 12, 
where he engaged in general agriculture and stock- 
raising three _years. In 1863 he sold out the farm 
he then occupied, and was for a number of years 
interested with his brother, Winslow II., in general 
farming and stock-raising in the same township, lie 
now owns one-half of the old homestead in Pitts- 
ford Township and 320 acres in Wright Township, 
this county. 

Mr. Day, while a resident of Pittsford Township, 
Hillsdale County', was married, March 19, l.S(31, to 
Miss Eliza H. Ilolcomb, who was born in Varys- 
burg, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1833. Her 
parents, Chancy and lilmira (Richards) Ilolcomb, 
natives of New York, are now residents of Wyo- 
ming County, that State. Mrs. Day came to Sliclii- 
gan with her cousin, William Richards, and lived 
with him in Somerset Townslii|), Hillsdale County, 
until her m.arriage. Of her union with our subject 
there vvere born two children: George W., who was 
born Feb. 27, 18G2, and died when a youth of six- 
teen j-ears, Dec. IS, 1878; and Willard F., Jr., who 
married Miss Grace Bradley, of Toledo, Ohio. 

Mr. Day has held various local offices of trust, 
and was elected Constable and Collector of Taxes 
for Pittsford Township when twenty-one years of 
age. Later he officiated as Town Clerk, Justice of 
the I'eace and Supervisor, and has always labored 
for the best interests of his community. From the 
time he became of age until 1863, he filled some 
office in Hillsdale County, alwa^'s with great credit 
to himself. He has served the people as Justice of 
the Peace for Hudson Township, member of the Vil- 
lage Board four terms, and as one of the Vill.age 
.School Board about ten years, finally resigning his 
position as President of said School Board in 1878. 
He was associated and equal partner with George B. 
AVoodworth in a bank at Montpelier, Ohio, com- 
mencing June 7, 1883, under the firm name of Day 
& Woodworth, W. F. Day, President, and G. B. 
Woodworth, Casliier, and continued successfully 
until after the decease of the cashier. Both Mr. 
Da3' and his wife are members of the Congregational 
Church, of Hudson, in good standing. With pleas- 
ure we present the portrait of Mr. Day in connection 
with this sketch. 




ANIEL J. DERBY, who carries on an ex- 
1^ tensive trade in Lilchndd and vicinity, is 
numbered among the representative busi- 
ness men of this county', and has j)roved 
no unimportant factor in bringing it to its i)rcsent 
importance. He has passed in and out before the 
people of Litchfield Township for many years, dur- 
ing which he has made for himself an enviable 
record, and is still in the prime of life and in the 
midst of his usefulness. 

The familj' history of the subject of this biogra- 
phy comprises all that is honorable and desirable 
in life, he having been the offspring of a most 
estimable familj', whom it is believed originated in 
the State of New York during the |ieriod of this 
country's early historj'. His parents were John 
S. and Sarah A. (Mills) Derby, the latter a native 
of (jcncseo County, N. Y., and the sister of Daniel 
Mills, a sketch of whom will be found on another 
l)age in this volume. 

John S. Derby came to the Territory of Michi- 
gan with his parents in 1838, and spent his boy- 
hood days under the ]iarental roof. Later he 
worked on a farm, and uiKin reaching his majority 
was niarrii?d, and settled in Litchfield Township, 
where he followed agriculture until advancing 
years admonished hini it would be wise to retire 
from arduous labor. He then took up his resi- 
dence in the embryo village of Litchfield, and 
engaged in general merchandising until 1857. He 
had now become homesick for the country again, 
and selling out, acquired another faiin in Litchfield 
Township, where he spent the remainder of his 
days, passing away Feb. 8, 1868, in his foity-eighth 
year. As a business man he was i)rompt and ener- 
getic, as a farmer, thorough and successful, and in 
religious matters was a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. His name will lie 
long remembered by those of the early settlers of 
this county who are still living, as one to whom 
much of its success is due. His death was the re- 
sult of an accident sustained while working about 
a threshing-machine, his clothing having caught in 
the tumbling rod, and from the effects of which he 
died a year later. The mother after the death of 
her husband took up her residence with her son 
Daniel J., in Litchfield, where her death occurred 



i 



f 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



241 



Jan. 16, 1887, when she wns sixty-two 3'ears old. 
The part-ntfil household included two cliildren oiil}'. 
our subject and his sister Charlotte, who was the 
elder, and became the wife of A. J. Anderson, of 
Litchfield. She died in 18t)9, leaving one child, a 
ilangliter Ilattie, who iiinkos lur home with our 
subject. 

Daniel .1. Derby was born in Litciifichl, this 
county, March 2, 1850, and spent his boyhood un- 
der the home roof until a lad of thirteen years, hi 
the meantime acquiring a limited education, lie 
then began his business careeras a clerk in the drug- 
store and the post-ofticc, in the employ' of Daniel 
Mills, with whom he remained most of the time for 
a i)eriod of fifteen years. When a ^oiitli of fifteen 
years he was for a time in the ein|)lo3' of George 
Barber, of Howard City, this State; subsequently 
he served as Deputy Postmaster nine years. 

Our subject from boyhood had a great liUing for 
the tinner's trade, and for the piir|)Ose of IcMiuing 
this he engaged with Mr. liarber, who, however, 
did not prove to be a very agreeable em ploycr, and 
young Derbj' consequently left him after a year's 
trial, although in the meautiiiie gaining a good 
knowledge of the trade. Subsequently he was ein- 
ployed with A\'arren ife Dodge, of .];icl<soii, and 
from there went to Katon Ka|M(Ls, where he pur- 
cliased a set of tools, and returning to his native 
town started up in business for himself, whore he 
has since contimu'd. From a modest beginning the 
business of Mr. Derby has grown to fair propor- 
tions. In a few years he i)ut up a frame store 
building, which he rented and subsequently sold 
to good advantage. Mr. I)erb3' then became the 
employe of his former partner for a time, after 
which, disposing of his tinner's tools, he resumed 
his [losition in the i)ost-olIice, and became agent of 
the United Slates K.xpress Compan3', which oflice 
he still holds. On the 1st of March, I .S,S8, he ac- 
(piiied a half-interest in the hardware business of 
Mr. Mills, from whicii is growing an extensive and 
lucrative trade. 

Our subject, on the 1st of Februaiy, 187l), took 
for his wedded wife l\U.ss Ida M. Townsend, their 
union being celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Scipio. Mrs. Derby is the daiigliler of Warren and 
lleiirielt;! Townsend, wIki were natives of New 
<• 



York and settled in Litchfield Township, this 
count}', in its pioneer days. The mother departed 
this life May 30, 1880, when fifty years of age, and 
Mr. Townsend was subsequently married, and is 
now living in Charlotte, Mich. Of his first mar- 
riage there were born four sons and one daughter, 
namely-: ?' rank, Lemuel, Warren, Ida M. and Ud- 
gar. The eldest son, during the late Rebellion was 
a soldier in the Union armj', was captured and con- 
fined in Libb}- Prison, but through strategy made 
his escape, and returned home at the close of the 
war unharmed; he subsequently was connected 
with the mail service in Ohio, and died Oct. 3, 
1870, in Zanesville, Ohio. Warren is a civil and 
mechanical engineer, and makes his home in (uand 
Rapids, this State ; Kdgar, who took kindly to his 
books, is now Piincii)al of the Reading schools and 
Chairman of the County Board of K.vamincrs; Ida 
M., Mrs. Dcrli}', was born in Litchfield Township, 
this county, .hine 21, 1857, and is now the mother 
of four chihlrcii, namel^y : Nellie, Nina, James .and 
F,(lgar, the latter of whom died at the age of six 
months; the others are attciuling schot)l in the 
home district. 

Mr. D(;rby is a solid Republicm, [lolitically, and 
cast his lirst Presideiili.-d vote for James A. (lar- 
lield, ill 1880. He has always evinced a lively in- 
terest in the growth and welfare of his townshi|), 
in which he has served as \'illage Assessor and 
Treasurer, occupying now the l:iller ollice his sec- 
ond term. Mrs. Derby is connected with tlu' 
Methodist Ki)iscopal Church. Mr. D. belongs to 
Franklin Lodge No. 40, F. A- A. M. 

. AMF.S K. DILLON. The homestead of this 
I gentleman forms one of the most attractive 
features in the laiidscai)e of Wheatland Town- 
ship. It comprises 140 acres of highlj' cul- 
tivated land, beautifully loc.ateil, and emliellished 
b}' hanilsomc modern farm buildings, including a 
commodious and tasteful residence, a substiuitial 
barn, and the other structures necessary for the 
carrying on of general agriculture after the most 
approve<l methods. The farm stock is of excellent 
quality and well careil for, and tlie mMchinery all 



t 




^■► ^^ 11 < • 



242 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



that is necessary for the thorough cultivation! of 
the soil and the general operations of the intelli- 
gent and progressive farmer. Our subject and his 
estimable wife arc people held in the highest esteem 
by their neighbors, being cultured, kindly and hos- 
pitable, and in all respects classed among the lead- 
ing spirits of a community of more than ordinary 
intelligence. 

The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent 
in Ontario County, N. Y., where his birth took 
place Dec. 8, 1820, at the modest home of his par- 
ents, Benj.amin .and Christina (Kennedy) Dillon, 
natives .also of New York State, the former born in 
Dutchess County, Sept. 14, 1788, and the latter in 
Jamestown, March 8, 1791. After marriage they 
located in Ontario County, where the father de- 
parted this life on April l.'J, 18CC. The mother 
subsequently joined her son, our subject, in this 
county, .and died at his home in Wheatl.and Town- 
ship, on the 24th of June, 1872. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject, John 
and Phebe (Ackley) Dillon, were natives respect- 
ively of Ireland and England. They crossed the 
Atlantic early in life, and both died in Ontario 
County, N. Y. On the mother's side the grand- 
parents were Robert and Marg.aret (McLaren) Ken- 
nedy, who were natives of .Scotland and spent the 
last days of their lives in Monroe Comity, N. Y. 
They possessed all the worthy and reliable traits of 
an excellent ancestry, and transmitted them faith- 
fully to their children. 

To Benjamin and Christina Dillon there were 
born eight children, two only of whom are living: 
James K., our subject, and his brother William R. 
The latter is a resident uf this township. James K. 
continued under the parental roof until the death 
of his father, when the old home was sold and he 
was obliged to seek another .asylum. He continued 
on the old homestead until 18G8, and then coming 
to this county purchased his present homestead, 
where he has since lived. While a resident of his 
native State, he was married, Dec. 28, 1848, to a 
maiden of his own county, Miss Frances Whitfield, 
who was born Aug. 19, 1827. Mrs. Dillon is the 
daughter of Edward and Kli/.a (Smith) Wliitfleld, 
who were natives of Ireland, but were of English 
ancestr}', and near relatives of the noted Whitfield 



who distinguished himself as a preacher and philan- 
tln-opist. p]dward AYhitfield and his wife both 
died in Ontario County, N. Y., the mother when 
sixty-six ye.ars of .age, and the father after reaching 
the advanced .age of eighty -nine, firandmother 
Whitfield lived to a very great age, retaining her 
faculties to a remarkable degree, and when one 
hundred and sixteen years old walked three miles 
to church. 

Of the ten children born to Edward .and Eliza 
Wliitfield, the parents of Mrs. Dillon, but five are 
now living. Our suliject and his wife have reared 
two children: Helen F., born April 25, 18.')2, is 
now the wife of George Bump, a well-to-do farmer 
of Hudson Township, Lenawee County, this State; 
Eliza C. w.as born Sept. 7, 1862, and is one of the 
princip.al teachers in the Hudson schools; she is 
a lady of fine education and much culture, being a 
graduate of Hillsdale College and very capable. 
Both daughters were born in Ontario Count3', N. Y. 

Mr. Dillon cast his first Presidential vote for 
Zachar3' T.aylor, and was a member of the AVhig 
party during its existence. .Since its ab.andonment 
he has been a warm supporter of Republican prin- 
ciples. He has filled various positions of trust and 
responsibility in his township, the duties of which 
he has discharged with that conscientious care and 
fidelity which have secured him the esteem and con- 
fidence of the entire community. Mrs. Dillon and 
her daughters .are members of the Baptist Church. 
Mrs. Dillon is a ladj' of gre.at energy, and for many 
years before her marriage supported herself at her 
trade as tailoress. She h.as labored side by side 
with her husband in the building up of their beau- 
tiful home, and deserves equal credit iu the result 
of their mutual labors. 



#-•# 



--s-^ 



ellE.STER MOREY,who is a retired farmer of 
Reading Township, is now spending his last 
days on section 35, at which place he has 
lived for a period of forty-nine years, the only 
change he has made being his removal from the 
pioneer cabin into his present beautiful home. He 
retains eighty acres of his once large landed prop- 
ert}' of COO acres, the remainder of which he di- 



-r-- 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



243 



I 



vidod among his children. Unon coming- to the 
township Mr. Morey enleicd from tlie Government 
200 acres of land on sections 26 and 35, and soon 
l)egan to reap tiic reward of his labors in a com- 
fortable living on a well-improved farm. Ileadded 
lo his real estate from time to time until he had a 
finely improved farm of (!00 acres. In connection 
wilii geneial farming ho has also been an extensive 
stock-raiser, and has met with a large measure f)f 
success in that as well as In all <itlier of his under- 
takings. 

Tlie subject of this biography is a native of Van 
Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and was 
born June 1.'), liS17. His father. Dr. John IMorey, 
was a native of the same State, and quite early in 
life became a successful physician, in which \n^^>- 
fession he engage<l until failing health compelled 
him to abandon it. He then turned his attention 
to teaching, and was thus engaged for some years, 
but he did not lecover his health, and died at the 
age of fifty-one j'ears. He was married to Lovisa 
Everts, a native of the same St.ate as her husband. 
She was a W(jinan of nmialile dis|)ositioii, and intel- 
ligent, and canu- from a good family, who removed 
from Washinglori County, N. Y., where the !\Ioreys 
had also lived for some years. She was a faithful 
and devoted wife until the death of Mr. Morej', 
after which she was a second time married, to Will- 
iam 'rappan,a mauufactiuer of musical instruments, 
and caiiie with him lo Michigan, where she soon 
afterward died at the age of lifty-onc years. .Mr. 
Tappan is also deceased. 

The parental family of our subject included nine 
children, of whom Chester K. w;is the si.xth in order 
of birth. At Ihe early age of thirteen years he lost 
his father by death, and continued to live with his 
mother until the age of nineteen, when lie accom- 
panied her to Toledo, Ohio, while she was yet a 
widow. After her marriage with Mr. Tappan he 
came to Michigan, where some time later his mother 
and stepfather joined him in this county. Possess- 
ing a good physique, unbounded energ3- and good 
judgment. Mr. Morey w.as well adapted for pioneer 
life. Not long after his arrival our subject w.as 
united in marri.age, Dec. 15, 1840, in Reading 
Township, with Miss Jane, daughter of John and 
Lueiiida (Wright) Uisiug, natives of New York 



State. Her parents were married and settled in 
Westmoreland Township, Oneida County, where 
they were SHCcessfully engaged in farming for many 
years, and reared a family of eight children, five 
sons and three daughters, all but one of whom 
lived to maturitj' and were married. Mi's. Morey 
was the fourth child and second daughter in order 
of birth, .•iiid first saw the light A|)ril 18, l,s2.'). 
In liS;;? her i)arents with their seven children set 
out for the young State of Michigan, coming by 
wa3' of the Eric Canal and Lake Erie to Toledo, 
Ohio. Thence they pursued their journey by means 
of an ox-team which the father i)urchased in To- 
ledo, and in this manner reached Reading Town- 
ship. Mr. Rising had shipped fr<iiu his home in 
New York one horse and four hogs, and the horse 
was the second arrival of this kind in Reading 
Townshii). Judge Mickle having the other. Mr. 
Rising secured almost a section of Government 
land, and soon after his arrival erected a frame 
building, which was the first structure of the kind 
in the townshii). He was very successful in the 
prosecution of his calling, and soon became one of 
the most iiulependent fanners of this section of the 
country. His house soon gave place to a moie 
commodious structure, and sulisecpiently did diit3- 
for a barn, which was the first frame barn in the 
ttiwnship. Here the parents si)ent, the remainder of 
their lives on section 1 ■") of the township, and left 
behind them a record Uiv good works which will 
not soon be forgotten. The mollier died in I.SIS, 
at the age of fifty-one years, while the father sur vi ved 
until 1«72, and died at the .advanced age of eighty- 
three years. They were both active members of 
the Methodist Church, which they were largely 
iiislrunient.al in founding in this section, the parents 
and two children being four of the six chaiter 
members. In politics Mr. Rising was a stanch 
Reimblican. 

Mrs. Morey was one of six children of the par- 
ental family who are yet living. She was carefully 
reared by her pious i)arents, and received the full 
benefit of such an education .as the time an<l (ilace 
alTorded, supplemented by the valuable lessons 
received from her mother. Her ehkst sister and 
Mr. Morey's youngest sister taught the first two 
schools in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Morey have 



n 



•4^ 



244 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



i- 



been blessed with a family of four children, all 
sons, one of whom died when an infant of two 
weeks. The other three are recorded as follows : 
William H. married Marion E. Hughes, and resides 
on a farm in Reading Township; George E. took to 
wife Lizzie Overholtzer, and lives on a fine f.arm 
also in this townsiiip, wliile Cliarles S. married 
Nettie A. Clark, and likewise farms in R(;ading 
Township. 

When our subject first came to this county all 
the elements of pioneer life still prevailed. AVild 
game was to be h.ad in abundance, wiiile beasts of 
prey, such as tiie wolf nnd bear, were frequently 
met with. They were guided in their passage 
among their neighbors' farms by blazed trees, and 
often the onlj' path was the Indian tr;iil. Their 
milling and marketing were performed with great 
diflicidty, sometimes having to go many miles over 
almost imiiassable ro.ads. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Morey 
heartily joined han<ls in tiieir efforts to subdue 
nature, and have watched with interest the rapid 
development of this section of tlie country until it 
now compares favorably witii any part of tiie State. 
]\Ir. and Jlrs. Morej' give their .adiierence to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, while in politics Mr. 
Morey is a stanch Republican. 

^ ONATIIAN BLURTON, a reputable and sul)- 
I stanti.al farmer, residing on section 5, Ran- 
som Township, has resided in Michigan 
_ since his earliest recollections. In 1 870 he 
bought his present farm, consisting of eighty-two 
acres of good land, under an excellent state of cul- 
tivation, and provided with sidistantial and con- 
venient farm liuildings suital)le for tlie prosecution 
of his calling. In 1844 his fatliei', James Blurton, 
settled in Wheatland Township, Hillsdale Count3', 
when our subject w.as an infant uf twelve months, 
and there fanned rented land fur fc^ur or five years, 
after which he purch.ased a tr.act of timber land on 
section 2, Pitlsfonl Township, this county, and 
liuilt up a comfdrtalilc lionie, in wjiii'li ho spent the 
remainder of his life. 

Janu'S Blurton was born in Staffordshire, En- 
gland, in 1803, and w.as there reared to manhood. 



and on the 14th of June, 1824, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah Upwood, a native of the 
same shire, where she was born in 1802. In 1830 
they set out to try their fortune in the New World, 
and settled in Ontario County, N. Y., where they 
resided until 1844, and then came wcstwai'd to 
Michigan, and settled in Wheatland Township, Hills- 
dale County. They both died at their homestead 
in Pittsford Township after living together, enjoy- 
ing the counsel and society of each other, for sixty- 
three years. Both were members in good standing 
of the Bai)tist Church, at Hudson, and contril)uted 
as they could toward the development of the county- 
and the elevation and improvement of its people. 
The3' were honest, hardworking, worthy members 
of society, and left Itehlnd them a name which will be 
remembered in connection with the pioneer history 
of Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties for generations 
to come. 

The subject of this biography w.as born in On- 
tario Count3% N. Y., IMarch C, 1843, and was one 
3'ear old when he came to Michigan with his par- 
ents. He was reared to habits of industr3' and 
frugality, and .as soon as large enough his services 
were utilized in clearing the land and in other light 
domestic duties, with occasional .attendance at the 
public schools in the neighborhood. At sixteen 
3'ears of .age he engaged in the struggle of life for 
himself, and was employed to work by the montli, 
receiving $12 for his services. When our Union 
w.as threatened with dissolution and the enem3' was 
still in its strength, Mr. Blurton enlisted in the 
Union army in August, 18C4, and was enrolled in 
Company I), 4tii Michigan Infantry. He was at 
once marched to the front and served in the \V^est- 
ern army in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee 
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, experi- 
encing many of the hardships and privations inci- 
dent to the Civil War. He w.as mustered out. 
and discharged from the arnn' Jan. IC, 180(>, and 
returning his sword to its scabbard, he began life 
anew at his olil home, working land on shares until 
1870, when he bought his present farm, upon which 
he has since .assiduously labored, achieving satis- 
factory residts. 

Mr. Blurton was united in marriage, Oct. .''), 1804, 
with Miss Josephine Tabor, who was born in On- 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



•2 4;-) 



^ 



t 



tario County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Benja- 
min F. Tabor, deceased. Mr. Tabor was born in 
Ilcrkinier County, iS'. Y., June 13, 1S24, while hi.s 
faliier, Henjaniin, wiio spelled the name Taber, was 
a native of Miissacliusetts, and was born March 12, 
1775. Tlie great-grand fallmr of Mrs. lihirtoii, 
Abraham Tabor, was also a native c>f Massachu- 
setts, and his father was a native of England, and 
came to America in Colonial times, settling in the 
Ba^' State, which he made his home until his de- 
cease, spending his entire life, so far as known, in 
that State. The grandfather of Mi's. Blurton w.is 
reared in his native State, but when a young man 
lie removed to York State, and was united in mar- 
riage, in Colundiia County, with Miss Elizabetli 
Humphrey, wlio was born in that county, Dec. 21, 
1781. After marriage tiiey removed to Herkimer 
County, and were among its pioneer settlers, but 
in 1837 they went to Manchester Townshii), Onta- 
rio County, and tliore engaged in farming until 
18.52. The grandfather then came to Michigan, 
and lived with his son until hi.s death. May 7, 
18.')S;his wife died in York St.ate, Se|)t. II, 18;J0. 
Their family included ten children, six of wliom 
grew to maturity. IJenjamin F. Tabor, the fatiier 
of Mrs. Blurton, w.as reared in his native Slate, and 
when a young man lie clerked in a store for eight- 
een months, nfter wliicii he learned the trade of a 
carpenter and joiner, and followed that occupation 
until his marriage. After rn.arriage the youui; 
couple settled on the old homestead, and encjai^ed 
ill farming occupations until l.sf)2, when they sold 
out, and coming to Michigan bought a farm of 13(1 
acres ill Wheat'aud Township. At tlie time of 
piirch.'i.se there was a small frame lioiisc on the 
pl:ice, but lie soou erected a large brick residence 
and fr.'iine b.iriis, and engaged in fanning under ad- 
vanl.Mgeous circiinistances. He subsequently' addeil 
to his landeil est:ite until he owned 210 acres, aiiil 
there resided, engaged in its snccessfid cultivation 
until 1877, when having been elected to the ollice 
of County Clerk he rented his f.nini .'uhI removed 
to Hillsdale, of which city he remained a resident 
until his death in March, I S78, before his term of 
odice had expireil. He wns ni;)iried, Nov. 5,1844, 
to S:irah A. I'rice, a native of Farmiiigloii, ()iit;irio 
Co., N. Y., where she was born Feb. 5, 182i). Their 



family included four children, of whom Mrs. B. 
was the first in order of birth ; the others are : Au- 
gustus I)., Sarah E., and Jessie E., the wife of 
Edgar Caijienter, who was born in Whe.atland. In 
politics Mr. Tabor was a Republican, and held vari- 
ous local ollices, including that of Supervisor in 
Wheatland Township, which he held eight years. 

Mrs. Tabor's fiither, Isaac Price, was born in 
New Jersey, Oct. 3, 1875, while his father, Daniel 
Price, was born in England, and coming to Amer- 
ica in Colonial times, did service as teamster in the 
Kevoluti(jnary War, d^ing in New Jersey while 
the struggle w.as in progress. The grandfather of 
Mrs. Blurton was reared in New Jersey and learned 
the trade of a carpenter. He married in that State 
and removed to Ontaricj County, N. Y., with his 
wife and children, and purchasing a tract of timber 
hiiiil, hired the clearing done while he followed his 
tiMile. After his farm was cleared and brought 
under cultivation he abandoned his trade and de- 
voted his entire .attention to lys land. He subse- 
quently removed to Niagara County, and spent his 
last 3'ears in Lock|)ort, his death occurring Nov. 7, 
1848. His wife, wlio.sc maiden name was .Sarah 
Rice, was born in New Jersey, and her father, the 
great-gi;ui<l father of Mrs. Blurton, .lames Rice, w.as, 
as far .'is is known, .-ilso a native of that State. He 
was there uniteil in marriage with Miss Elizabetli 
Marr, and they removed to Pennsylvania, where 
they rem.'iined a short tini(>, and then went to On- 
tario County, N. Y., and settled in Seiie<'a Town- 
ship, where Mr. Rice purchased a partially im- 
proved farm. I le was a shoemaker by trade, and 
followed that occupation in connection with agri- 
cultural pursuits until his death, which took place in 
tli:it township: his wife died there also at the old 
hoiiu'stead. The grandmother of .Mrs. HIiTrton 
s|)ent her last days in Manchester Township, Onta- 
rio County. Tlie grandfather w:is twice married, 
ami by the lirsl marriage there were .seven chililren, 
while Mrs. T;ibor, the mother of Mrs. Blurton, was 
the only cliililren of the second in;iriiage. She lived 
willi her pareuLs until Ikm' marriage, and after her 
liusb.'Uid's death she exchanged her pro|)erty for 
the place she now occupies in Pittsford Town.ship, 
(iiie IimH' mile west of Hudson. 

.loiritlnui and Mrs. Ulurton have had born to 



i 



246 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



them two cliilflren: Irving T., who resides with his 
parents, and Franlv I., deceased. In politics Mr. 
Blurton is a Republican, giving that i)arty his sup- 
port on all iniportnnt occa.sions, though he refuses 
political preferment, choosing to devote his entire 
attention to tiie peaceful anil elevating pursuits of 
farm life. He has been selected and requested to 
accept the nomination for Supervisor, which in this 
section of countr}' would lie equivalent to an elec- 
tion, but he always declined. On one ocea.sion he 
was appointed to fill a vacancy, and accei)ted only 
on condition that he should not be |)resscd to be a 
candidate at the next election. Mr. Blurton is a 
member of Capt. Tarsney Post No. 3',t2, O. A. R., 
and he and his estimable wife are worthy mem- 
bers of the cultured and elevated society which is 
to be found in this section of country. 






\1I W. EIDKNIKR. While history is philoso- 
'r''^'^ phy illustrated, biography is the lamp of 
^ experience to guide and encourage us in the 
v^j P-'^ths of success, or to serve as a beacon to 
deter us from the road to ruin. '1 he preservation 
of the facts, therefore, making up the lives of (iromi- 
nent men, is not only a source of gratification to 
personal friends, but a foundation of information 
to all, serving as guide boards \)y the w.ayside, or a 
light to the wayfarer who would achieve fortune 
or distinction in simil.ir w.ilks of life. The gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch is what is known 
as a self-made man in that he began humbly, and 
without any influenti.il frieuds or much opportu- 
nity for receiving an education. Now, while yet a 
young mau, he has carved out for hiuhself a home 
and a name among his fellows on which he can re- 
flect with just satisfaction. It is said that he who 
makes two blades of grass grow where but one was 
seen before is a benefactor of his race, and in this 
sense Mr. Eidenier may truly be said to he such, 
as although he came to this county only recentlv 
he h.as done a great deal toward the ilevelopment 
of the n.atnral resources which Nature has so boun- 
tifully lavished upon it, and has assisted in redeem- 
ing it from the wilderness. 

Hiram W. Eidenier was born in Hanover Town- 



ship, Columbiana Co., Ohio, beginning his life with 
the year 1 8.")0, being born on New Year's Day. His 
father, Benjamin Eidenier, was also a native of Col- 
umbiana County, while his grandfather, John Eiden- 
ier, w.ns born in Fiederick County, Md., and his 
great-grandfather, also John Eidenier, owned a farm 
and distillery in Frederick County. He removed 
from Maryland to I'ennsylvania and from there to 
Columbiana County, Ohici, where he was among 
the first settlers of Hanover Township. In order 
to get to his laud upon his arrival, he had to cut his 
wa3' through the woods, a distance of eight miles. 
He purcha.se<l a tract of 1,300 acres, and resided 
there engaged in its improvement until his death 
at nearl}' ninety years of nge. The grandfather of 
our std)ject was a young man when he removed to 
Columbiana County with his parents, and locating 
on a part of the land his father had liought he im- 
proved a farm and resided there until his death. 
The maiden name of his wife, the grandmother of 
our subject, was Hannah Cristman. 

The father of our subject was reared to niauho<><l 
and mari'ied in Columbiana County, Ohio, and has 
always made his home in that place. He purchased 
a farm in Hanover Township, and was employed 
in farming a number of years. He was married 
in the village of Dungaunon,of that count}', to Miss 
Eliza, daughter of Martin Bridenstiue, a native of 
Maryland, and a pioneer settler of Center Town- 
shi|), Columbiana County. She departed this life in 
Hanover Township, Columbiana County, in l.SSd. 

The parental family of our suljject consisted of 
seven children, four of whom grew to years of 
maturity, and were named : Hiram, Margaret, .Sandi 
and Joiin. Hiram was reared on the [larental home- 
stead until he attained the age of fifteen years, en- 
gaged .as soon as he was able in assisting on the 
farm, varied with short intervals of attendance at 
the public schools. Feb. 14, ISCo, when but little 
over fifteen years of .age he enlisted in the 1 SStli 
Ohio Infantry, risking his young life in the service 
of his country. He was transferred to Company I, 
10 1st Ohio Infantry, and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio 
and then to Winchester. Va., where he did garrison' 
duty, and subsequently was similarly emploj'ed at 
Harper's Ferry. He was mustered out of the 
army and honorably discharged in August, 18G5, 



I 

T 



-^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



247 



I 



and returning to his home resirlcd with his parents 
two years. He then crossed the lMississii)[)i, and 
engaged as a stock-de.aler in Iowa and Nebraska, 
and conducted Hint l)iisiiu\ss aliont a j'car. lie 
spent the following winter in St. Louis, JIo., and 
was engaged in boating on tlie Upjier Mississippi 
River. After one season thus occupied he returned 
to iiis home, and was eniplojed on a railroad for 
some time in Ohio and Vii'ginia. From this time 
until 1 K72 Mr. Eidenier was variously employed, 
and at this dale he came to Hillsdale t'ounty. and 
lioiight llfty-two acres of land on section 2;"), Han- 
som 'rownship, iiflccM acres of which were (bleared 
anil contained a small log house, in which he resided 
one year, and then sold out and purchased another 
tract of eight}' acri's, fourteen of which were cleared, 
on section 30. He erected a log house, and setting 
.ilioMt the improvement of a farm, cleared thirty- 
live acres of land. At the end of five years, how- 
ever, he again sold (»ut, and removed to Livingston 
County, Mo., but not being altogether satisfied with 
the outlook, after a few weeks he returned, and 
purcha.sed fifty-two acres of land on scctit)n 2.'), 
Ransom 'rownshi|>, again eugaged in the inipnjve- 
ment of a farm. About one-half of this land w.as 
alrca<ly cleared, and he resided there about two 
years, making further improvements, when, seeing 
an advantageous prospect, he sold the proi)ertj', 
and bought 12(1 acres of laud where he now re- 
sides in Amboy Townshii). ll was then in its orig- 
inal condition, but he has since cleared a Large p.Trt 
of the land and brought it under a good state of 
cultivation, while he has erected thereon substan- 
tial and commodious farm buildings, and though 
only a young man in the prime of life has already 
gathered around him a large share of the good 
things of this world, and has made a name and a 
reputation in the community in which his lot has 
been cast. 

The subject of this notice was united in marriage 
Dee. ;'), 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss 
Sarah .). McFate, who wiis born in Venango County, 
I'a., in M.ay, 1 ii'>5, and is the daughter of John and 
l';ii/.abeth (Hogg) McFate. Her union with our 
subject has been blessed by the bilth of five chil- 
dren — Lilian A.. Charles M., Dora ALay, Clara 
lllanche. and Hiram \V., deceased. Mrs. Eidenicr's 

4*- 



father was born in Ireland, and came to America 
when a young man, settling in I'ennsylvania, where 
he was subsequently married. Coming from that 
country in which agriculture is carried on under 
many disadvantages, Mr. McFate did not have the 
means to purchase land upon his arrival in Penn- 
s^-lvania, and he therefore operated on rentecl land 
until he coidd save money to purchase a farm of 
his own. Success crowned his efforts, and he be- 
c.'inie the owner of a tract of land in Venango 
County, I'a., upon which he lived until about 18(17, 
when he sold out and removed t,o Columbiana 
County, Ohio, where he bought ;i farm in Center 
Township, n|)on which he resided eng.aged in its 
cultivation iintJI his death. The mothei' of Mrs. 
Kidencir, it is thought, was born in Pennsylvania, 
but her father was probably a native of the Emerald 
Isle. H(! removed from Pennsylvania t(j Iowa, and 
settled on a faim in Linn County, ui)on which he 
resided until his demise. The mother of Mrs. 
Eidenier died in Pennsylvania in l.sdl. In i>oli- 
tics Mr. I'^idenier stands identified with the Demo- 
cratic party, while in religion his estimable wife is 
a mend)er of the United Brethren Church. 

|/_^ ALEY M. THORP, l.ate of Fayette Town- 
ship, was born in Pc'riy, Wyoming Co., 
N. v., Feb. 14, 1.S2S, and departed this 
life on the (Jth of August, 1878. He came 
to this county in 1850 with his little f;imily, and 
settled in Fayette Township, of which he remained 
a resident until resting from his earthly labors. A 
man of industr}' and enterprise, he accumtdated a 
good property, making valuable imprt)vemenls on 
his fine farm of 240 acres, and in other respects dis- 
tinguishing himself .as a valualile member of the 
community. 

Our sid)ject was the son of David and Eliza 
(Mclntyre) Thorp, natives of New York, where 
the}' settled after their marriage, and wliere the 
mother died in middle life. Mr. Thorp subse- 
quently came to this county, and died in Faj'ette 
Township about 1882. Their son. Haley M,, was 
reared to f:irm pursuits, and continued a resident 
of his native county until his marriage with Miss 



•^ U ^« 



i 



-4^ 



248 



HILLSDAL?: COUNTY. 



Mary M. Bovven, which occurred on the 8th of 
November, 1849. He then settled with his bride 
in Wyoming Connty, where they lived until coming 
to this State. He also, in connection with farming', 
manufactured fanning-mills for a number of years. 
Their union was blessed b^' the birth of four children : 
Mary E., the eldest, became the wife of William 
Wickman, of Albion, Mich.; Charles died in Faj'- 
ette Township, Sept. 1, 1876, aged twenty-flve 
years; Elislia B. married Miss Rose Gaige, and is 
occupied as a clothier in Jonesville; Frank, the 
fourth, is a farmer by occupation, and resides on 
the homestead with his mother. 

Mrs. Thorp is the daughter of Jeremiah and 
Polly (Ames) Bowen, natives of Vermont, who 
after their marri.age settled in Wyoming County, 
N. Y., where they spent the remainder of their 
lives. They were permitted to reach a ripe old 
age, the mother dying in March, 1884, and the 
father on the 4tli of May, 1887. The eleven chil- 
dren born to them included six daughters and five 
sons, ten of whom survive. Of these Mrs. Thorj) 
was the second child, and was l)orii in Castile, 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., Nov. 1 7, 1 827, and continued a 
member of her father's household until her marri.age 
with our subject. She- proved a l.ady in every way 
worthy to be liis helpmate and com|)anion, and con- 
tinues at the homestead surrounded b}' all the com- 
forts t)f life, and enjoying the confidence and 
esteem of her neighbors. Socially, Mr. Tliorp was 
a M.ason and Odd Fellow. 



-•^^\r^-\tJUU2/S!^S^^ 



•®|~Sl/OT7»v» 'Wv 



JIJOIIN T. BEATTY, a representative fanner 
I .and stock-grower of Woodbridge Towuslii|i. 
I carries on general .agriculture on 180 acres 
J) of land, occupying the northeast portion of 

section 19. He is higlily successful in the raising 
of grain and stock, and as a member of the com- 
munity is held in great respect, being more tlian 
orilinarily intelligent, and t.aking a lively interest 
in educational affairs. 

Our subject was born in Greene Count\', Ohio, 
Jan. 20, 1820, and is the son of William and Eliza- 
beth (llaynes) Beatt3', natives respectively of Mary- 
land and New Jersey. The father was born in 




1787, followed farming all his life, and was promi- 
nent in the Methodist Episcop.al Churcli .as an 
exhorter. Deacon and Stewai-d for many years. 
I'oliticall}-, he was an old-line Whig, and as a 
farmer and business man very successful; he <lied 
at his home in Ohio in 1842. 

The mother of our subject was born in 1789, and 
survived her husband sixteen 3'ears, her death 
taking place in Clinton Count3', 111., in Sci)teinber. 
1858. She also w.as a niendjer of the Jlethodist 
Episcopal Church, and .adorned her profession by 
her simiile faith and worlli}' life. The nine cliildrcn 
of the jjareutal householil were named respectively: 
Ellen, Is.aae, John T., Zimri, Keziah, Elizabeth, 
William, Henry and Lewis. Of these, John T., 
our subject, w.as the third in order of birth, and 
spent his boyhood and youth in his native county. 
There also he w.as married, Feb. 14, 1847, to Miss 
Emeline Alford, Squire Sutton, of Ohio, otliciating. 
IMrs. Beatty was l)orn in Erie County, Pa., Oct. 28, 
1824, and is the daughter of Hiram and .Susannah 
(Adams) Alford, who weie the descendants of 
King Alford, of England. President John Q. Adams 
was an uncle of Mrs. Beatty 's mother. Mrs. B. 
was reared in the faith of the Baptist Church, in 
which her p.aternal grandfather and also two of 
his SOI.S were ministers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beatty left Ohio in 18Go, and came 
to the West, locating first in Davis County, Iowa. 
A six-months residence there, however, sufficed, 
and they went eastward as far as L.agrange County', 
Ind. Two and one-half years later they removed 
to Southern Michigan, and our subject purchased 
180 acres of prime lan<l in Woodbridge Township. 
Upon this he has since o|>eiatcd with the best re- 
sults, being the leading stock-grower of his town- 
ship, and numbered among its most thorough and 
progressive farmers. He was reared in the doctrines 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he 
still faithfully adheres. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Beatty there have been born 
eight children, .as follows: Iliram was married to 
Miss Mary Alford, and lives in Cambridge Town- 
ship; Mary is the wife of Jerome Brown, of 
Cambridge; Zimri married Miss Ann O'lhinnon, 
now of Allen Township; John married Miss Fanny 
Smith, of Cambria Township: Cortilda is the wife 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



249 






of George Proviiu'. of Woixlbridge; Paulina, Mrs. 
Charles .Iciinini^s, livi's in C'aniljiidgc: Anjfii^la, 
Mrs. .lacol) rarii. is a I'esidtMit of \Voo(ll)ri(i<i;c; 
Rufns INI. (licil alxmt 186-1, aged ten months and 
twelve (lays. l\Ir. Heatty in early life was a ineiii- 
tier of the ol<l Whig party, hut upon its abandon- 
ment cordially endorsed Repulilican principles. lie 
and his esliin.'ihle wife are prouil in the possession 
of eight grandchililrcn. Their home is the very 
picture of comfort, and forms one of the most at- 
tractive sjiots in the landscape of Woodliridge 
'J'ownsliip. 

Vl/0[IN W. FALLKY, a physician and surgeon 
of Hillsdale, who has grown old in the prac- 
tice vf his profession, is the offspring of excel- 
' lent old French ancestry, and first opened 
his eyes to the light in Westfield, Mass., on the 25th 
of Is'ovemher, 1814. His father, Richard Fallcy, 
was at one time a successful drj- -goods merchant, 
and later carried on a foundry in the city of 
New Y'ork. His paternal grandfather, also Richard 
Fallcy, was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, 
and commanded his comi)aiiy at the battle of Bun- 
ker Mill, and aflt'r llu^ battle was over he was 
ap|pointed Superintendent of the Springfield arm- 
ory, then the only one in the United States. His 
son Fieiiericli, fourteen years of age, was his 
(Irunimer. 

The mother of Dr. Fallcy was in lier girlhood 
Miss Amanda Stanley, also of New Kngland ances- 
try, which originated in old Kngland. After mar- 
riage Richard Fallcy and his wifeseltleil in Westfield, 
Mass'., where the former carried on incrchandising 
for many years, and whence he finally removed to 
the vicinity of Fulton, N. Y'.. during the early his- 
tory of that section. Jn 1818 he became a resident 
of what is now Sandusky City, Ohio, but .at that 
lime there was not a house in the place, and an olil 
Indian by tlie name of Ogontz, a eliieftain, was its 
only inhaldtanl. 

The ])arcntal household of our .-^ubjict included 
four sons and six daughters, seven of wImhu lived 
to mature years, but all of whom have passed away 
with the exception of our suljject, who was next to 
the youngest. The boyhooil of the latter was 



I 



spent in Fulton, N. Y'., mostly with an older sister, 
where he atten<)ed school and continued until 
eighteen years of .age. He then returned to his 
parents in Ohio, where for a time he occupied him- 
self as a teacher. He had always been ambitions to 
acquire an education, with a view of following some 
profession, and now entered Huron Institute, where 
he prosecuted his studies for a period of four years. 
One of his classmates here was the notable Omar I). 
Conger, who was afterward Senator from Michigan 
at the National capitid for a period of six j'cars 
and while Mr. Conger w.as reading law young I'"al- 
ley was studying medicine. When leaving college 
the latter entered the office of Dr. Morsm;in, t»f 
Castalia, and took his first course of lectures in the 
school at Willoughby, and the second in the Cleve- 
land Medical College, from the latter of which he 
w.as graduated in 1842. 

December 31, 1839, Dr. Fallcy took to wife Lou- 
isa, daughter of Richard and Anna (Hill) Fowler, 
and this lady remained his companion (iflecn years, 
dying July 12, 1854. Of thisiinion there were born 
one son and three daughters, two of whom are still 
living; the son and one daughter .are decea.sed, the 
daughter :il the age of twenty and the .son at sev- 
enteen. March 0, 1855, the Doctor contracted a 
second marriage, with Miss Delia S., d.iughter of 
J.ames and Martha (Churchill) Kellogg, and of this 
marriage there is no issue. 

Dr. Falley began the practice of his profession 
at CJreenfield, Ohio, where he remained two years, 
and in the fall of 1844 made his way to Southern 
Michig.an, opening ;in oliice at once in the young 
city of Hillsdale. The country was new and the 
people undergoing a series of hardships and strug- 
gles, with indifferent cro|)s and a scarcity of money. 
The course of the young (ihysician, lK>wever, was 
such as to commend him to the confidence of the 
people, anil notw itlistandini,^ the various drawb.Mcks 
to which all were subjected, his business steadily 
iucrca.sed until lie had alargeand lucrative practice. 

At the same time our subject was invited to va- 
rious other positions of trust and resi)onsibility, 
serving as member of the Town Council a period 
of eight years and as member of the School Hoard 
twenty-three years. He was also for the same 
length of lime Kxamining Surgeon of soldiers ap- 



,t 



250 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



plying for pensions, to which he had been appointed 
by Lincoln in 1862. The year previous he was 
also appointed Superintendent of the Poor in Hills- 
dale County, and has held this office continuously 
for a period of twenty-six years, being still its in- 
cumbent. Not alone in his profession have his 
judgment and industry been conspicuous, but his 
general ada|itHtiun to business was manifest at an 
early period of his life. After the organization of 
the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of 
Hillsdale County, he was appointed Secretary, in 
which position he continue<l twenty years, discharg- 
ing his duties in a most praiseworthy and satisfact- 
ory manner. In early life a Whig, upon the 
abandonment of the old jjarty he cordially endorsed 
Ro[)ublican principles, of which he has since been 
ail ardent sui)|iurler. 



^ IVILLIAM inLK),a well-known and respected 
\/iJl/ *-'''''''-'^" "'' Hillsdale Count}', has been for 
W^ inaiiy years a pi<is|)erous farmer in Kansom 
Township. He was born in Buffalo Valley, Union 
Co., Pa., May 13, 1815. His father, Henry Hile, was 
a native of Haltimure, I\Id., and there learned the 
trade of sliuomaker. When but a boy he left the city 
of his birth and went to Noithuniberland County, 
Pa., where he plied his tiiide for several years. He 
there married Anna Maria Zimniermaii, a native of 
that county, and in the opening year of this century 
they niovecl lu Union Couiitj', and liecamc niiiu- 
bered among its i)ioneers. Mr. Hile bought eleven 
acres of heavily timbered land in Buffalo Valley, 
and erected a log house, in wliitli the subject of 
this sketch was born. He continued to make shoes, 
and ill his spare time cleared his laud and built up 
a comforlalile hiime. He spent his last 3'ears with 
his son in Ohio, dying at the advanced age of eighty- 
four years, leaving behind the record of a life well 
spent. His good wife died at their home in Buffalo 
Valley' in 182G, leaving nine children, seven sons 
and two daughters, to mourn with their father the 
loss of her devotion and tlioiiglitfnl care. 

AVilliam Hile was the fifth child born to his 
parents, and after the s;id loss of his mother, when 



he was eleven years of age, was sent to live among 
strangers, and worked for his board and clothes on 
a farm until he was fifteen years of age. He was 
then apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith, 
and served four years. In JaiiUary, 1837, he mar- 
ried his first wife, whose maiden name was Esther 
Zerb. She was born in Union County, Pa., and 
was a daughter of George Zerb, also a native of 
that State. After the completion of his ap|)rentice- 
ship. Mr. Hile did journeyman work until 1837, 
when he moved with his young bride to Ohio, and 
settled in Springfield, Summit County, where he 
bought a shop, and very profitably carried on his 
trade of blacksmith until 1865. In that year our 
subject removed to Michigan, and bought the place 
which he now owns and occupies, and turned his 
attention to farming. Quite a tract of his land had 
been cleared, but scarcely any of it had been im- 
proved. He now has it nearly all under a fine state 
of cultivation, has a good set of frame buildings, 
and in its neat, well-cai'ed-for appearance and pro- 
ductiveness, his farm compares favorably with any 
in this township. It is to the credit of our subject 
that all that he has, and all that he is, he owes to 
his own unaided ability to make his way in the 
world, that he is, in short, a self-made man, becom- 
ing a self-sup|)orting member of society at a very 
early i)eriod of his existence, and by his quiet per- 
sistence in his labors, coiiihined with his shrewd man- 
agement of his affairs, has placed himself far above 
want. He is in every way an exemplary citizen, 
and by his manly and upright conduct through a 
long and useful life, has always borne an excellent 
reputation, and has easily' won the confidence of 
those about him. 

The wife of the early mnnhood of our subject, 
who for man}' years patiently and faithfully shared 
with him the burdens of life, adding to its jc>ys and 
mitigating its sorrows, died in September, 1873. 
Of their union six children had been born, whose 
record is as follows: Maiy A., now the wife of 
Byron Durthick, of Ransom Township; George W. 
li\es in Ransom Township; Matilda, now the wife 
of Sawj'er Chamberliii, of Texas; Jacob and Will- 
iam (twins), the former living in Ransom Town- 
ship, and the latter in KIkhart, Iiid.; Elizabeth is 
now Mrs. Andrew Cornell, of Ransom Township; 



n 



: 



-4^ 



HILLfSDALE COUNTY. 



2.51 



George, the eldest sun, scrvod for three years in 
the late war in the Ohio Infantry; he touk an 
active part in many important engagements, and at 
the battle of Mission Ridge was wounded in the 
right eye, the l)all coming out througli tiic clicek. 
Mr. Sawder Chanilicrliii, Matilda's hnsband. served 
in llie late war as a Captain, also in the Uind In- 
fantry, and was severely' wounded, a part of ills 
jaw being removed. 

Mr. Hile was a secon<l time married, .lidy 1 u, 1 s7."), 
Jlrs. Sarah (Hurt) Uowen then becoming his wife. 
(She is an amiable woman, and possesses in a liigh 
degree those admirable qualities of a good house- 
keeper that make a home so comfortable to its 
inmates. .She was born in Dorsetshire, England, 
Dee. 4, 1830, and is a daughter of Thomas and 
Sarah IJnrt, who were early pioneers of Hillsdale 
County, anil are honorably mentioned in its history 
l)ublished a few years ago. When she was a little 
girl of six yeais she came to this country with her 
parents, and made her home with them, the most of 
the time in Hansom Township, until her first mar- 
riage, July 5, 1857, to Hcnjamin Howen. He was 
a mason by trade, and followeil that occupation 
until liis death, in August, 1871. Mrs. Hile comes 
of a good line of ancestiy on both the paternal and 
maternal sides of the house. Her father, Thomas 
Burt, Sr., was a son of James and Klizabelh (Burgc) 
Burt, natives of Kngland, the former of whom was 
born .Inly 28, 1780, in the |)arish of MarnliuU, and 
the latter was lioni Oil. 1, 1780, in the market 
town of Stalbridge. They had eleven children, of 
whom Thomas was the second in order of birth, 
and he was born Nov. 28, 180.5, in the birth|)l.ace 
of his father, on the old farm, thai had been in 
possession of his family more than a ceutur}-. He 
received a limited education in the day school, and 
at the iige of nineteen went out into the world to 
make his own way. He sought the great melrupolis 
of London, where he learned the baker's trade, and 
afterward established himself in that business, con- 
tinuing to conduct it in that city for four^'cars. He 
was married, Oct. 2!), 1 82!>. to Miss Sarah, the 
handsome daughter of John and Sarah (Martin) 
Bartlett, who were people of wealth and influence, 
whose children were brought up in luxury, and 
their ilaughlcr. Mrs. Burl, was eulirely unaccus- 



tomed to work until she came to America with her 
husband and children. After that she bravely put 
her shoulder to the wheel and nobly assisted her hus- 
band in the arduous labors of building up a home. 
lOight children blessed their marriage: Sarah, Mrs. 
Hile; Kd ward, born June 30, 1832; Thomas, Oct. 
12. 1833; James, March 25, 1837; Betsy and 
Nancy, Sei)t. I, 183!); Ceorge, Aug. 12, 1843; 
Matliew, April i), KSKi; all are living. James, Kd- 
waril and Mathew served in the Cnion ami}' dur- 
ing the late Civil War ; J.aines in the 2d Michigan 
Cavalry, over three years; Ivlward in an Ohio 
regiment, and Mathew in the oOlh Michigan In- 
fantry, running away from home to enlist. 

In 1833 Mr. Burt left his little family and otiier 
friends in old Kngland, and came to this country, 
where he hoped to be able to provide a belter 
home for his wife and children. He arrived here 
lu March, and in the following May bought a tract 
of wild land in Toledo, Ohio, two miles from the 
present site of the city, and commenced to im[)rove 
a farm. The limited space of' this biography for- 
bids mention of the many interesting incidents 
connected with his [)ioneer life in Ohio, but sulliee 
to say, he did so well that in May, 183(), he was 
enabled to return to Kngland for the ])ur|)ose of 
biinging his family across the waters to share his 
fortunes on American soil, and the following Octo- 
ber found him again in Toledo in company with his 
loved ones. SlK)rtly after he sold his farm in the 
vicinity of Toledo, and lived on a rented one 
until the fall of 1 838, w hen he sought the wilder- 
ness of Southern Michigan, and in that part of it 
now embraced in the township of Hansom, founded 
a home for himself and family, in which they still 
live. On Christmas Day he moved with his wife 
and four children into a shanty that he had erected 
for a temporary shelter. His first purchase of land 
upon which he then settled, and where he still 
resides, included the northeast (jiiarter of section 
23, and was then in ;i ver^' swam|)3' condition. By 
his vigorous .and al)le management he has improved 
it into one of the finest farms in Ransom Township^ 
and has increased its acreage, by further purchase 
to 360 acres. It is well adapted to, and has every 
convenience for stock-raising, and his fine herd of 
cattle ranks aniuiigst the best in this vicinity. The 



252 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



humble log cabin in which the first years of the 
family were passed, has long since given place to a 
siil)Stanlial modern residence, and the farm is amply 
sui)plied wilii l)ai ns and oilier oul-l)nildings. 

Mr. Burt lias not only taken a leading position 
among the farmers of Ransom Township, but he 
lias been very active and influential in public affairs, 
and has done nnieh to forward the interests of both 
township and county. He was one of the principal 
organizers of the County Agricultural .Society, has 
been an active promoter of local educational facili- 
ties, and as Township Supervisor, and in other im- 
portant ofliccs, has done much to secure good 
governmeiil for the community. In i)olitics he 
was in his early da\'s a Democrat, liut when the 
Kansas troubles arose, in his sympathy for the 
brave settlers of tliat State, wiio so nolily iilaiitcd 
the standard of freedom there, he severed his alle- 
giance to the Democratic parly, and became a Re- 
publican, and fiom that day to this has lieeii a 
steadfast advocate of the doctrines of that |)arty. 

YRON K. HILL, a re|)resenlalive farmer 
of Hillsdale County, is pleasantly situated 
in Wheatland Township, where in addition 
to general farming he makes a specialty of 
raising line swine, in which industry he has been 
very successful, having some line specimens tif the 
most a|ii>roved breeds, and receiving annually a 
handsome ineoine. 

Mr. Hill was born in this township on tlie !2th 
of April, 1843, and is a son of .lesse and Ruth A. 
(Tibbits) Hill, both of whom were born in Wa3iie 
County, N. Y., the former Aug. 20, 1811, and the 
latter .Jan. 12, 1824. Jesse Hill spent the early- 
years of his life in his native eounl_v, receiving his 
education in the district schools, and learning from 
his father those i)ractical lessons which liore such 
good results in later life. In 18o3 he started out 
f(.)r himself, and coming to Michigan, took up 100 
acres of land from the Government, anil then 
returned to the Empire State. In the folh>wlng 
^•ear he finally liade good-by to his native State, 
and coming to this county, located in Wheatland 
Township, erecting the first house in the to«r.shi[>. 




He labored energetically, and in the half century 
which he was spared on this farm he brought his 
land to a high state of cultivation, and lived to see 
the desire of his heart accomi)lished in a competency 
for his children, whom he had fitted to take their 
place as reputable members of society. His life 
work ended Dec. 31, 1886, while his wife had pre- 
ceded him to the silent laud ten years, dying in 
June, 1870. 

Of the union <_if Jesse and Eulli Hill there 
were born two children: M^'ron E. and Cynthia J., 
the latter of whom was born m October, 1850, and 
died March 12, 1873. Our subject grew to years 
of maturity, engaged in the duties of the farm and 
in attendance upon the schools of his district, and 
continued to reside on the land taken from the 
Government by his father. 

Mr. Hill was united in marriage, June 8, 1802, in 
this township, with Miss Elvira Wakefield, who was 
born in Otsego County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1845, and 
is a daughter of Erastus D. and Betsey (Nutting) 
Wakefield. Her father was a native of Vermont, 
and came to Michigan in 1846, locating in this 
county, in Moscow Township, wliei'c he spent the 
last years of hislife, dying at the age of thii-ty-eight. 
The mother was born in Otsego County, and also 
died in this township. The Nuttings were [)ioncers 
of this county, and took u|) over 1,000 acres of land 
from the Government. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have lunl 
a family' of seven children, five of whom are still 
living. The}' are recorded as follows: Jessie was 
born June 2, 1803, and became the wife of Harvey 
McGee, of whom a sketch ap[)ears elsewhere in this 
Album; Delia was born Dec. 15, 1804, and married 
James Finch, to whom she Iwre one child, Jessie 
Pearl, born Oct. 1, 1883; Benjamin T. was born 
Sept. 3, 1800, and in October, 1886, was married 
to Miss Livina Baker, who was born in March, 1 870 ; 
they are living in Wheatland Towuslii|). Austin E. 
was born March 20, 1808, and died Sept. 30, 180'J; 
Jennie M. was born March 28, 1870, and died Aug. 
14, 1871, while Hiram F. and Herbert M., twins, 
were born May 15, 1872. 

After marriage our subject spent some time near 
L.ansing, after which he returned to his farm, and 
has continued to reside upon it until the present 
lime. This farm consists of 100 acres of land under 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



a good state of cultivation, aiul supplied with com- 
modious and substantial farm buiMini^s, and pro- 
vided witli modern a^riciiltui'al maclilneiy suilalile 
for tlie pioseculicjn of his calling'. Mr. Hill has 
man^' of the traits which distinguished his Knglish 
ancestors, including energy and intlexil)ilit_y of pur- 
pose. His grandfather, Elijah Hill, was born in 
England, and coming to this country, died in Wayne 
County', N. Y., aged al)out ninety years. 

Mrs. Hill is a member in good standing of the 
Baptist Church, with which she has been identifed 
in fellowship and good works for twelve years. She 
also belongs to the Ladies' Missionary Societ}'. 
Politically, Mr. Hill isa supporter of the licpubiican 
party, and is stanch in his adherence to its prin- 
ciple.s. 

->|^^^@: <:» 

ON. JOHN M. 08B0RN was born in Per- 
)i>^ rinton, Monroe Co., N. Y., March 9, KSl'.), 
and is the scion of an excellent old familj' 
which came to this country from England 
during the Colonial days. His paternal great-grand- 
father was loyal to the Crown during the Revolu- 
tionary War and afterward returned to fingland. 
Tradition reports that his estate was confiscated as 
the result of Colonial success and the absence of 
claimants. The paternal grandfather of our subject 
was, it is supposed, a native of Connecticut, where 
he was married and where his son .John, the father 
of our subject, was born. The latter was quite 
young at the lime of his father's decease, and soon 
afterward became a member of the family of one 
Mr. Kellogg, of Eastern New York, with whom lie 
lived until able to support himself. 

.loliii Osborn, the father, learned the trade of 
cabinet-maker and subsequently that of carpenter 
and joiner. Upon the outbreak of the War of 1812, 
he enlisted, and was among those who crossed the 
river at the storming of (Jneenston Heights. After 
a severe engagement, for want of support and be- 
ing confronted by British reinforcements, the Fed- 
erals were ordered by the officer in command to 
la}' down their arms, which the}' did by throwing 
them with their utmost strength into the Niagara 
Uivcr. .John Osborn was soon afterward paroled, 
bill did service quietly in ai<liiig the tr;iusp(irtati(in 



of supplies for soldiers on duty during the war. 
After pe.ace was declared he settled in Perrinton, 
N. Y., among its earliest jjioneers. 

The f;ilher of our subject now resumi'd his trade 
as carpenter and joiner, and at one lime took a con- 
tract for excavation on the Erie Canal, then in 
process of construction. In 18."58 he visited Michi- 
gan Territory, and purchased a tract of land on sec- 
tion 17 in Pittsford Township, this county. He 
then returned to New Y'ork State, where he remained 
a resident until 18^0, then made his way westward 
again and worked at his trade in the village of 
Lanesvillc. as the present Hudson was then called. 
Ill the fall of that year he went back East, and on 
the 2()th of October started with his family for 
their new home in Michigan. The}' proceeded via 
the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence by lake to 
Toledo, where they took ears for Adrian on the Erie 
& Kalamazoo Railroad. The remainder of their 
j(jurney was made by team. 

Mr. John Osborn lociited in the village of Hud- 
son and followed his trade until 1847, when' an ex- 
change was made of a residence which .lohn 51. had 
obtained in Hudson, for eighty acres of the land in 
Pittsford, the place which his sou, our subject, now 
occupies. He followed his tra<le but little after this 
removal, but gave most of his attention to the im- 
provement of the home, which by the joint efforts 
of father and son, was transformed into a most de- 
sirable piece of property, both attractive and valu- 
able. Here the father resided until his death, which 
occurred A|)ril 28, 18G7. His wife, formerly Mrs. 
Mercy Ann Eaton, was a native of Dnancsburg, N. 
Y., and there were born to them three children: 
Eliza Ann, who lived to be only about six years of 
age; John M.,the subject of this sketch, and Delora 
O., who is novv Mrs. William Baker. As the birlh- 
days of the two latter occur on the same day of 
the same month, namelj', March 9, they since 1821 
have always visited together on its recurrence and 
usually with some extra '-la}- out" befitling the oc- 
casion. 

Our subji:cl acquired his education in the com- 
mon schools and mainly prior to fourteen years of 
age, after which time he commenced to earn his own 
living, working on a farm at §G per month, with the 
exception of the winter season, during which he 




255 



i~ 




256 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



continued his studies at scliool. Tliat early exper- 
ience whieli tiuL'lit liini self-reliance, proved of iu- 
estimalile value in after years. As time progressed 
and his usefulness increased, his wages as a farm 
hand wore raised, and when sixteen years old ho 
commanded $lo per month. All this time he had 
not suffered his mind to rust, but had availed him- 
self of every opportunity to peruse instructive 
books, acquire a knowledge of business principles, 
and keep himself posted upon current events. When 
nineteen years old he commenced teaching school 
near Fairport,N. Y., and two years later found him 
a resident of the new State of Micliigan and a 
teacher in the young town of Hudson, lie first 
presided over one of the pioneer sch(jols which was 
located on the east side of the river. The session 
was commenced in the rear part of a building, the 
front of which was utilized as a grocery. In the 
meantime a school-honse was in process of con- 
struction and the term was finished in the new 
building. 

Young Osborn followed teaching in the winter 
season several terms in that locality, and during the 
summer seasons worked first on the Michigan South- 
ern Railrcad, then operated by the State, ami in 
process of construction from Monroe, Mich., west- 
erly across the State. As the result of iiis reading 
and study, he proved an efficient assistant to the 
civil engineer who was establishing and perfecting 
the grade, estimating quantity and value of excava- 
tion of embankment, also for material furnished, or 
for special laboi- done. Mr. O. subsequently aided 
as laborer in construction, and afterward in keep- 
ing the road in repair in the locality. When not 
thus employed he confined himself to general farm 
work until 184G. During that year, in company 
with William Baker, he engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, the firm name being J. M. Osborn & Co. Their 
stock consisted of almost everything required in the 
household and about the farm, which they i)arted 
from in exchange for all kinds of farm produce, 
termed "dicker," which had a broad meaning in 
those early days of pioneer life. 

Mr. Osborn continued merchandising with some 
change of partners until l.s.jl, and for seven years 
was engaged in buying and shi|>ping black walnut 
lumber eastward. Inl8.J8 he opened up as a dry- 




goods dealer in company with Mr. S. A. Eaton, un- 
der the firm name of Osborn & Eaton, and thcj* con- 
ducted business successfully until I8G0; the}- then 
sold out, dissolving the copartnership. .Subsequently 
Mr. Oslioi-ji engaged in a like enterjjrise three years, 
during which time occurred the death of the mother, 
wife and father. All this tended to lessen tempo- 
rarily- his life of activity. 

Finally, being strongly importuned, Mr. Osborn 
lent his aid in organizing a private b.-ink. under the 
firm name of Osborn, Perkins & Co., and which for 
several years was conducted nndt'r the personal 
supervision of the senior (jartiier, and continued 
until his retirement from the firm. The instituti<jn 
is now perpetuated by Thompson Bros. About 
1883 Mr. Osl>orn was a member of the company 
which purch.ased the Hudson Wooden ware Rlanu- 
factory, which up to this time had never been a suc- 
cess. He was chosen to conduct the business, and 
under his judicious management the enterprise be- 
came a paying institution. His business capabilities 
and his growing experience were now contributing 
to make of him one of the leading men in mercan- 
tile circles, and his cool and temperate judgment in 
all his dealings seldom led liim to do anything in 
h.aste or that which was unadvisable. 

Mr. Osborn w.as a Democrat, politically, in his 
early manhood, and until the Free-Soil movement, 
but as he was conscientiousl}' op|)osed to slavery, he 
identified himself with the Republican party at its 
organization. He has always taken a lively inter- 
est in National affairs, and in his township has l)een 
honored with the various oflticcs within the gift of 
his fellow-citizens. He was Clerk of Hudson Tow-n- 
ship in early years, and represented Pittsford Town- 
ship in the County Board of Supervisors three terms. 
In 1861) he was elected a member of the Michigan 
Legislature, and succeeded himself in 1871. In 
187.5 he was selected to represent his ccjunty as 
State .Senator, ami thus has come honestly I)j- his 
title of Honoral)le. Among the social orders he is 
an affiliant with the INIasons, and has knowledge 
of the Blue Lodge, ChaiHer and Commandery de- 
grees; also of thirty-two degrees of Scottish Rite 
Masonry, and ninety-six degrees of Rite of Memphis. 
He claims to general Christian theology, and favors 
the Methodist l^i)iscopal Church. 



f 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



— •► 
257 



Mr. Osborn has been twice married, being first 
woilded in 1S.")1, to .Miss Klizabetii Oanicls, a na- 
tive of WajMie Connt3', this State. This lady rc- 
niaiiiod his companion lifteen years, iier death tal<- 
injr phice in 1866. Our subject was subsequently 
married, April 5, 1870, to Mrs. Harriet A. W.Rob- 
inson, of .Jacksonville, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and 
who was born Maj' 28, 1S32. Her father, Rev. 
William White, was of Quaker parentage, and born 
in Ronsselaervillc. Albany Count}'. He. however, 
became connected witii the Haiitist Church when 
quite young, and was a lad fond of reading and 
study. He commenced teaching at an early age, 
and thus earned money which enabled him to secure 
a college education. His ministerial duties began 
in the Baptist Church at Trumansburg, N. Y., and 
ho afterward preached at Itiiaca. He left the 
Empire State for Ohio in the year 1842, and 
prcaciied in the cities of Monroeville, Chardon, 
Clarksficld and Fairfield. In 18o2, deciding upon 
another change of location, and also of occupation, 
lie came to this county and purchased a farm in 
Wright Township, which he occupied a few years, 
then sold out and purchased in Linden Township, 
Genesee County, where he spent the rest of his 
daj's. He had married, in early manhood. Miss 
Prudent AVickes, who was born at the head of 
Cayuga Lake, N. Y. Her father, Israel P. Wickes, 
was a carpenter by ti'ade, and owned a fine farm, 
which through his manipulation became one of the 
most beautiful homesteads of that section. His 
wife, the mother of Mrs. O., is still living, being now 
in her eightieth 3'ear, and makes her home with a 
son aii<l daughter in the village of Linden, Genesee 
County, this State. 

Mr. Osborn was one of the inaugurators and stock- 
holders of the Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw 
Railroad which runs through ILuIson. and which 
was constructed in 1887. He worked earnestly and 
successfnllj- in behalf of this road, giving to it the 
same zeal and conscientious support which have 
marked his career as a helper in the various other 
enterprises which have tended to the welfare of tlie 
pco[)lc at large. After this half century or more of 
an active and busy life, it is i)leasant to note that 
in all the vicissitudes of business Mr. Osborn has 
invariably jwid full value for every obligation in- 



curred. He is now in the seventieth year of his 
age. and has lost little by tiie accumulation of years, 
being still active and vigorous, and possessing in a 
marked degree the energies and capabilities of his 
younger years. His pictured features in the flue 
lithographic portrait .accompanj-ing this sketch will 
be looked upon witii interest by the [)eople to vvhom 
his name has been familiar for such a length of time, 
and to whom his business talents have proved of 
such effective service. 



v«o^c^?r-i^ 



^^r^EORGKG. WILLIAMS. i\I. D. The gen- 
ii '^ tleman whose name heads this sketch is the 
\^4j son of Samuel Williams, who was a farmer 
l)y occupation, and was l}oin in Eric County, N. Y.. 
in 181;'). while bis nxither, Diantlia D. (Rowley) 
Williams, was a daughter of Charles Rowley. After 
their marriage the parents of our subject settled in 
p]rie County, N. Y., where the}' remained until 
18.50, and then migrated with tlicir faniil\' to 
Paincsville, Lake Co., Ohio. llere they continued 
to reside for some time, and fifially removed to 
Delaware, Delaware County, where the death of 
the father occurred in 1861 ; the mother died in 
Chicago, 111., in the fall of 1881. 

The |)arental familj' of our subject consisted of 
four children, three sons and one daughter, of whom 
George G., who was the third in order of birth, was 
born in Erie County, N. Y., Sept. G, 184i). He 
attended the common schools until the age of four- 
teen years, when he entered the Oliio Wesle3an Uni- 
versity' at Delaware, Ohio, where he remained a 
student for two j'ears. Then, on account of ill- 
health he was obliged to abandon his studies, and 
actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for five 
years. At the .age of twenty-one our subject en- 
gaged in the drug business at Delaware, Ohio, which 
he conducted for a period of twoye.ars. Then hav- 
ing determined to become a physician, in order to 
quality himself for the duties of the |)rofession he 
entered the medical department of the University at 
Ann Arbor. Here he remained, however, onh' a 
few months, when he transferred his studies to the 
Detroit Medical College, where he was a student 
for nearly three years, and was finally graduated .at 



r- 



/ 258 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Long Island College Hospital, in June, 1876. After 
receiving his diiiloma he bcg.nn the practice of his 
profession at Port Huron, Blich., liut after a resi- 
dence there of six months lie removed to -loncsville, 
in 1K77, where he has since resided. 

The marriage of Dr. George G. Williams and 
Miss Eva A. Wisner was celebrated at Joncsville, 
on the 1 3th of February, 1 877. The father of Mrs. 
Williams, the late Dr. L. R. AVisner, one of the 
early practitioners of Jonesville, and of Hillsdale 
County, died in Lisbon, Dak., in November, 1884; 
her mother, Eveline (Smith) Wisner, survives. 
Both were natives of the Empire State, and became 
the parents of five children, four of whom are now 
liviiig. Mrs. Williams was born at Smethport, Mc- 
Kean Co., Pa., April 2.5, 1S.J8, and of her union 
with our subject there have been born two chil- 
dren — Zoe M. and Paula G. 

Dr. Williams is Secretary of the Board of Exam- 
ing Surgeons for United States Pensions, and has a 
large and growing practice; he is regarded as one 
of the ablest physicians of Hillsdale County. 



.^^^.^<^',^^- 



^-^*£:-c. 




n 



r!«)HOMAS H. WYLLYS, one of the leading 
farmers and stock-growers of Woodluidgc 
Township, is also carrying on dairying suc- 
cessfully, devoting considerable of his fine farm of 
130 acres to pasturage. His animals are of excel- 
lent stock, including one Short-horn which is of 
high pedigree and has made a good record. The 
homestead has the air of peace and comfort about 
it which is so pleasing to the e^ye and is indicative 
at once of the home of the intelligent and pri)gres- 
sive agriculturist. 

Our subject was born in Ridgeville Township, 
Lorain Co., Ohio, Oct. 25, 1841, and is the son of 
Rufus and Dorcas (Darling) Wyllys, of New En- 
gland ancestry, and natives resi)ectively of Massa- 
chusetts and Vermont. The father was born May 
27, 1805, and died at his home in Woodbridge 
Township, Uiis count}', April 30, 1864. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and religiousl}', inclined to 
the belief of the Latter-Day Saints, although by no 
means believing in polygamy. He visited the city 



-4»- 



of Nauvoo, HI., in 1 844, remaining there one winter, 
and coming to Michigan in 1851, secured 200 acres 
of land in Woodbridge Township, and from the 
undeveloped soil built up a fine farm. Originally 
of the old Whig party, he was a decided Abolition- 
ist, hating wrong and oppression in every form. 
The mothei-, who nas born .July 2, 1814, survived 
her husband ten years, her death taking place at the 
old homestead. May 27, 1874; she was a Second 
Adventist in religious belief. The parents were 
married in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1830, and 
there were born to them ten children, namely: 
Dorothy D., Delos, John W., Uisula, John A., 
Thomas H. (our subject), Dorcas E., Elous J., Rn- 
f (is and Theodore F. ; of these six are living and 
residents mostly of Michigan. 

Our subject came with his parents to this county, 
and was married, Oct. 25, 1875, in Hillsdale, to Miss 
Margaret M. Brady, who was born in the village of 
Dundrum, four and one-half miles from the city of 
Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 20, 1853. Mrs. W^yliys is 
the daughter of James and Jane (O'Neal) Brady, 
who were also of Irish parentage, and spent their 
entire lives upon their native soil, although the 
father visited America three times. His death took 
place in October, 1881, and that of the mother 
about Dec. 15, 1885. They were members of the 
Roman Catholic Church and the parents of seven 
children, three of whom died in infancy. Mrs. 
Wyllys came to America alone in the year 1872, 
making the voyage on a steamer and landing in New 
York City. Thence she proceeded directly to this 
county, having a sister living in Hillsdale, and sup- 
ported herself thereafter for the three years before 
her marriage. Of her union with our subject there 
are three children, namely : J. Thomas, who was 
born Sept. 22, 1876; Jane Editlia, March 17, 1S7'.), 
and Julia E., July 5. 1882. 

The Wyllys homestead is one of the best con- 
ducted farms in this pait of the county, and the 
thrifty and industrious wife of our subject is its 
champion butter and cheese maker. She is a neat 
a)id orderl}' housewife, watching carefulij' over the 
interests of her family. She is very loyal to the 
Catholic faith of her forefathers, and in accordance 
with their wishes was married by Rev. Father 
Dewey, of Hillsdale, and her two eldest children 



f 



»" ir ^> 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTr. 



259 



have been baptized in tiie Catholic Church, as was 
Uii'lr iiioUuT ill hcr^'oiith. JMr. Wyll^'s, politicially, 
votes the .struij^iit Republican tiel<et, and is a man 
of intluence among liis fellow-citizens. 

_^>, o*o.-@^>^s@-o*o •<<-- 

"S)OIIN McLOUTH, one of the pioneers of 
Michigan Territory, came to this section of 
. country in the earl}- part of June, 1835, with 
I his father's familv, when a young man nearly 
twenty-three years of^age. The journey, which at 
that da}' was quite tedious, was made from Ontario 
County, N. Y., where the l)irth of our subject took 
place on the 18tli of October, 1812. His parents 
were Oliver C. and Elizabeth (Uillon) McLouth, 
the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts, 
and spent his last d.'iys in Somerset Townshi]), this 
count}-, passing away in January, 1841, at the age 
of fifty-seven years. 

Elizabeth McLouth, the mother of our subject, 
was a n;itive of Orange County, N. Y.,and outlived 
her husband several years, her death also taking 
place at the homeste/id in Somerset, when she was 
seventy-four years of age. The parental family 
included eight children, all of whom, with the ex- 
cci)tion of John, our subject, and one brother, 
Augustus, and Emily, wife of Seaton Flint, are still 
living; the sister is a resident of Jackson County, 
this State, and the brother is engaged in mining in 
Colorado. Of the paternal grandparents but little 
is known by our subject, but his grandparents on 
his mother's side spent their last years in Ontario 
County, N. Y. 

Upon coming to Michigan, Oliver McLouth with 
his family landed in Washtenaw- County, on the 1st 
of June, IH.'JS, where they lived about three years, 
then sold out, and coming to this county took up 
520 acres of Government iaml in Somerset Town- 
ship. Five years later .lohn, our subject, returned 
to his native State, and fulBlled his pledge of mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Mackey, daughter of Thomas 
and Mary (Iladley) Mackey, who were of English 
birth and parentage. Mrs. McLouth was also born 
on the other side of the Atlantic, in Northumber- 
landshire, Nov. 18, 1813, and was brought by her 
parents to America when a child four years of age. 



They settled iu Wayne County, Vt., whore the 
father engaged in agriculture. Tha wife and mother 
dicul when a young woman aged thirty-six years. 
Mr. Mackey survived Ids wife for a period of over 
forty years, living to the advanced age of eighty- 
four. His last days were spent in Galen, Wayne 
Co., N. Y. Mrs. John JMcLoutii was one of live 
children born to her parents, and of these but two 
survive, herself and her sister, Mrs. Mabel V'andcr- 
burg, a resident of Homer, this State. 

The wedding of our subject and his w-ife was 
celebrated on the 12th of Novi.'mber, 1838, and 
shortly afterward Mr. McL. returned with his bride 
to Washtenaw County, and they commenced house- 
keeping in a modest dwelling. Mr. McL. continued 
farming and operated a sawmill in that locality for 
a year, then came to this county and began culti- 
vating a part of his father's farm. The sprin.g 
following he located on a piece of wild land just 
across the line in Lenawee County, where he estab- 
lished a sawmill, which he conducted as long as 
soft wood held out in that locality — a period of 
twelve years. Then selling out his interest there 
he secured possession of his present farm, wiiere he 
has since lived. 

For the past thirty-six years, .and during the 
greater part of his residence in Michigan, Mr. Mc- 
Louth has held positions of honor and trust in his 
neighborhood. He has served as Justice of the 
Peace for over thirty ye.ars, and has represented his 
township on the County Board of Supervisors fully 
twelve years. In the minor offices, as well as those 
of more importance, he has discharged his duties 
conscientiously and to the best of his ability, with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to the community. 
When first becoming a voter, he was, like his father 
before him, an old-line Whig, but immediately 
upon the organization of the Republicans he iden- 
tified himself with the latter and has since been one 
of its most earnest supporters. 

The farming operations of our subject have been 
carried on with thoroughness and dispatch, and he 
is accredited with one of the best conducted farms 
in Southern Jlichigan. There is an air of comfort 
and plenty about the premises which is extremely 
pleasant for the eye to look upon. The household 
circle was completed I)y the birth of three children. 



■•^ 



'^- 



•2G0 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



(ill living: Thomas was born June 9, 1840, and is 
enijaged in farming at the old homestead; Jane E. 
was born Dec. 12, 1842, and is now a resident of 
Somerset; Oliver L. is written of in the work of 
Lenawee County, this State, published hy Chapman 
Bros. Mr. McLouth gave to his children the ad- 
vantages of a good education, and fitted them for 
their various stations in life. No man is more 
worthy of representation in a work of this kind, and 
his record as herewith given will years hence be 
looked upon with pleasure by his descendants. 

OHN L. SOUTHWORTH, a peaceable and 
law-abiding citizen of Reading Township, is 
1 pursuing the even tenor of his way on a good 
^1/ farm of 120 acres of finely improved land 
on section 19. A native of New York, he was 
born July 17, 183G, and was brought by his i)arents 
to Michigan when a little lad seven ye.irs of age, 
arriving here in the early jiart of 1843. His boj'- 
hood and youth were passed in the manner common 
to the sons of pioneer farmers, and when beginning 
to form his plans for tlie future, he decided to learn 
the trade of a carpenter. At this he commenced 
his apprenticeship when a youth of sixteen 3-ears, 
and worked at it until reaching his majorit}', then 
left home and took up his residence in Reading 
Township, and while working at his trade was also 
employed considerably at farming. Into the latter 
employment he finally drifted almost entirely, giv- 
ing to it most of his attention, and in 1857 in- 
vested his capital in the farm which he now owns 
and occupies. 

The father of our subject, John B. Southworth, 
was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in October, 
1813, and the mother, who in her girlhood was 
Miss Tacj' M. Tallman, was a native of the same 
place, and was born two j^ears later, in 1815. They 
spent their last years in Reading Township, the 
father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1882. 

Our subject took possession of his present farm 
on the 25th of May, 1867, when it was mostly a 
timber tract. The labor of felling the trees and bring- 
ing the soil to a state of cultivation vvas no small 
task, and was accomplished solely bj' jiersevering 



•<*■ 



industry, and the courage that would never admit 
such a word as " fail." Gradually with the tilling 
of the soil, the building of fences, and the other 
work which came along in good season, there sprang 
up the necessary buildings required by the intelli- 
gent farmer, including the substantial residence, the 
barn and other outhouses, required for the shelter 
of stock and the storing of grain. Mr. Southworth 
in his labors for himself did not lose sight of the 
interests of the people around him, and assisted as 
he was able in the enterprises calculated to build 
up the community and attract toward it an intelli- 
gent class of citizens. 

Our subject took for his first wife Miss Adeline 
Valentine, to whom he was married in Algansee 
Township, in July, 1860, liut she died in 1807, 
leaving three children, of whom the record is as 
follows: Horace fclugene was born m 1862; the 
second son, Alexander D., was boin in 1864, and 
Mae died in infancy. His second wife was Miss 
Emily A. Sawyer, to whom he was married Feb. 
22, 1870. Mr. Soutliworth has four children living, 
two by his first wife and two b}' his last. His 
eldest son, Horace E., is a promising 3'oung man 
twenty-six years of age. The others, A. D., J. B. 
and Bennie, are all at home with their fathei". 

Mr. Southworth, politically, votes the straight 
Republican ticket, and has served as School Di- 
rector in his district six years. He was twice 
elected Constable, but did not care enough about 
the office to be qualified. Religiouslj-, he is a man 
of broad and liberal views, and although not a 
member of any church, is what may be called an 
upright Christian gentleman, conducting himself in 
all respects according to the dictates of his con- 
science. Socially, he belongs to Lodge No, 287, I. 
O. O. F., at Reading. 



ILMAN B. SHAFFER, prominent among 
the merchant tailors of Hillsdale, is a native 
uf Licking County, Ohio, and was born in 
the town of Utica, Jan. 30, 1833. His father, 
Solomon Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania, was a 
carpenter and architect, and emigrated to the Buck- 
eye State when a young man, in 1825. There he 




^ 



-4*- 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



261 



married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Ephraira Harris, 
anil spent the remainder of his life in that locality, 
passing away at tlie rijje old age of eighty -eiglit. 
The mother survived lier huslvind, and was also 
Will advanced in years at the time of lier death in 
1882. 

Mr. Shaffer was the third ehihl in a family of 
six sons and four daughters, and spent his Ijo^hood 
in attendance at the village school. Later he studied 
in the schools of JNIt. V'ernon, and when sixteen 
3'ears old commenced his apjirenticeship at the 
tailor's trade, serving two years. Then being amply 
proficient he worked as a journeyman, and upon 
leaving Utica was employed as a cutter in one of 
the shops of Bellefontaiue. Upon the outbreak of 
the Civil War he left the shop for the tented field, 
and was the fourth man who enlisted from Belle- 
fontaiue under the first call for 75,000 men. At 
the expiration of his first term of enlistment he 
veteranized in the 13th Ohio Infantry, and operated 
with his regiment around Farkersburg, W. Va. On 
the 11th of August, 1861, he was captured while 
carrying dispatches, and was held a prisoner for 
five months before he was released. He was taken 
prisoner a second time at Stone River, Tenn., and 
exchanged on the 3d of January, 1862. After a 
thirty-days furlough he rejoined his regiment at 
Bowling Green, Ky., which was then assigned to 
the Army of the Cumberland, and our subject with 
his comrailes took part in the battles of Shiloh, 
Stone River and Missionary Ridge. After four 
days of fighting he was again taken prisoner but 
soon afterward released on parole. He spent one 
week in Libbj' Prison, which experience fully satis- 
fied him as to the character of that terril)le stock- 
ade, and joined his regiment in time to accompan}' 
it in the spring cam|)aign and when it moved upon 
Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. Mr. 
Shaffer miraculously escaped, and received his hoii- 
oralile discharge in ,Iune, 1864. 

Our sul)ject now returned to J>icking County, 
Ohio, whence he not long aflerwaid repaiied to 
Peru. Ind., and engaging in business as a merchant 
tailor, continued four years. His ne.\t tramping 
ground was Rock Island, HI., where he spent six 
years, and then took up his residence in the city of 
Chicago, where he remained two years. In .lune. 



"•^ 



1876, he came to this county, which at once im- 
pressed him favorably and where he has since re- 
mained. His skill in the matters pertaining to his 
calling and his straiglitforward methods of doing 
business have been the means of securing him a 
fine patronage, and he is now content to let well 
enough alone. 

While a resident of Hillsdale our subject was 
united in marriage, Aug. 'J, 1877, with Miss M. A. 
Morris, of Hillsdale, and of Irish ancestry. Her 
father still survives and resides in Ireland, but her 
mother is deceased. The two children born of this 
union are a son and daughter — Homer R. and 
Blanche L. Mr. Shaffer is a true blue Republican, 
politically, and a member in good standing of the 
G. A. R. His snug home is located in the south 
part of the city, and he is performing all the obli- 
gations of a good citizen and an honest man. 



•?5S^^5»*^ 



•^«t-»»^*^-« 




LEMUEL ALLEGER, a reputable and pro- 
gressive agriculturist, located on section 27, 
Ransom Township, owns and occupies a 
pleasantly situated, well-cultivated farm, furnished 
with commodious and convenient farm buildings, 
and supplied with modern appliances necessary to 
the successful prosecution of his calling. 

Mr. Alleger first saw the light near the Atlantic 
Coast, being born in Hunterdon Countj', N. J., 
April 7, 1841. His father, Hiram Alleger, was born 
in the same State, and it is believed in the same 
county, and was there rejircd to manhood, learning 
the trade of a carpenter when he was quite young. 
He was married in New Jersey and followed his 
trade in that State for a number of years, then in 
1851 he migrated to Ohio, starting from his native 
State with a pair of horses, and a wagon which con- 
tained his family and his household effects. They 
journeyed ovc-rland, cooking by the wayside and 
sleeping in their wagons, until they arrived at Will- 
iams County, Ohio, where he traded his w.agon for 
forty acres of timber land, near West Unity. Upon 
this he erected a rude log house with an earth and 
stick cliimuey, which convoyed the smoke from a 
mammoth fireplace, occupying almost one end of 
the structure. In the same year, however, he sold 






■► m "^ - 



202 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



out his interests in the Buckej'e State, and coming 
to Ilillsflale County, bought the property upon 
wiiieli our subject now resides. It was at that time 
heavily timbered, with the exception of five acres 
which had been chopi)ed but not cleared, and he at 
once set about its cultivation and improvement. 
Though at the outset subjected to all inconveniences 
and privations incident to life amid such environ- 
ments, he succeeded in transforming the wilderness 
into a good farm previous to his death, which oc- 
curred in 1805. 

The mother of our sul)ject, whose maiden name 
was pjlizabeth Schamj), was also a native of New 
Jersey, and bore to her husband six children, five 
of whom grew to maturity. E. Lemuel was thir- 
teen years old when he came to Hillsdale with Ids 
jjareuts, and well remembers the incidents of earl}' 
life in Ransom Township. This [jart of tiie counUy 
was .attiie time of tlicir settlement still a wilderness, 
in which deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of wild 
game wei'e plentiful, while wolves and bears were 
not unfrequently met, not only in the recesses of 
the forests, but in the vicinit}' of the farraj'ards. 
These have long since disappeared, and given place 
to the finest grades of domestic animals, which feed 
on pastures green in smiling fields in a section of 
countr\' second to none in this part of the United 
States. Mv. Alleger resided with his father until 
lyOl, that date memorable in histor}- for the upris- 
ing of father against son, and brother against 
brother. With all the ardor and [)atriotism that 
characterized in so marked a degree his ancestors, 
Mv. Alleger was not slow to respond to the cry of 
his country, and in April, 1801, he volunteered his 
services, enlisting among the three-months men in 
Company E, 14th Ohio Infantry. He received 
his honorable discharge at the expiration of his 
term of service, and returned to his home and to 
the fiiends of his youth, but he re-enlisted in Au- 
gust of the same year, in the 3d Ohio Cavalry, serv- 
ing his term of three years, when he veteranized 
and served with the same company until the close 
of the war. During his first three-months service 
he participated in the battles of Can-iek's Ford, 
Laurel Hill, and others, and he subsequently took 
part in the battles of Shiloh, Perry ville, Stone River, 
Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He was with 



Sherman on the celebrated march to Atlanta, and 
participated in the important battles of that cam- 
paign. From Atlanta he went to Jonesboro, and 
took part in the battles of that vicinity; lie then 
followed Hood to Franklin and on to Nashville, 
Tenn., spending the winter of 1804-65 at Graves' 
Spring, Tenn. In the spring his regiment marched 
toSelma, Ala., then to Columbia, S. C., whence they 
removed to Macon, Ga., where they received orders 
to pursue the fugitive, Jeff Davis. They followed 
him to the southwestern part of the State, and were 
in the vicinity when he was captured. Mr. Alleger 
was mustered out of the service with his regiment 
at Nashville, Tenn., and received his honorable 
discharge at Columbus, Ohio, in August, 1865. 

Retuiminghis sword to its scabbard our subject 
soon found himself among old friends who gladly 
welcomed the return of the soldier, and he resumed 
farming operations on the old homestead He has 
met with that success which usually crowns well- 
directed effort, and has now the greater part of his 
land cleared and under tlic>rough cultivation, while 
he has erected good buildings and supplied new 
machinery necessary for successful competition 
with the modern agriculturist. 

j\lr. Alleger has been twice married, choosing for 
his first wife Miss Rebecca Pettit, who was born 
in Cumberland County, Ohio, and was the daughter 
of Jacob Pettit. The marri.age took place in 1866, 
but he suffered her loss bj' death in 1875. Our 
subject was a second time married, in 1876, to Ber- 
tha Lautermilch, and the}' have become the par- 
ents of two children — Willie and Ernest. Mrs. 
Alleger was born in the town of Shelby, Richland 
Co., Ohio, in October, 1855, while her father, Will- 
iam Lautermilch, was born in Baden. Germany. 
He received a militar\' education and was commis- 
sioned Lieutenant in the arm}-, but at the time of 
the Revolution in 1848, he took part against the 
(iovernment, and in consequence was obliged to 
flee from his country. He married, just before 
leaving his native land, Miss Louisa Herman, and 
brought his young bride with him across the ocean 
to the United States. All his property in his own 
country had been confiscated, but his wife had 
some, which furnished him capital to engage in the 
hardware business in Mansfield, Ohio. He cari'ied 



n 



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HILLvSDALE COUNTY. 



263 



^ 



oil )iis business there for some time, after wliich he 
removed to Moiiroeville, and subsequently to Shelby, 
where he was engaged in business until the time of 
his death, which occnrred in 1860; his wife, the 
niollior of Mrs. Alleger, still resides in Shelby. Their 
family consisted of five children, four of whom are 
still living. AVilliara, the eldest son, served in the 
121st Ohio Infantry, and died in the service. 

Politically, our subject is found in the ranks of 
the Republican party, and religiously-, his wife is 
a member of the United Brethren Church. 



c-^^- 



-^ 



m 



\|) OHN CLARKE, Ji;., a reputable citizen and 
prosperous general farmer, of Wheatland 
Township, was born in Brewster, Barnstable 
Co., Mass., March 7, 1824, and is the son of 
.biliii and Reliecca (Lincoln) Clarke. John Clarke, 
Sr., was b(irii .luly 4, 17!)4, in Cape Cod, Barnstable 
County, and there si)ent the most of liis life. He 
was reared near the famous riyniouth Rock, and 
early in life went to sea, following the salt water 
all his life, first as cabin boy, and finally as Captain 
and owner of the vessel " Flora," in which he was 
lost in August, 1830. on a voyage from Boston to 
I'iiiiadeliihia. 

The mother of onr subject was born in the same 
cfiunly, in the town of Brewster, Oct. 14, 1798, and 
also died young, departing this life Dec. 28, 1828. 
The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Clarke, was 
a native of this countrj', of English descent, and 
spent tiic last years of his life engaged in some 
county office. John Chu'ke was one of two children, 
bolii sons, born to his parents. His brother, Robert 
M., was born at the old homestead, Oct. 9, 182.5, 
and subsequentlj' removed to .Southern California, 
where he died at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving 
a wife and three children. 

The subject of this biography' remained with his 
parents until he was six years of age, when the 
latter were removed by death, and he then went to 
live with his uncle, Josiah Wing, with whom he 
removed to Orleans County, N. Y., four years 
later, and remained assisting in the farm duties 
until he attained his majority. Mr. Clarke then set 
out for this State, bringing with him a stock of 

<• '• 



goods, and settled upon the farm where he now 
lives. He employed men to clear his land, paying 
them with goods from his store, but two or three 
years later he engaged on the Lakes as a sailor 
before the mast, and followed that occupation until 
18.53. Abandoning a seafaring life, Mr. Clarke 
became one of a party of ten who secured ox-teams 
and started across the plains to California, where 
upon their arrival, he first engaged in mining, and 
subsequently' started a market. He continued thus 
employed for a period of tfro years, and then in 
18.55 he returned to his home and was united in 
marriage, Dec. 31, 1856, with Miss Amanda Cluirch, 
who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Dec. 20, 
1828, and was the daughter of Lorenzo Church, of 
whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this 
work. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke returned to California, 
and after another four years spent there, engaged 
in the business of a butcher, Mr. Clarke sold out, 
and returning to Hudson, Mich., engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits.^ In 1863 he sold out his interests 
here, and for the third time went to California, 
where lie engaged in the same business for two 
years. Once more he returnetl to Hudson, and 
remained for some time, then in 1869 he removed 
on the farm wiiieli he now occupies. Not yet sat- 
isfied with his wanderings, Mr. Clarke once more 
crossed the Rockies, and engaged in his old busi- 
ness, which he pursued for one 3'ear, and finally 
returned to Miciiigan, taking up his permanent 
residence on the farm which he bought on coming 
to this county in 1845. 

The family of i\Ir. and Mrs. Clarke includes four 
children, who are recorded .as follows: John C. was 
bom in Solano County, Cal., Feb. 16, 1858, and 
married Lydia Evans, March 16, 1887 ; tiiey reside in 
Wheatland. Minnie A. was born in .Solano Count}', 
Cal., Oct. 2, 1859, and became the wife of Jerome 
B. Witlierall; Jennie R. was born in Hudson, Mich., 
Aug. 11, 1866, and is now residing at home, and is 
a teacher; Myrtle S. was born Feb. 18, 1869, in 
Hudson, and is a teacher. These two daughters 
have been well educated, and have taught school 
acceptably for several terms. 

In polities Mr. Clarke afliliates with the Repub- 
lican party, and his extensive travel and varied and 
intimate intercourse with all classes of men, to- ' 



-4•- 

264 



HILLSDALE LOU.NTV 



gether with his habits of close observation, fit him 
in an especial manner for the oftice of Justice qf 
the Peace, which he held, discharging its duties for 
some twelve years in succession. He also served 
as School Director for some time and is interested 
in all measures calculated to benefit the communitjs 
socially or financially. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are 
attendants at the Baptist Church, and they and 
their children arc highly respected and worthy 
members of society. 



C^^EORGE P. STEVENS. The gentleman 
— , whose name stands at the head of this 
_ 51 sketch owns and occupies the farm which 
his father settled on forty-four years ago, and 
which comprises sixty acres eligibly located on 
section 7, in Woodbridge Township. Every acre 
has been made available, and is in a highly pro- 
ductive condition. The farm bniljlings are of first- 
class description, neat and substantial, the premises 
are kept in " shipshape " order, and with the well- 
kept fences, the choice assortment of live stock, the 
fruit and shade trees, constitute one of the pret- 
tiest pictures in the landscape of this section. 

Mr. Stevens is of English and High-Dutch parent- 
age, being the son of Warren and Jenette (Cam- 
burn) Stevens, the father born near Cheshire, in 
Berkshire County, Mass., May 22, 1809, and the 
mother at Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y. Warren 
Stevens was reared among the Shakers, at New 
Lebanon, Mass., until nineteen years old, and was 
employed on a farm, in the meantime attending tlie 
common schools. About this time he left his native 
Slate and migrated to New York, where he con- 
tinued working by the month, and whence, in 1829, 
he made his way to the Territory of Michigan, 
settling in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, in 1838. 
He lived there until 1840, and then took up his 
abode in this county, purchasing eighty acres of 
land in Woodbridge Township, upon which he 
operated successfull}' for many years, and where he 
resided until his death, which occurred Dec. 28, 
1875. 

The father of our subject was a man of consider- 
able prominence in the county, a Dcmociat in 



■♦- 



politics, and a member in good standing of the 
Free-Will Baptist Church, in which he officiated .as 
Trustee for many years. The mother, who was 
born April 22, 1809. died also at the old home- 
stead, in August, 1853. She was a most estimable 
Christian lady, and a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for many years. Their children 
were: S.arah, who married Mr. Devine; Jacob H., 
who married Electa M. Niles; Charlie, who married 
Miss Jane Tubbs; Betsy, the wife of Stephen Fitz- 
simmous; John D., who married Miss Adelaide 
Bryan, and George P., our subject. 

Tecumseh, Lenawee County, was the early tramp- 
ing ground of the subject of this sketch, and where 
his birth took place July 9, 1844. He passed his 
boyhood and youth in the manner common to the 
sons of pioneer farmers, acquiring an education in 
the ]3rimary schools, and assisted in building up a 
homestead from the wilderness. He continued 
under the parental roof until past twenty-three 
years of age, and then being ready to establish a 
home of his own, was married. Sept. 18. 1867, to 
Miss Esther D. Delong, who was born in Franklin 
Township, Lenawee County, Nov. 30, 1844. After 
marriage the young people lived on his father's 
farm, and in 1876 our subject became owner of the 
old homestead, which, it is hardly necessary to say, 
possesses for liim a far more th.an moneyed value. 
Here his three children were born, but one only is 
living — V. D., who was born March 24, 1882. 
Lloyd D.,born April 30, 1875, died when two years 
of age; Georgia I., born Feb. 11, 1880, died when 
one year old. 

Mrs. Stevens is the daughter of Abram and Cor- 
nelia (Viele) Delong, who were natives respectively 
of Montgomery and Otsego Counties, N. Y., and 
the father was born July 26, 1821. The latter was 
educated in the common schools, and reared on a 
farm from his boyhood. He came to Michigan in 
September, 1844, and purchased sixty acres of land 
in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, where he 
still resides. He has been a prominent man in his 
community, one of the pill.ars of the IMethodist 
Flpiscopal Church, a Sunday-School teacher and a 
Class-Leader, besides being a licensed exhorter, 
and occupied the pulpit many years in this capacitj'. 
Mrs. Delong was burn Dec. 17, 1818, and her 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



265 




i' 



ancestors came from Holland, while the Belongs 
were of French ancestry. The parents of Mrs. 
.Stevens were married Dec. 21, 1843. The mother 
for the last forty years has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, is still living and in 
good health. Their three children were: Esther 
D., Mrs. Stevens; Manning V., who married Ida 
E. Packard; and Lillian B., the wife of Ambrose 
R. Crane. They all live upon farms. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are connected with the 
Free-Will Baptist Church, in Woodbridge Town- 
ship, in which our subject has been Deacon and 
Trustee, and one of its chief pillars. Upon becom- 
ing a voter lie identified himself with the Repub- 
lican part^', but is now a Prohibitionist. 



>i\ ICIIAEL GILBERT is one of lliose men 
so plentifully scattered over Michigan who 
i) undoubtedly form the best element of her 
society, having been reared under the be- 
neficent influences of the schools, religious institu- 
tions, and the culture and refinement of the society of 
the older settled States. Such men were well equipped 
to go forth and open up a new Empire. They 
could 1:13' its foun<l!itions broad, deep And solid, so 
that the colossal edifice of a great commonwealth 
might be reared upon it without hazard to the 
highest pinnacle to which government or human 
society reaches. To these people Michigan to-day 
largely owes her greatness, and to this class the 
subject of this sketch belongs. 

Mr. Gilbert was born in Seneca Township, Sen- 
eca Co., Ohio, May 11, 1«;37, while his father, 
Francis Gilbert, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
and came to America when a young man, finally 
settling in Seneca County, Ohio. In his native 
land he had learned the trade of a blacksmith, 
which he also followed in Ohio for some time, in 
Tiffin, Seneca County. In 1858 he removed to 
Wisconsin, where he was one of the early settlers 
of Manitowoc County. He entered IGO .acres of 
land from the Government, built a log house, and 
engaging in the improvement of a farm, was thus 
employed, and had cleared a laige part of his land 
at the time of his death. His wife, whose maiden 

M» — 1.1— — _.^^___ 



name was Catherine .Shearer, was also born across 
the ocean, in Bavaria, Germany, and came to 
America with her parents when quite young, set- 
tling in Ohio, where she died in Seneca County, in 
1849. 

Michael Gilbert commenced work in the shop 
with his father, and assisted him until he had 
reached the age of fourteen, when he worked with 
other parties in Seneca County for a period of 
three years. He then went to Williams County, 
where he found employment, and remained until 
he was nineteen years of age, when he ventured 
into business for himself, in Archibald, Fulton 
County. He continued in business there until 1865, 
and then sold out and came to Hillsdale County, 
settling in Ransom Township on a lot of forty 
acres of timber land situatcfl on section 27. Two 
acres of the land were cleared, and contained a log 
house, and Mr. Gilbert erected a shop and worked 
at his trade in connection with fanning until 1869, 
when he sold out and went to IMissouri, and staid 
two months, lie then returned to Ransom Town- 
ship and located on section 26, [jurchasing eighty 
acres of land, about fifteen acres under the plow, 
while the rest was partially- cleared and contained a 
log cabin. Erecting a blacksmith's shop and a 
frame barn, he carried on his trade, together with 
agricultural pursuits, until 1876, when he sold out 
and bought the farm which he has since occupied. 
His first )nirchase consisted of eighty acres of land, 
forty of which were improved. He now has the 
greater part of the other forty acres improved, and 
in 1880 he purchased forty acres more adjoining, 
until his farm is now one of the best in this section 
of country, provided with suitable buildings for 
the shelter of his stock and the storing of iiis farm 
products. 

On the 2d of January. 1862, the sul)jecl of this 
notice w.as united in inarri.age with Miss Celista 
Moine, who was born July 25, 1842, in German 
Township, Fulton Co., Ohio. Her father, Anthony 
Moine, was a native of France, as w.as also her 
grandfather, Francis Moine, who came to America 
about 1836, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio, 
where he bought a farm near Jackson, and spent 
his last years in thac place. The father of Mrs. 
Gilbert was eighteen 3'ears old when he came to 



^ ■ ^» 



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266 



a 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



America with his parents, and remained in Wayne 
County until his mnrriage witli Mary Caty. also a 
native of France, and the daughter of John P. 
Caty. He removed to Fulton County' in 1845, 
and was among the pioneer settlers of German 
Townsliip, where he purciiased eightj' acres of 
hind and erected a log house one mile distant from 
any neighbor. He still resides on the same farm, 
which he has transformed into a well- improved 
homestead, provided with good frame buildings, 
while he has added considerably to ids landed 
estate. 

]Mr. and Airs. Gilbert are the parents of three 
children — Francis Albert, Emma J. and Lenora C. 
Politically, Mr. Gilbert is a Republican, believing 
that this part}' more nearl}' embodies the views 
of this enlightened age. 



VILLIAM B. CHILDS, one of the pioneer 
merchants of Hillsdale, is now senior part- 
ner of the firm of Childs & Son, but has 
himself practically retired from active business. 
About the 1st of February, 1888, the son, who 
has operated with his father for many years, re- 
moved their stock of goods to Birmingham, Ala., 
where he is at present carrj'ing on the business on 
an extensive scale. 

The subject of this narrative was born near the 
village of Altay, Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec. 8, 1821, 
while his father, Daniel Childs, was born in Massa- 
chusetts in 1779, and followed farming as an occu- 
pation all his life. The paternal grandfather, who 
was also a native of the Bay State, was a descend- 
ant of an excellent old Welsh family, and while 
serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, met 
the enemy at the battle of Lexington, when the 
British shot a cannon ball through the old church. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Miss Sally Benjamin, and was born in Massachusetts. 
After marriage the parents settled for awhile in 
that State, where their elder children were born, 
and about 1819 left their native hills and migrated 
into Steuben County, N. Y. The country around 
them was a wilderness, and they proceeded, after 
the manner of pioneers, to level the forest trees, 



bring the soil to a productive condition, and build 
up a good home. lu the Empire State several 
more olive branches were added to the family tree, 
their household finally including seven sons and 
five daughters, all of whom lived to mature years. 
Of these six are living, and are now residents of 
Kansas. Indiana. Michigan and New York. 

William B. C'hilds was the eighth in order of 
birth of the parer,tal famil}', and spent his child- 
hood and 3-outh in his native count}', acquiring a 
common-school education, and becoming familiar 
with the various employments of farm life. In the 
meantime, when he was but a lad of nine 3'ears, the 
father was taken away b}' death, and the mother 
followed three 3'ears later. William B. subsequently 
made his home with his brother-in-law, Roswell 
Shepherd, with whom he remained until his mar- 
riage, in the twenty-first year of his .age. His bride, 
Miss Elizabeth Koon, was also a native of Steuben 
Count}', N. Y., where she was born Sept. IG, 1825, 
and was the daughter of Alanson Koon, well known 
throughout that section of the country as a promi- 
nent and influential citizen. In June, 1844, they 
made their way to Blichigan, and located in Allen 
Township, this county, occupying a farm for the 
following six years. 

Our subject at the expiration of this time dis- 
posed of his interest in Allen Township, and took 
possession of a tract of land near the city of Hills- 
dale, and which was then in an uncultivated condi- 
tion. He cleared the land and brought the soil to a 
productive condition, and occupied it with his family 
until the spring of 1868, when, resolving upon a 
change of occupation, he removed into the city, 
and invested a part of his capital in a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. He took into partnership his 
son, Daniel A., and they continued together until 
January, 1888. During the existence of the firm 
in this city its business transactions excelled those 
of an}- other house of the kind in this part of the 
county. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Childs there were born two 
chiildren only. The son already spoken of, Daniel 
A., who married Miss Clara Payne, Oct. 21, 1867, 
and has two children, and a daughter, Marrilla L., 
the wife of E. E. Webb, a prominent attorney of 
Boone County, Iowa. Politically, Mr. Childs during 



t 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



267 , , 



the yeai's of liis earl}- niniilidod aililiatcd with the 
DciiKifiatic ]):iil3', but upon the ori;auiz;\tioii of the 
Kepuhlicans decided that the piineiples which they 
enunciated coincided more fullj" with his view-g. 
and he has since been the cordial sui)i)oitcr of this 
hitter party. He began in life with comparatively 
nothing, and upon the occasion of his wedding paid 
his last dollar to the ofliciating minister. His suc- 
cess 1ms been the result of close application to 
business and strict adherence to the rule which he 
first laid down — to live within his income. In this 
resolution he was heartil}' seconded by his excel- 
lent wife, and, having thus a true helpmate, soon 
found himself on the road to i)vosperity. 

The mother of Jlrs. Childs was in her girlhood 
Miss Marrilla Wells, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
was born Oct. G, 180C, in Luzerne Count}'. Of her 
marriage with Alanson Koon there were born eleven 
children, eight of whom, six sons and two daughters, 
lived to mature years, and of whom JMrs. Childs is 
the oldest one now living. 



'if! OHN L. FRISBIE. The active life of the 
subject of this '■keteh is almost romantic in 
the general interest that attaches to it. 
Printer, soldier, diplomat and business man, 
each in turn, and in each position he disi)laycd a 
dcgiee of ability, discharging his duties in a man- 
ner highl}' creditable to himself and satisfactorily 
to all concerned. 

Mr. Frisbie was born in Ontario County, N. Y., 
March '2(j. 1837. and is the son of Jonathan and 
Samantha (Spencer) Frisbie. In 1839, when he 
was but two years old, the family came to Hillsdale 
County and settled in llie town of Litchfield, where 
oui' subject received his rudimentary education in 
the common schools of that d.ay. In 1850 he en- 
tered the odice of the Jonesville Telegraph, serving 
an apprculiccship to the "art preservative." and 
after graduating in time with full honors, he worked 
as a journcjinan until ISIil. 

On the breaking out of the Rebellion and the call 
for trooi)s to aid in tlie defense of the Union, Mr. 
Frisbie enlisted in Company A, 1 Itli Michigan Cav- 



alry, of wiiich he was commissioned Lieutenant, and 
for gallant services in the field he was soon after- 
ward i)romoted to the rank of Captain. During the 
last year of the war he filled the i)osition of Assist- 
ant Inspector General of the staff of Gen. S. B. 
Brown, and at the close of hostilities was mustered 
out and honorably discharged ; from the seat of war 
he returned to his shooting-stick and mallet. 

Giving some attention to politics, Capt. Frisbie 
in 1868 was elected to the position of County Clerk, 
and held the office for some eight consecutive years. 
After that he was elected Enrolling and Engrossing 
Clerk in the Michigan State Senate, which office he 
filled for one term, and was then ap|)oiiited Super- 
intendent to remove the Ponca Indians from Dakota 
to their reservation in the Indian Territory, which 
occupied six months of his time. Appointed United 
States Council at Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, lie 
passed the next three years of his life at that place, 
and by strict attention to his duties was rewarded 
with the confidence of his superiors, and his |)rorno- 
tion to the United States 'Consular at Kheims, 
France. Here he spent about seven j'ears of his 
life, until the changing wheels of a new administra- 
tion removed him from their path. He htplds from 
the State Department letters extending t(^ him the 
thanks of the department in a special manner for 
the failhfiilncss with wjiich lie discharged his du- 
ties, and for the interesting and v.iluable character 
of his special and general rcixnts on different sub- 
jects of interest in his Consulnr District. 

Capt. Frisbie is a man of u|)right, honest charac- 
ter, who abhors treachery and deceit, and in looking 
back over a long and well-spent life, may well feel 
a just pride at the position he has won in the es- 
teem of honest men and the respect of all good citi- 
zens. In whatever sphere of life he has been found 
he has always tried to fulfill his dut}', and has met 
with the success that always follows close appli- 
cation, combined with good jinlguiont. Ma}' his 
posterity who shall peruse this sketch be induced 
to emulate his example, while his honorable and 
siiecessful career stands forth as a shining exam- 
ple of what can be accomplished by well-directed 
effort. 

After serving his country for more than a quar- 
ter of a century in various capacities, Capt. Frisbie 



t 



•^ M Mt 



i 



268 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



has now returned to the land of his youth, and is 
engaged in the mercantile business at No. 10 Wal- 
dron Blocl<. in the beautiful city of Hillsdale. For 
two years, 1867-G8, he filled the position of Grand 
Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance for 
the State of Michigan. 

\l' OHN CONLEYj of Woodbridge Township, is 
a carpenter by trade, with a fondness for 
rural life, and owns a snug home on section 
22, where lie carries on agriculture and fol- 
lows his trade, making for himself and his family a 
comfortable living ;inil enjoying the respect of his 
neighbors. He came to tliis State in 1865 and pur- 
chased eighty acics of land, where he now has good 
improvements, his buildings being put upunderhis 
own [lersoual supervision, and the larger part of 
them the work of his own hands. 

Mr. Conley commenced his apprenticeship at the 
carpenter trade when a youth of seventeen, being 
bound out for tiu'ee years, fulfilling his coutractand 
remaining with his employer a year after becoming 
a journo3nnan. He then worked l)y the month and 
was noted for his skill and ingenuity. He has 
filled some large contracts both for barns and 
houses, many of them in this county, and which 
still stand as monuments of the thoroughness and 
completeness of his work. 

Our subject was born in Ashland County, Ohio, 
April 11, 181.5, and is the son of James E. and Sarah 
(McRill) Conley, who were natives respectively of 
Maryland and Ohio. The father was a farmer by 
occupation, a man of limited education but of noted 
honesty and uprightness, and lived to the advanced 
age of eighty-eight years, his death taking place at 
his home in this county, in 1865. The mother had 
died in Ohio about 1829. She was a most excellent 
lady, and a member in good standing of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. Of the first marriage of 
James Conle}' there were born three children, of 
whom Benjamin died in infancj'; Joseph is living 
in Woodbridge Township; John, our subject, was 
the third and youngest child. The fathei- came to 
Michigan in 1864, and thereafter was a resident of 
Amboy Township, Hillsdale County. 

Our subject while a resident of liis native State 



was married to Miss Ruth Hale, April 27. 1838, 
who lived eleven years after her marriage, and be- 
came the mother of six children, namely: Sarah J., 
Mary E., Ellen and Helen (twins), Samantha and 
Ruth. Of these ouly one is now living, and is a 
resident of the State of Ohio. Mr. Conley three 
months after his first wife died, contracted a sec- 
ond marriage, with Mrs. Julia A. Crabb, who was 
a native of Maryland and the widow of AVasliing- 
ton Crabb, who died in Ohio. Mrs. Conley by her 
first marriage became the mother of four children, 
namely: Louisa M., Clara, Charles and William. 
The two latter served as Union soldiers, and Charles 
was killed at or near Atlanta, Ga. Of her marriage 
with our subject there have been born six children, 
namely: Martha, James, R(jbert, John W., Ann, 
and Ema, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Conley are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, in Woodbridge Townshi|), and our 
subject, politically, is an active Democrat. 



■3^5v^^fe■ 



ARVEY McGEE, Jk., son of one of the early- 
pioneers of Hillsd.ale County, owns and oc- 
^ cupies the old homestead of his father, which 
!^ includes the eighty acres left him as his 
birthright, and another eighty acres which he subse- 
quently purchased of the other heirs. The farm is 
noticeable as having a set of farm buildings second 
to none in the county, and these are doul)!y valu- 
able to our subject as being the result of the labors 
of his honored father, who departed this life more 
than twenty-five years since. 

Harvey McGee, Sr., the father of our subject, was 
born in Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1809, and 
there developed into manhood, receiving a very 
limited education, but becoming familiar with the 
art of farming. Soon after reaching the twent3'-fourth 
3'ear of his age, he was married, Oct. 29, 1833, to 
Miss Martha Martin, and the following year emi- 
grated to the Territory of Michigan, making his 
way thither by canal, lake and wagon. He pur- 
chased of the Government a half -section of land in 
Wheatland Township, to which he added until he 
became the owner of 540 broad acres, which he had 



t 



1 



«^ 



HILLSDALE COUM'Y. 



269 




improved from a wilri, uncultivated tract to a pro- 
ductive farm. Energetic, industrious, and an ex- 
cellent manaqier, wiiile gathering together a quantity 
of this world's goods, he also secured for himself 
the friendship and esteem of the people of his com- 
munity. He was seized with the gold fever in 
1849, and started to California overland with an ox- 
team, reaching the Pacific Slope after a year's 
travel. His labors in the mines were rewarded with 
success, and he returned home and invested his 
capital in this county. Seven years later, on ac- 
count of ill-health, he again visited the Pacific 
Slo|)e, but without any perceptible beneficial re- 
sults. A man who could never content himself in 
idleness, lie continued to carry on his farm until 
the illness which terminated in his death on the 
25th of August, 1 803. Politically, Mr. McGee was 
a Republican, though never a politician, and for 
many years was a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

At the time the parents of our subject settled in 
the northeastern part of Hillsdale County, their 
nearest neighbor was three miles away, and the young 
wife and mother spent three months without seeing 
the face of another woman. The household in due 
time included seven children, but four of whom are 
living. One brother of our subject is in Chicago, 
and two are residents of Wheatland Township, this 
cmiuty. Harvey. Jr., who w.is the 3'()uugest of the 
faniil}', continued with his mother until she no 
longer required his filial offices, and then having 
been given the residence part of the homestead for 
his portion, doubled his amount of land by subse- 
quent i)urchase, and has since continued there. 

Our subject remained a bachelor until neai-ly 
forty years of age, and was married to Miss Jessie 
Hill, their wedding tailing place at the lionie of the 
bride in Wheatland Township, on the 12th of Jan- 
uary, 1888. Mrs. McGee is a natives of this town- 
shi[), and was boiii July 2, 1803, while her parents, 
Myron and Elvira (Wakelield) Hill, were naSives 
of Michigan and New York respectii^ely ; tliey re- 
side in this township (see sketch of Myron Hill). 
Her paternal grandparents were Jesse and Ruth A. 
(Tibbils) Hill, of Wayne County, N. V. 

There are few in Wheatland 'l\)wnsbi|j wlio take 
precedence of the McGee fa-nily. Mr. McGee cast 



his first Presidential vote for Grant, and has since 
remained a warm supporter of Republican prin- 
ciples; he, however, is interested in the success of 
the temperance movement. Like his father before 
him, he is a thorough business man. progressive and 
intelligent in his farming operations, and in all re- 
spects a valued member of the community. 



^Tr^DMUND C. DAVLS comes from that New 
>-^ England stock in which conscience seems to 
, ' — ^ have licen as hereditary as intelligence, and 
in which the fine accumulative results of the moral 
struggles and triumphs of many generations of 
honest lives appear to have been transmitted. Origi- 
nality of conception is combined with promptness 
of execution, and au ambitious and energetic sup- 
port of action. These qualities which have been 
noticed in iNIr. Davis' individuality are thus easily 
traced. Though a man still in the prime of life, he 
has already carved out for himself a niche in the 
best society of Hillsdale County, to which his ster- 
ling worth of character and business ability honestly 
entitle him. 

Mr. Davis was born in Wheatland Towusiiip, this 
county. Nov. 15, 1845, and is the son of Homer C. 
Davis, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., where 
he was born Nov. 30, 1 802. The grandfather of 
our subject, Eliud Davis, was born in Danbury, 
Conn., and removed from there to Saratoga County-, 
N. Y., where he was among the early settlers. 
About 1813 he entered New York City, and en- 
gaging in the wholesale grocery business, continued 
in that occuiiation until IMl). He then removed 
to Monroe Count}-, in the same .State, and subse- 
quently to Orleans County, wiicre !ie spent the 
remaining j'cars of his life. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Rachel Hollister, was also a native of 
Connecticut, and died in Oilcans County, N. Y. 

The father of our subject was seventeen years of 
age when his parents removed to Western New 
York, and he assisted liis father for some years in 
his work of brickmaking. After the death of the 
latter. Homer C. learned the trade of a cooper, and 
followeil that occupation until after his marriage. 
He then entered into partnersliip with his brother. 



•^ k ■ » 



270 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and purchasing a sawmill in Ovleans County, N. 
Y., tliey engaged in tlie manufacture and sale of 
lumber, which they contiiuied about fmir years. 
He then sold his interest iu the mill, and purchas- 
ing a farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
1837, when his property was taken from him in 
liquidation of an obligation incurred by his endors- 
ing notes for other parties. Notwithstanding this 
reverse of fortune, Mr. Davis did not give up in 
despair. He removed in 1838 to Indiana, and 
after about a year migrated to Wheatland Town- 
ship, where he followed his trade until he had 
acquired some capital, and then i)urchased a tract 
of timber hind and engaged in the noble work of 
redeeming a farm from the wilderness. In 1854, 
however, he removed to Amboy Township, and 
settled on the farm where our subject now resides. 
He purchased 120 acres of land, forty of which are 
iu Ohio, but he did not locate on it immediately. 
Previous to his arrival here he had purchased a 
store on section G, Ambo3' Tovaiship, and was en- 
gaged iu mercantile business for three j-ears, during 
which time he was also engaged in the manufacture 
of pearlash and potash. In 185(3 lie removed to 
Kalamazoo County, but after one year's residence 
there he returned and settled on the land he had 
[jreviously bought, and continued to make this 
place his home until his death, which took jjlace 
April 9, 1881. The mother of our subject, whose 
maiden name was Minerva Smith, was born in the 
town of Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., and w.as 
the daughter of Sylvester and Mary Smith ; she 
also died at the homestead in Amboy Township. 

Edmund C. Davis is the sixth in order of birth 
in a family of seven children included in the par- 
ental family. He was nine years of age when he 
came to Amboy Township with his parents, and 
remembers very well its wild condition at that 
time, when deer, wild turkeys and other game were 
plentiful, and the bear and wolf still lurked in the 
forest. He received his education in the pioneer 
schools of Amboy Township, and remained at home 
with his parents until his enlistment, Feb. 2y, 1864, 
in Company B, 25th Ohio Infantry, and served 
until the ISlli of June, 18(JG, principally in South 
Carolina, when he was mustered out of the service 
and honoralily disciiarged. Upon iiis diseliarge ho 



returned to his home and remained until 1871, 
when he went to Kalkaska County and took up a 
soldier's claim. He spent part of his time there 
during the next live j-cars, but in 1875 he returned 
and settled on the old homestead, of which he has 
since been a resident. 

Mr. Davis was united iu marriage, July 24, 1872, 
with Bettie Culver, a native of Quincy Township, 
Branch County, and the daughter of John and 
Rhoda Culver. Three children have been bora of 
this union to gladden the home of their parents — 
Homer J., Gertrude and Dolly May. 

Mr. Davis' business qualities and [jublic spirit 
have been recognized by the people of his com- 
munity, who have elected him to several of the 
offices within their gift. While in Kalkaska County 
he was elected vSupervisor, and served in that 
capacity two years, and in the spring of 1887 he 
was elected Supervisor of Amboy Township, and 
re-elected in 1888. He has also been Township 
Clerk three years, and has on all occasions of pub- 
lic trust discharged his duties with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is 
identitied with the Republican party, and is a 
gentleman of influence in his community. Mr. and 
IMrs. Davis are members in good standing of the 
Baptist Church, and are worthy and reputable 
members of society. 



WILSON E. BROWN, dealer in real estate, 
loans and [lersonal property, and prominent 
among the enterprising young businessmen 
of the city of Hillsdale, is a native of this county, 
having been born in Camden Township, June 10, 
1802. He is the eldest son of Emanuel and Ellen 
(Judd) Brown, who were among the earliest settlers 
of Woodliridge Township, where they still live upon 
the homestead which they eliminated from the wil- 
derness. 

Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in a 
manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and 
made the most of his opportunities at school. Upon 
reaching manhood he entered the commercial de- 
paitment of Hillsdale College, where he took a full 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



271 



.t 
I 



course of instruction, and this in adrlition to his 
previous experience as a teaciier, contributed to 
make him master of a fund of general information. 
Upon leaving sdiool he commenced his business 
career in a store of general merchandise as clerk, 
and a year later became proprietor, and conducted 
the business until 1885. 

In the above-mentioned year Mr. Brown opened 
an office in the cit}' of Hillsdale, establishing the 
business in which he has since met with signal suc- 
cess. He also does a profitable abstract and collec- 
tion business, and by loaning money on personal 
property on short time, but more espeeiall}' long 
time loans on real estate, and the examination of 
titles, is building up a business which, conducted 
witli his usual abilit}' and good sense, will in time 
contribute to his complete ii\depcndencc. He is 
still fond of the emplo3-ments of country life, par- 
tieidarly of horses, and keeps of these animals about 
twenty head for the purpose of breeding and sale. 
He is still unmarried, and is usually found attend- 
ing strictly to his business affairs at his pleasantand 
convenient oflice in the Masonic Block. 



^ ^-*-g 



USSELL E. CONVERSE, Under Sheriff of 
ir Hillsdale County, has spent his entire life in 
this localit}', having been born in Adams 
'^Township, Oct. 21.1 8.56. His father, Will- 
iam Converse, was born in Wayne Count}', N. Y., 
Oct. 30, 1831. and after coming to Micliigan mar- 
ried Miss Jane M. Thompson, who was the young- 
est daughter of Warren Thompson, <mc of the first 
settlers of .lefferson Townsiiip. The father came to 
this County in I.S-IG. and was married eight years 
later, in March, 18r)4. 

After ni;uiiage the parents of our subject settled 
((11 a farm in .Jefferson Township, where they still 
reside, and became the parents of six children, three 
sons and three daughters, three of whom arc de- 
ceased. The two surviving, besides our subject, 
are resi<lents of Jefferscjn Townshii). Russell E. 
was the eldest born, and in common with the sons 
of pioncir farmers, pursued his early studies in the 
district schools until 1873, when he entered the High 
School at Hillsdale, from which ho was gra<luatcd in 



1876. Subsequently he was engaged in teaching 
three terms, and until his apiiointnient as Turnkey 
under Sheriff Morres Lamb, wliich position bo oc- 
cupied two 3'ears. 

Mr. Converse w.as appointed Deputy Sheriff un- 
der George W. Bullock, and subsequently occupied 
the same position under Myron G. Wood, render- 
ing an acceptable service of two years. He received 
his present appointment on the Istof January, 1887, 
and in the discharge of Its duties has .acquitted him- 
self with credit, and to the satisf.action of all con- 
cerned. Politic.ali3\ he affiliates with the Republican 
party, inthe success of which he takes a livelj' in- 
terest. Sociall}', ho behjiigs to Hillsdale Lodge No. 
176, A. F. & A. M., and is also a K. of P.. of Hills- 
dale Lodge No. 45. He is of that genial and cheer- 
ful temperament which atti'acts to him hosts of 
friends, while his excellent i)riiicipli',s an<l integrity 
of purpose; have gained him the esteem and con- 
fnlence of his fellow-citizens. 

The marriage of Rnsscll E. Converse and Aliss 
Carrie E. Cox was celebrated at the home of the 
bride in Ad;ims Township, Oct. 23. 1879. Mrs. 
Converse was born June 17, is(ii, in Rensselaer 
County, N. Y., and is the daughter of William and 
Antonette Cox, who were natives of New York, 
and are now deceased. Their ])leasant and invit- 
ing home has been brightened by the liirlh of four 
children, of whom but two are living, namely : Hazel 
F. and Guj^; Claude E. died when three years of 
.age, and Warren R. at the age of six years. 




■^T^ LEAZER GLEASON. The property of this 
r3 gentleman includes a good farm of 120 acres 
ih^^j H'ing on section 33. Reading Township, 
under a good state of cultivation and supplied with 
the necessary farm buildings and machinery for 
carrying on agriculture in a profitable and satisfact- 
ory manner. He purchased this l;ind when it was 
still in its primitive condition and has himself effected 
all the inipr(jvcmcnts which the traveler notes with 
interest as the result of many years' industrious toil. 
Each man in the community wiio has improved a 
portion of the land around him corresponds to a 



u 



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272 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



brick in the foiindatioTi of fi great building, for upon 
liim de|)ends a portion of the solidity of the whole 
snperstruetiirc. 

Like many of the men about him who liave 
labored to good advantage and iiave lived respected 
in their community, our subject is a native of the 
Empire State, having l>een born in Genesee County, 
Aug. 29,1812. He was reared, however, in On- 
tario County, to which his parents soon afterward 
removed. The latter, Eleazer and Hannah (Reed) 
Gleason, were natives of New York and of English 
descent, and both the grandfathers of our subject 
did good service in the Revolutionary War. 

The mother of our subject died in New York, 
and }i.\eazer was reared to manhood in Ontario 
County, that State. On the 23d of April, 1834, 
he was united in marriage with Miss Betsy Berry, 
by whom he became the father of nine children, 
five sons and four daughters. William, Charles P., 
Alvaro, Eleazer H. and L. C. are all married and 
settled in comfortable homes of their own with 
their little children about them; Harriet died aged 
forty-nine years; Maude died in early childhood, 
and Jane at the age of forty years ; Mary is the wife 
of Frank Woodard ; Ida married Hugh Devine, and 
has one child named Gleason, after its maternal 
grandfather. 

Mrs. Gleason was born in Seneca Township, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1816, and is the 
daughter of William and Rhoba (Colwell) Berry, 
vvlio were natives of England and Rhode Island 
respectively, and spent their last years, the father 
in Michigan and the mother in New York. The 
Berry family were widely and favorably known 
throughout that part of the Empire State. Mr. 
Gleason left New York State when twenty-two 
years old, and going directly to Maumee, Ohio, 
lived there until making his way to the Territory 
of Michigan, in 1835, the year after his marriage. 
He and his young wife began housekeeping in a log- 
dwelling in what is now Reading Village, but which 
was then a country with very few inhabitants. Our 
subject began clearing the land aronnd him, and in 
due time realized the reward of his labors in the 
possession Of a good farm. 

Mr. Gleason has not only been industrious as a 
tiller of the soil but has taken a warm interest in 



the growth and development of his township. He 
cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson 
upon the occasion of his second nomination and 
wlien, much to his surprise, his vote passed un- 
cliallcnged. and still continues a member of the 
Democratic party. He has lield the minor offices 
of his township, and infused the spirit of patriotism 
into his sons which impelled them during the late 
war to enlist as Union soldiers under the first call 
for troops. William was a member of an Illinois 
regiment, and Alvaio belonged to a Michigan bat- 
ter}', which started out from Detroit and later in the 
conflict joined with Sherman in his historical march 
to sea. Both the boys, although experiencing the 
hardshi|)sand privations incident to army life, lived 
to return home in safet}'. The Gleason family 
weie patriotic from the beginning, the father of our 
subject and his brothei'S doing good service in tlie 
War of 1812, during which the former received a 
ball in the leg which he carried through life. 



ARNEY REYNOLDS, deceased, was for 
^ many years identified with the farming in- 
V terests of Reading Township, where be 




owned a good farm. He was a native of 
Albany County, N. Y., born Oct. 15. 1804. He 
was reared in the place of his birth, was a farmer's 
son, and when he became old enough gave his father 
assistance in clearing a farm in Albany County. He 
grew to be an active, stalwart and sturdy young man, 
and b}' his labors was early enabled to establish a 
comfortable home for himself, and married in his na- 
tive county Miss Maiia Damp. Their married life 
was of brief duration, for in a few years siie died, 
leaving two children — Calvin and Jane. The latter 
is the widow of Joseph Bedell, and lives in Cold- 
water ; Calvin lives in New York, where he is en- 
gaged as a street car conductor. 

After the death of his wife Mr. Reynolds came 
to Michigan, and in 1847 bought a tract of land on 
section 1, Reading Township, where he afterward 
made his home until his death. I}i the meantime 
he industriously cleared and improved a farm of 
eighty acres, which, under his capable management, 
became one of the best tilled and neatest farms in 



- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



273 



that locality, and he erected a good set of farm 
buikliiigs. Mr. Reynolds' lung- and useful life was 
suddenly brought to an end by his accidental death, 
Oct. 2.'i, 1H7!), caused by iiis being thrown from a 
moving wagon which broke his neck, and he never 
afterward spoke. Mr. Reynolds was highly re- 
spected in the community where he had for so many 
years made his home. He was a hard-working man, 
honest to a degree, and led an upright life. 

Shortly after coming to Michigan our subject was 
a second time married, in Hillsdale Townshi|), hav- 
ing there met Miss Saniantha Searles, who became 
his second wife. , She was born in Schuyler 
Count3', N. Y., May 26. 183.5, and was a daughter 
of Gary and Nancy (Kddj') Searles, both n.atives of 
New York State. After marriage her |)arents set- 
tled in their native State, but when she was two 
years old they went to Wells, Bradford Co., Pa. 
Two years later they migrated with their family to 
Michigan, and settled in the woods of Hillsdale 
Township, Hillsdale County. Mr. Searles purch.ised 
a tract of land there and began its imiMovement, 
but shortly after died at the early age of thirty- 
three. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and 
religiously, he and his wife were members of the 
Free-Will Baptist Church. After the death of Mr. 
Searles his widow married William Cleavland, who 
was a fanner and mechanic. 

By his second marriage Mr. Rej'nolds had five 
children, two of whom are now dead, Gary and 
Johnnie. 'J'he record of those living is .as follows: 
Margaret is the wife of Walter E. Way, and they 
live on a farm near Jonesville; Sarah is tlie wife of 
Henry L. Way, and they live on a farm near Pitts- 
ford ; Nancj' is the wife of George Worden, and 
they live in Reading. 

After the death of Mr. Reynolds, of this notice, 
his widow married, Dec. 7, 1 879, Charles Cleavland, 
son of her mother's second husband. He was born 
in New York Stale, Aug. 20, 1823, and when twelve 
years of age went to live in Ohio. He was three 
times married in that State, and his two first wives 
died there. His third wife accompanied him to Michi- 
gan, and she died in the city of Hillsdale. By his 
first marriage he had one child, and by his third 
marriage seven cliildren, and all his children are 
}r living, llct is an industrious man, is a carriage 



•►-■-4»- 



i 



trimmer, and is now in the employ of John Henan, 
of Hillsdale. In his political beliefs he is a strong 
Democrat. 

Mrs. Cleavland owns the eighty acres of land that 
formed her first husband's farm, and under her 
skillful management it has not in any wise deteri- 
orated in value. She is a shrewd, cai)able, ener- 
getic woman, and is much respected. 

'^ ALLETT H. EDDY. This gentleman is 
recognized as one of the most thorough and 
skillful agriculturists of Litchfield Township, 
(^) a cap.able business man and gentleman of 
fine i.astes, and of late ye.-irs has given much ;ittcn- 
tion to the lirecding of high-grade Merino .sheep. 
In this industry he takes i)riile, and has met with 
good success. His farm property lies on section 23, 
aiid everything about tlie premises, from the taste- 
fully constructed dwelling, to the barn and out- 
houses, indicates the exercise of sound conunon 
sense and ample means. Our subject and his estim- 
able wife have reared a finef.amily of children, most 
of whom are located in homes of their own, and are 
in comfortable circumstances. 

Madison County, N. Y., w.as the early tramping- 
ground of our subject, and where his birth took 
place Aug. 2, 1828. Eight 3'ears later his parents 
removed to Steuben County, where the boy ac- 
quired his education, and developed into manhood. 
He was married to Miss lluldy L. Fenton, Oct. 21, 
18.")0, and settled first in that locality, but five years 
later came to Michigan, and taking up his aboilc in 
Litchfield Township, has since continued a resident 
here. He purchased his present farm of 138 acres 
in 1871. 

The p.arcnts of our subject, Jesse and Polly (Ovi- 
att) Eddy, were of New England birth and ances- 
try, the former born near Providence, R. I., and 
the latter near Little Iloosac, Conn. After mar- 
riage they settled in Madison County, N. Y., 
whence in 1836 they removed to Steuben County, 
where they spent the remainder of their lives on a 
farm, the father dying in 1850, at the age of sixty- 
three years, and the mother in 1872, when seventy- 
eight years old. There were born to them two chil- 



r 



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274 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



dren only: The elder, a sister, Mrs. Harriet Penk, 
is now living on the old homestead in Steuben 
County. 

Mrs. Eddy is the danghter of Stephen and Mary 
(Marring) Fenton, who were natives of New Jer- 
sey, the father born in Orange Count}'. The pa- 
ternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, 
and on tiie mother's side Grandfather ]\Larring was 
a native of Germany. Grandfather Fenton was 
one of Gen. Washington's bodyguard, and with the 
Father of his Country', met the enemy at Stony 
Point, and was subsequently at the execution of 
the traitor Benedict Arnold. Ste|)hen Fenton sub- 
sequently gave some time to the service of his 
country in the War of 1812. From Steuben County, 
in April. 1853, he came with his famil}' to Michi- 
gan, settling in the spring of the year in Scipio 
Township, where his death took place three years 
later at the age of sixtj'-three. The mother, after 
the death of her husband, made her home with her 
son-in-law, our subject, and died at the advanced 
age of eighty-four years, in 1 882. 

The parents of Mrs. Eddy had a family of tea 
children, two sonS and eight daughters, of whom 
she was the seventh child. She was born Dec. 2, 
1831, in Steuben County, N. Y., and acquired her 
education in the common school. Following the 
example of her excellent mother, she also became 
the mother of ten children, the eldest of whom, a 
daughter, Mary E., died when two and one-half 
years old ; Jane A. is the wife of Eoswell West, of 
Eaton Rapids, and the mother of tvvosons — Arthur 
E. and Hallett E. ; Emily is a teacher of several 
years standing, and makes her home at Eaton Rapids ; 
Joseph F. is married, and occupied as a miller in 
Litchfield Township, and has tvvo children — liertha 
M. and Leo AV. ; Jesse E. was forinerh'a student in 
the Agricultural College at Lansing, Mich., and is 
occupied asa teacher in 'Litchfield ; he married Miss 
Mary Hutchins. Elmer E. mariied Miss Lillian 
Hutchins, and operates as a commercial man; they 
have one child, a daughter Mabel. Minnie A., 
Theron IT., Walter IL and Roswell W., continue 
under the parental roof, and assist in the labors of 
the faim. 

The property of our subject includes, with iiis 
valuable land, all the farm machinery necessary for 




its successful cultivation, and besides his fine siieep, 
a goodly assortment of other live stock. His flock 
of sheep numbers between seventy and eighty head, 
and the chief among them is the celebrated animal 
'•Monarch." wiiicli has made a fine record. Jlr. 
Eddy, politicall}-, is a stanch Prohibitionist, and was 
one of the first men of his township to take his stand 
strictly in favor of tiie abolition of the sale and 
manufacture of si)irituous liquors. Ho has been the 
incumbent of some one of the school offices for a 
period of twelve years. He and his estimable wife 
are both members in good standing of the F"irst 
Baptist Churcii, at Litchfield, to the support of 
which they have contributed liberally and cheerfully 
since their connection with it. 



^^ RS. EUPHEMIA WAY, widow of the late 
Rodney Way, who departed this life at his 
home in Gratiot in March, 1886, was born 
il in Newburg Township, Orange Co., N. Y., 

Aug. 7, 1830, and is the daughter of Henry and 
Eliza (Hunt) Cypher, who were also natives of the 
Emi)ire State, where they spent their entire lives, 
both dying at an early age, the mother when thirty- 
two and the father when forty-six years old. 

After the <lecease of her parents, their danghter 
Emi)hemia, then a maiden of sixteen years, came to 
this State with an older sister, and was married in 
Adams Township, this county, Dec. 25, 1847, to 
Rodney Way. The latter was born near the now 
flourishing city of Painesville, Ohio, and coming to 
Michigan wlien a young man, located in Wheatland 
Township, Hillsdale County, of which he was an 
early pioneer. The 30ung people commenced life 
togethei' on a farm in Hillsdale County, and in duo 
time became the parents of six children, of whom 
the record is as follows: Henry, the eldest, mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Reynolds, and lives on a farm in 
Pittsford Township; Henrietta is the wife of Will- 
iam Councdor, of Charlevoix County, living there 
on a farm ; Walter marrieil Miss INIargaret Reynolds, 
and is at present carrying on .'igricidture in Fayette 
Township, this count}' ; Adelaide, Mrs. Charles Tay- 
lor, lives on a farm in Kalkaska County, this State; 
Anna B. and Frank make their home with their 



» ► U j * 



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^1 



HILLSDALE COUNTY 



275 



brotlier Henry. Mrs. Way since the death of her 
husband lias made lier lionie with her Ivinspeople, 
mostly in Keading Township. She is a very excel- 
lent lady, has been the privileged witness of the re- 
markablo changes occurring in Southern Michigan 
for over thirty years, and is able to relate many 
interesting tales of by-gone daj's. 



ti ■*->^•<sJ)js44^^>^iE4^•«•- 



\fJOHN A. CARNCIiOSS, Esq., a native of 
Cayuga County, N. Y., commenced life for 
himself when a young man on section 32, in 
Pittsford Township, this county, upon a tract 
of uncultivated land upon which there had been 
effected very little improvement and no buildings 
wortii mentioning. He had one cow, one yearling 
calf, five sheep, a pig and a pair of small horses. 
Bj' the practice of rigid economy and the exercise 
of untiring industry, he in due time found himself 
upon the high road to prosperity, and is now the 
owner of a good farm embracing eighty acres of 
land, the greater part of it under a good state of 
cultivation, a good frame barn, and a substantial 
and convenient brick residence. His land has been 
thoroughly diained with 1,500 rods of tile, and his 
live stock and farm machinery are highlj' credita- 
ble to his industry and good judgment. A quiet 
and unobtrusive man, he has endeavored to live 
honestly and uprightly, and enjoys in a marked 
degree the esteem of his neighbors. 

Our subject was born near the town of Ira, N. Y., 
Feb. 12, 1.S36. His father, William Carncross, w.as 
a native of Schoharie County, that State, and his 
grandfather, Lewis Carneross, it is supposed was 
born in Holland, whence he crossed the Atlantic in 
early manhood. He took up his residence among 
the pioneers of Caj'uga Couijly, N. Y., and tluMe 
spent the remainder of his days, his death taking 
place in the town of Cato about 16:>G. 

William Carneross, the faliier of our subject, was 
reared in his native county, where he continued 
until after his marriage. He then [nirchased a farm 
in Cayuga County, ncai- which the town of Ira grew 
up, and there lived and laliored the remainder of 
his dajs. The maiden name of tiic mother was 
Diana Albright, an<l she also was a native of Sciio- 



haric County, and the descendant of Holland an- 
cestry. Siie passed away some years before the 
decease of her husband, 'lying also at the old home- 
stead in Cayuga County. The parental family in- 
cluded four children, two of whom arc living, and 
are now residents of Hillsdale County and Cayuga 
County, N. Y. 

Our subject was but two j'ears of age at the time 
of his mother's death. His father subsequently 
married, and John A. was reared bj' his stepmother. 
He continued under the parental roof until uniting 
his fortunes with a maiden of his own county, Miss 
Catherine Ruleff, their wedding taking place on the 
5th of September, 1854. On the 23d of October 
following, the newly married pair set out for the 
State of Michigan, going by rail to Buffalo, thence 
by lake to Toledo and from there again by cars to 
Clayton, in Lenawee Count}-, where our subject 
arrived with a cash capital of twenty-two shillings 
in his pocket. He made it his first business to seek 
employment, which he found as a railroad laborer, 
while his bride went and lived with a farmer where 
the}' both boarded. Mr. Carneross a few months 
later rented land and commenced farming, and they 
continued residents of that vicinity until the spring 
of 1859. The first purchase of our subject was forty- 
acres of land, which he secured possession of in the 
year above mentioned, and for which he was to paj' 
the sum of $700. From this the timber had mostly 
been chopped away, although a large portion of 
the stumps were still standing, and there was a 
plank house, a small frame barn with thereof caved 
in, and a log stable. The stimulus of possession^ 
however, gave the young people courage to cheer- 
fully accept this as a home until they could improve 
its condition, and here, where they commenced the 
more serious struggle of life, they have since C(m- 
linued, with the results already indicated. 

The wife of our subject was born in the town of 
Conquest, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept. U, 1835. Her 
father, John Ruleff, was born in Schoharie County 
and was the son of Jacob Ruleff, who settled in 
Cayuga County at an early day, and purchased a 
small tract of land upon which he spent the remain- 
der of his life. John lluleff w;us married in Cayuga 
County to Miss Catlii'rine CoppernoU, and they con- 
tinued residents of that county until 1855. That 



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276 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



year they came to this State and the father purchased 
sixty acres of land in Hudson Township. This he 
sold a few years later, but continued to reside in 
Hudson until his death, as also did his excellent 
wife. '1 he latter was the daughter of Andrew and 
Catherine Coppernoll, natives of New York, who 
spent their last years in Cayuga County, N. Y. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carncross became the parents of 
five children, four now living, namely: Frank W. 
and PZlma E., residents of Fittsford Township; 
Amelia, who continues with her parents, and Will- 
iam O., who operates the home farm. Mr. C. has 
been quite prominent in towiishipaffairs, and served 
as Justice of the Peace for nearly eighteen years. 
He has always taken a deep interest in the cause of 
education, and has been connected with the School 
Board the greater part of the time since taking up 
his residence here. Politically, he votes with the 
Republican party. 



II^M ARVIN S. VOORllES, of Fittsford Town- 
ship, is a fine representative of the farmers 
who have contributed so largely to the up- 
building of Hillsdale Count}' and to its 
material prosperit}-, and, like many others of his 
calling, he is the son of a pioneer of Southern 
Michigan, and grew up with the country. He was 
born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga Co.. N. Y., 
Oct. 29, 1823. His father, John Voorhes, was a 
native of Trenton, N. J., whence bis father, who 
it is thought was born in Holland, removed to 
Caj'uga Count}', N. Y., and was an early settler in 
Somerset Township, where he died. The father of 
our subject was a .young man when his parents 
ni.ade their home in Cayuga County, and he resided 
there until 1828, having married Jane Merritt, a 
native of New Jersey. They subsequently settled 
in Seneca County, in the town of Romulus, where 
they lived until 1834. In the spring of that year 
Mr. Voorhes started with his wife and eight chil- 
dren to brave the privations and dangers of an 
unknown wilderness, for the sake of establishing a 
home on the rich and virgin soil of the Territory of 
Michigan. They traveled via the canal to Buffalo 
and by the lakes to Monroe, where the father 



-<•■ 




bought a pair of oxen and a wagon, and the family 
proceeded on their journey through the forest to 
Adrian. Mr. Voorhes entered a tract of eighty 
acres of timber land in the township, but located 
on another tract there which he had contracted 
with a man in New Y'ork to clear. In that work he 
was ably assisted by his sons, and they were thus 
employed until 1836. He then sold his land, and 
removing to Hillsdale County, bought eight}' acres 
of heavily tiinliered land in Somerset Township. 
He built a log house on the place and was a resi- 
dent there until 1865, the year of his death. He 
had, in the meantime, improved the greater part of 
his land, and had erected a set of frame buildings. 
The nearest market for some years was at Brooklyn, 
fourteen miles distant. He did his milling and 
farm work with oxen for years. His worthy wife 
survived him until 1875, when she too died on tlie 
old homestead. They were typical pioneers, pos- 
sessing in a full measure those traits which are so 
essenti.ll to the success of those who seek to build 
homes in the wilderness of a newly settled country, 
and their names are held in respect in that com- 
munity where their interests were centered for so 
many years. 

The subject of this sketch was eleven years old 
when he came with his parents to Michigan, and the 
wild surroundings and incidents of the pioneer life 
of his early home in the forests of Southern Michi- 
gan, left an indelible impression on his memory. 
He remembers that the deer were so plentiful that it 
was one of his duties to watch them and keep them 
out of the wheatflelds. Wolves and bears were 
often seen, and wild turkeys and other game often 
graced their table. He attended the pioneer schools 
.IS opportunity offered, and assisted in the farm 
work until he was twenty-one. He then commenced 
the battle of life outside the parental home, work- 
ing out by the month in this county until 1852. 
He was well endowed with mental and physical 
vigor, and ambitiously desired a broader field of 
action, and in accordance with that motive, he 
started, March 8, 1852, for California, in company 
with a colony, the entire journey to that far-away 
State on the Pacific Co.ast being made with teams. 
They were just six months on the way, arriving at 
Marysville on the 8th day of the following Septem- 

•^ 



f 



-4^ 



-A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



277 



ber. Our subject was engaged in mining for the 
first two months after his arrival in the Golden 
State. Subsequently lie was employed in a saw- 
mill for four years, and after that resumed mining 
in Yuba County, where he remained until Decem- 
ber, 1858. Then gathering his savings together, 
he turned his back on the Eldorado of his 3'outhful 
ambitions, and returned to his old home in the 
State of Michigan, traveling by steamer via Panama 
and New York. He bought a farm in Somerset 
Township and lived there until 1874. 

While residing there Mr. Voorhes was married, 
Feb. 20, 1860, to Miss Alcinda Lamb, a native of 
Rose, Wayne Co., N. Y. Her father, Isaac Lamb, 
was born in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., whence 
his father, also named Isaac, removed in 1820 to 
Rose, of which he was a pioneer. He improved a 
farm, and resided there until his death. Mrs. Voor- 
hes' father was fourteen years old when his parents 
moved to Wayne County', and there he grew to 
manhood, and married Emeline Hickok, who was 
born in Hubbardton, Rutland Co., Vt., July 15, 
1809, and was a daughter of Moses Hickok. After 
marriage they settled in Waj'ne County, and re- 
sided there until 1848. They then came to Michi- 
gan and settled in Somerset, vvhere Mr. Lamb 
bought a tract of land partly improved. In 1865 
he sold that place and moved to Lansing, from there 
to Lenawee County, and from there to Gagetown, 
Tuscola County, where he died Jan. 11, 1888. To 
him and his wife, who died in Somerset Township, 
in 1800. ten children were born, four of whom are 
now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Voorhes moved in 1874 from the 
liome where they began their married life, to Pitts- 
ford Township, where he bought a farm, on wliich 
the}' lived for four years, lie then sold that and 
bought one in Wheatland, but in l.ssi lie disposed 
of that place and returned to Pittst'ord Township, 
where he bought the |)lace where he and his wife 
have since lived. Tlie farm ranks among the most 
productive in the township, and ma}' well be con- 
sidered a valuable one, with its well-tilled fields, 
and neat and ample farm buildings. Their comfort- 
able, attractive home is very pleasantly located 
within one mile of the center of Hudson, and eom- 
', mands a beautiful view of the surrouiuling country. 



The wedded life of our subject and his estimable 
wife has been saddened by the death of their 
beloved and amiable daughter, Altie M., an only 
child, who was born Aug. 15. 1864, and died Nov. 
15, 1883. 

Mr. Voorhes is a man of strong and earnest 
character, good business principles, and is always 
heartily in sympathy with every good work for the 
social, moral or material elevation of the township. 
In politics he is a firm Republican. He and his 
good wife are alwa^'s ready to show kindness to 
others, and their genial and pleasant manners have 
won for them an enviable place in the regard of 
their fellow-citizens. 



-♦"T- 



v-=s^ OBERT A. EVERETT, M. D., physician and 
IjLijlJ' surgeon, who has been located in the city of 
/]Ol\ Hillsdale since the spring of 1858, is one of 
w^the most reliable members of the medical 
profession in Southern Michigan. Born in the city 
of Auburn, N. Y., on the 22d of November, 1839, 
he comes of an excellent old family, being the son 
of Dr. Augustus Everett, who practiced for a num- 
ber of years in Hillsdale County, and was widely 
and favorably known to a large jjroportion of its 
residents. The latter was born on the banks of 
Lake Champlain and trained in the principles of the 
Quaker faith. His early years were spent in the 
pursuit of agriculture, and upon reaching manhood 
he took for his wife Miss Permelia, daughter of 
Elisha Holdridge, Esq., who w.as born near the New 
York line in ICaslern Pennsylvania. After their 
marriage Augustus Everett and his wife settled in 
the city of Auburn, and the former entered upon 
a course of study in the Medical College at Geneva. 
He became master of the important matters con- 
nected with his chosen profession, and began prac- 
tice in the town of Gorham, Ontario County, where 
in the course of time he found himself in possession 
of a large patronage, and where he continued until 
his removal to Michigan in 1849. 

The father of our subject located Hrst in Tccum- 
seh, Lenawee County, of which he was a resi<lent 
and a practitioner for seven years. He then re- 



■*¥- 






278 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



movefl to Toledo, Ohio, and from there, in 1857, 
came to Hillsdale, where his death took place in 
January, 1876. The mother survived until Febru- 
ary, 1884. They were the parents of two children 
only: Robert A., of our sketch, and Amelia, wife of 
C. H. Smith, of Hillsdale. Our subject was but 
nine years of age when his parents came to Soulli- 
ern Michigan, where his studies were first conducted 
in the district schools of Tecumseh, and later in a 
select school under the tutelage of John Esterbrook, 
one of the noted educators of the West. 

Upon completing his studies young Everett en- 
tered the drug-store of Dr. DeMott. in the city of 
Tecumseh, as clerk, but eighteen months later en- 
gaged as drug clerk in Toledo. In the fall of the 
year 18G7, deciding that bis tastes and inclinations 
would justity the step, he entered the University 
of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from the medical de- 
partment of which he was graduated in 1859. He 
opened his first office in the city of Hillsdale, but 
a few months later the outbreak of the Rebellion 
interferred with his plans as it did with those of 
thousands of others, and he resolved to sacrifice his 
personal interests to the call of duty. Enlisting as 
a private in Company E, 4th Michigan Infautr}', he 
rendezvoused with his comrades for a time in camp 
at Adrian, and soon afterward was given the posi- 
tion of Hospital Steward. When the regiment was 
ordered South the Doctor was made Assistant Sur- 
geon of the 5th Infantry, and availed himself of 
the advantages of the School of Instruction at De- 
troit until November following, when he was or- 
dered South with his regiment, and served under 
every General from Scott to Grant. In due time 
he received further promotion, being made Surgeon 
of the 16th Michigan, with which rank he was mus- 
tered out at the expiration of his term of enlist- 
ment, and received his honorable discharge. 

Dr. Everett was at the front during many of the 
important battles of the war, often in places of great 
danger, but never swerved from his duty, being 
readj' if needful to make all the sacrifices demanded 
for the cause of freedom and union. Upon retiring 
from the service he returned to Hillsdale, where he 
resumed practice, and was cordially welcomed by 
his old friends and patrons. He is now in the en- 
joyment of a fine income and has a comfortable 



and substantial residence on Broad street, besides 
owning the drug-store in the Waldron Block, which 
is also doing a good business. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
Oct. 1 1, 1864, was in her girlhood Miss Janet Lan- 
caster, who was born in November, 1 839, in Peek- 
skill, N. Y., and came to Hillsdale with her parents 
when a little girl. Her father, James Lancaster, 
Esq., was one of the pioneers of Hillsdale County, 
and it is believed that he put up the first frame 
dwelling in the city of Hillsdale. He had served 
as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in early man- 
hood married Miss Spock. 

Dr. Everett has for many years been identified 
with the Masonic fraternity, being now a member 
of Hillsdale Lodge No. 176, in which he has been 
Master ten yeais. He is also prominently connected 
with the Southern JNlichigan Medical Society, and 
was the last President. In 1876 he was elected 
Mayor of Hillsdale, the duties of which office he 
discharged with excellent jndgmentand satisfaction 
to all concerned. Politically-, he votes the straight 
Democratic ticket, and it is hardly necessary to say- 
that he is extremely popular when it is known that 
he was elected as M.iyor when the city was strongly 
Republican. Jn addition to other positions of trust 
and responsibility, he is also a member of the Pen- 
sion Board of Examining Surgeous. 

ICHARD HUGGETTE is a general farmer 
,^ residing on section 14, Reading Township, 
(ii '\\ where he owns a farm of eighty acres of vvell- 
^P improved land. He has been a constant 
resident of this township since 1860, at which time 
he removed from Pittsford Township, this county, 
where he had resided three years. He came to this 
county in 1838, when a lad twelve years of age, 
and took up his residence in Camden. 

The subject of this uarr.itive was born in York- 
shire, England, March 5, 1826, and is the son of 
Richard Iluggette, Sr., a native of the same shire. 
The father was reared to the occupation of a farmer, 
and w.as united in his native shire to Miss Elener 
Pyles, who, like her husband, came of pure En- 
glish stock, and was also a native of Yorkshire. 



i 



t 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



279 , . 



After the hiitli of two children, Charles and our 
subject, the family embarked for America, and 
after a voyage of six weelvs, during which they 
experienced stormy weather, tiiey landed in New 
York City. They subsequent!}' removed to Lyons, 
in the Empire State, and afterward to Phelps 
Township, Livingston County, which they made 
their home for a few years. They next removed 
to Wayne County, in the same State, and finally', 
in 1838, they started for the young State of Michi- 
gan. Tliey came b\' canal to Buffalo, and thence 
on the lake to Toledo. Ohio, from wliich place they 
came across the country to Adrian ljy the newly 
C()m[)k4c(l railroad. Mr. Iluggette witli his wife 
and family of five children then came to Camden 
Township and located on a tract of wild land. 

At the time of his settlement in Camden Town- 
ship, j\Ir. Huggette had but 81 in money, and 
winter was approaching. He was not daunted, 
however, but bravely undertook the tat^k of earn- 
ing food for his family. He engaged with neigh- 
boring farmers to thresh their wheat, which at that 
time was done by the slow process of flailing it out, 
and in this waj' he earned ciglit bushels of wheat, 
which, by ihe care and economy of his prudent wife, 
enabled them to subsist through the winter. By 
industry' and perseverance he soon succeeded in 
making a start on his own land, and in a few years 
arrived at easy circumstances, lie bravely met 
and overcame the obstacles incident to pioneer 
life in this climate, and lived to see his own farm 
well improved, and the country around him fairly 
developed. He died on his IiDnieslcad at the age 
of fifty-six years, and was interred in Camden 
Cemetery by the side of his father, who had accom- 
panied him from England, and resided with his 
son until his death. Tiie grandfather of our sub- 
ject was also named Richard, and his grandmother's 
maiden name was Stone; she died during the resi- 
dence of the family in New York State. Mrs. 
Helen Huggette, the mother of our subject, died 
March 5, 1875, at the age of seventy-one 3'ears. 
She was the mother of nine children, seven sons 
and two daughters, of wliom five sons and one 
daughter are yet living, and are all married and 
engaged in agricultural occupations. 

Richard Huggette received his education princi- 



pally in the common schools of his native count}', 
and was early taught to assist his father in the duties 
of the farm. In 1855 he was united in marriage, in 
Scott Township, Steuben Co., Ind., with Miss Sarah 
Clark, who was born in Pittsford Township, Huron 
Co., Ohio, June 13, 1834. Mrs. Huggette is the 
daughter of Horatio N. and Eliza (Bailey) Clark, 
both of whom are now deceased. The father was 
a native of Ontario. Canada, and of English parent- 
age. He spent his boyhood in his native Province, 
and then removed to the State of New York, where 
he was married. He subsequentlj' removed to 
Huron County, Oliiu, and located on a farm, which, 
however, he soon afterward sold, and purchased 
another farm of 180 acres in Williams Countj', in 
the same State. After clearing 100 acres of this 
land he sold the property' and came to Camden 
Township, where he again purchased a farm and 
resumed agricultural occupations. One year after 
his settlement he was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his wife, whose death occurred when she was 
but fortj'-fivc years of ag(.>. Mr. Clark subse- 
quenth' removed with part of his famil}- to Scott 
Township, Steuben Co., Ind., where he w.as a sec- 
ond time married, to Mrs. P0II3' (Garfield) Letcher, 
an aunt of the late lamented President. Her first 
husband, William Letcher, died leaving her with a 
large family. Horatio N. Clark died at his hontfe 
in Steuben Couut\', in 1864, at the age of sixty- 
one years; his wife had preceded him to the silent 
land in 1863. Both of his wives were active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were 
consistent Christian women. In politics Mr. Clark 
was a Republican. 

Mrs. Huggette was the second daughter and fifth 
child in the parental family, and became the mother 
of nine children, thiee of whom — Susan, Rose E. 
and Emma J. — died young. The others are recorded 
as follows : Eliza D. became the wife of Leonard 
Pierce, of Montgomery, this county, where he is a 
prominent business man; Ida E. is the wife of 
William Cole, a farmer of Cambria Township; 
Ersa E. is a teacher in the public schools, as was 
also her sister Ida E. ;they were educated in Read- 
ing, and have made their mark !is successful teach- 
ers. Edna R. resides at home and is preparing 
herself for the profession of a teacher; Herbert and 



i' 



\k 280 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Herman E. reside at home. The children are all 
intelligent and form a pleasant family group, and 
they and their parents are attendants of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Mr. lluggette's political 
atBliations are with the Democratic party. 



-«.W>'<aC£7®-i@» 



g-K'^&'Uim-'-n^^ 



^¥; ASON B. NORRIS. The agricultural inter- 
I ests of Southern Michigan are dependent on 
I the energetic perseverance, enterprise, and 
^^ able management of skilled farmers. Among 
the number to whom credit is due for the high 
rank attained by Hillsdale County as an excel- 
lent farming region, the subject of this sketch, 
who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on 
section 11, Woodbridge Township, occupies a 
leading j)lace. He is a native of the Empire 
State, born in Ontario County, Nov. 3, 1823, and 
is of Puritan stock, tracing his family record back 
many years. His grandfather, Samuel Norris, 
was born in Exeter, N. H., May 15, 1758, and 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary AVar. 

The father of our subject, John B. Norris, was 
born in Chester, N. H., Jan. 30, 1789, and was 
reared on a farm, obtaining a fair education in the 
common schools of his native State. Having 
much meclianical ability he desired to learn a trade, 
and chose that of a carpenter, but he paid much 
more attention to agriculture than to his trade. 
During the War of 1812 he served as the Colonel 
of a regiment, but did not take active part in any 
battles, as he was most of the time engaged in 
guard duty on the Canada frontier or at Black 
Rock. He was three times married. His first 
wife, Polly Bishop, was a native of Connecticut, 
and died in 181(3, having borne him one child, 
Jared B. In 1818, October 24, Mr. Norris mar- 
ried Miss -Betsy Gage, who was born Maj' 27, 
1788, and to them were born Ave children, namely : 
Joel B., James B., Jason B., Julia B. (who died 
when one year old) and Jackson B. Mr. Nor- 
ris was a second time bereaved, as his wife died 
Oct. 31, 1828. She was a devoted wife and a kind 
neighbor, living a life in consonance with the 
teachings of the Baptist Church, of which she 
was a member. By his third wife, whose maiden 



name was Lydia Densmore, Mr. Norris had one 
child, Cordelia D. Sometime in the fifties he 
removed to Hillsdale County and settled in Cam- 
bria Township, living here until his death, which 
occurred March 13, 1872. 

Jason B. Norris was reared to manhood in his na- 
tive State, and early chose farming as the occupa- 
tion by which he could best earn a livelihood. By 
his industry and judicious economy he was soon 
enabled to establish a home of his own, and wooed 
and won for his wife a fair daughter of the Em- 
pire State, Miss Elizabeth Kinney, to whom he was 
united in marriage Dec. 3, 1856. She was born in 
New York, Nov. 11, 1828, being a daughter of 
Elias and Margaret (Anderson) Kinney. Her fa- 
ther, who was born in Warren County, N. J., Sept. 
9, 1788, died in Seneca, Lenawee Co., Mich., 
Sept. 3, 1869, while her mother, a native of 
Philadelphia, Pa., was born Aug. 12, 1788, and 
died in Seneca, April 21, 1858. They were the 
parents of nine children, namely : Amos A., James 
S., Mary A., Samuel K., Richard H., Sally A., 
William S., Elizabeth M. and John A.; all are 
living excepting Mary A., who died in infancy, 
and Sally A. The household circle of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been completed by the 
birth of one child, Mary E., who was born in 
Michigan, July 30, 1858. Her common-school 
education was supplemented by a thorough course 
at Hillsdale High School, from which she was 
graduated in 1875. After completing her studies 
she was engaged as a teacher, a position for 
which she was eminently fitted, and filled success- 
fully. She is a young lady of refinement and 
culture, and a highly accomplished musician. 
She was united in marriage, Sept. 3, 1884, to An- 
drew J. McDermid, a man of superior intelligence 
and fine literarj' tastes. He completed his educa- 
tion by two 3'ears' study at Cornell University, be- 
ing obliged to leave there before finishing the 
course on account of his failing health. For 
many yeai's Mr. McDermid was engaged in teach- 
ing, but is at present working in the Democfat 
printing-office. 

Mr. Norris visited Michigar in 1845, but re- 
turned to New York State, where he remained 
for several years. In 1855 he again came to 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



281 



Michigan, and made a permanent settlement in 
Wuodbridge Township, where he has 120 acres of 
valuable land, on which he has erected good 
buildings and made other substantial improve- 
ments. In local and general affairs our subject 
works for the good of the township and county, 
and is always found on the right side when ques- 
tions of importance are under consideration. His 
excellent judgment, sound wisdom and ability, 
make him a desirable counselor and safe advisor. 
Mr. Norris was elected Supervisor of the town- 
ship in 1866, lt<67, and again in 1877. He was 
elected Township Treasurer in 1859, 1861 and 
1 865, and has also served as Assessor. In educational 
matters our subject has always taken a deep in- 
terest, realizing that the future prosperity of the 
State depends upon the rising generation, and that 
it must be properly fitted for the responsibilities 
of life. In 1870 Mr. Norris was chosen to rep- 
resent his district in the State Legislature, serving 
two years, and during that time he was on three 
committees. Mr. and Mrs. Norris are members of 
the Presbyterian Church, while their daughter be- 
longs to the Protestant Methodist denomin.ation. 
In politics our subject is a Republican, and I'ro- 
hibitionist in principle. 



|pj|ENJAMIN ROCHKLLE. The name of 
IL^ this gentleman is prominent among the 
II prosperous farmers and stock-growers of 
Woodbridge Township, where he has oper- 
ated for the last twenty-two j'ears, having come to 
this State in 1866. He possesses all the elements 
of good citizenship, being ambitious, energetic and 
enterprising, proud of liis f:uming as carried on 
after the most approved methods, and aiming to 
e.xcel. 

Our subject upon coming to this county at once 
purchased eighty acres of timber land in AVood- 
bridge Township, put up a log house, and set about 
the l.ask of felling the trees and preparing the soil 
for cultivation. Later he added to his real estate. 
so that he now has 110 acres, eighty-five of which 
are in a highly productive condition. He brought 
with him his little family, and from that time on to 



the present has given most of his time and atten- 
tion to his farming operations, while at the same 
time he has interested himself in the welfare of the 
community around him. 

Mr. Rochelle is prominent in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, officiating as Trustee, Class- 
Leader and Steward, and for the last eight years 
has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and 
the church has ever found in him a liberal and 
cheerful supporter. Politically, he votes the Re- 
publican ticket, has been a Good Templar for a 
number of years, and is a member of James Holley 
Post, G. A. R., at Frontier. The j'ear after his 
arrival here he was elected School Director, and 
served in this oflSce by re-election a number of 
years. He also served as Commissioner of High- 
ways three years, and was Superintendent of Schools 
four years. It will thus be seen that he has been 
a very useful member of his community, and as he 
is in the prime of life much more is expected of 
him in the future. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Stark 
County, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1834, and is the son of 
James and Susan S. (Elliott) Rochelle, natives re- 
spectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The 
fiitlier w.is born about 1806, and died in Stark 
County, Ohio, in 1837. To that Slate he had mi- 
grated when a boy about ten j'ears of age, and was 
bound out to a farmer by the name of Rawls 
under whose abuse he suffered until the interference 
of a neighbor, Mr. Mahlon Wildeman, who took the 
boy away from his cruel taskmaster ;uid ke|)t him 
until reaching his majority. 

In his twentj'-first year the father of our subject 
was married, having as his sole capital his ax and 
his strong aims. He, however, made a fair living, 
and at the time of his death was in comfortable 
circumstances. The mother of our subject was 
born in 1810, and survived her husl)and for a period 
of forty -eight j'ears; she also died in C)hio, in Sep- 
tember, 1885, and both parents were members of 
the Metho<list Episcopal Church. In her later 
years Mrs. Rochelle left the Methodist Church and 
joined the United Brethren. Of her first marriage 
there were born three children: Benjamin, cur sub- 
ject; James L. and Ilairiet A. After the death of 
her first husband Mrs. Rochelle was married to 



i~ 



■► ■ ^» 



282 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



John Russell, by whom she became the mother of 
one child, a daughter Susannali. who is now Mrs. 
J. Shirk, of Union County, Ohio. 

After tlie outbreak of tiie Rebellion Benjamin 
Roehelle enlisted in Company D, 21st Ohio In- 
fantry, under the first call for troops, in April, 
1861. He served three months, then re-enlisted in 
Company B, National Guards, being in the 100- 
days service, and at the expiration of this time 
enlisted in the 19Gth Ohio Infantry for one year, or 
during the war. His regiment operated along the 
Kanawha Valley, and met the enemy at Scarey 
Creek, where, out of a detail of two companies of 
eighty men, thirty-seven were killed and wounded, 
including the Captain and Colonel, the former of 
whom was killed and the latter wounded. Our 
subject, however, escaped unharmed, and continued 
in service until the close of the war, receiving his 
honorable discharge in September, 1865. 

Mr. Roehelle now returned to his old haunts in 
his native State, and resumed the agricultural pur- 
suits which had been interrupted by the vicissitudes 
of war. He had received no education whatever 
in his boyhood, and first entered a school as a pupil 
when twentj'-two 3'ears old. He vvas eager to learn, 
however, and made such good progress that after 
attending the Marlboro Union School in Stark 
County, Ohio, two terms, he entered Oberlin Col- 
lege in the winter of 1857, pursuing his studies 
until the fall of 1860. Thereafter he taught seven 
terms before the outbreak of the war. This period 
of his life gives sufficient evidence of his resolution 
of character and his determination to become a man 
among men. 

Our subject taught school a number of terms 
after coming to this count}'. He had been married 
near the home of his boyhood in Stark County, 
Ohio, to Miss Sarah Prowler, the wedding taking 
place in Amboy Township, Feb. 2, 1862. Mrs. 
Roehelle was a native of that county and was born 
Nov. 11, 1838. Her parents, Samuel and Phebe 
(Farrington) Fowler, were natives of Maryland 
and Pennsylvania respectively, the father born in 
Frederick County, Nov. 27, 1805. He went to 
Ohio when a young man, and thence came to this 
State, where his death took place in Hillsdale 
County, in January, 1885; the mother died in 



■^•- 



Hillsdale, Dec. 3, 1881. They were members of 
the Society of Friends, and the parents of nine chil- 
dren, namely: Mary A., Joseph, James, Elihu W., 
Sarah, Samuel, Levi, Rachel and Deborah. James 
and Joseph served as soldiers in the Union army, 
the former being a member of the 4th Michigan In- 
fantry, and lost his life at the first battle of Bull 
Run. Joseph enlisted first and then veteranized in 
the 11th Indiana Infantry, served four years, and 
returned home in safety. 

Our subject and his wife lived in Ohio about 
four j'cars after their marriage, and there two of 
their children were born. After coming to this 
county four more were added to the houseiiold 
circle. Their eldest daughter, Wilhelniina, is the 
wife of Franklin E. Russell, a farmer of Wood- 
bridge Township; Carrie is the wife of Charles B. 
Fuller, of Frontier; Franklin C. and Samuel E. are 
pursuing their studies in Hillsdale College; James 
W. and Susie P. are at home with their parents. 

Mrs. Roehelle, like her husband, is well educated 
and a very intelligent lady, and was also a teacher 
before her marriage. Our subject in addition to 
general farming is considerably interested in the 
breeding of fine stock, and this industry, like all his 
farming operations, is carried on in a profitable 
and successful manner. 



->>■- 



(jp^ AMUEL H. OAKS, proprietor of 200 acres 

^^^^ of valuable land on section 22 in Wheat- 

|ll/_Jl) land Township, is a native of W.ayne 

County, N. Y., and was born at the modest 

homestead of his parents in Rose Township, Sept. 

15, 1829. The latter were Charles G. and Sally S. 

(Hills) Oaks, natives respectively of Vermont and 

Rensselaer, New York State, the former born in 

Concord, Caledonia County, Jan. 12, 1802, and the 

latter in Rensselaer County, Aug. 26, 1804. Charles 

G. Oaks followed farming all his life, and died at 

his home in Rose Valley, Wayne Co., N. Y., in 

the eightj'-second year of his age. The mother is 

still living, making her home with a daughter there. 

The subject of our sketch w.as one of a family of 

seven children, four of whom are living, three sons 

and one daughter. One brother, .Seth A., is a resi 



4 



L. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



283 



dent of AVaupaca County, Wis., engaged in mer- 
cli.'indising an;', farming. Cliarles G., Jr., the other 
hi-(itliei-, is in tlie lumber l)\isines.sin AV'ayne County, 
N. Y. Samuel II. left the farm when twenty-two 
j'ears of age and began working in tlie eooper-siiop 
of his father. On the 2Gth of December, 1M50, he 
was married to Miss Esther Humphrey, who was 
born in Dntelie.ss County, N. Y., Aug. 14, li^oO. 
Her parents, Henry and Tamar (Welch) Humphrey, 
were also natives of the Empire State, whence they 
removed westw'ard and died some years ago, the 
father in Wheatland, Hillsdale County, and the 
mother in Tecuniseh, Lenawee County, Feb. 27, 
l!S,s7. Mr. H. was a blacksmith by trade, and the 
l)arentnl houseiiold included seven children, five 
now living. The two deceased died young. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Oaks com- 
menced life tt)gether in Rose, Wajne Co., N. Y'., 
where our subject owned a small piece of ground, 
and where he folhjwed the coo|)er's trade two years. 
He then set out wiiii his wife and child for the State 
of Michigan, and purchased first forty acres of 
partlj' improved land in Wheatland Township. 
There was upon it a small log house of which they 
took possession, and made themselves as comforta- 
ble as possible. By the exercise of industry and 
economy, after a few years they found themselves 
witli good prospects for the future, and Mr. Oaks 
wisely invested his spare cajjital in additional land. 
'J'his he brought to a good state of cultivation and 
erected good buildings, one after another, until the 
iiomestead bears fair comparison with those of the 
thrifty and enterprising men about him.. The little 
household in due time consisted of three children, 
who have all been spared to their parents. Eliza- 
beth L. was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Dec. 10, 
ISol, and is now the wife of Corvvin Cox, the sou 
of Robert Cox, of whom a sketch will be found 
elsewhere in this work; they have three children, 
two sons and one daughter. Charles H. was born 
Oct. 16, 18u3, also in Wayne County, and married 
Miss Ida M. Fowler, by whom he lias become the 
fatiier of a daughter and son ; George S. was born 
in Wheatland Township, this county, Dec. 10, 1856, 
married Miss Jennie Voorhees, of Wheatland, and 
is the father of a bright little girl, 'i'he l)oys are 
all engaged in agiicultural pursuits, and before 



starting out for themselves assisted their father 
greatly in building up the homestead. Like him, 
the3- are active and enterprising, and will bear his 
mantle worthily in the community when he shall 
have been gathered to his fathers. 

Mr. Oaks, politically, unifcjrmlj* votes the Re- 
publican ticket, and is a strong advocate of tem- 
Ijcrance. He and his estimable wife are regular at- 
tendantsof the Baptist Church, butare liberal in their 
religious views and not confined to any particular 
denomination. 



e 



HAULES D. SCllEliMERHORN is junior 
member of the welUknown fii-m of Schermer- 
horn & Bro., of Reading, who operate one 
of the leading manufactories of this part of the 
county and produce all varieties of building mater- 
ial obtained from hardwood and other fine vari- 
eties of lumber, 'ihey own and oecu|)y the well- 
known Colby Factory, which under its i)resent 
management has become one of the indispensable 
institutions of Reading Township, and conunands, 
besides the local trade, an extensive patronage 
outside. 

The subject of this sketch has been a lesiileut of 
Reading for the past three years, and occupies with 
his family a fine;, brick residence on the outskirts 
of the village. Formerly he had carried on general 
merchandising at Ransom for a period of eight 
years, and for five years had been engaged in 
farming. He came to this county in 1,h67, locat- 
ing with his parents in Ransom Townshii). 

Mr. Sehermerhorn was l)orn in London Tovvn- 
ship, Monroe Count}', this .SUvte, July 17, 1846, and 
remained under the j)arental roof until reaching his 
majority. When starting out on his own account 
he engaged as clerk in a store of general merchan- 
dise, an<l three years later embarked in business on 
his own account at Ransom. When ready to estjib- 
lish a home of his own, he was married, in Brooklyn, 
Jackson County, May 12, 1870, to IMiss Fanny E. 
Rolierts, the only child of John and Elizabeth 
(Whitworth) Roberts, whoare still living there. Mr. 
Roberts, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, was 
of pure Eiigli>h ancestry, and emigr.ated to America 



V 

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284 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in early manhood, before his marriage, coming upon 
the same vessel with his future bride, who was a 
native of his own county, but with whom he had 
not before been acquainted. While on the wide 
ocean tliere sprang up between them a mutual affec- 
tion, and after their arrival in Washtenaw County, 
this State, they were made one, the wedding taking 
place in Manchester Township. Their daughter 
Elizabeth was l)orn Feb. 2, 1851. 

Mrs. Schcrmerhorn was a young lady when her 
parents took up their residence in Brooklyn. Of 
her marriage with our subject there are two chil- 
dren, a'daughler and a son, Lizzie and George, who 
are now thirteen and two years of age respectively. 
Our subject, like his brother, is a man of energy 
and excellent business capacities, ^nd is numbered 
among the solid men of Reading. Politically, he 
ij a Proliil)itionist, and with his excellent wife, a 
niernljer in good standing of the Congregational 
Church.' 

(JUSTIN A. PATRICK. Lord Lindley has 
^yfj|i said : "If the virtues of strangers be so at- 
H tractive to us, how infinitely' more so 
should be those of our own kindred, and 
with what additional energy should the precepts of 
our parents influence us, when we trace the trans- 
mission of those precepts from father to son, through 
successive generations, each bearing the testimony' 
of a useful and honorable life through their truth 
and excellence." This is forcibly pertinent in the 
case of Mr. Patrick, whose ancestors at an early day 
settled in the New England and the Northern At- 
lantic States, where they contributed their quota in 
bringing about those changes which are the delight 
of later generations. 

Austin A. Patrick himself is a native of the Em- 
pire State, where he was born in Otsego, June .3, 
1828, and is the son of Stephen and Hulda (Wright) 
Patrick, natives of the same county. His parents 
were reared m their native county and remained 
there several years after marriage, whence they re- 
moved to Monroe County, in the same State, where 
they resided until the death of the father, at the 
age of eighty-eight years; the mother is still living 



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at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Their family 
included eight children, five of whom still survive. 
Austin Patrick remained with his parents until he 
was twenty-four years of age, assisting in the vari- 
ous occupations of the farm and attending the 
district school during the early years of his life. 
As soon as he became able his services were utilized 
on the farm, and his opportunities for receiving an 
education were very limited. At twent3'-four years 
of age he started out in life for himself, strong in 
hope and in the vigor of a robust manhood. He 
journeyed by lake and canal to Monroe County, 
and thence to this county on foot, the express train 
being too slow for the enthusiastic young traveler, 
arriving in Southern Michigan Nov. 3, I84l>. He 
at once secured a house, as it was part of his plan 
to begin the journey of life for himself with a 
maiden whom he had already chosen, and on the 
loth of December of the same year he was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary G.annett, who was born 
in Mercer County, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1824. She is 
the daughter of Alvah and Lydia (Gilbert) Gan- 
nett, natives of Wayne County, N. Y., and Massa- 
chusetts respectively. Mr. Gannett died in Monroe 
County, N. Y., aged thirty-eight years, and his wife 
coming to this county, died in Wheatland Town- 
shi)), aged sixty-eight years. The grandfather of 
Mrs. Patrick, Jacob Gannett, died in Wayne 
County. N. Y., a very old man, while his wife 
died in Macedon, in the same State. The grand- 
parents of Mrs. P., Charles and Lydia Gilbert, were 
natives of Massachusetts, and died in Sheboygan 
County, Wis., aged respectively eighty-five and 
ninety-two years. The wife of our suliject is one 
of three children, two of whom are yet liviiig, who 
were included in the parental family. 

After marriage our subject settled on his farm 
of fifty acres, to which he afterward added ten acres. 
At the time of his purchase it was stil! in a wild 
condition, and Mr. Patrick first cleared three 
or four acres and erected the regulation log house, 
though it was moi-e commodious and comfortably 
furnished than were those of the earlier pioneers. 
He continued to reside in this house until 1862, 
when he built a fine brick residence and made other 
improvements which form a marked contrast to his 
early environments. In addition to the fine resi- 

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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



285 



¥ 



flence he has suitable out-builflings, conveniently 
located for the shelter of his slock anrl the storage 
of the products of his farm, and lie has the appar- 
atus necessary for successful com petition with the 
modern agriculturist. To Mr. and Mrs. I'atrick 
have been born eight children, only three of whom, 
however, survive at the present time, and are re- 
corded as follows: Hiram M. was born Se|)t. 10, 
1855, and is a farmer by occupation; he married 
Miss ftLary, daughter of Zebulon Williams (see 
sketch of Mr. Williams), and has one child, a girl 
eighteen months old. George C.was born F'eb. 8, 
1858, and owns a farm in Dakota; Charles G. was 
born Sept. 30, 1862, and resides at the homestead 
with his father. 

Mr. Patri('k, while engaged in general or mixed 
farming, makes a specialty of and is largely inter- 
ested in the raising of fine sheep, in which industry 
he has been quite successful, and as it is fairly re- 
munerative, will probably extend his business in 
that direction. In politics he is a straight Repub- 
lican, assisting his party by voice and vote on all 
fitting occasions. He and his wife attend the Bap- 
tist Church, and INIrs. Patrick is an active member 
of the Ladies' Missionary Socictj^ 



^«-^H*^==^ 




■ilLLlAM H. MYERS, prominent among the 
business and industrial interests of Hills- 
dale, has been engaged as a builder and 
contractor here for the last seven years. He was 
born near the town of Salem, Stark Co , Ohio, Jan. 
27, 1834, and is the son of Christopher and Esther 
(Strong) Myers, natives respectivel}- of Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio. His paternal grandfather was of 
German birth and parentage, and emigrated to the 
United States early in life, settling in the State of 
Pennsylvania, where he spent his last daj'S. 

The parents of our subject after their marriage 
settled in Ohio, where there were born to them 
three children, and where they passed away when 
their son William H. was but a uhild, the mother 
when he was ten years old and the father three or 
four years later. Thus thrown upon his own re- 
sources and forced to seek a home among stran- 
gers, young Myers became a member of one of the 



t 



families of the neighborhood for a time, after 
which he changed his residence to Hardin Count}', 
and acquired his education in the pioneer school- 
house in the woods, and which w.is completed with 
a three-months course. The building where he 
conned his lessons had been put together without 
a nail, that article being very ditficnlt to obtain in 
those daj's, and light w.as admitted through a place 
called a window and covered with oiled paper. 
His education completed, young Myers occupied 
himself at farm labor until eighteen years of age, 
and then became the ai)prentice of A. F. Swem, to 
learn the carpenter's trade, with whom he remained 
for a period of three years, and worked another 
year in th.at vicinity as a journeyman. He then 
changed his residence to Logan Count}', but a few 
months later migrated to Noble County, Ind., and 
engaged in setting up machinery at Ft. Wayne, 
opeiating as a millwright, putting in stationary en- 
gines and building mills. 

Thence Mr. Mj'ers went into Allen County, ami In 
the embryo village of Ft. Wayne engaged as trav- 
eling collector in the interests of four different 
business houses, at which he occupied himself un- 
til the outbreak of the Rebellion. During the first 
year of the war Mr. Mj'ers raisetl a company, with 
which he went as far as Indianapolis, and was then 
recalled home. The following year he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Provost Marshal of the Tenth 
District of Indiana, under Hiram Eddings, which 
position he held until the close of the war. 

Our subject now returned to Ft. Wayne, to 
which place he had removed his family, and began 
his operations as a contractor and builder in the 
States of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. 
During this time he completed the contracts for 
thirty-nine jails and five court-houses, besides vari- 
ous store buildings, county buildings and hotels. 
Among these, in the city of Hillsdale, were the jail 
and the Keafer House, which still si and as monu- 
ments of his thoroughness and skill. 

Mr. Myers has been three times married. His 
first wife, a native of Ohio, was Miss Nancy J. 
Gillespie. The second was Mrs. Annie B. Sutton, 
who died in 1S83 in Hillsdale, and the lady who 
now bears his name and to whom he was married 
in June, 1881, was Miss Delphine Park, of Elyria, 



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286 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




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Ohio. They occiip}' a neat residence on the corner 
of Howell and Waldron streets, and in the building 
of his own home Mr. Mj^ers has exercised the taste 
and skill which have made him conspicuous in con- 
nection with his calling elsewhere. He takes an 
active part in politics, and while a resident of his 
native State often served as a delegate to the State 
Convention, uniformly upholding the principles of 
the Republican party. 

AMUEL A. OLDFIELD is a native of the 
Buckeye State, where he was born in Bloom- 
licld Township. Knox County, Nov. 3, 1 820 
lie is now ;i resident of Ransom Township, 
where he has lived on one farm continuously' since 
his arrival in this State, and h.as most of his farm 
cleared and uniler the |)low. The father of our 
subject, also Samuel Oldfleld, was born in New Jer- 
sey, Sept. 28, 178:5, and was the son of William and 
Mary Oldtield, who removed from New Jersey to 
York State, and from there toOhioal)Out 1800, set- 
tling near Janesville. After some time they re- 
moved to Richland County, where they were among 
the pioneer settlers, and liought a tract of timber 
land three miles from Belleville, which he improved 
into a farm and there died. 

The father of our subject was very young when 
his parents removed to Ohio, and was reared under 
the parental roof. After marriage he lived for 
some time in Richland County, and then purchased 
a tract of wild land, and built a log iiouse in which 
our subject subsequently was born. His cradle was 
a sugar trough, which was made by splitting a sec- 
tion of a large tree and hollowing out one-half. 
Here his childhood was spent in the manner com- 
mon to pioneer's sons, .assisting as he was able on 
his father's farm, and attending the public schools 
in the neighborhood, learning meanwhile those 
practical lessons of life without a knowledge of 
which book-learning does very little for a man or 
woman. His father went security for another man 
and lost his propertj', and after that he lived in 
diffeient counties, finally settling in West Unity, 
where he spent the last ye.ars of his life. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Nancy J. AVright, was born 



in England, and when a child came to Vermont. 
The father of our subject was by trade a brick- 
maker, and Samuel A. also engaged in Ih.Tt wt)rk 
when quite young, and followed his calling steadily 
for several years. He lived in Ohio until 1855, and 
then came to Hillsdale County and purchased the 
land on which he now resides. It was then in its 
wild condition, heavily timbered, without oven 
a road leading to it. but our subject at once 
erecteda log house, and set about the improvement 
of a farm. He experienced, in common with the 
pioneers of Southern Michigan, m.any trials and 
privations, calling for unlimited energy and self- 
denia], but his courage rose with the occasion, and 
he succeeded in making for himself and his large 
family a comfortable home, and fitting his children 
to take their places in life as reputable and useful 
citizens. 

Mr. Oldfleld seems to have inherited that p:itriot- 
ism which distinguished so eminently the settlers of 
the North Atlantic States, and when our country 
was engaged in civil warfare he enlisted in the 
cause of the Union, becoming a member of Com- 
pany F,l 1th Michigan Infantry, Sept. 11, 1861, 
and serving until the end of his term, when he was 
mustered out and honorably' discharged in Septem- 
ber, 1804. During his term of service he partici- 
l)ated in many of the most hotly contested engage- 
ments, among which were the battles of Stone River, 
Hoover's Gap, Bailey's Cross Roads, and others, 
while his regiment was with Sherman on his march 
from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and was engaged in the 
principal battles along the line and before Atlanta. 
We scarcely know which to admire the more, the 
man who takes his life in his hands and faces the 
cannon for the preservation of his Government, or 
the woman who, voluntarily surrendering her coun- 
selor and support, remains behind, and under the 
terrible anxiety, which is even greater than that ex- 
perienced on the battle-field, labors to support and 
train a large family. Such a lot was that of Mrs. 
Oldfleld, and for her self-abnegation and noble strug- 
gle in those dark daj's, she is well entitled to the 
name of a heroine. 

Upon his return to the peaceful vocations of life, 
our subject engaged in the manufacture of brick, 
and continued in the prosecution of this work sev- 



i 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



2«9 ( i 



eral yc;u-s. In the meantime, liowover, ira|in)vo- 
ments were in proi^ress on his farm, to uiiicli he at 
lengtli devoted liis exclusive attention. He was 
united in marriage. May 22, 1H43, with Miss Mar- 
garet Oliver, wiio was l)(n'n in Oreene Township, 
Ashland Co.. Ohio, .Sept. 2.'5, 182G, and is the 
daughter of Daniel Oliver, who was horn in Little 
Beaver, Pa. Her grandfather. Lewis Oliver, was 
one of the early settlers of Greene Township, wlien 
the aborigines still lingered in the vicinity, and he 
erected a large block house in which the settlers 
might .assemble in times of danger. Deer, bears, 
wolves and other wild beasts were also plentiful, 
while small game w.as to be had in abundance; but 
Mr. Oliver lived to see the country settled up, and 
the wilderness transformed into smiling farms and 
beaiitifid villages, and to see his children settled on 
farms of their own in pleasant proximity to his. 
The father of Mrs. Oldfield removed with his par- 
ents to Ohio, and was there united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah Ciuick, also a native of the Keystone 
State. He purchased land in Greene County, and 
cleared and improved the farm. 

The father of our subject w.as twice married, and 
had twenty-one children, ten by the first marriage, 
and eleven by the second. Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield 
have been blessed with a family of five children, 
who are recorded as follows: Frances E. is the wife 
of .I(jseph Couth; William married Jane Wineland, 
and Oliver married Mary Alt.affer; while Jonathan 
married Mary llosor, and James married Hattie 
]{owcrs. 

Mr. OldfleM is a member of Capt. Tarsney Post 
No. 3S)2, G. A. R., and in politics affiliates with 
the Democratic party. 



i>«i&i^||jg|^(^<;&^ 



,|l the limits of Hillsdale Count}' may be found 

^^^ many worthy and valuable citizens known 
for their enterprise and excellent busine.ss abilit}', 
an<l foremost among these stands the subject of this 
biographical notice, who isbusilj' and profitably en- 
gaged in stock-raising on his extensive farm in 
Scipio Township, with iiis residence in Jonesville. 

M* 



His father. Rev. .Tohn McEnally, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, born near Muncie, Lycoming Count}', 
iu 1802. He was ediicnted for the Methodist min- 
istry in VVilliamsport, Pa., an<l for several years 
preaclie(i on the different oircniits in that State. In 
1 84.0 he removed with his family to Mt. V'ernon, 
Knox Co., Ohio, where he remained engaged in his 
sacred calling until liis death in November, 1847. 
He vvas married iu Muncie, Pa., about 1835, to 
Miss Lydia Dimm, who was born near the birth- 
place of her husband in 1816. Her death occurred 
in Clyde, Ohio, Aug. 5. 1 884. To this worthy couple 
had been born six children, one of whom died in 
infancy; t)f the five living children, three are sons 
and two daughters. The Rev. Mr. McEnally was a 
man of noble, earnest, pure nature, beloved by all, 
and did good work in the high calling to which he 
ilevoted his life. 

The subject of this sketch wasliorn iu Lycoming 
County, Pa., May 16. 1837. He w.as only ten 
years of age when his father's death occurred, and 
being the eldest of the family of children left, he 
was forced at that youthful age to leave home and 
earn the means necessary for sustenance. For 
nearly three years he was employed in herding 
sheep during the grazing season, and atlendefl 
school in the winter terms. He then went to Clyile, 
Ohio, to learn the wagon-maker's trade, but after 
working eight months, he was obliged to abandon 
the business on account of ill-health. The follow, 
ing two years he w.is a clerk in a grocery store in 
Clyde, and then went to Toledo, Ohio, where he 
obtained employment in the old Kingsbury House, 
remaining there about a year. 

During the winter of 1 853-54. our subject started 
for Chicago, 111., where he secured a position as 
porter in the Richmond House, which was located 
near the Illinois Central Depot, and later he acted 
as head-waiter at the .Massasoit House. After re- 
maining in Chicago two years, Mr. McEnally en- 
gaged as stew.ard on the Ilimois River boats run- 
ning between LaSalle and St. Louis, and served in 
that capacity on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers 
until the first call was made for volunteers to sup- 
press the Rebellion. Inspired with the spirit of the 
time which called men to active duty in their coun- 
try's defense, our subject started for his home in 



I 



290 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Ohio, but on his way stopped at Jacksonville, 111., 
where he enlisted as a private in what was known as 
the old Hardin Light Guards. lie served under Col. 
Prentice four months, which was one month longer 
than his term of enlistment. He then returned to 
Jacksonville, and in company with Capt. Thomas 
Smith, of that city, and Lieut. Thomas Green, organ- 
ized a new company, and reported back to Cairo, 
111., within twenty days. Our subject was again 
mustered into service, this time with the rank of 
Second Lieutenant, and was assigned to Company 
B, lOth Illinois Infantry. Col. James D. Morgan, of 
Quincy, 111., commanding. 

After nine months of hard service, Lieut. Mc- 
Enally was promoted for meritorious conduct at 
Corinth, Miss., to the rank of Captain, he having 
had charge of the company prior to his promotion. 
Capt. McEnally was promoted over the head of the 
First Lieutenant, he having been the unanimous 
choice of the men. and served witli that rank until 
November, 1864, when he was mustered out under 
general orders. Capt. McEnally participated in 
many of the important battles of the war, and at 
one time when detailed to take quite a large num- 
ber of soldiers to Louisville, Ky., was met while 
en route, near AVoodbury, Ala., by rebel cavalry 
■who captured the train. The Captain refused to be 
paroled, and when assured that death was the only 
other alternative, replied, "All right." At this 
time the Adjutant in charge of the prisoners came 
in and ordered our sulijecl to be taken away with 
the rebel cavalry. When about five miles from 
Murfreesboro, Tenn., the rebels were attacked by a 
body of Pennsylvania cavalry, and Capt. McEnally, 
adopting the motto "Now or never," put spurs to 
his horse and made his escape, although he cami; 
veiy near being shot, a bullet grazing his head. 
Subsequently he met with a serious railway accident 
by which he nearly lost his life, his left leg below 
the knee having been crushed, but with proper care 
amputation was avoided. He was conveyed to At- 
lanta, and while waiting at the depot saw his old 
employer. Col. Kingsbury, formerly proprietor of 
the Kingsbury House at Toledo, vvho assisted him 
to comfortable quarters where he could receive 
proper attention. Our subject manifested much 
pure grit throughout all this experience, and again 



joined his regiment, from which he was absent but 
twenty days during his whole service. After re- 
ceiving his discharge, the Captain returned to Erie 
County. Ohio, where he was married. Dee. 25, 1864. 
to Miss Susan E. AVolcott, a native of Sandusky 
County, that State, born Oct. 18, 1837. She was 
the only child of Newell and Elizabeth (Crusen) 
Wolcott. who were born in Genesee County, N. Y ., 
in 1813, and in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1807, re- 
spectively. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Wolcott remained in Sandusky County two years, 
and then removed to Vavie County, and from there 
came, in 1877, to Jonesville, Mich., where Mr. Wol- 
cott's death occurred in 1884. Mrs. Wolcott is 
residing with her daugliter, Mrs. IMcEnally. 

After marriage Capt. McEnally and his bride at 
once commenced their new life on a farm near 
Bldomingville, Eric Co.. Ohio, where he, in ad- 
dition to general farming, engaged in burning lime. 
He met with good success in his undertakings, and 
remained there until 1876. when he removed to 
Jonesville, this county, which he and his family 
have since made their home. He owns a fine farm 
of 545 acres in Scipio Township, where he is ex- 
tensively engaged in stock-raising and farming. 
Besides that lucrative business, our subject, in com- 
pany with C. V. Burnett, is also engaged in ship- 
ping paving stones, and in operating a sandstone 
quarry, reaping a good annual income from each 
business. 

To Captain and Mrs. McEnally have been born 
seven children, of whom three only are living, 
namely: Grnice E., William W. and Ernest T. The 
names of the deceased are: Charles M., who died 
when seventeen years old; Wayne E., who died 
when nine years of age; Ma}', who died at the age 
of six years, and I'earl, who died when three years 
old. 

Capt. i\IcEiially is a fine representative of the 
agricultural and business interests of Southern 
Michigan, and is t)ne of the leading citizens of his 
township and county. In Jonesville he has held 
the office of President of the village, and also been 
one of the Councilmen, and in the spring of 1886 
he accepted the position of Supervisor, to which lu^ 
was re-elected in 1887. .Socially, he is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity; also of the F.ayette 



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HILLSDALE CUUNTY. 



291 



Grange, where he fills the office of Master; he is 
likewise a mcinbcr of the Henry Baxter Post No. 
2UI, G. A. II. In politics he is a Reiniblican, active 
and unconiproinisin"'. 

The portrait of the highly esteemed ijentlenian of 
whom the above is a l)rief sketch, will be gladly 
received by his many friends. 



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~?~7 



(iHERON ANDREWS, an honored and sue. 
cessfnl farmer long a resident of Hillsdale 
County, is situated on section 6. Fa3'ette 
Township, where he follows his free and independ- 
ent calling. Mr. Andrews came to this section of 
country when farming was conducted under very 
different conditions, and cheerfully putting his 
shoulder to the wheel of progress, has materiall}' 
assisted in bringing about those changes which have 
placed Hillsdale County among the finest agricult- 
ural sections of the State of Michigan. 

The father of our subject, Abraham Andrews, 
was probably born in Greene County, N. Y., while 
the mother. Miss Harriet Carter, was also a native 
of that county. After their marriage they remained 
residents of that part of the Empire State until 
about 1830, when they removed to Walworth, 
Wayne County, whence they finally came to Jones- 
ville, this State, about the year 18.50. Mr. Andrews 
was a carpenter by trade, and for the remainder of 
liis life made his home in Fayette Township, with 
the exception of three years, during which they 
lived in Detroit, until his death, which occurred 
Feb. 16. 1S78. Mis estimable wife survived her 
husband only three years, departing this life Sept. 
17, 1881. 

The parental family of our subject included four 
children, of whom Theron, the youngest, was born 
in Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1831. 
When -.Onnit nineteen years of age he came to 
Jonesville with his parents, and has since been en- 
gaged in .agricultural pursuits. His education was 
obtained in the common schools of his native State, 
and was such as the f.acilities of that day afforded. 
Mr. Andrews has been a resident of Hillsdale 
County since his arrival here in 18.30, with the ex- 



ception of one year, and he is therefore well in- 
foi'med in the history of this county for a third of 
a century. 

An important event in the life of our subject 
occurred on the 14th of October. 1 8.')8, when he 
led to the altar the maiden of his choice. Miss 
Catherine A., daughter of Joseph and Keturah 
(•Tagger) Patterson, who were natives of Newburg, 
Orange Co., N. Y. Mrs. Andrews' parents settled 
in Wayne County, N. Y., but subsequently re- 
moved to Lenawee County, Mich., where they 
located in Woodstock Township, and resided until 
their decease. The father died April 18, 1871, and 
the mother Sept. 2, 1873. Their family consisted 
of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of 
whom Mrs. Andrews was the fourth in order of 
birth. She was born in Orange County, N. Y., 
July 3, 1830, and removed with her parents to 
Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, where she 
resided until her marriage with Mr. Andrews. 

The household of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews con- 
sists of two children — Charles F. and Ilattie C. 
Charles F. is in Scranton, Osage Co., Kan. ; Hattie 
C. is at home with her parents. Mr. Andrews has 
held the office of Township Treasurer, and several 
of the minor offices within the gift of his townsmen, 
and is in politics a stanch Republican. Mr. and 
j\Irs. Andrews are members in good standing of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Jonesville, and 
by their ui)right course in life are entitled to and 
receive the confidence and esteem of their large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 

R. WILLIAM SIDDALL, farmer and den- 
tist, residing on section 23, Woodbridge 
Township, takes an active part in the in- 
dustrial and educational interests of this 
comniunit}', and as one of the well-educated, pro- 
gressive men and representative citizens of Hillsdale 
County, it gives us pleasure to give him an honor- 
able recognition in this biographical volume. Dr. 
Siddall is a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana 
County, Aug. 14, 183.5. Mis paternal grandparents, 
William and .Sarah (Paxton) .Siddall, were natives 
of Loudoun County, Va., whence they removed 




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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



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to Ohio and settled in Columbinna County, where 
their son Aden, father of our siil^ject. was born Jan. 
19. 1809. He was reared in his native county and 
brought up in the Quaker faith, liut according: to 
tiie laws of Ohio he was compilk d to attend the 
musters as a member of the State Militi.n. or to 
pay a fine of $2; he preferred the foinici- duty 
and was expelled from the Quaker society for so 
doing. By occupation he was a faimer and suc- 
cessful in a pecuniary point of view, accumulating- 
a competencj'. In 1831 he married Elizabeth 
Frazier. a native of the same county as himself, 
born in 1817. Her hajjpy married life terminated 
in 1847, she dying in Ohio in June of that year. 
She was a womiin of much strength of character and 
greatly beloved for her many noble Christian qual- 
ities, and was an esteemed member of the Unitarian 
Church. Of her union with ilr. Siildall four chil- 
dren were born, namely: James, William. John and 
j\lary E. The latter died in 1872, and John in 
1884. The father of oui' subject was a second time 
married, taking for a wife an excellent woman, 
Miss Eliza McMillan, who bore him two children — 
Thomas T. and Joseph A. The former lives with 
his mother in Ohio, and the latter is a resident of 
Korthern Kansas. Mr. Siddall lost his life by an 
accident, having been killed by the falling of a tree 
in Amboy, Sept. 25, 18(12, and at the same time 
two sons of Mr. Jesse Crow were fatally injured. 

Dr. William Siddall of whom we write was leared 
on his father's faim. and attended the common 
schools of his native town, afterward taking a 
course of study at Mt. Union Seminary in Ohio. 
At the age of fifteen, becoming desirous of learning 
a trade, our subject chose that of a shoemaker, and 
worked at it three yeais. Then, in the fall of 18.53, 
he came to Michigan and worke<l on his father's 
farm, but being a natural mechanic he soon took 
up carpentering and cabinet-making, in which he 
was successful, taking great pleasure in all work 
that required manual skill. In 1860 our subject 
commenced the study of dentistry, but relinquished 
it two years later to serve in the defense of his 
countrj', enlisting Aug. 7, 18(52, in Company F, 
I8th Michigan Infanlrj-. He was mustered in as 
Corporal of the company, and after serving nearly 
a j'ear, was discharged for jiliysical disability at 

< ■ 



Camp Dennison, Ohio. June 22. 1863. He then 
returned to his home in Michigan and renewed his 
studies, and while residing there took a prominent 
part in local affairs, and served as Justice of the 
Peace for several j cars. In January. 18tiG, Dr. 
Siddall estalilished himself in dentistry in Pioneer, 
Williams Co., Ohio, where he remained twenty- 
one jears. building up a large and lucrative prac- 
tice. He becfime one of the influential citizens of 
the ])lace. and took a conspicuous part in its public 
affairs, having received the honor of being elected 
as the first Mayor of Pioneer, an office which he 
served acceptably two terms. The Doctor's health 
becoming seriously imi)aired, he was obliged to 
seek a change of climate, and accordingly spent 
two months in Arkansas and Missouri. Keceiving 
great benefit Unm his sojourn in those States, our 
subject returned North, and in November. 188G, 
bought sixty acres of land in Woodbridge Township, 
where he has since resided. 

Dr. Siddall was married to Miss Constant P. Field, 
April 5, 1855. She was born in Crawford Count}', 
Ohio, July 7, 1837. Her father. Seldon Field, a 
native of New York State, was twice married. 
The maiden name of his first wife, who was also 
born in the Empire State, was Jane Boice. By her 
he had five children, namely : Elisha, Pamelia, Mary 
and John (twins), and Augustus. After her death 
he married Miss LydiaKetchum, a native of Cayuga 
County. N. Y.. and of that union nine children 
wcie born, namely: Salinda J., Elijah S., Lydia A., 
David A., Julius J.. Sarah IM.. Constant P., Eunice 
B. and Wealthy M. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Field 
removed to Michigan and sjient the remainder of 
their lives. 

Of the union of our subject and his wife nine 
children have been born, of whom the following is 
a record: Perry F. was horn Feb. 16. 1857. and 
died May 8 of the same year; Evegeline E.. who 
was born Oct. 15. 1859. married Augustine N. 
Gordon; Ella B. was born Nov. 20. 1862: Elva C, 
Feb. 25. 1865; Susett.a, Aug. 23. 1H67; Willie R.. 
Oct. 1, 1870; Anna D., Aprd 3, 1873; John E. C, 
Oct. 4, 1877; Lila E., Feb. 24, 1882. 

During his short residence in Woodbridge Town- 
ship, our subject has become prominently identified 
with its inlert'sts. nnd lias won the respect and es- 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



293 




teem of his fellow-townsmen by his integrity, abil- 
ity, iiml manly characteristics. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican, but has the confidence of all 
parties, and is a general favorite among the people. 
In 1888 he was elected to the office of Township 
Supervisor on the Republican ticket, having a 
majorit}' of flfty-eight votes. In religion the Do"- 
tor is a consistent member of the Methodist Chnrcii, 
in which he holds tlie office of Ti'ustee. Socially, 
he is a member of the G. A. R., being Commander 
of the James Havvley Post No. 24.5, at Frontier, 
Mich. In IS87 the Legislature of Michigan made 
a provision for enumerating the soldiers now living 
in the State, and Dr. Siddall, who took an assess- 
ment of Woodbridge Township in 1888, finds that 
there are sixtj'-three ex-soldiers in the place. 



KTH H. SMITH, farmer and inventor, is 
familiarly known as the patentee of the 
Smith Car Coupler, which he brought out 
while a resident of his native State of New 
York, and which proved a success. Being fond of 
agricultural pursuits, rural scenes and rural pleas- 
ures, he chose his home in the country, while his 
inventive powers have had full pl.ay and have en- 
abled him to produce various other articles remark- 
ably simple in their construction, but all the more 
valuable on this account. The main points in his 
early history are as follows: 

Mr. Smith was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., 
Jan. 23, 1845, and is the son of Samuel M. and So- 
phronia U. (Hoff) Smith, who were natives of New 
Y'ork, and are now residents of Moscow Township, 
this county. They migrated from the Empire 
State to Michigan in 1867, locating first on a farm 
in Adams Township, whence tiiej' removed in 1 884 
to their present home. 

Our subject was a young man twenty-two years 
of age when he came to this State with his parents, 
and soon after constructed what is known as the 
three-horse whiflie-tree, which is now in general use 
among farmers. His success with this invention 
encouraged him to experiment in other directions, 
and the product of his genius next was an egg case, 
for which he took out letters patent in 1872-73-74, 



and from the sale of whic;h hjrealizi'd handsomely. 
Following this w:ls tho governor windmill and a 
shipping crate which was materially larger than the 
fcjrnier, but manufactured on a cheaper scale and 
proportionately popular. 

The town of Delta, Fulton Co., Oiiio, now seem- 
ing to offer better facilities for manufacture and 
other important inducements, Mr. Smith removed 
thither and began the manufacture of the egg case, 
butter plates and oyster pails, which have now be- 
come almost indispensable to grocery and provis- 
ion men. His business steadily increased until he 
exchanged his first modest quarters for a fine brick 
building which, soon after his removal into it, col- 
lapsed, and in its fall destroyed his expensive ma- 
chinery, with hundreds of dollars worth of material, 
and involved the loss of the labor of j'ears, so that 
he was practically obliged to commence again at 
the foot of the ladder. 

Mr. Smith, however, continue<l a resident of 
Delta, and not long aftervvard brought out the 
folding butter plate, in which he sold a half inter- 
est for the snug sum of #.5,000, and which set him 
upon his feet again. The next product of his fer- 
tile brain was an oval wooden <lish, which is now 
being extensively manufactured at Mancelona, this 
State, and which is proving a grand success. Mr. 
Smith now has a machine which manufactures 250 
of these in one minute and for which there isa con- 
stantly increasing demand, these dishes being 
shipped to every part of the civilized world, and 
from which Mr. Smith receives a royalty of $500 
per month. He is now working upon another val- 
uable patent in the shape of a folding paper boXj 
made from a single piece of paper, and which is 
now being manufactured in the city of Philadel- 
phia, Pa., and is one of the greatest novelties of 
the age. This, like the other, is being sent 
forth by the million all over the United States 
and to many portions of the world outside. 

In the winter of 1887 Mr. Smith invented a 
crude oil burner for stationary engines, which util- 
izes the oil as taken from the wells, doing away 
with wood and all other fuel. Mr. Smith re- 
turned to Michigan in 1888, taking up his resi- 
dence in the city of Hillsdale. He was married, 
Feb. 25, 1875, while a resident of North Adams, 



n 



294 



HILLSDALK COUM'Y. 



to Miss Ellen S. Pardee, of Noiville, Jackson County, 
this State, and is now the lather of an interesting 
daughter and son- — Etha May and Lowell Pardee. 
They occupy a tasteful residence on the corner of 
West and Fayette streets, and besides this property 
Mr. hmith has a valuable tract of land comprising 
fiftj' acres, a part of which lies witliin the city 
limits. His lot, like that of most inventors, has 
been checkered and fraught with many disappoint- 
ments and discouragements, but his later successes 
have brought him abundant recompense. 

\f}AMES C. ELLISON, a thrifty farmer of 
Camden Township, owning a good tract of 
land on section 36, is located far from the 
(^^7/ place of his birth, which was in New Jersey, 
where he opened his eyes to the light Apiil 1», 
1836. His parents, John and Mary (Pharo) Ellison, 
are believed to have been natives of the same State, 
and his paternal ancestors, it is supposed, crossed 
the Atlantic from England during the early history 
of this country. 

To John and Mary Ellison there were born seven 
children, of whom five are living, namely : Samuel, 
a resident of Lenawee County, this State; James 
C, our subject; Robert P., living in Eaton Rapids; 
Mary E. and Matilda, of Pennsylvania. Those de- 
ceased are Annie L. and Phebe. James C. when 
a boy emigrated with his parents to this State, 
locating first in Washtenaw County, where John 
Ellison and his wife spent the remainder of their 
daj'S. They were among the earliest pioneei's of 
that region, and from the wilderness built up a 
comfortable home and suffered all the hardships 
and privations of pioneer life. Their children 
were taught at an early age to make themselves 
useful, and could only receive a limited education. 

In the fall of 1861, soon after the outbreak of 
the late Rebellion, Mr. P^llison enlisted as a Union 
soldier in Company D, 3d Michigan Cavalrj'. which 
was sent to St. Louis, and became a part of the 
Army of the West. Company D was largely en- 
gaged in skirmishing and performing guard dut3', 
and followed the lot usually led by cavalrymen. Mr. 
Ellison, with his comrades, was in the nine-days 



forced march to the vicinity of Corinth, Miss., and 
several times under the enemy's fire along the rebel 
skirmish line. At the end of his first term of en- 
listment he vetoaniztd in the time company and 
regiment, and was soon after promoted to Corporal, 
being at that time engaged in cavalry raids with 
tiie view of destroying a railroad bridge on the 
Mississijjpi, in order to prevent the advance of the 
enemj'. In one of these skirmishes Mr. Ellison 
had a little piece of his left ear shot away. With 
this exception he came out safely from the vicissi- 
tudes of aimy life, and at the close of the war re- 
ceived his honorable discharge. 

Mr. Ellison, upon returning to his home in Len- 
awee County, remained there for a short time only, 
and, coming to Camden Township, employed him- 
self as a farmer. Not long afterward he was married, 
Dec. 18, 1872, to Miss Annie E. Hart, who was 
born Jan. 24, 1848, in New York State, and is the 
daughter of Stephen and Mariette Hart, natives of 
New York; the father died May 27, 1888: the 
mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison com- 
menced the journey of life together on the land 
which thej' now occupy, and in due time their house- 
hold circle numbered seven children. Of these but 
five are now living, namely: Edgar G., Hubert 
H., Carlla B., Floyd V. and Dwight S. 

The homestead comprises eighty acres of fertile 
land, which was bought and paid for by the earn- 
ings of our subject, who in beginning life had only 
his own resources to depend upon. He has labored 
assiduously, and is now in the enjoyment of a just 
reward. Although meddling very little with poli- 
tics, he votes the Republican ticket, and has served 
as School Director in his district. Socially, he be- 
longs to Rice Post No. 282, G. A. R., at Camden. 



OHN ASHWORTH, an old settler of this 
county, residing on section 4 in Aniboy 
Township, was born in Genesee County, 
N. Y., over fifty-seven years ago, the exact 
date being March 20, 1831. His parents, Thomas 
and Sarah (Gowforth) Ashworth, were natives of 
Yorkshire, England, and after emigrating to the 
United Slates, located in Franklin County, N. Y., 

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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



295 



\: 



whence they came to Michiga.i in 1837, when their 
son, onr snhject, was a little lad six j'cars of age. 

This section of conntiy at that time was a com- 
parative wilderness, and Michigan just transformed 
from a Territory into a State. The parents of our 
subject settled on a tract of vvild laud near the 
present site of the city of Hillsdale, the father se- 
curing forty acres from tlie Government, and over 
which Indians, deer and wild turkeys were still 
roaming in unrestrained freedom. The father cut 
away the trees and labored in that locality until 
1848, and then coming to Amboy Township, settled 
upon the land which constitutes the present home- 
stead of the subject of this sketch. This also at 
that time was in the same undeveloped condition, 
but the f.ither, mother, and the children all put 
tlieir shoulders to the wheel, and in the course of a 
few years began to discover a gratifying result of 
their labors. Thomas Ash worth rested from his 
earthl3' toils on the .ith of July, 1868. The mother, 
now in the eighty-eighth yeav of her age, having 
been born in 1801, is still living, and makes her 
home with her son John. She has been a bright 
example of the pioneer wife and mother, and has 
been permitted to witness the growth of an unde- 
veloped territory into a country whose people are 
numbered among the |)roudest and most prosperous 
in the entire United States. She looked well to the 
ways of her household, which in due time numbered 
seven children, of whom but four are now living: 
Mary is the wife of John Benton, of Lansing; 
Jane, Mrs. Nicholas Luther, is a resident of To- 
ledo, Ohio; Betsy married David Robinson, a jjros- 
perous farmer of Woodbridgo Township; Ehnira is 
the wife of Erastus Cobley, of Jackson. 

The subject of this sketch, who is next to the 
youngest of his mother's living children, was reared 
amid the wild scenes of pioneer life, and with his 
mother is numbered among the oldest living settlers 
of this county. He was early in life taught to 
make himself useful al)out the homestead, and al- 
though receiving a limited amount of school in- 
struction, gained much by iiis habits of reading and 
observation. He was married rather late in life, 
when past thirty-two years of .ige. Ma}' 22, KSfi.S, 
to Miss Mar}- .Jackson, who was born in Lincoln- 
shire, England, July 7, 1844. Joseph and Judith 



(Ashworth) .lackson, the parents of Mrs. Ashworth, 
were also of English birth and ancestry, ami came to 
the United Staters when their daughter Mary -was 
a child niiu! years of age. They settled among 
the pioneers of Montgomery County, Oliio, where 
the}' spent the remainder of their days. Of their 
large family of children seven survive. Charlotte 
is the wife of .John Dickensliects, and now resides 
in New London, Ohio; Harriet married a Mr. 
Hickman, of Michigan City, Ind.; Lizzie, Mary; 
Sarah, the wife of Charles Lewis; Ellen, the wife of 
Frank Stevens, and John W., are residents of Day- 
ton, Ohio. 

Mr. Ashworth, our subject, has resided on his 
present farm since a youth of eighteen years, and 
became possessor of it iu 1858. Politically, he is 
independent, and has served as Director in his 
school district and .as Constable. To our subject 
and his wife there were born two children only: 
George W., Aug. 1, 1864, and Ida M., March 20, 
1868. The former married Miss Cora Salmon, and 
lives in Amboy Towuship;^the latter continues a 
member of the parental household. 



/^ HARLES W. ANDERSON is a fine repre- 
(l( sentative of one of the honored pioneers 

^^i' of Southern Michigan, and ho has himself 
grown up with the country, coming here when a 
very small child with his parents, who first located 
in Lenawee County before this State had thrown 
off its Territorial government and liarl lieen ad- 
mitted into the Union. He is successfully man.ag- 
ing his .agricultural interests in Pittsford Township, 
on the old homestead on section '.), winch his father 
bought in 1 8.52. 

Our subject comes of good old New England 
stock, although he was himself born in Pembroke, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec 19, 18;il. His father, 
James Anderson, was born iu Blanford, Hamp- 
den Co., Mass., July y, 17'.tO, and his father, also 
named .Tames, and, so far as known, a native of 
Massachusetts, removed from there to New York, 
and subsequently from that State to Michigan, and 
spent his last years in the township of Pittsford. 
The father of our subject grew to manhood amid 
the beautiful scenery of his native hills, in the 

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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Massachusetts town of his birth, and then left that 
home to seelv another in New York. He mairieri 
there Mrs. Lyrlia Holden, of Vermont, the widow 
of Mr. Elihu Holden, and a daughter of John Pres- 
ton. They resided in Pembrolie. N. Y., until 1 836, 
and then started for the Territory of Michigan, 
traveling with team to Buffalo, thence by lake to 
Toledo, and from there took i)assage on the primi- 
tive railway, with its cars drawn by horses, to Bliss- 
field. They spent the winter tiiere, and in the 
spring of 1837 Mr. Anderson bought a tract of 
timbered land in Hudson Township, near Posey 
Lake. He built a log cabin and actively com- 
menced the task of clearing a farm, but after two 
or three years he sold the place .and rented a tract of 
land for awhile until he could find a suitable place 
for a permanent location. He finally bought tim- 
bered land on section 10, Pittsford Township, and 
lived there until IHS'i, when, after having cleared 
and improved quite a tract of it he sold it and 
bouoht the farm on which his son now resides. 
There were four acres cleared and the rest was 
heavily timbered, but there were no buildings on 
the place, and he soon erected a board shanty for 
the shelter of his family. He made his home here 
until bis death in February, 1862; his good wife 
survived him just one year. They were people of 
industrious habits and sound principles, which won 
for them the respect and confidence of the entire 
neighborhood. 

The subject of this sketch was but two years old 
when he came to Michigan, and he can remember 
no other home. He has a good recollection of the 
wild aspect of the country when he was a lad, with 
the tall, old forest trees, the clearings here and 
there, and the humble log houses of the settlers; 
and he used to see deer and wild turkeys in abun- 
dance, and bears used to appear occasionally. His 
education was obtained in the primitive pioneer 
school-house of that daj', with its rude slab seats 
and destitute of desks. He always lived with his 
parents, as he was needed to assist in the manage- 
ment of the farm, which he afterward inherited. 
This is beautifully located, has neat and ample 
buildings, and its careful and thrifty management 
is evident to the passerby. 

An important factor in the prosperous and suc- 



cessful life of our subject is the good wife, who 
united her fortunes with his Sept. 6. 1863. She 
was formerly Eleanor Edgecombe, and was born 
in Montville. Waldo Co., Me., in August, 1835. 
Her father. Eobert Eldgecombe, was a son of Rob- 
ert Edgecombe, and was born in Livingston, Me. 
He married Mary Clifford, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and a daughter of Deacon Wadleigh Clifford, 
who spent his last years in Maine. Mr. Edgecombe 
was brought up on a farm in his native State, and 
continued to live there after his marriage until 
J 853. He then moved to Ohio and settled in Put- 
nam Count}', where he bought a farm, and made 
his honie there until 1870. Then he bought a farm 
in Richardson County, Neb., where he was actively 
engaged in agricultural pursuits until the death of 
his wife, June 16. 18V 3. After that s.ad event he 
visited his children here and a sister in Maine, and 
on his return to Nebraska went to reside with a 
son, in whose home he died in March, 1876. He 
was a stanch Republican and voted for Fremont. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been 
blessed by the birth of three children — Minnie L., 
Charles i^llsworth and Lucy M. The joys of par- 
entage have been tempered for them by the death of 
little Lucy at the age of five years. 

Mr. Anderson is regarded as an upright and 
trustworthy citizen, whose resolute, uncompromis- 
ing nature is ever on the side of right, and he is 
ever willing to battle against the wrong. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, and at the same time a Pro- 
hibitionist. He and his wife belong to the Free- 
will Baptist Church, and are active workers in its 
fold. 



\i^™'RANK M. STEWART, President of the 
|U4g; First National Bank of Hillsdale, is one of 
^ the most genial and courteous gentlemen in 
the city. Though only a young man. his strict in- 
tegrity and business-like qualities, together with 
his obliging disposition, have won for him a high 
place in the confidence and esteem of the large 
circle with whom he comes in contact in business 
and social relations. The business, which includes 
banking in ,all its various details, affords accommo- 
dations for the monetary transactions of the city 



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297 



and the surroiiiiflins: oountrj', and Mr. Stewart is 
contributing his full quota toward the develop- 
ment of tliose resources with which nature has so 
bountifully endowed Southern Michigan. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of the 
State of Ohio, where he was born in the town of 
New Haven, Huron County, Aug. 20, 18.52, and 
is the son of Albert G. Stewart, who is a n.ative of 
the State of New York. The parents of Albert G. 
removed to Ohio when he was but a boy, arriving 
in that State among the early settlers. Upon 
reaching manhood the father of our subject was 
united in marriage, in 1H47, with Miss Elizabeth 
Johnson, who was born in Huron County, Ohio. 
After marriage the young couple settled in that 
county' and remained there for several .years, after 
which they returned to Buffalo, N. \., where they 
spent the following ten years. Still favorably im- 
pressed with the West, and confident in its promise 
of futuie gre.itness, Mr. Stewart, in 18G8, removed 
with his fiimily to the city of Hillsdale, and was 
for a lime engaged in the produce business. He 
sni)si'quently returned to Lima, Ohio, where he 
still resides. 

Frank M. Stewart was about fifteen yeai-s of age 
when he arrived in Hillsdale with his parents. He 
had received the advantages of an education ob- 
tained at the public schools in Buffalo, and after 
coming to Hillsdale he eng.aged in pr;ictic.il busi- 
ness, assisting his father in his oflice for about 
twelve months. On the 5th of July, 1868, he en- 
tered the bank, which even at that time was a 
National Bank, .acting in the capacity of errand 
boy. The business qualities which have since dis- 
tinguished him were alre.idy noticeable, and at the 
end (jf two years he became Teller of the bank, 
discharging the duties of that office for a period of 
three years, after which he became Cashier. In 
1881 he was appointed President of the same 
bank, which jiosition he holds at the present time. 
This institution w.as established in 1863, and is 
consequently one of the oldest in the county. 

On the 20th of September, 1877, the subject of 
this notice was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- 
beth M. Heiuy, of Hillsdale, daughter of Simon J. 
Henry, Esq. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart 
has been gladdened by the birth of two children, a 



son and a daughter: Mabel, who was born June 8, 
1881, and Clifford A., Nov. 12, 1883. 

Mr. Stewart's connection with business men has 
brought him into contact with the public affairs of 
his community, and his fellow-townsmen have shown 
their appreciation of his ability by electing him to 
many of the most important offices within their 
gift. In an official capacity he first served as City 
Treasurer of Hillsdale, and he was next elected 
Mayor, serving one term to fill a vacancy caused 
by resignation, declining, on account of his pressing 
business relations, a second term which w.as offered 
him. He is now a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of Hillsdiile College, and one of the Trustees 
of the First Baptist Church, of Hillsdale, of which he 
and Mrs. Stewart are worthy and consistent mem- 
bers, contributing of their time and means to .any 
measure inaugurated for the promotion of the causes 
of religion and morality, and the advancement of 
the interests of the community. Mr. Stewart is 
also one of the Trustees of the Michigan Mutual 
Benefit Association, which has, become one of the 
solid institutions of Hillsdale. In politics our sub- 
ject is identified with the Republican part}', and 
has strong convictions on the subject. He is modest 
in advancing his opinions, but fearless and able in 
maintaining them, and is ever ready to give a 
reason for the hope that is in him. 

-- ^.^^^^^^^ 

ON. JOHN HUFFMAN ARMSTRONG, a 
liT^ retired capitalist of the city of Hillsdale, was 
born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y.i 
S) Aug. 30, 181.0, and is the son of Aaron and 
Catherine (Huffman) Armstrong, both natives of 
that county. The parental family of the subject of 
this sketch included seven children, four of whom 
attained their majority, though John IL, who is tlie 
third child in order of birth, is the only survivor 
of the family. In the spring of 1818 the family 
removed to Bethel, Ontario Co., N. Y., where they 
resided until 1821, when they went to the north- 
west corner of the township of Pr.attsburg, Steuben 
County. John Armstrong receive<l his education 
in the common schools of Steuben County. In 
1831 he returned to Poughkeepsie, where he learned 




i' 



A 



•4^ 



298 



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HILLSDALE COUNTS. 



the trade of a carpenter and joiner in his uncle's shop, 
and became an expert machinist and millivright. 
He studied also draughting, and following pattern- 
making in connection with his trade, remained in 
that place somesix years. 

In the summer of 1837 Mr. Armstrong came to 
this State and resided for a time at Grass Lake, 
Jackson Count}', where he had a sister living. 
While at that place he engaged in the business of 
a millwright, and was actively employed in placing 
and adjusting the machinery in man}' of the flour- 
Ing-mills in the southeastern portion of Michigan. 
Twenty years later, in 1857, Mr. Armstrong re- 
moved to the village of Hillsdale, and soon after 
formed a copartnership with his brother, Henry 
B. Armstrong, and engaged in the hide and leather 
business, in which they built up an extensive and 
prosperous trade, and the firm became known as one 
of the best and most reliable in Southern Michigan, 
their trade extending over several counties in this 
Stiite, and even reaching into the States of Ohio and 
Indiana. This partnership lasted until the death of 
the brother, which occurred in 1873, after which 
our subject conducted the business alone and car- 
ried it on successfully until 1883, when he sold out 
his stock and retired from active business. By 
honest dealing he secured a large jjatronage. and by 
strict industry and close application to business, 
together with good judgment, he acquired an ample 
competency, which he has judiciously invested to 
sujjply the means for passing in comfort his declin- 
ing j'ears. 

Mr. Armstrong has been twice married, losing 
his first wife six months after their marriage. In 
18()3 he was united in marriage with his present 
wife, who in her girlhood was Miss Marietta L. 
Willard, a native of Waterford, Me., and an accom- 
plished and amiable lady. She is the daughter of 
William Willard, Esq., of New England ancestry. 

In 1861 Mr. Armstrong was elected Trustee of 
the Board of Hillsdale, and a year later he was 
elected President, and re-elected in 18G3, and acted 
in the same capacity during a portion of 1865. In 
1870 he was elected to represent his district in the 
State Legislature, to till the vacancy caused by the 
resignation of Hon. H. B. Rawlson, who had been 
appointed United States Revenue Collector. Hon. 



John Armstrong has acted as a delegate to the 
several State Conventions, as well as to the dis- 
trict and county conventions, in the interest of 
the Republican party, and in his official as well as 
his public and private transactions, he has won for 
himself by his unswerving adherence to the path of 
rectitude, the approbation of all with whom he has 
come in contact, and in taking a retrospective view 
of a life which exceeds the allotted threescore years 
and ten, he has the satisfaction of knowing that it 
has not been spent in vain, but that the world is 
better for his having lived; and now as the shadows 
lengthen, and he approaches the end of that jour- 
ney which all are traveling, he is supported and 
strengthened by the tender care and solicitude of 
his immediate connections, and the kind wishes of 
his large circle of acquaintances. 

Hon. John H. Armstrong was in early life a 
Whig, casting his first vote for William Henry 
Harrison, in 1836, and naturally joined the Repub- 
lican ranks upon the abandonment of the Whig 
party. He served as a Director of the Second Na- 
tional Bank until the surrender of the charter, and 
is at present a Director of the Hillsdale Savings 
Bank. Socially, Mr. Armstrong is an eminent 
Mason, and has attained to the thirty-second de- 
gree. In June, 1868, he was elected Grand Com- 
mander for the State of the Templar Masonry. 






UASHINGTON BAILEY. The family his- 
tory of this aged and highly respected 
^^ resident of Reading Township is in its 
main points as follows: His paternal grandfather, 
Joseph Baile}', was a native of Massachusetts, of 
English ancestry who crossed the Atlantic during 
the Coloni.al days, and settling in the Bay State 
were the progenitors of a race which became after- 
ward widely and favorably known throughout that 
region. 

Joseph Bailey learned shoemaking when a young 
man, but was fond of agricultural pursuits, and ac- 
quired a tract of land upon which he labored in 
connection with his trade, and passed his entire life 
in his native State, with the exception of the time 
spent as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. 




n 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



299 



■-■ <• 



■ 



When this conflict came on he enlisted in a Massa- 
chusetts regiment and served seven years, occnpy- 
ing a part of the time the position of paymaster for 
his regiment. Late in life he migrated to St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., where he spent his last days, 
d3-ing at the advanced age of ninety years. He 
was twice married, his first wife being Miss Vesta 
Packard, who was of a prominent old Massachu- 
setts family, and who bore her husband seven chil- 
dren. She accompanied him to the Empire State, 
and died in St. Lawrence County, after reacliing 
her threescore and ten years. Of the second mar- 
riage of Joseph Bailey there were no children. 

Of the seven children born to Joseph Bailey 
and his first wife, Ralph, the father of our subject, 
was the fifth in order of birth. He first opened 
his eyes to the light in the State of Jlassachu- 
setts, and remained a member of his father's house- 
hold until a youth of sixteen years. In the mean- 
time he hail learned the trade of a shoemaker, 
but was not satisfied witli the confinement at the 
bench, so be left home and went to sea, and was 
a sailor thereafter for three or four years. Upon 
again settling upon terra firma, he learned the trade 
of carpenter, and became a professional contractor 
and house-builder. He followed this vocation un- 
til thirty-five or forty years old, then turned his 
attention to fiuniing. In 1822 he took up his 
abode in Syracuse Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
where he followed agriculture and house-buildino- 
jointly until his death, which took place in Readino- 
Township about 1847, when he vvas sixty-five years 
old. 

Politically, the father of our subject was a Jack- 
son Democrat, and took a lively interest in both 
State and National (iovcrnment. He was married 
in Onondaga County to Miss Mehitable Bailey, 
who vvas also born and reared in Massachusetts, and 
who survived her husband some years. After his 
death she came to Michigan, .ind passed away at 
the home of her son, Harrison Bailey, in Readino- 
Township, at the age of sixty-five years. Both 
she and her husband were Universalists in religious 
belief. They had a family of ten chihh-en, six sons 
and four daughters, of whom Washington, our sub- 
ject, was the second son and third child. 

Washington Bailey first opened his eyes to the 



light at Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 
1808. He lived there until a lad of nine years, 
then went to St. Lawrence County, and then went 
with his parents into Onondaga County, where he 
remained until seventeen. He then started out for 
himself and began learning the trade of carpenter 
which, on account of his natural genius, he acquired 
readily, and also from working considerably with 
his father. From the time he had reached his ma- 
jority until he came to Michigan, in 183.'5, he was 
continuously employed as a builder, and soon after 
coming to the West invested the money which he 
had saved in 208 acres of land on section 19, in 
Reading Township, where he has since made his 
home. His purchase was mostly a timber tract, 
which by a course of industry and perseverance he 
has transformed into one of the finest farms of this 
section. His land is more than usually fertile, and 
yields in abundance all kinds of grain, affording 
him a handsome income, and something to provide 
against want iu the future. 

Mr. Bailey was married in, Onondaga County, 
N. Y'., Sept. 24, 1840, to Miss lantlia Danks, re- 
turning East for th.at purpose after he had laid the 
foundations for a future home. Mrs. Bailey was 
born in Onondaga County, Dec. 21, 1819, and is 
the daughter of Beuoni Danks, one of the success- 
ful farmers of that i-egion, and the offspring of an 
old and excellent family. He spent his entire life in 
New Y'ork State, and died at his homestead there 
aged about sixty-five years. He had married in 
earlj' manhood Miss Phebe Earl, who after the 
death of her husband came to Michigan to visit 
her daughter, Mrs. Bailey, and died suddenly of 
apoplexy soon after entering the house. Her re- 
mains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Reading. 

Mrs. Bailey was reared under the home roof in 
her native county and acquired a good education. 
Of her union with our subject there were born five 
children, one of whom, a son Leroy, died in 
Waterloo, Ind., when twentj'-four j-ears of .<jge. He 
had married Miss Mary Van Meteu, who is also de- 
ceased, and they left one child, a daughter Carrie, 
who is now living in California. Lucy, the eldest 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, is the wife of R. 
O. Sinclair, who is farming near Newell, in Sac 
County-, Iowa; she was first married to George W. 



-4^ 

300 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Mitchell, who died leaving two children. C. Adel 
was married to E. B. Clizbe, a resident of Reading 
and Station Agent of the Saginaw Railroad at that 
place; Edgar B. took to wife Miss Mary Meigs, 
and they occupy a part of the Bailey homestead in 
Reading Township; Jennie C. is the wife of Moses 
M. Carrel, and they are residents of Cleveland, 
Ohio, Mr. C. being General Ticket Agent and mana- 
ger of the Union Depot. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bailey for five years after their 
marriage lived at Lima, Lagrange Co., Ind., and 
then came to Michigan. Mr. Bailey is a zealous 
member of the Republican party, and quite active 
in local politics. He and his estimable wife belong 
to the Free Baptist Church at Reading, in which 
our subject has officiated as Deacon for years. 
They have a pleasant home and hosts of friends, 
and our subject, now approaching life's sunset, may 
view with satisfaction the record which he has 
made for himself and of which his children will 
never be ashamed. 

— >> ■•o*o.-tC)Jv>'V®-»*0' *«~ 



m ORENZO ABBOTT. Prominent among the 
I (^ respected citizens of Reading Township is 
JLAVs^ j|,g gentleman whose name stands at the 
head of this sketch. After a life of industry and 
perseverance which has been crowned by success, 
he is now living a retired life at the old homestead, on 
section 27, where he took up from the Government 
320 acres, in 1835. By strict integrity and close 
attention to business, Mr. Abbott lias won for him- 
self the respect and esteem of all with whom he has 
come in contact in social or business relations, and 
now, in the enjoyment of a handsome competency, 
and a large measure of physical strength, he is pre- 
pared to spend the remainder of his days sur- 
rounded by those creature comforts which he has 
earned so well. 

In the spring of 1838 the subject of this biog- 
raphy left his home in York State, and accom- 
panied by his wife and one child, set out for the 
land of " great expectations.'" He first stopped in 
Ohio, where he remained for some time, and then 
came across the lake, landing at Toledo, Ohio, and 
thence across the country, which was almost an 




unbroken wilderness, to this State. The journey 
was made with the usual pioneer conveyance, con- 
sisting of an ox-team and a wagon, which conveyed 
his family and his personal effects. Passing through 
Adrian he came to Reading Township, and here 
found his purchase not touched by the hand of man. 
Winter had already set in and the snow was two 
feet in depth, while the country presented a very 
gloomy appearance to one who had spent so many 
years in the older States. His was not the heart 
to falter, however, and Mr. Abbott finding a hut 
near by, removed into it with his wife and child, 
while their only bed consisted of some straw which 
he found in the cabin. By keeping up a large fire 
day and night, they were enabled to pass the winter 
without much suffering. Mr. Abbott had to cut 
down trees on which his cattle browsed, as food for 
man and beast was very scarce. He at once en- 
gaged in the improvement of his large tract of 
land, and hopeless as the task at first must have 
appeared, from this unfavorable beginning he has 
built up his beautiful and well-improved farm. He 
is a man of wonderful physical strength and endur- 
ance, and has overcome obstacles which to tiie 
present generation appear, from their recital, unsur- 
mountable; but he kept the goal in view, and 
knowing that this section of country possessed great 
natural resources, which energy and skill could 
surely develop, he persevered until success crowned 
his efforts. 

In addition to general farming Mr. Abbott has 
also engaged in stock-raising, in which he has met 
with marked success. From time to time he has 
added to his land, until his possessions amount to 
almost 600 acres, which he has brought to a high 
state of cultivation as the result of thrift and good 
management. Real estate in this part of the country 
has now reached a value that makes the owner of a 
section of land an independent man, and while 
Mr. Abbott has achieved this success financially, he 
has not neglected social and charitable claims. He 
is a public-spirited and liberal-minded citizen, al- 
ways interested in every measure calculated to 
benefit his community. 

Lorenzo Abbott is a native of Connecticut, where 
he was born in Vernon Township, Tolland County, 
Dec. 4, 1806. (For parental historj' see sketch of 



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i- 



-U 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



301 



H. K. Abliott.) Our subject was reared in his 
native count}' and learned the trade of a clotii- 
maker, which his father also followed. The latter 
met with misfortunes which caused the loss of all 
of his jjropevt}-. mid young Abbott at an early age 
was thrown ujiou his own resources. He followed 
his trade during his residence in York State until 
he came to Michigan. He was a man skillful in 
the use of tools, and of great inventive genius, and 
took great pleasure in spending his leisure time in 
the exercise of his skill. When a young man he 
drilled a hole perfectly straight through a cast-steel 
rifle barrel, three feet long, entirely without the 
assistance of the usual machines and appliances, the 
first feat of the kind ever accomi)lished, either in 
America or Europe. His right hand has not yet 
forgotten its cunning, and he can make almost any 
machine and also the tools that make it. 

Mr. Abbott chose for his wife Miss Clarissa Han- 
nah, who was born and reared in Bethlehem, Litch- 
field Co., Conn., and came of New England parents, 
who had settled in that county among the early 
pioneers. She was the daughter of David and Su- 
sanna (Kaiiford) Hannah, of New Haven, Conn., the 
latter of whom came of old Revolutionary stock. 
Her parents followed the occupation of agricult- 
urists, in which they were very successful, and 
spending the most of their years in Litchfield 
County, (lied there respected and honored. Many 
of tlieir tMUiil}' are }'et living in that old New En- 
gland State, and are among the most promising and 
prominent people of the community. Mrs. Clarissa 
Aliliolt was carefully reared, and received the 
lieiielils of a good education in her old home. She 
assisted liei- husband bravely in the work of redeem- 
ing from the wilderness a home for their children, 
and liveil to see the country much improved. She 
became the mother of seven children, and passed 
awny in l.s4;t. One of her children, Mrs. Mary A. 
\V light, died at the age of thirty-two years, and 
left one child; Eliza was formerly n school teacher, 
and is now the wife of Martin Heiry, a successful 
farmer of (.^uincy Township, Branch County; Delia 
A. became the wife of Silas Beckworth, and lives in 
Heading, this county ; Sylvester L. is a farmer of 
Reading Township, and married for his present 
wife KUa Haite; Amelia, .m fornicr school teacher, is 



^t- 



the wife of Grove S. Bartholomew, an attorney-at- 
law, living in California; Mary C. resides at home 
with her parents and is unmarried. 

Mr. Abbott was a second time married, in 1852, 
to Miss Caroline E. Hannah, a sister of his first 
wife. Mrs. Abbott was born and reared in Litch- 
field County, Conn., where she first saw the light 
Feb. 14, 1812. She has borne to hci- husband two 
children : Arthur S., who took to wife Eva Hewes, 
and now lives on a farm in Reading, and Remus M., 
who remains at home and operates a gristmill. 
Mrs. Abbott has been the able and conscientious 
helpmate of her husband in all his labors, and is 
noted for her interest in the promotion and advance- 
ment of any good work. She and her husband have 
contributed many hundred dollars to every enter- 
prise calculated to build up their township in any 
"■ay. 

Mrs. Abbott is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, while in politics, the sympathies of Mr. 
Abbott have gone out toward the Democratic 
party, to which be has given material support. His 
life furnishes an example to the rising generation 
of what may be accomplished by honesty and in- 
dustry, coupled with good judgment, while his ex- 
cellent habits have insured for him a green old age, 
with the promise of the enjoyment of many years 
lo come. 

i^^AYLOR M. AVERY. One of the neatest 
If^^^ homes in Hillsdale Township belongs to the 
^^^ subject of this biogi-a])hy, and is pleasantly 
located on a |)art of section 2«. He has but forty 
acres, but it has been carefully cultivated, and is 
not excelled by any body of land in the county in 
fertility, and its adaptation to general farming and 
Stock-raising. To the latter industry Mr. Avery 
is giving especial attention, and in this has Imilt up 
an enviable reputation. Besides his little farm he 
is the owner of city i)roperty within the limits of 
Hillsdale, and is in the enjoyment of an nicome 
which provides him with all the comforts and man}' 
of the luxuries of life. 

.Ie£ferst>n Count}', N. Y., contained the early 
home of our subject, and his birth took place at 
the modest dwelling of his parents in Hrownville 



302 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Township, May 29. 1815. The latter were Fred- 
erick and Persis (Brace) Avery, who were natives 
of Connecticut, whence they emigrated to Herlvimer 
County. N. Y.. before their marriage. Not long 
afterwaid they changed their residence to .leflferson 
County, where the fatiier litcame possessor of a 
good farm, upon which he lived and labored until 
his death, in about 1853, at the age of seventy-two 
or seventy-three j'ears. Maj. Avery, as he was called, 
was prominent in the township of his adoption, held 
the various local offices, and was a consistent mem- 
ber of tlie Baptist Church. The mother died while 
a young woman in Jefferson County, in 1824. Their 
daugliter Harriet, the eldest of their nine children, 
died when a maiden of seventeen years. The 
otliers were Charles B., Isaac, Pollj', Nancy, Rich 
ardson. Ta^ior M., Harlow and Fredericka. 

The subject of this history is the only surviving 
member of his family. His early education was 
extremely limited, but being bright and observant 
he made the best use of his opportunities, and kept 
iiis eyes open to what was going on around him in 
the world, thus securing a good fund of general 
information. He has followed agriculture all his 
life. He was married. May 30, 1843, to Miss Laura 
Loomis. a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and 
who vvas l)orn April 5, 1821. Our subject and his 
wife after their marriage located in Jefferson 
County, wliere Mr. Avery farmed with fair success 
until the spring of 1857. Then deciding upon a 
change of location he came witii his family to this 
county, and purchased the laud whicli he still owns 
and occupies. No foot of this has l)een allowed to 
run to waste, and the success with which his labors 
have been crowned would seem to justify the opin- 
ion of the late Horace Greeley, that not only forty 
but even ten acres are enough. The buildings are 
neat and substantial, and finely adapted to the 
shelter of stock and the storing of grain. The resi- 
dence and its surroundings indicate the cultivated 
tastes and comfortable means of the proprietor. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Avery there were given two children 
only. Their son, Frank L.. married Miss Ic'a 
llowaril, and is living in Hillsdale; Minnie P. died 
at the .age of seventeen 3-ears. 

Mrs. Avery is the daughter of Stephen B. and 
Katie (Bort) Loomis, wlio were also natives of 



Herkimer County. N. Y., where the father carried 
on farming and merchandising, and died in 1870. 
The mother is still living at the old homestead in 
Brownville. N. Y. The ten children of the paren- 
tal family bore the names of Laura, Fayette, John. 
Stephen. Alvira, Delia, Charlotte. Warren. Frank 
and William. The latter <lied when three years of 
age. Seven are still living. Mr. Avery meddles 
very little with public affairs, but uniformly votes 
the Republican ticket. He and his estimable wife 
are proud in the possession of two grandchildren. 



-^ 



I 



^~*I'~isr' 



^AMES O'NEIL. The biographer is informed 
that "the record of this gentleman for hon- 
estj' and square dealing is unexcelled." He 
has been for forty-three j'ears a resident of 
Wheatland Township, holding its offices, identified 
with its material interests, and in all respects a con- 
scientious and praiseworthy citizen. The main 
details of his history are in effect as follows: 

A native of Washingti n County, N. Y., our sub- 
ject was born on the 17th of March. 1824, and is 
the son of Patrick and Polly (Williams) O'Neil. 
The father was a native of Ireland, whence he emi- 
grated to the United States in 1812, after doing 
unwilling service in the English army, from which 
h( deserted at the earliest opportunity, and board- 
ing a sailing-vessel, escaped to the "land of the 
free and the home of the brave." 

Patrick O'Neil, soon after landing upon American 
soil, made his way to Washington County, N. Y.. 
where he employed himself at whatever his hands 
could find to do, and in the meantime made the 
acquaintance of his future wife, INIiss Polly Will- 
iams, who became the sharer of his home and- fort- 
unes |)rob<ably within the space of a 3'ear thereafter. 
Mrs. O'Neil vvas born in that county, and there 
the parents of our subject began life together and 
in due time found themselves with a familj' of 
thirteen children. Of these four are now living, 
three being residents of Michigan and one of York 
Slate. The parents in their later years joined their 
son. our subject, in this county, where the father 
closed his eyes upon earthly scenes in March, 1878. 
and the mother in .June, 1«85. They had both 






i 



; 



-^- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



303 






nuire tlien spanned their fourscore years, the father 
being eighty-six years of age at tiie time of iiis 
death and the mother eighty-eiglit. 

'J'he subject of our sketch, wliose father's worldly 
possessions were extremely limited, was early in 
life thrown upon bis own lesouices, and not only 
that, but was also obliged to assist his mother from 
the limited earnings which he received working out- 
He was employed by the month for a number of 
years, and then for a time carried on farming on 
shares. In 1843 he determined to seek his fortune 
in the farther AVest. Southern Micliigan nt this 
time was holding out inducements to the enterpris- 
ing emigrant, and to this section of country he now 
turned his footsteps. The first enterprise that 
seemed to ])romise returns was the purchase and 
sale of ashes, which were then quite extensively 
utilized for making potash, and after building up a 
desirable trade in this commodity, and one which 
another man had been looking upon with envious 
eyes, Mr. O'Neil traded his interest in the business 
for forty acres of school land. This, in connection 
with another tract which he rented, he occupied 
and cullivatecl for a [period of seven 3-ears. 

In the nie.'intime our subject had taken unto him- 
self a wife and helpmeet from among the maidens 
of this pioneer region. Miss Harriet Halleck, who 
became the sharer of his home and fortunes on the 
2d of .lanuai'v, 1844. The young people spent the 
lii^-t year with the l)ride's [larents, and then coni- 
nitiicccl housekeeping after the primitive fashion of 
those days. Their first dwelling was built of logs, 
and if it lacked in finishing and furnishing some of 
the elegancies of the present day, it at least was not 
obtained on " time payments." Upon selling out this 
property-, Mr. O'Neil purchased 140 acres of more 
valuable land, in J.itchfleld Township, where he lived 
three years, and then sold this also and returned t(j 
■Wheatland Township, where he purchased the farm 
upon wjiiili lie has since resided. Here he has 
elTected good improveinents, and while prosperous 
financially, has lirmly established himself in the 
esteem and confidence of the people of his com- 
munity-. This has been amply prove<l b3' his 
election to the various local ofliccs, the duties of 
wliiih he has discharged in that I'ailluul and con- 
scientious niannei- which has sii;ii.'ilized Inin as a 



■<^ 



public-spirited citizen, zealous as to the reputation 
of his community', and anxious as to its moral 
advancement. He votes the straight Democratic 
ticket, and upholds his convictions with the earnest- 
ness of character which has been the secret of his 
success in life. 

Mrs. O'Neil was born in AVayne County, N. Y.. 
Oct. 10. 182,5, and is the daughter of James and 
Mehitable (Chambers) Halleck. and the sister of 
John Halleck, a sketch of whom will be found on 
another page in this volume. Of her union with 
our subject there have been born five children, the 
record of whom is as frillows: Mary is the wife of 
Levi Rickerd ; they reside in North Adams, and 
have one child, a son. named Grant. Rosella was 
born May 1, 1848, and being a very capable and 
enterprising lady, is carrying on dressmaking in 
Detroit; Charles, born Jidy 13, 18,53, married Miss 
Eva Trumbull, and is the father of one child, a 
daughter, now three years of .age ; Arley, born 
March 23, 1857, is the wife of George Van Allen, 
of Jerome, this county, and |he mother of one 
child, a son, named Forrest; James II., born July 
1, 1865, resides in Denver, Col. 



.^<N^-'— -K^|.J^^ 



^ E.SSE CROW, a pioneer farMier and represent- 
ative citizen of Amboy Township, was born 
in Washington County. Pa., April 18, 1«14, 
/ and is the son of Jesse Crow, Sr., who was a, 
native of the same State. The grandfather of our 
subject, Abraham Crow, was also born in the Key- 
st<me State, in lierks County, and removed to Ohio 
in 181G, settling in Columbiana County among the 
earl3' pioneers. He secuired possession of a large 
tr.act of land in KIk Riui Township, the greater part 
of which he divided among his children, while he 
improved the remainder and lived upon it until his 
decease. 

The father of our suliject settled upon fifty acres 
of land his father had given him in Elk Run Town- 
ship, to which \n: afterward added b_v purchase an- 
other litty acres, and continued to reside there 
until his death, at the age of fifty-five j-ears. I lis 



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304 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



H, 



wife, whose maiden name was Hannah McCarty, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and died at the home- 
stead in Ohio, in 1828. 

Jesse Crow was an infant of two years when his 
parents removed to Cohimbiana County, so that 
his earliest recollections are of pioneer life. His 
advantages for receiving an education were very 
inferior compared with the facilities of the present 
daj'; free schools had not yet been established, and 
those he attended were conducted on the subscrip- 
tion plan. As soon as he w.as large enough he was 
kept at home to assist his father on the farm, and he 
resided in Columbiana County until 1841. In 
Septcmlier of that year, accompanied by his wife 
ami child, he yoked his oxen to a wagon and started 
out to seek a liome toward the setting sun. He 
journeyed to Williams County in the same .State, 
arriving there fifteen days later, and purchased a 
tract of eighty acres of land in the wilderness. 
There was not even a road by which he could reach 
his purchase, aud he followed a trail marked l)y 
blazed trees. His land joined the present site of 
the village of West Unity, which was not laid out 
until the year following, and contained at that 
time but one log house. As soon as convenient 
Ml. Crow erected a log cabin, into which the fam- 
ily removed before it had either winihjws. doors or 
a chimney, and they had to do their cooking, etc., 
by a btuniij on the outside. Quilts were hung at 
the door to keep out the cold and to make the 
cabin less inviting to wild beasts, and Mr. Crow 
built a stick and eartli chimney. lie luid paid out 
all his money in the purchase of his land, and was 
obliged to leave his own farm and hire out in the 
neighborhood to earn money to support his family. 
In the meantime he devoted what time he could to 
the improvement of his farm, and was thus situated 
when they were overtaken by the winter of 1 842- 
43, which was known as the "cold winter'" and is 
well remembered by the early settlers. There be- 
ing so little of the land cleared at that time, there 
was but little fodder raised, and in many cases there 
was much suffering among the cattle, while some 
actually starved to death. Mr. Crow had a yoke 
of oxen and one cow, and when the fodder gave 
out he chopped dovvn trees and the cattle lived for 
some weeks by browsing on the tops. Deer, wild 



turkeys and coons were plentiful, and often came 
near the house, while occasionally a bear or a wolf 
would pay an unwelcome visit to tlie farmyard. 
Having no horse, Mr. Crow was oliliged to do his 
farm work, milling and marketing, with oxen for 
some years. l)ut he was industrious and energetu^ 
and soon had quite a clearing. In 18.52 he ex- 
changed that place for 240 acres of land in what is 
now known as Amboy Township, and has resided 
here continuously ever since. He has erected a 
good set of convenient and commodious frame 
buildings, including a large barn, aud now lives a 
retired life, himself and Mrs. Crow enjoying the 
fruits of their long life of industry and frugality. 
The rapid transformation of thisseetii^n of country 
into smiling and fertile fields and popuhjiis vil- 
lages, with the development of the other natural 
resources so bountifully lavished upoTi Southern 
Michigan must appear as a panoramic view to Mr. 
Crow, who can look back to wiiat seems onl}' a few 
years ago, when this country was fresh from the 
hand of Nature, before civilization had touched it 
with its magic wand. 

Our subject was united in marriage, March 22. 
1840, with Eliza A. Chamberlain, who was born in 
Elk Uun Township. Columbiana Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 
1819, and is the <laughter of Samuel Chamberlain, 
a native of Lancaster County, Pa. Her grand- 
father, William Chamberlain, was one of the first 
settlers of Elk Run Township, where he bought a 
large tract of land and spent the remaining years 
of his life in its improvement. The father of Mrs. 
Crow located on land which he had received from 
his father, and improved a farm and resided there 
until 1841, when he migrated to Williams County, 
in the same State, and bought a half-seetic^n of l.-md. 
one mile east of the village of West Unity, lie set 
about its improvement with characteristic energy, 
but had lived theie only a few yeais when he was 
called away by death, in 1841J. The mother of 
Mrs. Crow, whose maiden name was Susan Ashford, 
w.as born in Virginia, and was the daughter of 
Aaron and Rebecca (Nutt) Ashford, early settlers 
of Columbiana County, Ohio, where they spent 
the remainder of their lives. The parents of Re- 
becca (Nutt) Ashford were .louathaii and Eliza- 
beth Nutt. The mother of Mrs. Crow came to 

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HILLSDALE COUXTY. 



307 



Amboy and died at tlie liome of her daughter, the 
wife of our subject, in 18H4, at the ripe old age of 
eight3--seven years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Crow are llie parents of three chil- 
dren living, as follows: Samuel lives in Ransom 
Township, and Jason and Adon are residents of 
Amboy Township, and all are farmers in good cir- 
cumstances. One son, Jesse, was born Dec. 30, 
1844, and died Sept. 26, 1862, and James was 
born Nov. i'i, 1852, and died Sept. 2o, 1862; 
these children received injuries from a falling tree 
that resulted in their death. William was born 
Nov. 22, 1852, and died Sept. 25,1874. 

In politics Ml'. Crow affiliates with-the Demo- 
cratic party, and in religion his amiable wire is a 
member of the Methodist Church. 




1 ' 



=E> 



,ENJAMIN C. BRADLEY is Iionored and 
highly esteemed, not only as being the old- 
est living pioneer of Camden Township, but 
also as a noble t3'pe of those courageous, 
higli-minded, self-reliant, self-sacrificing, manly men, 
who, scarcely more than a half century ago, alone 
or with their families and friends, faced the untried 
dangers and privations of a lif(^ in the forest depths 
or by the malarial swamps of Southern Michigan, 
that tiicy niigiit redeem the land from its wild 
stale, and from its rich virgin soil gain sustenance 
for themselves tmd their children. They sought to 
fitund neiv liomes in the wilderness, where they 
li<ipc(l to rear their offspring to virtuous and useful 
lives, and in the years to come, if prosperity smiled 
on their eftDrts. to be enabled to give tliem educa- 
tional and social advantages of which they them- 
selves had been deprived. Many of the beautiful 
farms for which this region is famed are the results 
of their untiring labors, and the^"^ planted settle- 
ments which liave sprung into busy towns and 
thriving cities. It has been the privilege of our 
subject to see this part of tiie country in its primi- 
tive state, when the grand old trees of the primeval 
forest covered the greater part of it, and he has 
not only vvitnessed the wilderness give way before 
the ailvancing footsteps of civiliztition, but has him- 



self borne an active part in developing the country. 

Mr. Bradley was born July 5, 1806, in the town 
of Litchfield, in the good old State of Connecticut, 
and comes of an honorable line of New England 
ancestry. The first representatives of the Bradley- 
family in America arc said to have been three 
brothers, wlio left their ancient home in Ireland and 
crossed the seas to settle in New England, before 
the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Bradley, the 
father of our, subject, was a grandson of one of 
those famous brothers, and he bore a valiant part 
in the aforesaid vvar. He married Del)orah Win- 
chell. who was of English origin, and after the 
birth of a large family of children, at some time 
during the first quarter of this century they turned 
their backs on their old home in New Englan<l and 
traced their way to Wayne County, N. Y., arriving 
at their destination after several days of weary and 
tedious traveling. The parents of our subject spent 
their remaining years in that locality. 

Benjamin C. was the thirteenth in order of birth 
of the children born to his father and mother, and 
he was in his ninth year when he accompanied them 
to their new home. lie received a common-school 
education, and as he grew to manhood entered 
upon the life of a farmer, which calling lie has ever 
since faithfully pursued. On the 29th of Septem- 
ber, 1829, he was married in that State to Miss 
Catherine Cole, a native of New Jersey, and a 
daughter of Simeon and Margaret Cole. Their 
marriage was blessed to them bj' the birth of seven 
childri'u, <if wluim tiie following is the record: 
James C. ; .Margaret, tiic wife of George Crane; 
Julia, wife of Ilosea Wright; Esther, wife of Wal- 
ter St. John; Jane was the widow of Charles I!. 
Johnson, and is now deceased : Simeon and Jerome, 
deceased. 

In 1835 Mr. Bradley visited the Territory of 
Micliigan, and lieing very favorably impressed with 
this part of Hillsdale County, which was then in- 
cluded in the town of Allen, admiring the beamy 
of its situation and other natural advantages, he 
determined to settle here, and entered from tiie 
Government 160 acres of land on section 34. He 
subsequentlj- went back to New York, and did not 
return with his family to this State until 1838, 
when he settled <jn his land. In the meantime Al- 



^ 



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I 



308 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



t 



len had been divideri, and his farm was then in- 
cluded in the township of Reading until 1839, 
when Camden was set off. When he settled on his 
land only a few tiees had been out to make the log- 
house tliat was to shelter the family for several 
years, until it was replaced by a more commodious 
structure. The years that followed were devoted 
to hard labor, and required from our subject and 
his family a patient enduiance of hardshii)S of 
which those of the present generation can iiave but 
little conception. They had to go a long distance 
t') mills, markets and stores, and what are thought 
to be indispensable necessaries to-day, were then 
not to be thought of. Notwithstanding all that he 
had to contend with, our subject was greatlj- pros- 
pered in his work, and bis land, once so heavily 
timbered, lie converted into a splendid farm, con- 
sidered one of the best in Camden 'i'ownship. He 
has also increased its acreage by furtiier purchase to 
240 acres, all of which is under good improvement, 
with ample and conveniently arranged farm build- 
ings, and well stocked with good grades of cattle, 
horses and swine. 

On the 27lh of December, 18G0, the wedded life 
of our subject, with all its joys" and sorrows, was 
ended for this world by the death of his beloved 
and trusted companion, devoted wife and wise 
counselor. She left behind her a wealth of love 
and grateful remembrance of her many kindnesses 
and deeds of friendship, and many mourned with 
the bereaved family. 

Mr. Bradle3- has always been a conspicuous fig- 
ure in the public life of Camden Township, and 
has wielded a marked influence in shaping its gov- 
ernment, while holding its most important and re- 
sp(nisible oflices. He served as Supervisor of Cam- 
den Township for three years, Justice of the Peace 
for eight consecutive years, was Treasurer for sev- 
eral years. Assessor for many jcars, and Road Com- 
missioner for one year. He has contributed liber- 
ally for the support of every enterprise to benefit 
the township or county*. In politics he is a true 
Republican. He has voted for Presidential candi- 
dates fourteen limes, and only three of those for 
whom he voted have not been elected. The life 
record of our subject has sliowii him to be a man 
of more than (irdinnr\' capaMbty, strength of char- 



acter, and integrit}' of purpose. The accompanj-- 
ing portrait will be cheerfully received bj' the pat- 
rons of this Ai.isi M. as of one of the most worthy 
citizens of the entire county. 



fr^LON G. REYNOLDS, fire and life insnr. 

ance agent, of Hillsdale, was born in Ionia 

^ County, Mich., May 7, 1841, and is the 



youngest living and sixth son of Channcey and 
Sarah (Harper) Re3'nolds, both of whom still sur- 
vive, and are residing at their home in Hillsdale- 

Mr. Reynolds passed his boyhood on the farm in 
Ionia County, and while he was initiated into the 
duties of farm life, he also received his education 
in the district schools, and was thus engaged until 
the age of fifteen years. He was fond of his books, 
was especiallj' noted as being the best speller in all 
that section of country, and the education he had 
already received inspired him with a desire to 
make it broader and deeper, therefore, with that 
object in view, he entered Hillsdale College and 
took a regular classical course, being graduated in 
1866. He then adopted the profession of a school 
teacher, and engaged a school at Constantine, Mich., 
which he conducted one year. Mr. Reynolds next 
embaiked for Europe, and spent nearly a j'ear in 
Leipsic. and also visited Berlin. Dresden, Prsigue, 
Vienna. Munich, Venice, Florence, Geneva, Paris 
and London, spending altogether about fifteen 
months. While at Leipsic he w.as engaged in study, 
acquainting himself with the modern languages. 
Returning to his home in Hillsdale, he resumed his 
profession, and was emploj-ed in its [iractice three 
years in Hudson, after which he returned to Hills- 
dale and taught classes in college. When the 
movement was set on foot for endowing an alumni 
professorship in Hillsdale College, Mr. Reynoliis 
was made Chairman of the committee, and raised 
most of $10,000 toward that object. He then 
engaged in the insurance business, and has been 
connected with it up to the present time. 

In 1877 the subject of this liiography was elected 
Clerk of the city of Hillsdale, and held the office 
for eight years continuously. For seven years he 
was Church Clerk, and during a period of thirteen 



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u 






HILLSOALK COUNTY. 



30 'J 



j'tars he lias been Clerk of Oak Grove Cemetery 
Association. He alsoscrvcil six years as a member 
of the School Board, and for two years of that 
time was Director. Having been appointed De|)Uty 
County Clerk, by C. IM. Barre. when the latter was 
elected Cashier of the Second National Bank Mr. 
Reynolds became Acting County Clerk, antl from 
March 1, 188.3. to Jan. 1, 1885, discharged the 
duties of his uitice in a vcr^^ satisfactorj' manner. 

In 1878 Mr. Ke3-nolds was appointed Chairman 
of the Republican County Committee, and held the 
office in 18.S4. In 1879 he was elected a Trustee of 
Hillsdale College, to succeed Hon. John P. Cook, 
which position he still holds, aud he was also elected 
Auditor to succeed Hon. Henry Waldron, in Sep- 
tember, 1«80, and has held the ollice ever since. By 
virtue of this office Mr. Re3^nolds also became a 
member of the Prudential Committee, and by his 
varied experience in public life aud his intimate 
association with the controlling minds of the coun- 
try', he has become admirably' qualified for his pres- 
ent duties. 

On the •24th of November, 1880, Mr. Reynolds 
w.as united in marriage with ISIiss Emily A. Bene- 
dict, of Litchfield, daughter of Thomas W. and 
Jane M. Benedict, and their home has been bright- 
ened by the advent of one son, Leon B. Mr. Rey- 
nolds is a member of the Free Baptist Church, and 
he and his amiable wife are people of integrity and 
good standing among their large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. 



■^w^m^^ ■ A* «> »A AA * A-i- ;. ~-t* -^ 



<«, IklLLIAM H. SMI' 
\jjjl well-known firm 
V7\? dealers in, and ii 



jr,ILLIAM H. SMITH, senior member of the 
of W. H. Smith & Bro., 
importers of, fine horses, is 
one of the leading horsemen of Southern Michigan, 
and by reason of his long experience ami close ob- 
servation of this noblest and most useful of animals, 
has brought about most wonderful results, following 
apon the close study of their intelligence, which 
nniny people maintain, with great show of reason, 
approaches nearly to that of mankind. The won- 
derfully trained animals at present under the super- 
vision of Prof. Crockei', who has exhibited them on 
both continents, are the property of Smith Bros. & 



Crocker, and are .accompanied b^' the latter during 
the cxlilbitidns given by the Professor, and which 
have l)een witnessed by tlious.-uids of pc<>|>le, and 
discoursed upon at length in the leading newspapers 
both in Kngland and America. 

William H. Smith was born in Tompkins Comity, 
N. Y.. Oct. 7, ISi'.K and is the son of Benjamin 
Sniilb. a native of Wilkinsburg, Pa. The mother, 
who in her girlhoo<l was Miss Charlotte Gibb, was 
the daughter of .lames Gibb, a native of Sc<tlaiid, 
who crossed the Atlantic <luring early manhood, 
and settled in Tompkins County, N. Y. After his 
inairiage Benjamin .Smith located in Tompkins 
County. N. Y., where he carried on agriculture and 
was also a horse-dealer and drover, and there he 
and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their 
daj's. The family included ten children, eight oi 
whom lived to mature years, but only four of 
whom now survive. The two besides the Smith 
Bros, are residents of Michigan and Dakota. 

Our subject pa,ssed hisbojiiood days on the farm 
in his native county, acquiring a common-school 
education. At the age of sixteen years he assumed 
a man's duties and responsibilities, and began oper- 
ating first a threshing-machine, then bought aud 
sold horses in the New York market on a large 
scale up to the time of h(s father's death, which oc- 
curred in 1852, and until his removal to Huron 
County, Ohio. 

In the siiring of 18G1 Mr. Smith came to this 
coui.ty. and opening a livery and sale stabh;, con- 
tinued dealing in horses, buyMng and fitting tlitnn 
for the New York market. He also purch.ased for 
the army, ;is cavaby horses were in great demand 
in Eastern cities. In 1874 William H. and his 
brother built what is now known as Smith's Hotel, 
a fine, three-story brick structure at the intersection 
of Howell and Bacon streets, which has a frontage 
of 70x175 feet, and is the princi|)al hotel in the 
city. 

The livery stable of Smith Bros, is finely equipped 
with horses and vehicles, and in addition to their 
town propcrtj- they ow^n a fine farm, where the}' 
keep their blooded animals, among which are French 
and English coach and Percheron horses, with about 
twenty promising colts. Our subject is also identi- 
fied further with the business interests of the city. 



^ 



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310 



IIILLSDALK CUUMV. 



being a Director in the Mutual Benefit Life Insur- 
ance Company, which is one of the solid institutions 
of Hillsdale. 

In 185G Mr. Smith was married to a most estim- 
able lady. Miss Lavina Bates, daughter of William 
Bates. Esq., of Huron County, Ohio, and an ad- 
herent of the Quaker faith. This union has been 
blessed with one child only, a daughter, Lottie L., 
who was born Sept. 20, 1867, was graduated from the 
Union School in Hillsdale, and is now completing 
her musical education in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. 
She is a beautiful and accomplished young lad}', a 
favorite in society, and it is haidlj' necessary to 
saj, the idol of her parents' hearts. Our subject, 
politically, is rather conseivative in his views, avail- 
ing himself of the right of tlie fi'ee American citi- 
zen to support the men whom he considers best 
qualified for office. The fanjily residence is pleas- 
antly located on lloivell street, and in all its a|)- 
pointments indicates the honie of refinement and 
ample means. 



(^LBERTUS E. PALMER, who is prominent 
l^flM as an upholsterer and jobber in furniture, 
established himself in business in Hillsdale 
in 1884. He was born in Lenawee Count}-, 
this State, near the town of Bidgway , Aug. 10, 1 85 1 , 
and is the son of John C. and Kancy (Freder- 
icks) Palmer, natives respectively of New York 
and Connecticut. 

The jiarents of our subject came with their par- 
ents to Lhis section of country from Seneca County, 
N. Y., in 1830. while Michigan was a Territory. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, John 
Palmer, Sr., was a native of New York, and, it is 
hardly necessary to say, after coming to Michigan 
he occupied himself as a tiller of the soil. He 
had mairied in his native State Miss Nancy Lamb, 
and they spent their last days in Eidgway Town- 
ship, Lenawee Count}-. John C. Palmer, the fa- 
ther of our subject, upon reaching manhood and 
after his marriage, located on a farm in Ridg- 
way, and there the parents are spending their 
last day.s. 

The subject of this sketch passed his childhood 



and youth after the manner of most farmers' 
sons, pursuing his first studies in the district 
school of his own home, and when a youth of 
nineteen years entered the High School in Tecum- 
seli, from which he was graduated three years 
later, in 1873. He was fond of his books and 
imjjroved his time so that he developed into an 
efficient teacher, employing himself at this voca- 
tion until enabhd to enter the State Normal 
Scho( 1 at Yjisilanti, for which he had fitted him- 
self by employing his leisure hours still in study. 
He was graduated from the Normal School in 
1876, and not long afterward assumed charge of 
the Reading schools in this cuunty, where he 
operated successfully as Piincipal and teacher for 
three years. 

The confinement of the school-room, however, 
unfavoiably affected his health and spirits, and 
abandoning his profession, Mr. Palmer established 
his present business in Reading upon a small 
scale, but which soon enlarged so that he was 
compelled to move into moie commodious quar- 
ters. In 1884 he transferred his operations to 
the city of Hillsdale, taking jxjssession of a part 
of the building which was formerly occupied by 
the Hillsdale Chair Factory, and which consists of 
two buililings combined and is three stories in 
height. Mr. Palmer thus has ample facilities for 
carrying on his upholstery business in an extensive 
and i>rofitable manner. The chair frames are up- 
holsteied and finely finished by Mr. Palmer, and 
disjiosed of to furniture dealers throughout this and 
adjoining States, both east and west. They are 
got up in the highest style of art, and his trade 
commands the patronage of the best classes of so- 
ciety. 

Mr. Palmer in the pursuit of his vocation often 
goes out upon the road to introduce his goods and 
render them still more jxjpular. His business is 
now estalilislied on a firm basis, and gives employ- 
ment to a force of thirty men. 

In December, 1879, Mr. Palmer was united in 
marriage with Miss Ottie A. Armstrong, of Read- 
ing, who is the daughter of Rev. J. C. and Emma 
Armstrong, natives of Ohio, and now of Hillsdale. 
Our subject and his family, consisting of his wife 
and a little son. Arthur A., occupy a neat dwelling 



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i" 



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HILLSDALE COUMV. 



311 



:1 



on Manning street, and hold a good position among 
tlie ciillivatcd people of Hillsdale. Mr. Palmer, 
politically, is a llepiiblican, and his siicuess is largely 
owing to his upright business dealings and his 
promptness in meeting his obligations. 



J.'^ 



-^>> .o*o>(Sy^.<A^ .0*0 ty-— 

JOHN M. STEARNS. Among the busy and 
thriving farming population of Camden 
Township, n j one is more sincerely respected, 
or better deserves the confidence of his fel- 
lowmen, than the gentleman whose name is at the 
head of this biographical notice. For almost a 
quarter of a century he has been a resident of this 
township, and has been profitably engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits on section 29. By hard and per- 
sistent labor he has succeeded in bringing his farm 
of eighty acres to its present highly cultivated 
state, and has it stocked with good grades of cattle, 
swine and other stock. It is well provided with a 
good set of farm buildings and a comfortable dwell- 
ing. 

Mr. Stearns was born in Genesee County, N. Y., 
Sei)t. 23. 1815, and is the son of Benoua and 
Kunice (Mott) Stearns. When a small boy he bad 
the sad misfortune to lose a kind mother, and when 
eight years old was taken to Geauga County, Ohio, 
to live in the family of Alonzo Hosraa. He made 
his home with that gentleman until he attained his 
majority, being bred to the life of a farmer, and 
receiving but a limited education in the pioneer 
schools of those days. He acquired some skill as a 
carpenter and joiner, and occasionally worked at 
that trade. He had his own way to make in the 
world, but being strong, vigorous and manlj% did 
not shrink from hard work, and is, indeed, in the 
truest sense, a "self-made man," having achieved 
his present prosperous condition by the indomitable 
pluck and shrewd common sense which have ever 
characterized him, aided by his strong right arm. 

Mr. Ste.afns was married, July 20, 18-45, to Mrs. 
Angelinc Baxter, widow of .John Baxter, and daugh- 
ter of Ambrose and Mehitable Gilmore, natives of 
New York State. She was born Dec. 12. 1818, near 
Toronto, Province of Ontario, Canada, and when 
ibout nine year.s old removed with her parents from 



the place of her birth to Pennsylvania. They made 
their home in Erie Connty. that State, until 183i;. 
when they moved to Fidtoii Ccjunty, Ohio, where 
the parents died. 'J'o them had been born nine 
children, of whom the following are living: Mi- 
randa, Saraantha, Jane, Ambrose G. and Angeline. 
Mrs. Stearns by her first marriage had two children, 
of whom one, Andrew A., is living. James was a 
soldier, and a Lieutenant in the late Civil War, and 
lost his life in 1864, whUe bravely fighting in 
defense of the Union. To the marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Stearns was born one child, Franklin M., who 
is now dead. Mrs. Stearns has for over forty years 
shared life's joys and sorrows with her husband, and 
has ever proved a wise comforter, a safe counselor 
and a devoted helpmate. 

In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Stearns left the old home 
in Ohio to build up another in this State, and 
selecting the pleasant township of Camden as a 
most desirable location, they settled in their pres- 
ent abode, and Mr. Stearns h.as ever since been 
actively eng.aged in farmirig and stock-raising. 
The}' are now living in the enjoyment of the com- 
forts which they have procured by their united 
labors, and can look back upon a life spent in use- 
fulness and well-doing, which has been blessed, not 
only to themselves, but to those about them as well, 
in whose hearts the}' have won a warm place. They 
are sincere and kindly Christians, and are devoted 
members of the Disciples' Church. In politics Mr. 
Stearns is strongly in favor of the Greenback move- 
ment; socially, he is a meml)er of the I. O. O. F. 



#^ 



--v- 



AMES STALL, a highly respected and in- 
fluential citizen of Camden Township, may 
well be regarded iis a pioneer of this section 
of Hillsdale County, although not one of its 
earliest settlers, as when he located on his present 
farm it was densely covered with forest trees of 
centuries' growth, and he had to undergo the hard 
toils and privations incidental tt) the life of a pio- 
neer before ho could clear his land and bring it to 
its present highly cultiv.ated condition. He is a 
native of the neighl)oring State of Ohio, born in 
Trumbull County, June 21, 1819, and is a son of 



u 



312 



HILLSDALE COUJSTY. 



Andrew and .Susanna (Sinxins) Stall, Pennsylvania 
Germans. They were pioneer farmers of that 
county (Trumbull), and there they departed this 
life. To him and his wife were born twelve chil- 
dren, three of whom are living: James; Rachel, 
wife of Jonas Barringer, of Mahoning County, 
Ohio, and John. The mother is now living in 
Jackson Township, Malioning Co., Ohio, enjoying 
a serene old age, being now ninety-three years old. 

Our subject was reaied to manhood in his native 
State, receiving but a limited education in its 
primitive schools, and from his good parents a wise 
and careful training in the duties of life, and 
practical lessons in farming, to whicli occupation 
he was bred, and has always followed. Very early 
after attaining manhood he had, by incessant in- 
dustry and shrewd man.agement, laid up enough 
money so that he was enabled to marrj' the joung 
lady of his choice. Miss Rho<la Sowie, who in after 
years greatly assisted him in the building up of the 
comfortable home they now enjoy. Their union 
was consummated in Ohio, Nov. 19, 1843, and for 
forty-five years the^' have been traveling life's road 
together, and although much sorrow has fallen to 
their lot, caused by the loss oi five of the children 
who have blessed their union, yet it must be their 
solace and joy that they have so long been sjjared 
to comfort each other and to bless their remaining 
children. The record of their living children is as 
follows: William lives in Nebraska; Rachel is the 
wife of Riley Sowle, of Nebraska; Abner lives in 
Nebraska; Leander lives at home. The names of 
those deceased are: Susanna, Andrew, George, 
Adam O. and John. 

Mrs. Stall was born in Montgomery County, N. 
Y., in 1821, being the daughter of William and 
Susan (Smith) Sowle, natives respectively of New 
York State and Canada. When she was about 
twelve years of age she removed from the place of 
her birth to Trumbull County, Ohio, where she 
was reared to womanhood, living there with her par- 
ents until her marriage. She has two sisters and 
two brothers still living — Rhoda, Patience, Jacob 
and Almeda. 

Mr. Stall and liis wife spent the first year of their 
wedded life in Trumbull County, and then moved 
to Williams County in the same State. They re- 



mained there four or five 3'ears, and then our sub- 
ject decided to come to Michigan to make his 
permanent home. Accordingly he purchased his 
present place of residence on section 32, Camden 
Township, and by unremitting labor he has con- 
verted the 80-acre tract of heavily timbered land 
into a model farm, with ample and substantial 
farm buildings, a neat and cosy dwelling, and well 
supplied with all the conveniences for conducting 
agriculture profitably, everything tending to show 
that he has been very succesful in his chosen call- 
ing. 

Our subject was endowed with a very fine con- 
stitution and great powers of endurance, and not- 
withstanding his age still retains his physical vigor 
to a remarkable degree ; especially is this so in re- 
gard to his eyesight, as he has never had to use 
eyeglasses. Mr. Stall has always wielded a good 
influence in township affairs, in which he takes an 
active interest, earncstlj' and liberally supporting 
any measure for the benefit of the conununity. He 
has served as School Treasurer for his district for 
twelve successive years, discharging his duties with 
fidelity and elHciency. He is a valued member of 
the Grange. In his political views he is independ- 
ent, preferring to vote for what he considers for 
the best interests of his country, rather than to 
support party men and measures of which he may 
not approve. 




ENRY McKKNDREE EWING. The subject 
of this biograph}', a gentleman in the prime 
of life and one of the well-to-do fanners of 
Woodbridge Township, has a good estate 
on section 20, and for a number of years has been 
prominent in the affairs of his township. He vvas 
elected Supervisor in 1885, serving three terms, 
has officiated as Township Treasurer two terms and 
been an officer of his school district for many years. 
In religious matters he and his family are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. E. serving 
as Class-Leader and Trustee, which offices he has 
filled acceptably for the last fifteen j^ears. He cast 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in November, 



*t 



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I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



313 



1864, and is a Republican, dyed in the wool. Dur- 
ing till- late war lie did good service in the Union 
arm3', and is now a member of the G. A. R., at 
Frontier. It will thus be seen that his life so 
far has been a busy one, in which he has been a 
useful member of his community, and if spared he 
will yet add to his already enviable record. 

The earliest recollections of our subject are of a 
modest home in Jackson County, Ohio, where his 
birth took pl.ace May 15, 1841. [lis parents, Enoch 
and Susannah (Radabaugh) Ewing, were natives of 
West Virginia, the father born July 31, 1799, in 
what was then Bath, but is now Pocahontas County, 
and the mother horn in Greenbriar County, Oct. 
16, 1800. Enoch Ewing was a man of much force 
of character, although of limited education, the 
only schooling he ever received being one yeai''s 
attendance in a log house. He removed from the 
Old Dominion with his parents to Gallia County', 
Ohio, in 1812, and remained there until his mar- 
riage, in 1821. 

After their marriage the parents of our subject 
took u[) their abode in Jackson County, Ohio, 
where the father purchased 160 acres of land and 
wiiure their ten children were born. Mr. Ewing 
was a prominent member of tiie Methodist Epis- 
copal Church for many 3'ears, and filled the various 
local offices, doing everything in his |)ovver to build 
up the pioneer community. In the fall of 1853 he 
left the Buckeye State, and coming to Michigan 
purchased 240 acres of timbered land in Wood- 
bridge Township, Hillsdale County, upon which he 
lived and labored unlil called hence, Dec. 18, 1885. 
He had made a success of life, doing good to all 
around him and providing well for his family. As 
a member of the community he stood high, being 
strictly ln)uorable, upright and temperate. He be- 
came a Republican upon the organization of the 
count}', and died a close adherent of this political 
faith. 

The mother had preceded her husband to the 
silent land, her death taking |)lace at the home- 
stead, in 1884. She was in all ways most fitted 
to be tlie companion of such a man as her husband, 
being the truest type of the Christian wife and 
mother. She e.Kperieiiced religion at the age of 
twelve years, and adorned her profession through 



life Ijy her gentle walk and conversation. The ten 
children of the parental family were named re- 
spectively: Charlotte, Isaac, .lanet, John W., Will- 
iam J., Andrew A., James L.. Elizabeth P., Henry 
McK. of our sketch, and Emily J. The latter died 
aged three years and six months. Eight of the 
children are living, and residents mostly of Michigan. 

Our subject became familiar with the various 
employments of farm life at an early age, and shortly 
after reaching his majority set out to establish a 
home of his own. One of the most important steps 
in connection with this was his raarri.age, April 23, 
1862, his bride being Miss Nancy A. Hank, who 
was born in Monroe County, W. Va., June 10, 1840. 
Mrs. Ewing is the daughter of Caleb and Mary A. 
(Blatthews) Hank, who were <;losely related to the 
Lincoln family. Her parents were also natives of 
Monroe County, W. Va., where the father was born 
Sept. 1 . 1 789. He was a Doctor by profession and 
also carried on farming. He was a deeply religious 
man, a Class-Le.ader in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for many years, and in politics a strong Re- 
publican. He left the Ohl Dominion in 1846 and 
removed with his family to Oliio, where his death 
took place Feb. 12, 1869. 1 he mother was .also 
a member of the Methodist Episcop.-il Church. She 
died July 18, 1847, in Ohio. 

The parents of Mrs. Ewing had a fainil}- of seven 
children, namely; Jane B., Alvin E., Isabelle V.. 
Nancy A., Rebecca E., John W. and Caleb R. Of 
these sis are living and mostly residents of Michi- 
gan and Ohio. To our subject and his wife there 
were born four children, one of whom, Luella J., 
died in infancy. The others are all boys — Alvin 
E., John C. and Frank B. They are all acquiring 
a good educati<jn. and the eldest, who is now a stu- 
dent at Hillsdale College, has taught in the district 
schools for eight terms. 

Our subject was married during the progress of 
the late war and had laid his plans for the future in 
connection with the little home he w.as about es- 
tablishing, but seeing no prospect of a close of the 
trouules, he felt it his duty to lay aside his personal 
interests, and accordingly enlisted in Company D, 
2d Michigan Infantry, March 29, 1864, and served 
until being mustered out in June, 1865. He was 
in the campaign operating around Petersburg and 



) 



1 



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314 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Spottsylvaiiia Court House, where he met Ihe enemy 
in several engagements, and near Petersburg was 
wounded in the right eye^ Dec. 13. 1864. and the 
sight of which was forever destroyed. On account 
of this he now draws a pension of $17 per mouth. 
The farm of our subject comprises sixty-nine 
acres of choice land, in a highly productive condi- 
tion and with a model set of frame buildings. It 
is evident from the appearance of the premises that 
the farm operations are carried on after the best 
methods, everything being l^ept with neatness and 
good order, and in all respects indicating refined 
tastes and comfortable means. Mr. Ewing was one 
of the moving spirits in the erection of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church building, in the con- 
struction of which there was utilized a tree which 
was cut down fifty j'ears ago, split into rails and 
laid into fence about flft}' years before the church 
was erected. The rails were then taken up and 
ni.inufactured into lumber, for making tlie pulpit, 
window and door castings. Tiiis wood, thus half 
a century old, seems to possess wonderful elements 
of preservation, as there is yet no sign of its decay. 

/p!5]E0RGE ARMSTRONG, a retired manufact- 
l|| (-— , urer of boots and shoes, and having his 
^^5, residence in the city of Hillsdale, is in pos- 
session of a fine home and a competenc3^ He was 
born Aug. 12, 1816, in Countj' Fermanagh, Ireland, 
and when a lad of thirteen years commenced learn- 
ing the shoemaker's trade, at which he continued 
five j-ears. Then deciding to seek his fortune in 
the New World, he embarked on a sailing-vessel 
bound from Londonderry, Ireland, to Quebec, 
Canada, and which, when off the coast of New- 
foundland, was wreclicd by colliding with another 
vessel, but which, although greatly disabled, suc- 
ceeded in making port. 

From the Dominion young Armstrong crossed 
over into the States, taking up his residence first in 
Waddington, N. Y., and thence drifting westward 
to Wisconsin. He, however, not long afterward 
returned to the Empire State, where he employed 
himself at his trade in the cities of New York and 
Brooklyn, until in April, 1845. At this time he set 



his face westward once more, and coming to South- 
ern Michigan, engaged with the firm of Charles 
Boove, in Hillsdale, with whom he remained one 
summer. In the fall he put up the business house 
on what is now Howell street, cutting away the 
brush before building. In this structure he carried 
on his business and also lived for a period of seven- 
teen years. Mr. Armstrong now decided upon a 
change of occupation, and removed to the farm 
which he had previously purchased in Cambria 
Township, but fifteen montlis later returned to 
Hillsdale, where he has since lived somewhat re- 
tired. 

Mr. Armstrong was m.arried, in November, 1845, 
to Miss Martha Nares, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and who 
is the daughter of Jerry Nares, who was a native of 
New York. I\Irs. Armstrong was born in 1826, in 
New York, and by her union with our subject 
became the mother of five children, two of whom 
died in early childhood. Jane E., the eldest daugh- 
ter living, is the wife of C. W. Hicks, who is c.arrj'- 
ing on an insurance business in Council Bluffs, 
Iowa; Anna R. is the wife of E. W. Marsh, of Lud- 
ington, this State; George A. is a resident of Des 
Moines, Iowa, where he operates as general agent of 
the State for the underwriters of New York City. 

Mr. Armstrong is rather conservative in his po- 
litical views, but usually votes the Democratic 
ticket. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Martin Van Buren, and like every true disciple of 
the Democracy warmly endorses the course of 
President Cleveland. 



YLVESTER J. SHANKS, one of the largest 
market gardeners in the State of Michigan, 
operates about 100 acres of fine land de- 
voted to this industry. He has made a 
study of his special line, in which he has met 
with success — indeed not only this, but is on the 
high road to a snug little fortune. He grows all 
kinds of vegetables and the smaller fruits, and with 
a n.atural love and genius for the work, gives to it 
his best efforts, and has equipped his farm with all 
the appliances necessary to the best results. Here 
he has his home on section 28, in Hillsdale Town- 




t 



! 



-4*- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



315 



ship, comprising a neat and tasteful residence, con- 
venient out-hiiildings, and the greenhouses necessary 
to tlie propagation of the tender plants. Not the 
least among his possessions is his amialjle wife and 
four interesting children, who fonn a household 
group of which any man may well be proud. 

A native of Tiffin County, Ohio, our subject was 
l)oi-n ill the then village of Tiffin on the 6th of Au- 
gust. 1845, and is the son of Cornelius N. and Eu- 
nice A. (Hansburg) Shanks, who were natives of 
Maryland, and the father engaged in farming jmr- 
suits. Cornelius Shanks was born in 1814, and 
departed this life at his home in September, 1883, 
when seventy years of age. He was a member 
of the United Brethren Church, and until wartimes 
a supporter of the Democratic part}'. AMer the 
second election of Abraham Lincoln, however, he 
considei'ed that he had reason to change his views, 
and from that time affiliated with the Republicans. 
The mother passed away many years before the de- 
cense of lier husband, her death taking place at her 
home ill 1850. She also was a member of the 
United Hietliren Church. The household included 
seven children, namely: Clariiida J., Charles D., 
Sylvester J.. Norman C, Arvilla, Victor A. and 
Edmund. Of these four are living, and making 
their homes mostly in Ohio, Indiana and Michi- 
gan. 

The suliject of this biography spent his boj'hood 
and youth under the parental roof, acquiring his 
education in the common schools. He supplemented 
his studies, however, by a course in the college at 
Orland, Iiid., and soon afterward, upon the outbreak 
of the Rebellion, although but a 3'outh of seventeen, 
determined to enlist as a soldier in the Union army. 
He became a member of Company K. 44th Indiana 
Infantrj-, entering as a private and serving in this 
capacity until the close of the war. He was mus- 
tered into service in September, 18C2, in time to 
participate in the battle at Ft. Donelson, and subse- 
quently was in the engagement at Stone River, 
where, although in the midst of the fight for the 
space of four days, he escaped unharmed. He, 
however, was stricken with typhoid fever, in conse- 
quence of which he was confined in the hospital 
nine weeks, and the effects of which lingered in his 
frame for a long time afterward. He received his 



honorable discharge in .Tune, 1865, and was mus- 
tered out at Chattanooga, Tenii., in the vicinity of 
which he had also seen considerable hard fighting. 

Young Shanks upon his return from the army 
carried on general farming three years in Indiana, 
then engaged as a live-stock dealer, buj'ing, selling 
and shipping for a period of four j-ears. At the 
expiration of this time he crossed the Mississippi 
and coiiimenced farming in Lj'on County, Kan., 
and about that time discovered his aptitude for fine 
gardening. He soon began giving particular atten- 
tion to this latter industry, and during his subse- 
quent residence of five years there, met with flatter- 
ing success. On account of the he.alth of his wife's 
parents, however, he returned to Michigan at the ex- 
piration of that time. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
on the 1st of November, 1870. was formerly JMiss 
Mary P. Denio. who was born in Sturgis, this State, 
on the 1 Itli of February', 1853. Mrs. Shanks is the 
tiaugliler of William B. and Mary (Hill) Denio, the 
father a native of New York JState and the mother 
of England. William B. Denio was born Aug. 6, 
1821, and departed this life at his home in Vand:ilia 
Township, Cass Co., Mich., on the 26th of Febru- 
ary, 1876. He was a shoemaker bj' trade, which 
business he followed for many years, and in relig- 
ious belief was, like his excellent wife, a Spiritual- 
ist. The mother was born Dec. 11, 1810, and is 
still living, a widow, making her home iu Elkhart, 
Ind. Their family included eight children, namely : 
Dwight v., Frances C, William A., Lyman W., 
Mary P., Anthony O., Catherine E. and Willard T. 
The children of our subject and his wife bear the 
names of Lilly M., Willie M., Claude L. and Pearl 
E. The eldest is sixteen j"ears of age and the young- 
est four. 

Mr. Shanks imbibed the Republican principles 
which his father .adopted during the later years of 
his life, and although having little to do with poli- 
tics, keeps himself well posted upon matters of 
ireneral interest. In addition to his farminsj and 
gardening he is also interested in the growth of fine 
swine of the Berkshire breed. He is an ex|)ert with 
the rifle and shotgun, and a hearty lover of the field 
•and stream. In the winter of 1884 he spent six 
weeks in the region of Green Bay, where he brought 



■^►Hl-^ 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



down a black bear and numbers of smaller game. 
At the expiration of the time he had allotted him- 
self for this recreation, he found that he had dis- 
tanced his six companions by a large majoritj-, 
having secured as much game as all the others to- 
gether. 



'iJ^^ICHOLAS G. VREELAND. a retired black- 
I j) smith of North Adams, is a native of Bergen 
\V\J!L) County, N. J., and was born Sept. 16, 1817. 
His parents, Benjamin and Rachel Vreeland, were 
also natives of New Jersey, where they spent their 
entire lives. Our subject spent his boyhood on the 
farm until fourteen years old. then began his a|)- 
prenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, serving five 
and one-half years. His opportunities for educa- 
tion were very limited, he having to walk five and 
one-half miles to the nearest temple of learning. 

After completing hisapjirenticesliip Mr. Vreeland, 
in 1838, was married to Miss Eliza Vreeland (no 
relative), and continued in his native State until 
1843. Then with his wife and three children he 
made his way to Michigan, taking up his residence 
in Adrian, whence two years later he came to this 
countj'. They located first in Hillsdale Township, 
but on account of sickness removed to Cutler's 
Corners, now North Adams, where Mr. Vreeland 
set up a blacksmith-shop, and in due time estab- 
lished himself so thoroughly in the confidence of 
the people that he was appointed the first Post- 
master of the town and continued in the office, 
which he carried on in connection with his black- 
smithing, until the change of administration, in 
1845. The sprmg following he was elected Justice 
of the Peace against odds, which speaks well for his 
popularity. 

When the Democrats once more gained the ascend- 
ancy Mr. Vreeland again became Postmaster, which 
office, however, he was obliged to resign, both on ac- 
count of the increase of his own business and the 
increased business of the office. The year 1849 
marked one of the melancholy periods of his life, 
as his estimable wife died, leaving motherless seven 
children, namely: Berjamin F., Mary E., Rachel 
B., Anna E., George, William H. and Lavina J. 

Mr. Vreeland in 1850 was elected Supervisor of 



Adams Township. In the 10th of March, 1864, he 
was married to Miss Caroline Ten Eyck. This 
lady was born March 14, 1833, in Matteson Town- 
ship, Lincoln County, and is now the mother of two 
children — Ida M. and Etta. The homestead of our 
subject includes eighteen acres of land with a com- 
fortable residence and attractive surroundings. His 
business brings in an income which enables him to 
enjoy all the comforts of life and many of its lux- 
uries. He was at one time a candidate for the 
Legislature, but happened to be on the wrong ticket. 
Since his first election as Justice of the Peace he has 
discharged the duties of Notary Public foi' a period 
now of twenty-nine years. He is at present Assessor 
of the vill.age of North Adams, and has been several 
terms a member of the Board of Trustees. In 1 883 
he was elected President of the board, and is rated 
among the solid citizens of the town. 



^:i«^ 



ENJAMIN F. ALDRICH, who is pleasantly 
located in Somerset Township on section 27, 
has here 130 acres of fertile land, with good 
farm buildings, the latter erected mostlj' by 
himself. He has followed agriculture successfully 
since 1860, and at the same time filled various 
positions of trust and responsibility in his com- 
munity. A native of the Empire State, his birth 
took place Feb. 24, 1835, in Ontario County, and 
his parents were Seth and Minerva (Doolittle) 
Aldrich, the father a native also of New York State 
and the mother of Ohio. 

The parents of our subject came to Michigan in 
the spring of 1838, making the journey after the 
fashion of those days, by canal and lake to Toledo, 
and thence overland to this county. The household 
included five chi dren, but three of whom are now 
living, and are residents of Somerset Township. 
Seth Aldrich, like the sturdy pioneers about him, 
set himself to work with energy at constructing a 
homestead from a tract of wild land, in which he 
succeeded admirably, and also became prominent 
in township affairs, having by his upright life and 
strict integrity secured the esteem and confidence 
of the people about him. He was active in poli- 
tics, an old-line Whig in former years, and later a 




t 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



317 



Republican, and served as Justice of the Peace for 
over twelve years. He took part in all good works 
calculated to elevate the people and contribute to 
their welfare socially and religiously. In the First 
l'resl)yterian Church he was a chief pillar, and 
rounded up an honorable life at the age of eighty 
years, dying at the homestead where he luid lived 
ami labored, Dec. 26, 1880. The mother preceded 
her husband to the silent land, her death taking 
place also at the homestead when she was sixty -seven 
years of age. The maternal giandparents were 
Ohio people, while on the father's side they had 
been for generations residents of New England and 
New York State, and m(«tly agriculturists. 

Our suliject was but a child two years of .age 
when his parents left the Empire State for the wilds 
of Michigan. He was reared amid the scenes of 
pioneer life, and at an early age commenced to 
make himself useful about the farm. His education 
was necessarily somewhat limited, but his surround- 
ings and the life which he led contributed to his 
strength both menlall}" and physically, and upon 
reaching manhood he w.os well fitted to cope with 
the duties and responsibilities of life. He continued 
a member of the parental household until quite late 
in life, and was then joined in wedlock with Miss 
Isabelle Van Alsteiu, the wedding taking place in 
Wheatland on the »th of October, 1802. 

Jlrs. Aldrich was born in Somerset Township, 
March 15, 1843, and is the daughter of Abraham 
and Diantha (Belva) Van Alstein, who were num- 
bered among the early pioneers, and spent the last 
daj's of their life at the home which they had 
labored tc)gether to build up. Abraham Van Als- 
tein departed this life in April, 1881, at the age of 
sixty-nine j'ears. The mother had passed awav 
before the death of her husband, aged sixty-six. 
They were natives of New York, and upon coming 
to the Territory of Michigan brought with them 
their seven children, of whom but four are living. 

Mr. Aldrich after marriage, in company with his 
brother, engaged in the manufacture of brick and 
tile a number of years. Like his father before him 
he has held many local oflices of trust, and been 
connected with the .School Hoard for years. It is 
hardly necessary to say that he votes the straight 
Republican ticket. He and his estimable wife are 



members and regul.ir attendants of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and are the parents of one child 
only, a daughter, Ida V., who was born Aug. 10, 
1865, and is now the wife of Ludd Chandler, a 
prosperous farmer of Somerset Township. 



/^^AMUEL T. SHERIFF. This aged and 
J^^ honored lesident of Allen Township, while 

^M^ ne.aring the close of a long and useful life, 
during which he h.as fully established him- 
self in the esteem and confidence of hosts of friends, 
is living with his faithful jjartner on a snug little 
homestead of fifty acres on section 10, surrounded 
by the affection of friends and the comforts which 
he has so justly earned. For a period of fifty-two 
years Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff have traveled the jour- 
ney of life together, fifty years of which have been 
spent in this county, and there are few of the older 
residents who have from life's vicissitudes gathered 
a richer harvest of experience, or piofitcd more from 
the lessons which have been given them from time 
to time in their observation of liuman life and their 
contact with the world. 

Our subject was the fourth child and second son 
of Isaac and Mary (Lazenby) Sheriff, whose house- 
hold included five sons and four daughters. His 
parents were natives of Maryland, the father born 
in Prince George County, Jan. 16, 1780, and the 
mother in Montgomery County, March 6, 1787. 
After their marriage they settled in Phelps, Onta- 
rio Co., N. Y., where they spent the remainder of 
their lives, Isaac Sheriff passing away Jan. 2, 1849, 
and his wife, Mary, surviving him for a period of 
twenty-eight years, and remaining a widow until her 
death, Oct. 29, i 877. Samuel T., our subject, was 
born in Phelps. Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1815. 
He was reared on the fann of his father, and con- 
tinued under the parental roof until reaching his 
majority. In 1835, starting out for himself, he 
sought the Territory of Michigan, and coining to 
this county entered a tract of land first in Allen 
Township and another tract later in Branch County. 
He then returned to his native State, where he 
spent the winter following, liut in the earlv sum- 



i~ 



^^►Hh-^ 



318 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




i.i 



mer visited his new purchase, remaining in Allen 
Township until October, when he went back to 
New York State. 

In the spring of 1837 Mr. Sheriff, accompanied 
by his wife, and bringing his household goods, 
came to this county, this time prepared to settle in 
Allen Township. His propertj' here lay on section 
17, and proceeding after the fashion of the pio- 
neers around him he tilled the soil and effected the 
improvement of his property as rapidlj' as circum- 
stances would permit. At the same time he was 
developing those qualities which have constituted 
him a prime citizen in all his relations with his fel- 
lowmen, and in the fall of 1855 was elected Sher- 
iff of this county, which necessitated his removal 
to the city of Hillsdale. After a residence there of 
four years, during which he discharged the duties 
of his office with great credit, he returned to his 
property in Allen Township, and in connection 
with agriculture began the operation of a sawmill. 

Not long after the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. 
Sheriff disposed of his property in Allen Township 
and removed to Branch County, Mich., remaining 
a resident of Quincy two years, and thence re- 
moved to Independence. Mo. From there two 
years later he went to Sullivan, 111., and after a 
two-years residence there migrated east as far as 
Clifton Springs, N. Y'., where he resided until 1876. 
During the summer of that year he returned to 
AUen Township, where he has since lived. 

Mr. Sheriff during these various removals con- 
sidered Allen Township really his home, as he had 
constantly in mind the idea of making his final 
residence here. To the lady who has been his 
faithful and affectionate companion for so manj' 
years, and who in her girlhood was Miss Fanny 
M. Baggerl}', he was married in Phelps, Onta- 
rio Co.. N. Y'., Nov. 6, 1836. Mrs. Sheriff is the 
daughter of Everette and Sarah (Larnard) Bag- 
gerly, the former born in Montgomerj^ County, 
Md., Aug. 7, 1784, and the latter in Killingly, 
Conn., April 20, 1794. After their m.arriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Baggerly settled in Phelps, Ontario Co., 
N. Y''., where they spent the remainder of their 
days. The mother departed this life March 9, 1871, 
and the father, Jan. 16, 1S75. 

Mrs. Sheriff was the fourth child of her parents, 



whose family included five daughters and one son. 
She w.as born in Phelps, N. Y'., .March 24, 1818, 
received her education in the common schools, and 
under the training of her excellent mother was 
fully prepared for the future duties of life and to 
become the sharer of a good man's home. She has 
been the faithful and efficient helper of her husband 
in his labors and struggles, and there can scarcely 
be presented to the mind a more beautiful picture 
than that of these two excellent old people, who 
have spent the greater part of a long lifetime to- 
gether, now traveling down toward its sunset, 
happy in each other's companionship, and blessed 
by the esteem and confidence of many friends. 

Mr. Sheriff has been the incumbent of nearly all 
the local offices witliin the gift of the people of his 
township, officiating as Justice of the Peace, repre- 
senting the people in the County Board of Super- 
visors and holding other positious of trust and 
responsibility. In 1855 he identified-himself with 
the Masonic fraternity. Politically, he is independ- 
ent, reserving the right of the free American citi- 
zen to support the men whom lie considers best 
qualified for office, irrespective of party. In noting 
the career of the old residents of Hillsdale Count}' 
there are none more worthy of special mention 
than Samuel and Fanny M. Sheriff. 



^^8f 



;« )»;ILLIAM A. HERRING, Postmaster of 
\/\//l ^outh Allen, is a prominent and enterpris- 
W^ ing business man of this part of Hillsdale 
County, where he is engaged in the manufacture of 
the celel)rated South Allen Steam Evaporator and 
Apple Butter Cooker, of which he is the inventor, 
and is also extensively engaged in the manufacture 
of cider, jellies and evaporated fruit. He is be- 
sides connected with the Hydraulic Press Company, 
of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and is agent of the Eureka 
and Electric Paring Machines and Pease Rotary 
Slicer. 

Our subject is a son of John and Nancy J. 
(Brown) Herring (for whose history see sketch of 
John Herring in this volume). He is a native of 
this county. Litchfield having been the place of his 
birth, and June 20, 1843, the d.ate of that impor- 



t 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



319 



tant event in his life. When he was a small child 
his father removed to Allen Township, and here 
he was reared and educated in the public schools. 
Before he had attained manhood he left home with 
the earnest and enthusiastic determination to devote 
his life to his country, and with that high resolve 
he enlisted, Aug. 22. 1861, as a musician in Com- 
pany C, 7th IMichigan Inl"antr3-, serving in that 
cfljjacity throughout the entire war. His war record 
was an exceedingly honorable one. and during the 
last two years of the Rebellion he held the rank of 
First Sergeant, as he was principal musician. He was 
one of the seven men who enlisted with the regi- 
ment who lived to return home. After the close 
of the war our subject remained at home only a 
siiort time, when he went to Minnesota, where he 
had a claim of 160 acres of land in Renville County. 
He remained there five years, and returning home 
in the fall of 1870, formed a partnership with his 
father in the milling business at .South Allen, which 
business they conducted together very successfully 
for several years. In 1883 they dissolved partner- 
ship, and our subject embarked in his present busi- 
ness, which he is prosecuting very profitably, and 
has built up a large trade. He has been very suc- 
cc.-^sful in the introduction of the machine which he 
invi'nted and patented, the South Allen Steam 
Eva|iorator, and over 200 of them are now in use 
in different parts of the country. Mr. Herring is 
a man of r;ire energy', tine business qualifications, 
and possesses more than ordinary mechanical skill. 
He is pr()ui|)t, methodical, and alwajs fair in his 
liusiiicss transactions. 

Our subject was married, in Jonesville, Mich., 
.1:111. I'J, 1803, to Miss Anna Hicks, daughter of 
Tlmnias and Emily (Gibbs) Hicks. They were 
natives of England, and emigrated from there in 
1848 to America, and settled in Bloomfield, N. Y. 
From there they came to Hillsdale Count}- in tlie 
fail of 18;)G, and settled in Allen Township, where 
Mrs. Hicks died Feb. 16, 18.S(;. Mr. Hicks sur- 
vives. To him and his wife were born seven 
daughters, of whom Mrs. Herring was tlie eldest. 
She was born in Hickiand Parish, Englaufl. Dec. 14, 
1844. She was devoted to" the interests of her 
household, making a pleasant and coniforl.nble home 
for her husband and tlu cliililien ulioi-nme to them. 






She departed this life Jan. 3, 1888, leaving a large 
circle of friends to cherish and Iionor her memorj-. 
To her and her husb.ind had been born five children, 
namely: Carrie E., John C, Emily F., S. Adolphus 
and William S. Carrie is the wife of Eugene 
Blackmer, and they live in Allen Township; John 
married Anna M. Searles, and they live in Bankers. 
Our suliject is widely known, and is considered 
an honorable man and a truly good citizen, who has 
done much to advance the prosperity 'of South 
Allen in the years that he has been a resident 
here. He was chiefl\" instrumental in procuring the 
establishment of a post-office here, and, notwith- 
standing the fact that he is a stalwart Republican in 
his political views, and is one of the leailers of that 
party here, he has ever since been an incumbent of 
the office, w-hich was established. He occupies a 
high social position in this community, and. is a 
member of Henry Baxter Post, G. A. II., of Jones- 
ville. and belongs to Allen Lodge. F. <fe A. M. 



AMESM. HANCHETT, an esteemed resi- 
I dent of Hillsdale County, has been to no 
inconsiilerable extent connected with its 
agricultural development, and especiallj' is 
this true of Allen Township, where he owns a well- 
improved farm. He w.as born near Middlebnrj-, 
Portage Co.. Oiiio, March 4, l.shs, l)eing a son of 
Dr. Lutiier ami Ann (Kent) llanchelt, natives re- 
si)ectively of Saratoga County, N. Y.. and Ma.ssa- 
chusetts. After marri.age they settled in New York, 
but subsequently removed to Middlebury, Ohio, 
where they lived until 1S3'.). In that year Dr. Ilan- 
chett and his family lemoved to Ilillsd.ali' County, 
this State, and settled in Allen Township, where bis 
death occurred in 1«42. After his death, his 
widow spent the remainder of her life with her 
children, <lying in Fremont. Oliio, March 23, 18.51). 
lo this worthy couple had been born five I'liihlren, 
three sons and two daughters. 

J. M. Hanchett, of this sketch, was reared on a 
farm in his native town, where he received the edu- 
cati(jnal advaut.ages of the school system of the 
place, an<l was trained to habits of industry and 
thrift. In 183l» he came to Allen Townshii), and. 




:^1 



320 



HILLSDALR COUNTY. 



witli the exception of one year spent in Branch 
County, this State, has been a worthy citizen of this 
phice since. In commencino- life for himself, IMr. 
Ilanchett chose the independent calling with which 
he was already familiar, and has |)nrsued it continu- 
ously during his life. His well-tilled farm of 115 
acres on secti(jn 14, Allen Township, is undisputed 
evidence of the great success he has met with in the 
prosecution of his work. On his homestead he has 
erected a substantial, well-arranged dwelling and 
convenient barns and farm buildings, all of which 
testify to the skill, wisdom, and excellent manage- 
ment of the owner. In all of his labors our subject 
has had the assistance and counsel of an excellent 
wife, who has been devoted to his interests and the 
welfare of their children. His marriage with Miss 
Margaret Cairns took place in Allen Township, Nov. 
26, 184fS. She was born iu Blackford Parish, Scot- 
land. Nov. 19, 1829. being a daughter of Robert 
and Margaret (Hempseed) Cairns, both natives of 
Scotland. After their marriage they continued to 
live ill their native land for some years, but in the 
spring of 1834 eniigiate<l to Canada with their fam- 
ily. A year and a half later the}' moved to Ver- 
mont, and soon afterward proceeded to Onondaga 
County, N. Y., where the death of Mr. Cairns oc- 
curred ill 1839. Mrs. Cairns continued to reside in 
New York State until 1843, when she came to Hills- 
dale Coiinty and settled in Scipio Township, where 
she died .June 10. 1844. She and her husband were 
the parents of nine children, of vvlunn I\Irs. Ilan- 
chett was the eldest. Of her marriage with our 
subject five children have been born, of whom the 
following is the record: Julia A. is the wife of 
George A. Lawrence; Luther J. lives in Allen 
Township; Harriet K. is the wife of Byron Norris; 
Carrie O. is the wife of James A. Hanchett; Roy M. 
Mr. Hanc^hett came to Allen Township in the 
early days of its settlement, and during his resi- 
dence here of nearlj- half a century, has vvitnessed 
the growth of Hillsdale County, and taken an active 
part in ci>uverting its wild land into broad and smil- 
ing fields, <jri which are fine homesteads established 
after many years of labor and persistent toil. On 
these reside some of the most influential, intelli- 
gent and enterprising citizens of Southern Michi- 
gan, among wh<>m oursubjcct occupies an honorable 



position. The home of himself and family is a 
l^articularly pleasant one, rendered so by the affable 
and courteous manners of its inmates, whose bounte- 
ous hospitality is well and widely known. Mr. 
Hanchett has lent material aid and influence toward 
all movements for advancing the welfare of his 
community, and placing it in the front ranks among 
its sister townships, and has well served its interests 
as Highway Commissioner. In politics he affiliates 
with the Republican party, and heartily endorses 
the principles promulgated by it. 

<<- • — 



l|f Hi vv lo n. o 

I ^ cated on se 
Jl^^ pursued th' 



^7 EWIS H. STORER, who is comfortably lo- 
section 35, Camden Township, has 
the even tenf)r of his vvay as a 
peaceful and law-abiding citizen, and a skillful 
tiller of the soil, in this section of country fur the 
last thirty-five years. He began life in Wayne 
County. N. Y., over fifty years ago, Julj- 19, 1837, 
and is the son of George H. and Emily (Sedgwick) 
Storer, natives respectively' of New Jersey' and 
Connecticut. His paternal ancestors were of Ger- 
man-English descent, and the mother traced her 
forefathers back to the Pilgrims, who landed on 
Plym(juth Rock fr(jm the historic "M.ayflower." 

William D. Storer, a relative of our subject, was 
Collector of Customs in New York City, but finally 
returned to Hiurope, and passed the remainder of 
his days amid the scenes of his childhood. His 
maternal great-grandfather and seven sous did 
valiant service .is soldiers in the Revoluliuuary 
War, and Grandfather Storer carried a mnsket in 
the War of 1812. After the independence of Ihe 
Colonists hud been established the Storer family 
took up their residence in New Jersey, whence the}' 
subsequently removed to New York State. 

Our subject when a youth of sixteen years came 
with his parents to Southern Michigan. They set- 
tled at once in Camden Township, where the father 
engaged in farming pursuits, and rested from his 
earthly labors in June, 1871. The mother, who is 
still living, is now iu the eighty-fifth 3-ear of her 
age, and makes her home with her sou, our subject. 
The parental family consisted of seven childixn, but 

, •^ 



t 



I 



-^- 



HILL8DALE COUNTY. 



321 



t 



three of whom are living, namelj': John W. and 
Lewis II., of Camden Township, .nnd Nancy A., tlie 
wife of A. J. Longslreet, of tiie vilhige of Camden. 

The parents of our subject were among the ear- 
liest pioneers of this section, and settled in the 
woods of Camden Township, wiiere the\' battled 
bravely with the elements of a new country. The 
f.ather was a very industrious and energetic man, of 
unbounded perseverance, and labored to excellent 
advantage in subduing the forest and building up 
a homestead. The mother, who in all things was 
the suitable companion of a man like her husband, 
bore cheerfully with him the toils and privations of 
their early life, and now. in a comfortable home 
surrounded by relatives and friends, is enjoying in 
her declining years the comfort and quiet to which 
slie is so justly entitled. In religious views she is 
a Seventh-Day Adventist. 

Young Storer developed into manhood in Cam- 
den Township, and has himself cleared many an 
acre of timbered land. Few men have witnessed 
with greater interest the growth and prosperity of 
Southern Michigan, or rejoiced more at its present 
standing among the communities of the West. Al- 
though receiving only a limited education he has 
been a great reader all his life, and is thoroughly 
informed upon matters of general Interest. During 
the time of Mie country's struggle with treason and 
relx'ilion. he lai<l a.side the implements of agricult- 
ure and took up the weapons of warfare, enlistiui' 
ill September, l^Cl, in Company K. 11th Michigan 
liifanliy, whicii remained in the vicinity of White 
I'igeoii until December II following. They then 
started to Kentucky, and our subject was as- 
signed to guard duty in and around Louisville. In 
.Inuii.iry. \HC,->, he was taken ill with me.asles. and 
ciiiifiiicd in the hospital at Bardstown until in July 
following. He received his honorable discharge 

iccoiint of disability, and returned to his old 

haunts in this county. 

Taking up again his agricultural [jursnits. Mr. 
Storer occupied himself on land in Cauiden Town- 
ship imlil ready to establish a home of iiis own. 
On Christm.ns I).aj% 1872. he was united in mar- 
riage with iMiss Lettie Arnold, the wedding taking 
place in Camden Township. Mrs. Storer was born 
March 1.5. 18.51, in Ohio, ami by herunioii with our 



-4»- 



subject has become the mother of three children: 
Iva E., who died when one year oM ; Ina B. and 
Stcrry J. The homestead comprises fifty-eight 
acres of good land, which Mr. Storer acquired 
through his own industry, receiving no assistance 
from anyone when starting out in life. 

Our subject in politics is independent, and in 
voting aims to support honest men for the offices. 
He has served as Treasurer of Camden Township 
for two years, and occupied other positions of trust. 
Both he and his estimalile wife are Seventh-Daj' 
Adventists, and socially, Mr. Storer belongs to Rice 
Post No. 282, G. A. R., at Camden, and is also 
identified with the Masonic fraternity. 

"^OHN HERRINO, a prosperous miller and 
farmer, has been for many years identified 
with the industrial interests of Hillsdale 
' County, and has been a resident of Allen 
Township since 184.5. He is the eldest son of Sam- 
uel and Deborah (Gridley) Herring, natives of 
Cortland County. N. Y., where the former was born 
in March, 179(), and the latter in August, 1795. 
After marriage they settled in the town of Virgil, 
in their native county, where they continued to live 
for several 3'ears. In 1838 they left their old home, 
and accompanied by their children, songiit another 
in Michigan. After spending two years in C;ilhoun 
County, they removed to Kaiaino, Eaton County, 
and are still living there at an advanced .age, having 
long passed the ninetieth milestone of life's journey, 
over sixty years of which they have traveled to- 
gether. Of their union eleven chililren have been 
born, eight sons and three daughti-rs. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Virgil, Cort- 
land Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1819. and there the years 
of his boj-hood .and youth were spent. In 1838 he 
accompanied his parents t<t .Michigan, and wiien 
twenty years of age left their home in Calhoun 
County, and went to Grand Haven, where he was 
employed the succeeding year in a sawmill. .Sub- 
sequently he went to Homer. Calhoun County, 
where he remained for two years actively enganed 
in milling. From there he went to Litchfield, 
where he operated a s.'iwmill for four xcars. 



■*► 



-4•— 

322 



-•► 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Inheriting from Ids woitliy parents a souiul con- 
stitution, great powers of endurance, and good men- 
tal eajKacity, as well, by bis industry, in a few years 
after leaving home Mr. Herring had gathered to- 
gether the wherewithal to establish a home of 
liis own. and he was married in Albion. Calhoun Co., 
Mich., March 13, 1841, to Miss >'ancy J. Brown. 
Her parents, John and Hhoda (Crittenden) Brown, 
were natives of Connecticut and New York respect- 
ivelj\ After marriage they first settled in Ver- 
mont, but subsequently removed to Ontario Count}^ 
N. Y., and tliere the father of Mrs. Herring died in 
their pleasant home at the foot of Honeoye Lake, 
Sept. 3. 1825. The mother came to iSIichigan and 
died in Albion, in 1868. Of her marriage nine 
cliildreu were born, four sons and five daughters. 
Mrs. Herring was the eighth child of the family, 
anil was born Aug. 8, 1821, in Ontario County, the 
town of Richmond, N. Y. Of her union with our 
subject two children have been born — William A. 
and Samuel A. The former (of whom see sketch 
on another i)age of this Album) is Postmaster of 
S(juth Allen; Samuel died in 1801 at the home of 
his parents in Allen Township, when thirteen years 
old 

In 1845 our subject and his wife came to Allen 
Township to make their |)erniauent home. He 
bought the steam sawmill which was then owned by 
W. B. Couch, of Jonesville, and managed that 
mill very successfully for several years. Ten years 
later he erected a more modern sawmill, in which he 
conducted a flourishing l)usiness for some .years, and 
then disposed of it. He now owns and operates the 
roller mills at.South Allen, known as the South Allen 
Roller Mills, which have a capacity of sixty barrels 
daily, and he carries on quite an extensive and pay- 
ing business. Our subject is a man of unlimited 
energy and enterpiise. and does not b}' any means 
confine his attention exclusively to milling. He 
very profitably manages a general store at South 
Allen, and besides has charge of his farm, which is 
finely located on section 27, Allen Township. It 
contains 1G5 acres of highl}^ cultivated land, on 
wliich he has erected an ani|)le and commodious set 
of farm buildings, and a pleasant and comfortable 
dwelling. In the years of t(jil that have come to 
them since they entered upon their wedded life. 



Mrs. Herring has bravely bcjrne her share of the 
burden, and by her careful managetnent of the 
domestic duties pertaining to their household, she 
has contributed in no small degree to the uplniild- 
ing of their home. 

Mr. Herring is a man of cool head, strong will 
and steady purpose; he possesses marked talent for 
business, and is square in his dealings. In politics 
he is a Republican, and is a stand-by of the part}'. 



-fQ.-M'Ti^m: — s^^ 



V4_ ,^,if^/i'i/r. 



^^EORGEDANA HARDING, editor of the 
i|| (=-, Jonesville Independent, came to Michigan 
^^^41 about 1870, and three years later took up 
his residence in Jonesville, whore he has since re- 
sided. He was variously occupied until 18fSl, when 
he purch.ased the ofHce and material of the paper 
which he now controls, and has since given to it 
his entire attention, and with most excellent re- 
sults. 

The early home of Mr. Harding was in the city 
of Boston, Mass., where his birth took place Jan. 
10, 1848. When he was a mere child his parents 
removed to Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y., where he 
passed his boj'hood days and resided for a period 
(>f ten years. During the late Rebellion he enlisted 
as a Union soldier, in 1864, in Company K, 54th 
New York Infantry, continuing in the service five 
months, and until near the close of the war. Al- 
though gaining a full realization of the hardships 
of life in the army, he was not called upon to meet 
the enemy in battle, and at tlie expiration of his 
term of enlistment received his discharge and le- 
turned to his home. 

After the close of the war Mr. Harding repaired 
to Vicksburg, Miss., where he became connected 
with a cotton supply house, and residei) in the 
vSoutli for three years following. From Vicksburg 
he migrated to St. Louis, INIo., where he spent one 
year in the employ of a wholesale drug house. At 
the expiration of that contract he returned to this 
county, where he has since resided. 

Besides his proprietorship of the Jonesville /«c?e- 
pendent. Mr. Harding also h.as an interest in the 
Litchflelil Gazette. He is a Republican in politics, 
and has been quite prominent in local, county and 



i 



w-^- 





^^ (>y~7V^ 




-^•- 



HLLLSDALE COUNTY. 



323 




district affairs. For several years he has been a 
meiTil)er of the School Board, officiating as Director, 
and by otiier means encouraging the establishment 
and maintenance of the institutions for the instruc- 
tion and tiie highest good of the rising generation. 
He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity 
in 1886, and belongs to Lafayette Lodge No. 16, 
A. F. & A. M. He has been Adjutant of Baxter 
Post, G. A. R., at Jonesville, for some years. He 
is ill all respects a solid and reliable citizen, held in 
the highest esteem by his acquaintances and towns- 
men, and the paper which he is conducting has be- 
come quite indispensable to the people of this part 
of the county. 

— — .— r-ggr:^-: — ^ 

ORENZO P. REYNOLDS, of Hillsdale, was 
born June 19, 1830, in the township of Ply- 
mouth, "Wayne Co., Mich., and h.as been a 
continuous resident in this State since that time. 
His parents removed from Plymouth to the town- 
ship of Lyons, Ionia County, when he was six years 
old. He was the eldest of eleven children, all of 
whom lived to the age of manhood and woman- 
hood except two. His father and mother. Rev. 
Chauncej- and Mrs. Sarah Reynolds, were both born 
in Eastern New York, and are eighty-three and 
eighty years of age respectively, having lived 
during the administration of all the Presidents of 
the United States except the first two. 

The new home of our subject, now six years old, 
was in an entirely uncultivated and heavily timbered 
country, and during his boyhood he endured all 
the liardships incidental to pioneer life. He refers 
to running f)f errands l)efore a horse was owned in 
the neighborhood, to chopping timber, to burning 
fallows and logging, to hauling rail-cuts, to break- 
ing new land, to harrowing, to harvesting, to load- 
ing h:iy and grain, to threshing — early with cattle, 
later with machine — to washing and sliearing sheep, 
to milking cows, to butchering, to hauling grain to 
market — never less than five miles, sometimes 
twelve, sometimes fifty, anil occasionally 140 miles 
- — and to the unnumbered sieges of new country 
farm life, up to the .age of sixteen years. He chal- 
lenges .'uiy boy to slimv ninic constant hard service 



performed than was performed by him. The farm 
consisted of 300 acres of new land, and the meas- 
ure of hard work done by his father and all who 
were under his control, challenges a parallel. 

At the age of sixteen years, owing to the severe 
injury of a dislocated shoulder, which resulted in a 
crippled arm, young Reynolds was sent to school to 
Michigan Central College, at Spring Arbor, Jackson 
County, where he spent nearly four years. Owing to 
very severe illness here, he was taken home with his 
health so impaired that there was little hope of his 
recovery. R(!Stand skillful treatment, however, so 
far restoi'ed him that he engaged in teaching school, 
and continued until he had taught twenty-one terms, 
which altogether included an attendance of more 
than 1,000 different pupils. There arc doubtless 
many men and women in the Grand River Valley 
who grateful!^' remember Mr. Reynolds as their in- 
structor. By way of change he spent about a year 
as clerk for A. F. Carr, in Ionia, a few montiis in 
helping grade the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, 
and the balance of his time at farming. 

On the '28th of June, 1852, our subject married 
IMiss Mary A. Rowe, of Portland, Ionia County, 
daughter of Joseph H. and Weltha Rowe, and a 
former student at Olivet College. He removed to 
Hillsdale in 1 SGO, arriving on tiie 18tii of March. 
For two and one-half years he w.as employed in 
making abstracts of all lands in Hillsdale County, 
and acted as Deputy County Clerk. In 1802 he 
was elected Secretary and Treasurer of Hillsdale 
College, entering upon his duties on tiie 18th of 
August. His near relation to this institution grow- 
ing out of the fact thatihis father was one of the 
founders of Michigan Central College, wliicii was re- 
moved to Hillsdale and became Hillsdale College; 
also the fact that in his boyhood he had consented 
to the giving of his f.-ir.'n of eighty acres to build 
up the school at Spring Arbor; and also the fact 
that he had himself been a student in its former lo- 
cation, at once incited him to do all in his power to 
buihl up tlie college in its new location. Us con- 
dition made Inavy and constant service necessary. 
The gatlii'viiig of its endowment and the erection 
of new buildings in his time, in addition. to the com- 
mon duties of the position, compelled service to 
the limit of his strength continu:dly. At the time 



I 



i . 324 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of rebuilding the college after the Are, he believed 
that wisdom lay in the direction of departing from 
the old plan, and in its stead of building a group of 
buildings, and though his views prevailed, and his 
plans were universally approved, so that it would 
seem that he ought to have been sustained, a nar- 
row party followed him until at the end of fifteen 
years' service he was disjjlaeed by a bare majority. 
In spite of all adverse insinuations, his work has 
I)orne every test, until he stands not only as an ac- 
curate bookkeeper, but as an honest man ; and we 
predict that liis faithful and competent service will 
l)e appreciated more and more as the years go on. 

After his separation from the college, Mr. Rey- 
nolds engaged in ins-ur.nncc vork. until it may be 
safelj' said that he has gathered a host of friends 
about him, and has built up the best agency in Hills- 
dale County, and in connection with his insurance, 
he has quite a real-estate business. For a period of 
nearly thirty-seven years he has been a convey- 
ancer, and has yet to learn of an error in description 
or stipulation. 

Of late, for his diversion, and witli a hope of finan- 
cial profit, Mr. Reynolds has entered upon a little 
of the finer breeding of horses, and already has ex- 
cellent promise in this direction. For the benefit 
of the study to himself, and for the good of others, 
we found him preparing for the local press, as time 
would permit, a most comprehensive and instruct- 
ive article on the subject of tlie "American Trot^ 
ting Horse." 

In 1876 Mr. Reynolds took his family, consist- 
ing of his wife and three daughters, to the Centen- 
nial Exposition at Philadelphia, visiting upon the 
tour Washington, Vt. Vernon, New York City and 
Niagara Fails. During the same year he Ijuilt op- 
posite, and in front of the Free Baptist Church on 
College Hill, a lieautiful and convenient brick resi- 
dence, of which he was himself the architect. 

In 1«79 Mr. Reynolds suffered a very severe 
personal injury. Upon the alarm of file in the night 
time, lie ran to town nearly a mile, and found the 
bkick in which his office was located being demol- 
islieil by the ruthless flames. Li his efforts to save 
his books, he was blown by a terrific explosion from 
the second story to the stone pavement on the street. 
He was taken up sccniinul\ riKirc dead than alive, 



and after ever}' effort to resuscitate him, was con- 
ve^-ed to his home. His recovery was hardly 
thought possible, but after a pivotal life of two 
weeks, he began to improve, and at the end of two 
months was in his office at work. The nervous 
shock, however, was so great that he has not fully 
recovered, and probably never will. 

There have been five children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Rej'uolds. three of whom are deceased : The 
first-born, a daughter. Flora Ella, died at the age 
of three years, in 1856; his only son, Norman 
Howard, when a lad eight years of age, was killed 
by an accident in 1870; Lora June, another daugh- 
ter, graduated from Hillsdale College in 1882, and 
died in 18>s3, a short time before completing the 
twenty-third year of her age; Miss Delia ]\Liy was 
married, in 1884. to Adelbert D. Mclntyre, a classi- 
cal graduate of Hillsdale College, and formerly of 
(Silver Creek, N. Y.; he is now Superintendent of 
jjublie schools at Corunna, this State, which position 
he has occupied for the past three years. The fruit 
of this marriage is one child, a boy. The youngest 
daughter of our subject. Miss Julia Moore, is pur- 
suing lier studies in Hillsdale College. 

This brings the subject of our sketch down to 
fift^'-eight years of age, and we leave this Christian 
gentleman, hoping that a dozen years and more may 
be added, so that the desire of his heart to look 
over into the morning of the coming century may 
be realized. 



OSEPH SHAFER. Among the prosperous 
agricultuiists of Hillsdale County, who, liy 
their indomitable energy, perseverance and 
thrift, have made for themselves pleasant 
homes, and have become useful and worthy mem- 
bers of societj', no one is more deserving of honora- 
ble mention in this biographical volume than the 
subject of tliis sketch. He was born in Union 
County, Pa., Oct. 15, 1824. being the fifth son born 
to his parents, Phillip and Margaret (Carnliy ) Shafei-. 
The}' were both natives of Union County, Pa., and 
after their marriage settled there and made it their 
abiding-place until after the death of Mr. Sliafer, 
which occurreil ere lie had reached life's meridian. 
His good wife survived, and died at the home of our 



f 



-■— ^- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



325 



subject in Allen Township. To them had been 
born eleven children, seven sons .and four d.augh- 
ters. 

Joseph, of whom we write, was bereft of a father's 
care when five years old, and three years later was 
taken to Ohio to live with strangers. The subse- 
quent years of his early life were passed in that 
State, where he lived in different places, and worked 
at different occupations, remaining there until he 
came to Lenawee County. Stopping there but a 
few years he made his way to Hillsdale Count}' in 
tiie fall of 1853, and soon after bought his present 
farm of eighty acres, where he h.is since resided. 
The land w.as then heavily timbered, and it required 
good courage and many years of unremitting toil 
to clear and improve a farm and place it under cul- 
tivation. In this work Mr. Shafer has been very 
successful, it being now one of the richest and most 
productive farms in tlie township. '1 he fine resi- 
dence which he has erected and the ample barn and 
farm buildings are creditable to himself and an 
ornament to this section of the country. 

Our subject is largely indebted for liis success, 
however, to the good woman whom he so fortunately 
secured for a life partner, and to whom he wsis 
united in marringe in Lenawee County in 1848. 
Her maiden n.inie was Elinira Gallup, daughter of 
George and Khnira (Youngs) Gallup, both of whom 
were natives of Vermont. After their marri.ige 
they settled in Canada and remained there until 
their removal to Michigan, when they established a 
new lionie in Medina Township, Lenawee County, 
and lliciv spent their remaining years. Tliey were 
llie parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Shafer 
was the second born to them, her birth having taken 
l)lace in Canada, in August, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. 
Shafer have four children of their own. and have 
adopted a son. the following being their record: 
Clara G., George W., Emma, Hattieand .Joseph D. 
Clara is the wife of Frank Ray, and they have one 
child. Lillian; George, who was boin in Allen 
Township, -June 15, 1856, was married in Hillsdale, 
Mich.,, Ian. 15, 1885. to Harriet M. Jewett. a native 
of Hillsdale, born Oct. 6, 18()6; they have one 
son, Orestes J., born in Allen Township, Oct. 5, 
1887. Mr. Shafer, who was graduated from the 
civinnicrcin! dcparlnicnl nf lliilsdnlo Cf)llpg(', is a 




draughtsman and architect by profession. He is 
quite talented, having much natural mechanical 
ability, and takes great delight in architectural 
and craj'on drawings, in which he excels. Kiuma, 
an .accomplished young lady, was graduated from 
Hillsdale College; Hattie lives at home; Joseph, 
who was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Shafer when only 
four weeks old, is the son of Harvey and Amelia 
(Reed) Bi.xby, his mother dying May 6, 1873. 

The intelligence and culture of Mr. Shafer and 
the members of his family entitle them to a high 
social position in their township, and they are uni- 
versally respected and esteemed by a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances. In his political views 
our subject is a strong Republican. 



ICHARD W. WILLIAMS, of Wheatland 
Township, owns one of the best farms, and 
\\ has an enviable reputation as a stock-raiser, 
^'dealing largely in fipe horses and cattle, 
making a specialty of the former, his favorites be- 
ing the thoroughbred English draft, and at the 
head of his stables is one of the finest stallions in 
the Northwest. In his operations as a stock-raiser 
Mr. Williams has met with the success which only 
a man of good judgment, close observation and 
industry, can attain. 

The subject of this history is the son of Hon. 
Zebulon and Eliza (Lewis) Williams, a sketch of 
whom will be found in the biography of his brother, 
Zebulon Williams. Jr., on another page in this 
work. The parents were natives resi)ectively of 
New York and Maryland, and were married in 
Phelps. Ontario County, the former State, in ISID, 
and after the birth of six children came, in 1834. 
to the Territory of Michigan. They located first 
in the vicinity of the then unpretentious hamlet of 
Adrian, whence they removed, in 1838, to Wheat- 
land Township, this county, locating upon a tract 
of land to which there had .as 3'et not even a road 
been laid out. There Zebulon Williams, Sr., with 
his estiinMl)li' wife, passed the remainder of his d.'iys, 
and died amid the regrets of a cominunitj- of which 
he had lieen one of the most useful and active 
nioinbnrs. He wms iioteil for his strict integrity. 



■*► 



I 



326 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



his unboundefi energy, the promptness with which 
he met his obligntions, and his contempt of a mean 
action. 

Richard W. Williams continued under the home 
roof until tweiit}' jears of age, working on the 
farm and attending the district school during the 
winter season. Now wishing to start out for him- 
self, he worked a year for the farmers of the neigh- 
borhood, spent the following year on a piece of 
rented land, and at the expiration of this time com- 
menced operations on a tract of land. 250 acres in 
extent, which had been deeded him by his father, 
on the 1st of November, lt<52. The next most 
important event of his life, namelj'. his marriage, 
occurred Oct. 19. 1S62. the maiden of his choice 
being Miss Helen Sawjtr. who was born in Orleans 
County. N. Y., Oct. 8, 1841. Mrs. Williams was 
the daughter of John F. and Mary (Gilbert) Saw- 
yer, natives of Vermont, whence they emigrated to 
the Empire State, and where they spent the remain- 
der of their lives. Her grandfather and grand- 
mother Sawyer had a family of seven boys, six of 
whom became ministers of the Baptist Church; 
her father was a carpenter. One of Mrs. Williams' 
brothers, John G., fitted himself for the profession 
of law, was a Judge for fifteen years, and is now 
serving his second term as a Member of Congress 
from the Orleans District, New York. The great- 
grandfather of Mrs. Williams was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary War. 

Of this first union of our subject there were no 
children, Mrs. Helen Williams departing this life at 
lier home in Wheatland Township on the 8th of 
December. 1868. Our subject was a second time 
married, Dec. 10, 1869, to Miss Mary Livermore. 
who was born in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
April 19, 1841, and is the daughter of John and 
Mary (Martin) Livermore, who aie living in Wheat- 
land Township. Mrs. Marj' Williams became the 
mother of two sons, and died on the 4lh of April, 
18JS4. The elder son. Henrj' L.. was born Oct. 19, 
1873, and the younger, Arthur. Nov. 10. 1877. 
The}" continue at home with their father, and are 
pursuing their studies in the district school. The 
parents of Jlrs. AVilliams had a family of eleven 
children, of whom nine are living, and are residents 
of Wheatland. Our .subject proixises to give his 



boys the benefits of a good education. The}' are 
both bright and intelligent, and the pride of their 
father's heart. 

Richard Williams, like his father before him, is a 
stanch Republican, and has filled many positions of 
trust and responsibility. He is at present Drain 
Commissioner of this township. Active in church 
work, and in everything conducing to the moral 
and spiritual welfare of his community, he is one 
of the chief pillars of the Baptist Society, at Church 
Corners, giving liberally of his time and means 
toward its encouragement and support. He is 
Secretary of the Cemetery Association, and a warm 
advocate of temperance, although believing it un- 
wise at present to encourage the existence of 
another party. 

The homestead t>f our subject is finely located on 
section 15, and forms a most attractive feature of 
the landscape of Wheatland Township. The build- 
ings are tasteful and substantial, embracing a neat 
residence, with pleasant surroundings, good barns, 
and all the other structures required for the shelter 
of stock and the storing of grain. His herd of 
Short-horn cattle embraces about twelve head, and 
his stables number twelve of the finest horses in this 
section of the country. 



ALVIN SAWDEY located on his present 
farm in Wheatland Township in the spring 
^' of 1866, and has lived there now for a pe- 
riod of over twenty-two j-ears. A well-educated 
and intelligent man, he has officiated both as min- 
ister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and later 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a far- 
mer, following the latter calling mostly of late years 
on account of the precarious state of his health. 
He laliore<l in the ministry of the Wesleyan C'huich 
for a period of twenty-five years, duiing wliich he 
was Superintendent of the Sunday-school most of 
the time, and active in all other good works which 
came in his way. 

Cayuga Count}', N. Y.. was the early home of 
our subject, and where his birth took place Feb. 
23, 1809. His parents were Josei)h and Jerusha 
(King) Sawdcy. natives <if Rhode Island, the father 




t 




-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUM Y. 



327 



4 



boiii ill Tivoiloii, April 17, 1773, and the motlier in 
Newport County, Jan. 28, 1772. Josepli Sawdcy 
(k'paited this life at his home in Leuawee County, 
this State, about 1847, aged seventy-iive j-ears, 
while the mother survived her husband a number 
of years, dying at the age of eighty-seven in the 
same place. 

The Sawdey family is of S^'otch ancestry, and in 
the Rebellion united witli Oliver Cromwell at the 
time of the Protectorate. The first representatives 
in this country crossed the Atlantic probably about 
1G60, and their descendants are numerous. Calvin, 
of our sketch, was one of a family of ten children, 
but two of whom are now living, himself and his 
brother El)enezer, a resident of Barry Count3% this 
State. He remained under the parental roof until 
twenty-four years of age, acquiring his education 
in the district school, learning the cooper's trade 
and becoming familiar with farming pursuits. 
That which was lacking during his school days he 
subsequent!}' supplied by a continii'ius course of 
reading and study, and thus obtained an excellent 
fund of general information. The most important 
event of his early life was his marriage with Miss 
Alniira Baker, of Erie County, Pa., which occurred 
on the 2 1st of March, 1832. This lady was born 
May 17, 1812, and was the daughter of Spencer 
and Elizabeth (Straight) Baker, the former a na- 
tive of Connecticut and the latter of Rhode Island. 
Mr. Baker died in Erie County, Pa., when compar- 
ativelj' a young man, at the age of thirty-six years. 
The mother subsequently joined her daughter in 
this county, and died at the home of our sul)ject in 
Wheatland Township, Feb. 27, 1863, at the age of 
sixtj'-three years. 

Mrs. Sawdey was the youngest of tliree children, 
only two of wiiom are living. Her brother, Spen- 
cer, Jr., has been a minister of the Presbyterian 
Church for a period of over fifty years, and is now 
a resident of Hebron, Ind., at the advanced age of 
over eighty-four years. The five children of our 
subject and his wife are recorded as follows: Par- 
lina J. was born Dec. 30, 1832, and died April 4, 
1853; she was the wife of Rev. William Warner, 
who is also deceased. Uriah K. was born in Lena- 
wee Count}', this State, Nov. (>, 1835, and died 
Aug. 24, 1851, in Rome Township, that county; 



Ransom C. was born in Lenawee County, Jan. 4. 
1840, and married Miss Anna Whitehead; the}' 
make their home in Coldwater, and Mr. S. is 
occupied as a traveling salesman for the Dayton 
Hedge Company; they have one son, William S., 
now twenty-two years of age. Mary was born Dec. 
9, 1845, and still lives witli her parents, together 
with her husband, Joseph R. Skutt, a ijiiinier by 
trade; William F. was born in Coldwater. Sept. l.S, 
1853, and married Miss Lillie D. DeClute. of that 
place; he is occupied as a provision dealer and gen- 
eral merchant. The children of Mr. Sawdey have 
all received a good education, most of them com- 
pleting their studies in Raisin Valley Seminary, 
while Mary, however, took a course in Adrian Col- 
lege. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sawdey came to the Territory' of 
Michigan in 1833, soon after their marriage, and 
first located upon a tract of Government land in 
Lenawee County, but a few years later sold out 
their property in Adrian Township, and removed 
to Rome Tovvnship, wiiere Mr.'S. was a prjicher for 
a number of years. He subsequently traveled all 
through the State in pursuance of his pious labors, 
and was at length assigned, first to a change at 
Pittsford, next at North A<Iams, and finally to the 
churches in Allen, Prairie and Coldwater. In 1884 
he received a call from Bedford, Ohio, where he 
was stationed one year, and has labored in various 
portions of Southern Michigan besides this county. 

In addition to the above brief sketch of this 
valued and useful citizen we wish to append some 
facts given by Mr. Sawde}' himself. His language 
is graphic, and the facts as noted are so interesting 
that we give them in his own words: 

"In the fall of 1825 I was awakened to see my 
situation as a sinner against God. My conviction 
was sudden, and awful as it was sudden. I felt 
that inevitable ruin was my portion, and like the 
Indian I cried out in the bitterness of m}' soul, 'Me 
miserable wretch; which way I fly?' But God, who 
is over all and merciful unto all who call upon Him, 
heard ni}' cry and had mercy upon me, and gave 
pardon, peace and joy. About six months after 
my conversion I joined the .Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Willi which I lived and walked in peace, 
and took comfort for many happy years. After 



t 



328 



^^►^ll-4« 



IIILL^DALK COUNTY. 



awliile I felt aiKjtliei' conviction, and that was that 
the Lord who had showed nie my sins began to 
point oiitto me another work lie had forme to do — 
that work was to warn the wicked to flee from tlie 
wrath to come, which I saw hanging; constantly 
over their heads. This conviction to the perform- 
ance of such a duty seemed too liigh for me ; it was 
more than I could boar, young and illiterate as I 
was; it seemed to me to be too wonderful for me. 

"I tried for a time to repel the conviction, and 
thought to drive it away, but the more ] fought the 
worse 1 felt, until the sunshine of God's smiles had 
almost left me. I asked the Lord to give me back 
my sunshine, and then felt an imi)ression as jjlain 
as if a voice had spoken in my ear: 'Will you obey 
My voice .'' Will you go and tell a lost world to turn 
to Me and live.'' O, how it thrilled through my 
soul! Could] do it.' was the question. Sometimes 
1 thought 1 would, and then again J thought 1 
■would not. Like a vessel at sea, rocked in the midst 
of a storm, 1 surged from side to side for weeks and 
months, until finally the Lord took me in and made 
me preach in my sleep, oftentimes waking up with 
my own voice, and finding my pillow bathed with 
ray own tears. O, how 1 felt only they who have 
passed through the like trials can tell. It made me 
almost sick. Then the Devil took me in hand : 
' The world is before you, and you have a good 
mind and a strong muscle; now just push this 
preaching business out of your brain, and you can 
easily get rich,' and 1 said in my haste I will do it. 

"At this time I considered myself worth $400 or 
$500. Just then I found what I thought to be a 
fine Christian young lady, whom I felt would make 
a fine addition to mj' little outfit for the empire of 
riches. To this beautiful young lady I extended 
an invitation to become my partner for life, to 
which she cheerfully responded in the affirmative, 
and c>n the 21st of March, 1832, we were joined in 
holy matrimony, and these bands have never been 
sundered, but remain until this writing (June 29, 
1888). And so we started out in pursuit of the de- 
sired object, namely, to get wealth. Little did we 
think that riches sometimes take to themselves wings 
and fly away; butalas for us! In twelve months our 
little pile had all fled, and then 1 felt when all was 
gone an inward whisper saying to my inmost soul, 

» 



'Now get rich; why don't you gel rich?' O, how I 
felt that awful rebuke. Better obey God ; it is bet- 
ter than riches. I paused. 1 thought, 1 wejjt; I 
prayed to God to forgive me this time ami again 
set me in the light way ; and so He did. At this 
juncture I was solicited by a kind friend to pull up 
and come with him to Michigan, to which after a 
little meditation, I consented, and on the 6th of 
June. 1833, myself, wife and baby, were landed in 
the little village of Clinton, Lenawee Co.. Mich. I 
soon found business and became settled, and soon 
found something to do for the Lord. In a short 
time I was urged by kind Christian friends to take 
license topuach. which I consented to do as a local 
preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. I 
soon found plenty to do in this wild new country. 
Calls came from every quarter, and the Lord blessed 
everywhere I went. Calls on me to attend funerals 
were made for many miles around. I had no horse 
and had to do my traveling on foot, and so I went 
on, doing what 1 could to help the people to the 
precious word of life, free of charge. Thank the 
Lord! When I felt moved by the Spirit of God to 
preach the Gospel I did not stop to count the cost, 
or how many dollars I should receive as a sequence, 
but how mauy souls I might be the means of win- 
ning to Christ, and if souls were won I rejoiced. 

"In the years 1842 and 1843 the Abolition 
excitement ran very high in the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and a division and a new organization 
took place, and being a strong anti-slavery man, I 
went with the new party. In October of the year 
1843 I was ordained an Elder, from which time I 
traveled and preached constantly for twenty-five 
years for a mere pittance, using my own hard earn- 
ings for the support and education of my family, 
until the battles for freedom were fought and the 
victory won, and the slaves were free; and the 
shouts of freedom went up to heaven from all over 
this slavery-cursed land: -Praise the Lord, O mj' 
soul!' After the battle over slavery was fought and 
the bone of contention dropped between the two 
bodies, I, with many others, felt it to be advisable 
to go back to the old church hive from which we 
had swarmed a few years before, where I expect to 
remain to the end of my short pilgrimage here. 

" In conclusion, I may be allowed to say that 



n 



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-•^11 



IlILLSDALK COUNTY. 



329 



quite a little of my ministerial labor has been cast 
among' the bereaved ami afflicted — to bind up the 
broken-hearted and to say words of comfort to the 
mourning ones. I have jireached about 300 fun- 
eral sermons in the course of my time. In a few 
short months I shall be eighty years old ; I have 
never asked or received a solitary cent for preach- 
ing a funeral sermon, nor will [ adil affliction to 
sorrow, or burden to bereavement." 



-w. - <i2je£rS~^" 



^^''^^'mv).^ 



«l IJ-ARREN ATWOOD, who is engaged in 
\\\ . /// merchandising in the village of Frontier, 



¥ 



has a full stock of hardware. groceries, har- 
ness, etc., and has been doing a thriving business for 
some years. He has a snug home and eight acres 
of land, giving him sufficient ground to raise the 
vegetables for the household consumption, with 
range for his horse and covv, and everything con- 
venient and comfortable. He is widely and favor- 
ably known throughout Woodbridge Township as 
one of its best citizens, reliable aiul sul)stantial, and 
is contributing his full quota tovvard the general 
good of the cummunitj'. 

Mr. Atwood came from his native State of New 
York to this county, landing in Woodbridge Town- 
ship. Oct. 29, 1860. He purchased eighty acres of 
land, which he occupied a number of years, effect- 
ing inan^' improvements, and among them setting 
out a fine array of maple and evergreen trees, run- 
ning along the public thoroughfare. About 1861 
he established a post-office, of which he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, at the munificent salary of $12 
per year. He held this position a period of twenty 
years, but in the meantime, in 1873, abandoned 
farming and embarked in merchandising, in which 
he has since been engaged with very satisfactory 
results. 

Mr. Atwood, in 1862, was elected Township 
Treasurer, holding the office two years, and h.as 
represented his township on the County Board of 
Supervisors five terms. He served also as Assessor 
five terms, was Township Clerk four years, and has 
been connected with the School Board most of the 
time since coming here. In religious matters he 
belongs to the United Brethren in Christ, and has 



been one of the chief pillars of the society in this 
locality, contributing largely to its support an<l 
maintenance, probably more than any other m;in 
in the village. At the time of the erection of tlicir 
church so great was the confidence of the brethren 
in his ability ami integrity that he was constituted 
the only committee both of church building and 
parsonage, the latter of which was i)ut up in 187.5. 
For this purpose Mr. Atwood contributed the 
ground, and has aided in every manner possible 
the furtherance of this church and its inteiests. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne 
County, N. Y., June 27, 1830, and is the son of John 
and Elizabeth (Rice) Atwood, natives respectively 
of England and Vermont. The father was born in 
Wiltshire, June 21, 1795, and died in Wayne 
County, N. Y'., Jan. 15, 1860. He carried on farm- 
ing all his life, and provided comfortably for his 
family. The mother was born April 12, 1803, and 
preceded her husband to the silent land, her death 
also taking place in the Empire State, Feb. 18, 1832. 
The parents were married Mai-ch 1, 1829, and there 
was born to them one child. 

The father of our subject was finely educated by 
private tutors, and crossed the Atlantic with his 
grandmother when a boy of fourteen years. Land- 
ing in New Y'ork City, he remained a short time 
there, and then went to New Jersey, where he learned 
shoemaking, wliich he followed until about the 
time of his marriage. During the War of 1812 he 
did good service as a substitute. Later in life he 
purchased 110 acres of land in New Y^ork State, 
where he carried on agriculture until resting from 
his earthly labors. He was a man of much force 
of character, and prominent among his fellow-citi- 
zens as a man of deep piety, who often labored as 
a peacemaker between those who had difficulty 
with each other. He identified himself with the 
Christian Church, and in this held various offices, 
being one of its pillars, and adorning his profession 
by his walk and conversation. The mother was 
identified with the same church. 

John Atwood was first married to Miss Harriet 
Cooley, Dec. 24, 1820, and there were born three 
children — Charles R., Mary A. and George; the 
latter is deceased. This lady died April 6, 1828. 
His third wife was Miss Esther Lake, who was Iiorn 



^•• 



■•► 




330 



HILLSDALK COL'N'l'V, 






Oct. 31. 1812. and died in November. 1887. Her 
six ciiildren were nnmed res|jcctivpl}' : Seth L., Ira 
.J., Harriet J., Emily, John .S. and Ellen M. 

The marriage of Warren At wood and Miss Thank- 
ful Sherman was celebrated at the home of the 
bride, in Marion Township, N. Y.. A])ril 23, 1848. 
Mrs. A. was born in Wayne County. N. Y.. Nov. 
11. 1824, and was the daughter of Gideon and 
Nancy (Lake) Sherman, natives of Vermont, and 
both now deceased. Of this union there was bom 
one child only, a daughter, Elizabeth J., who is 
now the wife of Rev. William Clay, a minister of 
the United Brethien Church, at Hudson, Ind. They 
have four children living, one bo3', Seth N., having 
died at the age of four years. The others are War- 
ren W., Daisy E.. Fred N. and Charles. 

Mrs. Thankful Atwood died at her home in 
Frontier, Nov. 17, 1884; she was a most excellent 
Christian lady, prominent in all church work and 
ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in dis- 
tress. She was one of the leading spirits in her 
church, having been a member since 1848, but had 
been in failing health for many years. Jn her de.ath 
the community lost one of its brightest lights, and 
her name will be held in tender remembrance by 
her family and a large circle of friends. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Nov. 26, 1885, was formerly Miss Ama 
Aber, who was born in 1841 in New York State, was 
graduated from Ft. W.ayne College of Medicine, 
and has been a practicing physician for a period of 
fifteen j-ears. 

■^fOHN A. SELFRIDGE. a lumber dealer at 
Jonesville, is one of the most prosperous 
citizens, and is widely known in business 
circles throughout Hillsdale and other coun- 
ties, as an honorable and upright man. He is a 
native of New York, and is a son of John and Sally 
(Smith) Selfridge. His father was born in Wiish- 
ington County, N. Y., about the year 1786, and his 
mother was of New EngLand ancestry, though but 
little is known of her history, as she died in the 
early part of the year 1828, when our subject was 
about four months old. After marriage they first 



«^h-^! 



settled in Galen, Wayne Co., N. Y"., where her death 
occurred. They had seven children, four sons and 
three daughters, all of whom lived to grow up. 
After the death of the mother the father removed 
to Cattaraugus County, where he died in February, 
1838. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Galen, 
Wayne Co.. N. Y.. Oct. 4, 1827. and was about six 
years old when his father removed to Cattaraugus 
Countj'. After that he returned to his native 
county, and spent a year there and in Seneca Countj', 
when he went to live in Wyoming Countj'. He 
was early thrown on his own resources by the death 
of his mother and father, and worked on a farm in 
the last-named county until he was seventeen years 
old. when he began to work at the carpenter's trade, 
remaining there thus employed until he was twenty- 
three years old. He was ambitious to try his fort- 
une in the West, and went to Illinois, where he 
followed his trade in DuPage and Will Counties 
for nearly a year. 

In November, 1852, Mr. Selfridge decided to 
establish himself in the thriving town of Jonesville, 
and since that time his interests have been promi- 
nently identified with this place. He was prosper- 
ously engaged as a carpenter until the year 1880, 
and previous to that year (in the spring that the 
Ft. Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad was built 
through the vill.age), he had bought a one-fourth 
interest in the sash and blind factory of the late 
Gen. Baxter, retaining an interest in the mill until 
1879. Since that time he has given his atten- 
tion principally to the lumber business, which has 
assumed considerable proportions under his able 
man.ageraent, and he has almost the exclusive lum- 
ber trade of Jonesville. He has accumulated much 
property since beoming a resident of Michigan, and 
owns valuable real estate in Jonesville, besides a 
fine farm of 160 acres in Newaygo Countj', Mich. 

Mr. Selfridge was married in Reading Township, 
Hillsdale County, Jan. 28, 1857, to Miss Emily M., 
daughter of John B. and Maria (Tolman) South- 
worth, natives of New York. Thej' came to Hills- 
dale County in 1850 and settled in Reading Town- 
ship, where they lived until death. Thej' had ten 
children, of whom Mrs. Selfridge was the fourth. 
She was born in Perrinton, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1838, 



-•► 









HILLSDALE COUNTY 



331 



and is the mother of two children, of whom but 
one, Eniil_y M., survives: the son, Warren J., died 
when about three ^ears old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Selfridge are in every way worthy 
of the iiigh consideration in wliicli they are held. 
Mr. .Selfridge is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nitj'. and in politics is a Eepublican. He cast his 
first vote for a Presidential candidate for Martin 
Van Buren, going six miles through the mud to the 
polls in Older to do so; he was at that time 
attending school. He is of a keen, resolute, uncom- 
|)romising nature, alwaj'S true to his convictions 
of right, and doing what lies in his power to pro- 
mote the advancement of society. He is a firm 
Prohibitionist, radical in his temperance views, but 
not bigoted. ]n his eaily days he followed with 
the old Free-Soil party, until the formation of the 
Republican party, and since that time has been 
identified with that party. 



\- 



W IBEU.S H. ROOT, an extensive farmer of 
I ^ Wright Township, and son of one of the 
jj| — ^^ pioneers of Southern Michigan, is a native 
of Lenawee County, and was born in Medina Town- 
ship on the •23d of February, 1849. His father, 
Henrj' W. Root, now deceased, was a native of 
Jefferson Count}', N. Y., and was born Oct. 5, 1822. 
The paternal grandfather, Amos Root (see sketch 
of .John P. Root), a native of New Grantham, N. 
H., was a pioneer settler of Jefferson County, where 
he resided until about 182.5. Then, coming to the 
Territory of Michigan, he settled first in Monroe 
County, but two j'ears later returned southeast as 
far as Indiana, and purchased eighty .acres of land 
in the viciiiilj' of the present site of Lima. He cul- 
tivated the soil there about five years, when his 
earthly labors ended b}' his death, which tooki)lace 
in 1834. 

After the death of his father, Henry W. Root 
returned to Michigan and made his home with his 
uncle, John Powers, in Medina Township, Lenawee 
County. Upon reaching his majority his uncle gave 
him the choice of eighty acres of timber land in 
Medina Township or 1100 in cash. The young man 
chose the land and upon it erected a frame house, 



to which he soon afterward brought a bride, and 
carried on agriculture thereafter until 185.5. That 
year he traded his property for the land which con 
stitutes the present homestead of his widow and her 
son, Libeus H. At tlie time of his taking possession 
there was a hewed log house and a frame barn upon 
the land. In due time the former gave place to a 
substantial frame dwelling, and the elder Root added 
from time to time the other necessary buildings 
required for his use and convenience. He also se- 
cured additional land, and finally became the owner 
of 260 .acres. His eyes closed upon earthly scenes 
on the 27th of October, 1864. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Ellen Fidelia English, and she was born in Liss, 
County Down, Ireland, April 22, 1823. She be- 
came the wife of Henry W. Root on the 16th of Feb- 
ruary, 1847. Her father, John English, also a native 
of County Down, was the son of Richard English, 
and the family as far back as the records go are be- 
lieved to have been natives of the same county. 
John English emigrated to America in 1832 with 
his family. Leaving the latter in Rochester, N. Y., 
he went over into Canada to seek a location, but 
not being pleased with the outlook there, came to 
the Territory of Michigan and purchased land near 
the present site of Manchester, in Washtenaw 
County. He then sent for his family, and while 
waiting for their arrival put up a log house for their 
reception. He improved a good farm which he oc- 
cupied until his death. He entered 240 acres at 
the beginning, and by subsequent purchase became 
the owner of a half-section, which constituted one 
of the finest bodies of land in Southern Michi- 
gan. His wife, formerly Miss Sarah Tinkler, was 
also a native of Ireland. She survived her husband 
some years, and died at the home of her son Will- 
iam, in Jackson County. 

The parents of Mrs. Root were reared in the E|)is- 
copal Church. Mr. Root first joined the Chris- 
tian Church and Mrs. Root the Baptist, but some 
years ago both parents identified themselves with 
the Church of God, in which the father officiated as 
Elder. They were deeply interested in the welfare 
of their church* giving liberally and laboring earn- 
estly for its success. Libeus H., their only child, is 
a member of the same and takes an interest in all 



i 



332 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



matters relating thereto. He lias always remained 
on the home farm, and is carrying out as far .is 
possible the designs of his honored father in rela- 
tion to the improvement and perpetuation of the 
homestead. 

The parents of Mrs. Root in their journey west- 
ward from New York City, came via the Hudson 
River and Erie Canal to Rochester, then took a 
steamer for Buffalo and Detroit, where the mother 
hired a team to convey them to the home which the 
father had prepared for them as best he could in 
the wilderness. Mrs. Root distinctly icineinbers 
the time when deer and wolves were plentiful and 
were often seen near their house. Her father, like 
most of the pioneers, was an expert with his rifle, 
and kept the familj' supplied with the choicest of 
wild meat. Libeus H. is a stanch supporter of the 
principles of the Repulilican party. 



y ALTER W. ROODE. The subject of this 
biography, one of the early settlers of 
Southern Michigan, is a fine illustration of 
the results of close application to honest industry 
during the years of his early manhood, and in con- 
sequence of which he is now enabled to live at his 
ease upon a competence. He has been one of the 
best-known farmers of Branch County, Mich., for 
many years, but in 1882 retired from active labor, 
and is now enjoying the comforts of a handsome 
home in the city of Hillsdale. The Empire State, 
which has contributed so generously to the bone 
and sinew of the West, contained the early home 
of our subject, he having been born near Weedsport, 
Cayuga County, Jan. 6, 1821. 

Richard Roode, the father of our subject, was 
the offspring of a fine old family who crossed the 
Atlantic from England in the Colonial days. They 
settled it is supposed in Connecticut, where the 
father of our subject was born, and whence he mi- 
grated early in life to New Y'ork State. There he 
was married to Miss Eledicy Smith, who was born 
in Connecticut, of which State her psirenta were 
also natives. Richard Roode and his young wife 
very soon after their marriage settled down on 

-^•^ — 



a farm in Cayuga County, where tliey contiiiuc(i 
several years, and until Walter W., of our 
sketch, was a lad nine years of age. From Cay- 
uga they removed to Orleans County, where the 
father followed farming after the primitive inelho<ls 
of that time until 1830. Then, not being satisfied 
with the outlook for himself and his family, he de- 
cided to cast his lot with the pioneers of Southern 
Michigan, making his way hither while it was still 
a Territory. 

The parents of our subject took up their resi- 
dence near the unpretentious town of Ailrian, and 
the fatlier began cultivating a tract of land. He 
only lived a comparatively brief time, however, his 
death taking place in 1839, when he w.<is but fifty- 
one years old, having been born May 24, 1788. 
The mother remaining a widow, survived her hus- 
band fourteen years, passing away in 1853. She 
was born Sept. 16, 1791, and by her marriage with 
Richard Roode became the mother of thirteen chil- 
dren, seven sons and six daughters, eleven of whom 
lived to become men and women and six of whom 
yet survive. 

The subject of this biography was the sixth child 
of his parents, and was a youth of sixteen years 
when he accompanied them to this State. He com- 
pleted his education by an attendance of eighteen 
months in the schools of Adrian, and soon there- 
after started out for himself and entered the em- 
ploy of Daniel Hibbard, as stage driver between 
Clinton and Jackson. This occupation he followed 
about nine years, and in the meantime carried the 
mail from Ann Arbor to the mouth of the St. Jo- 
seph River, when the completion of the Michigan 
Central Railroad sent the st.age coach further west. 

Mr. Roode, at the age of twenty -one, wedded Miss 
Catherine M. Rawson, of Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo 
County, this State, who was born Jan. 13, 1825, 
and is tiie daughter of Ruel Rawson, Esq., a 
blacksmith by trade, and a native of Connecticut. 
Desirous now of settling down at home, Mr. Roode 
learned tiie blacksmith trade of his father-in-law, 
which he followed industriously in Branch County, 
Mich., for a period of fourteen years. In the 
meantime he had invested his spare capital in a 
snug little farm in Quincy Township, Branch 
County, the land of which he cultivated for about 



; 



•<^ 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



333 



i^ 



twenty-two years, and effected various improve- 
ments upon it. At tiiat homestead were put forth 
llie best efforts of his life. 

To our suliject and his wife there were born four 
children, of whom the eldest, Marion, died at the 
ajrc of sixteen years; Charles W. is occupied as 
real-estate agent in Coldwater, tliis State; Henry 
C. is operating at various work in Bay City, Mich.; 
Edith E. is the wife of Herbert Boy ce, a blacksmith 
of Fa\'ette. Ohio. Mr. Roode has been mostly in- 
terested during life in his family and farm affairs, 
giving very little attention to outside matters. 
Politically, he is rather conservative, but usually 
affiliates with the Republican part}'. He is a man 
responsible and reliable in every respect, but has 
steadily declined becoming an office-holder, con- 
senting only to serve as Director in his own school 
district, and for a brief time as Pathmaster. 

Jr'UDGE WILLARD RICHARDS is spending 
I his declining years free from the cares of 
: business in the pleasant town of Jonesville. 
/ He is a native of the good old State of 
Massachusetts, born in the town of Framingham, 
Middlesex County, Aug. 6, 180G. His father, 
Thomas Richards, was a native of the same town, 
and his mother, Asenath (Chamberlin) Richards, 
was born in Southboro, Mass. After marriage his 
parents settled in Framingham, where they re- 
mained several j'ears engaged in farming. They 
subsequently removed to Brookfield, in the west- 
ern [jart of Massachusetts, where Mrs. Richards' 
death occurred. Mr. Richards afterward removed 
to Brookfield, Worcester County, subsequently to 
Sturbridge, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. To him and his wife had been born a family 
of nine children, namely: Betsey, Sullivan, Curtis, 
Hollis, William, Emory, Willard. Maria and Mary. 
Judge Richards, of whom we write, was reared 
on his father's farm, and practically instructed in 
the various kinds of work devolving on a farmer's 
son. His education, which was begun in the pub- 
lic schools of his native State, was finished by an 
academic course. After attaining his majority our 
subject made good use of the learning which he 



had acquired in the State of his birth, by teaching 
in the adjacent State of New York for four years 
in the schools of Schoharie and Montgomery Coun- 
ties. By that time, desiring a permanent occupa- 
tion and a home for the good woman he was soon 
to claim for his wife, he purchased a farm in Scho- 
harie County, on which he and his wife spent the 
first years of their wedded life. They afterward 
removed to Monroe County, N. Y., where they 
remained until July, 1854. Our subject became 
actively identified with the public and local affairs 
of the county, and took a prominent part in politi- 
cal matters. He was elected Judge of Monroe 
County, and served three years with great satisfac- 
tion. He also held the office of Justice of the 
Peace for sixteen years. Leaving that county 
Judge Richards came to Hillsdale County, Mich., 
and purchased 100 acres of land in Scipio Township, 
which he improved and beautified, and where he 
continued to live until his removal to Jonesville in 
July, 1S78. 

Our subject has been twice married. The name 
of his first wife, to whom he was married in Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1828, was Eliza 
Higbie, who was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., 
Sept. 4, 1805, and died in Scipio Township, March 
t), 1869. She was an affectionate wife, a tender 
mother, a good neighbor, and was blessed with 
those qualities that go to make up a true woman. 
She was the mother of three children, namely: 
Nathan J., Caroline and Harriet A. The second 
marriage of our subject took place in Hillsdale, 
Mich., April 25, 1870, when ho was united to Mrs. 
Priscilla C. (Lowe) Case, widow of Horace Case, 
who died in Scipio Township. Judge Richards 
was again bereaved by the death of his second wife, 
which occurred Feb. 22, 1887. The suddenness of 
the event was a severe shock to her husband, rela- 
tives, and the entire community, by whom she was 
held in high esteem. The evening before her death 
she was apparently in her usual good health, and 
started with her husband to attend a sociable in 
Grange Hall, but ere reaching the place of enter- 
tainment was stricken down and survived only 
eleven hours. 

Since coming to Michigan our subject has taken 
the same active part in public affairs that he did in 



* ► ll "^ 



334 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ii^^ 



New York, and while living in Scipio served as 
Township Clerk for three years, and was Justice of 
tiie Peace for nearly sixteen years. He lias also 
taken a very prominent part in the grange move- 
ment, and for six years has been Master of the 
subordinate grange in Fayette, known as Fayette 
Grange No. 251. He has for ten years faithfully 
fulfilled the duties of Treasurer of the grange, for 
two years has been Lecturer in the subordinate 
grange, and one year served as Chaplain, besides 
having been a member of all important committees. 
In politics the Judge was formerly a member of 
the Republican party, but on tiie organization of 
the Greenback party became a member of it. After 
it fulfilled its mis^on he again became a member 
of the Republican part3^ 

Judge Richards became a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity thirty years ago, and of the Odd 
Fellows' order thirty-five years ago, Mr. Richards 
by industry and economy has accumulated a com- 
petency. He retains his early mental and physical 
vigor to a marked degree, and is widelj' and favor- 
ably known throughout the county as an upright, 
conscientious man, striving to do unto his neigh- 
bors as he would have them do unto him. 

-,>> — •■o*o..(5^<!;^..o*o *,~ 

ON. ALEXANDER HEWITT, a resident 
jj\ of Allen Township, was formerly a member 
of the Lower House of the Michigan Leg- 
islature, being elected first in 1872 and re- 
elected in the fall of 1 874, serving his two terms 
acceptably. In the fall of 1878 he was made a 
member of the State Senate, and in both Houses 
served on important committees, being in the for- 
mer Chairman of the Committee on Roads and 
Bridges, and in the latter occupying the same po- 
sition in connection with the Agricultural College. 
^He has represented Allen Township in the County 
Board of Supervisors two years, and for many j'ears 
has officiated as School Director and Justice of the 
Peace. He is also connected, as Director, with the 
Hillsdale Savings Bank, and has otherwise been 
prominently identified with the important interests 
of this county. 

Our subject was the second son of his parents. 



Asa and Laney (Pixley) Hewitt, and w.as burn in 
Edinliurg, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 25, 1818. 
Asa Hewitt, also a native of that county, was born 
Aug. 11, 17yi, and followed farming as an occupa- 
tion all his life. The mother was born in Barring- 
ton, Mass., April 3, 1793. The parents after their 
marriage located in Saratoga County, N. Y., where 
they resided until 1822, then removed to Living- 
ston County, .and from there to Allegany County, 
th.at State, and six and one-half years later changed 
.again their residence to Ontario CountJ^ where they 
remained until 1844. That year found them in 
Southern Michigan, and they afterward made their 
home in Allen and Woodbridge Townships, this 
county, until the death of the father, which occurred 
in the latter township, Sept. 14, 1860. The mother 
survived her husband nearly fourteen years, her 
death t.aking place at the residence of her daughter, 
Mrs. Lydia M. Wheaton, in Eaton County, this 
St;ite, July 22, 1874. 

To Asa and Laney Hewitt there were born ten 
children, nine of whom lived to mature years. 
They were named respectively' : William P., Alex- 
ander (our subject), Calvin, LydiaM., Eli, Br.adley, 
Alonzo, Peter, Philander and Benjamin. The lat- 
ter died in Ontario County, N. Y., when about one 
year old. The surviving children are residents of 
Michigan and New York. 

Alexander Hewitt received onl}' limited advan- 
tages during his boyhood days, but made his home 
with his parents until reaching his majority. When 
fourteen years old he chopped cordwood at twenty- 
five cents per cord, and invested a part of the 
money thus obtained in a Webster Spelling Book 
and Ostrander's Arithmetic. These he carefully 
mastered l)y the light of the evening candle, and by 
the perusal of other instructive books became well 
fitted to assume the duties of a pedagogue of those 
days. His winters, from the time he was twenty 
until he was twenty-six years old, were spent in 
teaching, while he occupied himself in farm labor 
during the milder seasons. 

Mr. Hewitt left his native State in September, 
1844, and coming to this county purchased eighty 
acres of wild land on section 36 in Allen Township. 
He had in the meantime been married, and now, by 
the efficient help of his excellent wife, set about 



1 



-«•- 






HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



335 



the building up of a home. lie put up first a log 
shanty, which they occupied a ininiber of years, 
but which long since gave place to a fine brick resi- 
dence, which still continues his sheltering roof. He 
cleared his land, brought the soil to a productive 
condition, and added, one by one, the improvements 
naturally suggested to the enterprising and pro- 
gressive agriculturist. 

Our subject was first married, April 4, 1844, to 
Miss Wary E. Noble, in Honeoye, Ontario Co.,N. Y. 
This lady was the daughter of Levi and Auielia 
(Steele) Noble, and was born in Honeoye, Sei)t. 13, 
lb26. Her father was boin in Blandford. Mass., 
June 22, 1792, and his wife, Aurelia, a native of 
the same place, it is believed, was born Oct. 8, 
1800. They were married Dec. 30, 1818. Mr. 
Steele died in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1843, and 
his wife, Aurelia, in Sichmond, that State, Oct. 9, 
1838. Of this marriage of our subject there were 
born six children, one of whom, a son, died in in- 
fauej'. The mother died at her home in Allen 
Township, this county, Sept. 7, 1884. 

Amelia, the eldest daughter of our subject, is 
now the wife of F"rank K. Proctor, of Hillsdale; 
Eugene W. married Miss Lucy Post, of Allen 
Township, and is carrying on farming in the latter 
township; Mary is the wife of Prof. A. E. Haynes, 
of Hillsdale College; Emeliue died when nearly 
three years old ; Harriet, Mrs. Theron D. Stone, is 
the wife of a well-to-do resident of Hillsdale. Mr. 
Hewitt contracted a second marriage, Dec. 30, 1 885, 
with Miss Carrie E. Alger, who was also born in 
Ht)neoye, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 10, 1837, and 
is a cousin of his first wife. Her parents, John 
I), anil Polly (Steele) Alger, are natives of On- 
tario County, N. Y., and are now living near 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Mr. Hewitt has given the greater part of his life 
to the pursuits of agriculture, and has now a fine 
farm of 140 acres on section 3G in Allen Township, 
which in point of fertility of soil and improvement 
compares favorably with the ht)mestcads around 
him. The residence is the especial .i<1miration of 
the passerby, and flanked by substantial out-build- 
ings, a fine orchard and the various other fruit and 
shade trees, which have been planted from time to 
time, forms a most attractive picture in tin' land- 



.1 



scape of that region. The proprietor has kept up 
his early habit of reading and study, and is conse- 
quently well posted on all matters of general inter- 
est, and no man in the county has taken greater sat- 
isfaction in watching its development and progress, 
and assisting, as time and opportunity offered, to 
bring it to its present condition. He is a strong 
Republican, politically, and a prominent member 
of the Universalist Church, at Hillsdale. Socially, 
he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 176, at Hillsdale. Among his fellow 
townsmen and those who know him best, he is ac- 
credited with all the qualities which go to make up 
a first-class citizen. 



Cl I^ILLIAM M. KAN.SOM, who is Justice of 
\w// ^^^ Peace and an insurance agent, in 
W^ Jonesville, Hillsdale County, is the son of 
Harvey Ransom, who was born in Homer, Cortland 
Co., N. Y., July 7, 1814, while his mother was 
Lydia B. Goss, who was born in Brattleboro, Vt., 
May 19, 1817. The parents were married in the 
State of New York, and at once removed to Jones- 
ville. this county, in the winter of 1837, where the 
father engaged in the business of a carpenter and 
joiner, and continued to live in Jonesville until his 
death, which occurred Dec. 14, 1882; his widow 
survives, and resides in Jonesville. Harvey Ransom 
held the offices of Deputj' Sheriff and Constable in 
Hillsdale County for twentj'-five 3'ears. He was a 
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
was one of the first to organize the lodge in Jones- 
ville, in which he was an officer at the time of his 
death. 

The. parental family of our subject included two 
children only, Angelia, and William M., our subject. 
William IVL Ransom was born in Jonesville, Mich., 
on the 16th of October, 1842, and was educated in 
the common and High schools of the city. With the 
exception of two years which he spent in Kansas 
City, Mr. Ransom has continuously resided in 
Fayette Township. 

AVilliam M. Ransom was united in marriage, in 
Jonesville, Sept. 21, 1865, with Miss Catherine 
M. Turner, of Logansport, Ind., and tlicy became 



t 



• ^^U < • 



-4•— 

336 



• ^ ► ^ ■ 1 - 



HILLSDALE COU^JTY. 



the parents of three children — Mary B., Nina L. and 
Angle T. Mary received a good education and is 
following the profession of a school teacher. The 
mother of these children died in Jonesville, in No- 
vember. 1879, and our subject was again married 
In the same city, in May, 1884, to Josephine A. 
Ackerly, who was born in Williamsburg, N. Y. 

Mr. Ransom has been Justice of the Peace two 
years. Township Treasurer and Town Clerk, e.ach 
two years, and is also City Clerk. He is also a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics 
affiliates with the Republican party. 

'il7 EVI H. RICKERD. who is representing the 
ll (?S, grocery trade at North Adams, is a native 
J*'— ^^ , of this count}", having been born in Wheat- 
land Township on the 11th of Maj', 1844. His 
parents having been pioneers of Southern Michigan, 
the earl}- years of Levi H. were spent mostly upon 
a farm until the outbreak of the late war. 

Soon after the beginning of this conflict, j'oung 
Rickerd. then but a youth of seventeen years, 
enlisted as a Union soldier in Battery I. 1st Michi- 
gan Artillery, and met the enemy afterward in 
some of tlie most important battles of the war. 
Besides the minor eng.agements and skirmishes lie 
foughtntGettysburg.CnIpe per Court House, Kenne- 
saw Mountain, .and was at the siege and capture of 
Atlanta. On account of being a member of the 
flying artillery, he saw much skirmishing, and ex- 
perienced many hairlireadlh escapes. He fortun- 
ately was not required to suffer the infliction of 
wounds and imprisonment, and received his honor- 
able discharge at Detroit, on the 14th of July, 
1865. 

After the war Mr. Rickerd worked as a carpenter 
and joiner for a period of thirteen yeais. and then 
entered upon his first experience in merchandising, 
as a clerk for a dry-goods firm in Jerome. A few 
months hiter he purcliasecl the business of a boot 
and shoe house in North Adams, in company with 
.1 partner, and the business was conducted under 
the firm name of Rickerd & Co. for five years 
following. Our subject then disposed of his inter- 
est in the business, and a j'ear later engaged in his 



present undertaking, in which he has built up a 
good patronage, comprising the best people in the 
town and township. 

Mr. Rickerd, politically, votes the straight Re- 
publican ticket, and is actively interested in educa- 
tional matters, having officiated as Director, and is 
at present Chairman of the board, to which position 
lie was elected in 1884. In religious matters he is 
prominently connected with the Congregational 
Church, and socially, belongs to T. S. Meade Post 
No. 189, G. A. R., of which he is at present Chap- 
lain. He has also officiated as Adjutant and Com- 
mander, and in the Masonic fraternity belongs to 
Lodge No. 189, at North Adams. In the I. O. O. 
F. he is identified with Rural Lodge No. 72, and 
in this also has held the different offices. 

The parents of our subject, John B. and Eliza- 
beth (Putnam) Rickerd, were natives of New York 
State, where they continued to reside for fifteen 
years after their marriage. Thence they came to 
this county, where the father carried on blacksmith- 
ing several years, then • took up his residence in 
Lenawee Count}', but five years later returned to 
this county, locating first in Wheatland Township, 
whence he removed to North Adams. From there, 
in 1861, he went to Grand Traverse County, where 
he is now living, at the advanced age of seventy- 
eight years. The mother died in 1848, when 
thirty-five years old. Their children were Sally 
Anil, Levi H.. our subject, and Lafayette. The 
father was subsequently twice married, and had 
five children by his third wife. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Levi Rickerd there have been 
born two sons only, the elder of whom, Frank, 
died when about five years of age; Legrand G. is 
in North Adams. Mrs. Rickerd. like her husband, 
received a good education, and is an intelligent 
lady, greatly esteemed by her neighbors. 

^T HURLBUT RKiGS. The Riggs family is 
widely and favorably known throughout the 
northern part of Hillsdale County, and the 
subject of this biography forms one of its 
most worthy representatives. He was born in 
Lyons. W.tviic Co.. N. 1 ., Oct. 28, 1839. an<listhe 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



337 



i= 



son of Joseph and Mary (Smith) Riggs, who are 
natives of the sfime place, the father born Nov. 12, 
1813, and the mother Jan. 31, 1815. Thcj' came 
to this county about 1842, and settled first in Scipio 
Township, whence thej- removed two years later to 
Litchfield Township, and there lived until 1863. 
That 3-ear they returned to Scipio Township and 
took up their residence at Mosherville. where the 
mother died Jan. 20, 1872, and the father, surviv- 
ing his excellent partner ten years, died Nov. 23, 
1882. 

Joseph Riggs was just such a man as was needed 
in the early settlement of Scipio Township. Public- 
spirited and liberal, progressive in his ideas, and 
possessed of unbounded energy and resolution, he 
nut only transacted his own business affairs with the 
best of judgment, but formed an important factor 
in sustaining and encouraging the enterprises which 
could not be otherwise than for the best good of his 
community. He had, mainly through his own ef- 
forts, acquired an excel!<'nt education, and taught 
school not only in his native State, but in connec- 
tion with farming after coming to this county. He 
held nearly all the offices within the gift of his 
townsmen, and served as Justice of the Peace both 
in Scipio and Litchfield Townshi|)S for many years. 

The establislinient and maintenance of schools 
found in Joseph Riggs the most cordial encourager 
and supporter, and in church affaiis he was equally 
illicient, being with his excellent wife among the 
|iillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church, both at 
Litchfield and Mosherville. The parental house- 
hold included eight children, of whom J. llurlhut, 
the subject of this biography, was the eldest born. 
Of John J., the second son, a sketch will be found 
elsewhere in tiiis volume; Mary U. is the widow of 
J. Culver, and resides in Mosherville; Wesley 
\y.. during tlie late rebellion, enlisted in the 27tli 
Michigan Infantry, and died on a boat which was 
en route from the frontal Petersburg, Va., to Phila- 
delphia, Pa.; Alice died in Litchfield Townshij), 
Feb. C, 1852, when an infant; Edward P. also died 
when an infant, April 1, 1853; Carrie died June 
19, 1!S72, at the home of her parents in Ihiscount}'; 
(ieorge is eng.aged farming in Scipio Townshi|). 
The living children of this family, uinler the influ- 
ence of the excellent home training wliirli lliey re- 



ceived, are now numbered among the most worthy 
and valued citizens of this county, and, like their 
parents before them, will leave a record of which 
their children will have no reason to be ashamed. 

J. Hurlbut Riggs was but a little lad when his 
parents came to this county, and his early studies, 
begun in the district school, were completed in 
Hillsdale College, where he took a year's course. 
He then returned to the farm in Litchfield Town- 
ship, where he remained until after the outbreak of 
the late Rebellion, and in December, 18G3, enlisted 
in Company B, which comprised the second com- 
pany of Sharpshooters attached to the 27th Michi- 
gan Infantry. He was in due time promoted to 
Sergeant, and served in this capacity until April, 
1864, when he received the commission of Second 
Lieutenant of Company D, 2d Michigan Infantry. 
This was followed not long afterward b^' his pro- 
motion to the rank of First Lieutenant, with which 
he was mustered out in the fall of 1864. He met 
the enemy in many important battles, and in front 
of Petersburg, Va., was wounded in the hand and 
thigh, which necessitated later his retirement from 
the service. 

Lieut. Briggs upon recovering from his wounds 
and the shock to his nervous system, resumeil farm- 
ing in Scipio Township, and now for a period of 
twenty )-ears has been closely identified with its 
most important interests. He possesses much of 
the force of character which distinguished his hon- 
ored father, also serving as Justice of the Peace a 
number of years, and Trea.-nier and Clerk of Scipio 
Township. In the summer of 1887 he was chosen 
commander of Henry Baxter Post No. 219, at 
Jonosvillc, and was re-elected in January, 1888. He 
keeps himself well posted in regard to matters of 
general interest, and whether among friends or 
strangers is uniformly recognized as a man of more 
than ordin.aiy intelligence. 

Mr. Riggs took for his wed<lcd wife, Oct. 31, 
1861 . Miss Jennie Mosher. who was born in Mosher- 
ville, March 6. 1845, and is the daughter of one 
of its early pioneers, Charles Mosher, who married 
IMiss Polly Seaver, and of whom a sketch appears 
elsewhere in this work. Of this union there were 
born five children, one of whom died in infancy. 
Gertrude IC. liocaine the wife of Fr.ink W'cllhiLitoii, 



[^^W ^ 



4 



338 



-•►^Ih 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and died at her home in Mosherville, Dec. 5, 1886; 
Edith A. married Mr. Frederick Clearwater, of 
Joiiesville; Charles M. and .Jennie M. continue 
under the parental roof. 

The farm of J. Hurlbut Riggs is finely located, 
and comprises 145 acres on sections 2 and 1 1 in 
Scipio Township. His residence in Mosherville is 
a neat and tasteful frame structure, handsomely 
finished and furnished, and indicating both within 
and without the thrift and enterprise which have 
resulted in the establishment of a comfortable mod- 
ern home. Mr. Riggs, it is hardlj' necessary to 
say. votes the Republican ticket, while his estimable 
wife is a member in good standing of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. 



\t OliS HILTON, a respected citizen of Hills- 
dale County, resides on his pleasant home- 
stead on section 5, Camden Township, where 
for many years he has been steadily engaged 
in tilling the soil, and now in life's decline is enjoy- 
ing the well-deserved competency which has re- 
sulted from his persevering industry, wise economy, 
and the shrewd management of his farming in- 
terests. He is a native of England, born in Bed- 
fordshire, July 15, 1822, being a son of William 
and Elizabeth (Ward) Hilton, both natives of En- 
gland. He received but a limited education, not 
having the advantages offered to the youth of 
to-da}'. He grew up in his native country to be 
strong, active, and ambitious to make his own way 
in the wtrld, and at the age of seventeen, as a prep- 
aration thereto, began to learn the trade (jf brick- 
mason, in which he became very skillful, anil has 
since followed very profitably much of ih.e time. 
He married in his native Jlngland, June 3, 184.5, 
Miss Ann Elkerton, who was born in that countr}', 
April 25, 1826, being a daughter of James and 
Mary (Cutler) Elkerton. both of England. 

Feeling Confident tliat hecould make more money 
at his trade in the United States of America than 
in his own country. an<l thus be enabled to build 
up a more ctunfortable home for his wife and grow- 
ing family, our subject, in the fall of 1851, em- 
barked at Livei'pool on a sailing-vessel for this 



land of promise, and after an ocean voyage of five 
weeks landed at New York City. The expenses of 
the journey had taken up all his money, so that 
when he arrived here he had not a cent in his 
pocket, but he was nothing daunted by that fact, 
as he hoped soon to be able to obtain work, and he 
immediately set out for West Troy, where, indeed, 
he obtained employment at his trade, and assisted 
in building a church. He remained there for eight 
weeks, and then went to Royalton, Ohio, where he 
pursued his trade for a short time. He then went 
to Berea, Ohio, where he found plenty of work as 
a good mason, and remained there actively em- 
ployed for some five years. In a short time he had 
been so industrious and had accumulated money so 
fast, that in the fall of 1852 he was enabled to send 
for the faithful wife and three children whom he had 
left in the old home when he crossed the water, 
and the family were once more united. In 1855 
Mr. Hilton determined to move with his wife and 
children to Hillsdale County, where he decided to 
turn his attention to agriculture, though not in- 
tending wholly to abandon his trade. Twenty 
years before the township of Camden, where he se- 
lected his land, was invaded by the first pioneer who 
settled within its borders, and when our subject lo- 
cated there a great deal of it was still in its orig- 
inal wild state, and he had to cut his way through 
woods to get to his place in order to build a log 
cabin. In the toilsome years that followed he was 
ably assisted in his pioneer labors by his devoted 
wife, and they cheerfully and uncomplainingly bore 
the hardships and privations incidental to tlieir lot 
in a newly settled country, and succeeded in build- 
ing up their present comfortable home, which took 
the place of the liunil)lo log cabin in which their 
first few years here were passed. Mr. Hilton's 
farm comprises seventy acres of well-tilled land, 
which is quite productive au'l well rep.ays the care 
and labor that he has bestowed upon it. For a 
number of years Mr. Hilton h.ad to carry all of his 
produce to tlie market in Hillsdale, which was then 
a very tiresome journey on account of the bad 
roads. 

To our subject and his wife have been l)()ni ten 
childien, nine of whom are living, and the following 
is the family' record: George, living in Newaygo 



-^ 














.^^ ^ -^ ■" ■ 



I 



-^- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



341 



County, is President of the Bee Association, of 
Mieliio^aii; Mary A. is the wife of William Good- 
win, of Branch County; William lives in Newa3-go 
County: Sarah is the wife of Ellas IStrunk, of Se- 
wa3'go County; Francis lives in Newaygo County; 
Frederic lives in Montpelier, Ohio; Harriet is the 
wife of Clinton Grant, of Camden TownsUip; Net- 
tie is the wife of Frederic Beek, of Williams 
County, Ohio; John lives at home with his parents; 
Samuel is dead. 

Our subject has the reputation of being a thor- 
oughly honest and upright citizen, earnest in his 
convictions, prompt and systematic in his business 
methods, and, with his good wife, commands uni- 
versal esteem and confidence. Politically, he is a 
member of the Union Labor party, and a firm cham- 
pion of its doctrines. 




ARMON HART, who is one of the most 
successful general farmers and stock-raisers 
of Hillsdale C'ounty, resides on section 13, 
(^) Reading Township, and owns 200 acres of 
land, part of which Is on section 24. This farm 
Mr. Hart has l)rought to a fine st.ate of cultivation, 
and has erected thereon an elegant two-story brick 
house with l)asonient, pleasantly located on a con- 
siderable elevation at the head of Michigan street, 
two and one-half miles from Reading Village. This 
house was erected in 1 .S80 and is one of the most 
magnificent structures In the townahlp, and we 
are pleaseil to present a view of It In this connec- 
tion. Mr. Hart also owns forty .acres of land in 
Cambria Township, adjoining the homestead, which 
he purchased In IHo.t and has brought to a good 
state of Improvement. 

The subject of this sketch was born In Van Buren 
Township, Onondaga Co.. N. Y., Nov. M, 1831, 
while his father. Pardon Hart, was boiii In Rhode 
Island and came of New Knglaiid parentage. He 
removed with his parents to Onond.aga County, N. 
Y.. where they remained until their decease. Par- 
don Hart was yet unmarried when he removed to 
Onond.Tga County, and there was united In marriage 
wilh I'olly liowt'. M IS. Hart's parents Wfie natives 

\^4* 



of New York and died in Onondaga Countj' at an 

advanced age. They came of an old and respected 
family, and were highly esteemed for their many 
good qualities. Pardozi Hart and wife came to 
Michigan In 18,55, whence their son had pi'cceded 
them some years, and he afterward lived with his 
sons, principally with our subject, until his death 
in 180;"); his wife had preceded him to the silent 
land in 1855. Father Hart was a good citizen and 
a public-spiriteil and just man. In politics he was 
a stanch Democrat, ever ready to .assist his i)arty to 
carry out the measures which they inaugurated. 

Our subject w.as reared and educated in Van 
Buren Township, Onondaga County, and reuiaincd at 
the homestead until eighteen years of age. He then 
joined the procession moving West, and coming to 
Michigan has since lived in Reading Township. 
In August, 1855, he was united in marriage in 
Reading wlthtMiss Elizabeth Fuller, who was born 
In Lenawee County, near Adrian, June 17. 1839, 
and is the daughter of Thomas and Elizal)eth (Kln- 
k.<ide) Fuller. Her parents came to Reading Town- 
ship in Jul}', 1831), and resided there until their 
decease, that of the father occurring In 1865, when 
sixty years of age, while his wife died at the age 
of forty-two years, In 1849. Mr. Fuller was a na- 
tive of ."^nssex County, England, and was descended 
from pure English ancestr}'. He came to the United 
States when quite 3oung, and soon afterward settled 
in Michigau. Mrs. Hart was left an orphan by the 
death of her mother when she was but eight years 
of age, and she was afterward reare<1 by her father 
and stepmother most of the time until her mar- 
riage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hart have had born to them five 
children, two of whom, Haltio and Charlie, died In 
infancy. The living children are recorded as fol- 
lows: Horatio T. lives on the Hart homestead, which 
he is successfull}' managing; he chose foi' his wife 
Rosa Young, of Cambria Township, and they are 
the parents of two children living — Mabel and May; 
one Is deceased — H.attie E. Nettie P. became the 
wife of All>ert Haines, of Reading, and they subse- 
quently niiHivid to Los Angeles, Cal., where they 
have one iliild. Arthur H. resides at the old home- 
stead. 

By his intelligence and grasp of pulilic questions. 



■*► 



r 



I 



-4^ 



1 ' a42 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



i 



Mr. Hart lias won for himself the esteem and con- 
fidence of all who have the pleasure of his acquaint- 
ance, and while declining public preferment is a 
prominent and worthy citizen. Jn politics he is a 
solid Democrat. 



~s ^^ ^ 

Ijy^ RS. MARCIA C. TKEADWELL, widow of 
C. L. Treadwell. late of Wheatland Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a fine homestead 
on section 33, which was built up by the 
united efforts of herself and her lamented husband. 
The latter was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,Nov. 
22. 1IS20 or lb21, and departed this life at his home 
in Wheatland Township on the 7th of October. 
1^82. In his death not only his family but the 
entire community lost one of its most highly es- 
teemed members. In the business world his record 
was unimpeachable, and in the home circle his place 
can never be tilled. 

On account of the family record of this branch 
of the Treadwell family not having been preserved 
with sufficient care, the exact year of the birth of 
Mr. Treadwell is not positively known, but it is 
certain that he was a sou of Levi and Olive (Eaton) 
Treadwell, who were natives of Connecticut, whence 
the}' emigrated to Michigan during the period of 
its early settlement. They lived and labored dur- 
ing the days of their youth and strength, and in 
later years, surrounded by the comforts to which 
they were so justly entitled, retired to the home of 
their son. Chancy L., where they both died, the 
fatlier wiien seventy-five years of age, and the 
mother two years younger. The Treadwell family 
is of Scottish extraction, and the paternal grand- 
father served as an officer in the Revolutionary 
War. 

Chancy L. Treadwell was reared mostly to farm- 
ing pursuits, and received a very limited education. 
When but a small boy he was employed as driver 
on the Erie Canal, and continued a resident of his 
native State until lb40. He then joined his par- 
ents who had already emigrated to Michigan, and 
thereafter remained with them until they no hjnger 
refpiired his filial offices. The honsiliold circle in- 
cluded seven children, five of wluuii grew ti) years 
■^ 



of maturity, but only one of whom is now living, 
a sister, who continues a resident of the Empire 
State. Chancy L., on the 3d of February, 1848. 
was united in marriage with Miss Marcia C. Church. 
Mi's. Treadwell is the daughter of Lorenzo and 
Susan (Halleck) Church, who have long since passed 
to their final rest. She was born in Wayne County, 
N. v.. May 18, 1824. 

After marriage the young people commenced 
life together on the old Treadwell homestead, where 
Chanc}' L. effected great improvements, putting 
up neat and substantial buildings, and availing him- 
self of the best methods of modern agriculture. 
The house which now stands and many, if not all, 
of the barns and other out-buildings, were erected 
under the personal supervision of the husband of 
our subject. The first frame dwelling was destrojed 
by fire about 1868, and with it inanj' valuable 
[lapers and records. Mr. Treadwell always inter- 
ested himself in the progress and welfare of the 
people around him, and was a cheerful and liberal 
contributor to the enterprises having this end in 
view. He filled many offices of trust and respon- 
sibility, was President of the Agricultural and Hor- 
ticultural .Societies, and became highly successful 
as a stock-raiser, being in the habit of carrying off 
the blue ribbons at the various neighboring county 
and State fairs. The family have in their posses- 
sion several medals and diplomas awarded him as 
the result of his labors and excellent judgment. 

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Treadwell the 
chililren whose record is as follows: Mary E., born 
Sept. 21. 1850, is the wife of B. H. Bump, also a 
native of Hillsdale County, and boin Aug. 9. 1845; 
they were married at the homestead on the 4lh of 
March, 1875, and are the parents of two children: 
Harry T., born Dec. 18, 1875. and Marcia, June 24, 
1880. Mr. Bump is the son of Albert II. and Fauii}' 
Bump, who were among the early pioneers of Michi- 
gan Territory, and are now residents of Lenawee 
County. He is carrying on the old Treadwell 
homestead and considered one of the best fanners 
in the trounty. He makes a specialty of fine horses, 
registered sheep and Poland-China swine, and his 
record in this industry is unsurpassed by any man 
in the i<.>unly. The second daughter, Susan B.. 
was born Aui;'. 21, 18G1. and is the wife of James 



- ^ if ' ^ 



u 



HILLSDALE COUM'Y. 



343 



H. RIoreland, a native of Adrian, Lenawee County, 
who w.as born Feb. 19, IS.OO, and is tiie son of 
Jiinies IL and Anna (Stepbson) Moveland; the elder 
Moreland is engaged in tlie tobacco and oil trade at 
Adrian, this State, and is a prominent and well-to- 
do citizen. 

It is claimed that Chancy L. Tread well owned 
the first Short-horn cattle ever brought into Wheat- 
land Town9hi[). In his labors and ambitions his 
estimable wife proved a most suitable helpmate, 
l)eing a lady of intelligence and education, and 
their children have been graduated from the best 
schools of the State. Mrs. Tread well was herself 
a teacher of several years standing, and her daugh- 
ter Susan followed this profession several terms 
among the districts of her native township. 




*jILBERT HOWLAND. Comparison being 
the criterion by which we dotermiue the 



I 

^^ill excellence of anything, from a homestead to 
a valuable jewel, we ma}' perliaps in tiie most for- 
cible manner illustrate the position of the gentleman 
whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and 
who is widely- and favorably known throughout 
llansom Township, by stating that bis Hrst dwelling 
in this vicinity over forty years ago consisted of a 
rudely budt log house, with split shingles for the 
roof and nothing but a stovei)ipe running through 
it for a chimney. Into this he moved with his 
wife and one child on' tlie iTthclayof December, 
1842, before the structure hail been provided with 
a door (ir window sash and only two-thirds of the 
roof had been covered. Fortunately they were 
provided with plenty of blankets and quilts, which 
were hung up to keep out the cold an<l to serve as 
a protection from the wolves or bears, that might 
insist upon an entrance. Their shelter, however, 
was little more than a secondary consideration, the 
main thing being to provide enougii to eat. They 
ha 1 om; cow. two pigs, a few hens and a yoke of 
oxen, with liie latter of which the plowing, milling 
and marketing were carried on for several years. 

Forty-six years have passed since that eventful 
winter, and now the pissing traveler turns his eyes 
with ;i(liiiirMti(in npdii thf licaiitilul lidnicstead I'f 



Gilbert Howland, with its modern and tasteful resi- 
dence, its ample barns and other substantial out- 
buildings, the sleek and well-fed horses and cattle, 
the fine orchard of apple and peach trees, the abun- 
dance of the smaller fruits, the farm machinery, the 
appliances of comfort and luxury, and all the other 
evidences of cultivated tastes and ample means. 
The moving spirit which has brought about this 
almost incredible change has been the gentleman 
whose life history we can only briefly portray 
within the circumscribed limits of a work of this 
kind, and we have sought to discover the main 
points, which are substantially as follows : 

Our subject, a native of Ontario Count}', N. Y., 
was l)orn in the town of Manchester, Oct. 24, 1814. 
His father, Jonathan Howland, a n.ative of Massa- 
chusetts, vv.as born Feb. 6, 1789, and was the son 
of Gilbert Howland, Sr., whom it is believed was 
also a n.ative of the Bay State. In the month of 
February. 1800, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject started for Ontario Count}', N. Y., with the 
purpose of .making a settlement, and was one of the 
first pioneers of that section. The journey was 
made overland with an ox-team, and be brought 
with him his family and household goods. He had 
traded his farm in Massachusetts for a tr.act of timber 
land in the vicinity of Mane^hester. N. Y., ami the 
embryo city of Albany, many miles away, was his 
nearest m.arket for a number of years. To this also 
they were compelled to go with an ox-team, it being 
several years before the sturdy old pioneer could 
secure the luxury of horses. He was permitted to 
live twenty-nine years thereafter, during which time 
he eliminated a comfortable home from the wilder- 
ness, where he spent the remainder of his life, resting 
from bis earthly labors about 1.^29. 

The paternal grandmother of our subject. Eliza- 
beth (Lapham) Howland. also a native of Massa- 
chusetts, accompanied her husband to the wilds of 
Ont.ario County, N. Y.. and died at the old home- 
stead some years after the decease of her husband. 
Their son Jonathan w.as a lad of eleven years when 
his parents mide the removal to New York. He 
there devi'lopvl into m.anhood, becoming familiar 
with the various employments of farm life in a new 
country, and after his marriage commenced life 
with his young bricle in a log house on his father's 



-^•- 






344 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



I 



farm. In 1817 he purchased a tract of land adja- 
cent to the latter homestead, which he cleared, and 
which he occupied with his family until 1849. 
During the early part of that year he sold out all 
his possessions in the Empire t?tate. and like his 
father before him turned his face toward the setting 

sun. 

Jonathan Rowland, upon leaving the haunts of 

his childhood and youth, made his way to Southern 
Michigan, and settling in Lenawee Country, pur- 
chased a tract of land in Adrian Township, where 
he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of 
their days. After an honorable and upright career, 
during which he had provided bountifully for his 
familj', he passed away amid their tears and regrets, 
on the 11th of May. 1871. 'J lie maiden whom he 
had wedded in early manhood was Miss Mary, 
daughter of Michael and Mary iSprague, who were 
natives of Massachusetts, in which Slate their daugh- 
ter was also born. The mother of our subject only 
lived a few months after the family had settled in 
this .State, her death taking place in September, 
1849. 

Of the eight children comprising the parental 
houseiiold, six lived to mature vears. and Gilliert, 
like his brothers and sisters, was reared to farm 
pursuits, and received his first instruction in the 
subscription schools of Manchester Townshij), Onta- 
rio Co., N. Y. He was a bright and observant 
bo}', however, fond of books, and made the most of 
his opportunities for acquiring knowledge. Indue 
time he developed into a strong, athletic young 
man, and proved of valuable assistance in the cul- 
tivation of his father's land and in the building uj) of 
the homestead. He struck out for himself at the 
age of twenty-one years, joining his sister in Adrian 
Township, this Stale, the latter of which, however, 
was still a Territojy. This move was primarily 
the beginning of the enterprise he lia<l in view, 
namely, the cstablii-hment of a home of his own. 

In puisuance of this object, our subject, on the 
7tli of September. 1^35, boardeil a canal-boat at 
Palmyra, N. Y., and thence proceeded to Buffalo, 
where he emlinrked on a steamer for Toledo. From 
tjiis latter jioiiit he made his waj- on foot through the 
cotlonwuiKl swamp lo Adrian, where he arrived at 
noon on the 14lh of the mfnith. After visiting his 



sister a few daj-s he shouldered his bundle and set 
out for this county in the same manner, and upon 
his arrival explored a portion of Ransom Township 
with a view to settlement. There was then not a 
settler in the whole township. He had been accom- 
p.'inied by a mjin somewhat familiar with .the lay of 
the land, and being provided with two or three 
days' rations which they carried in a knapsack, they 
spent two nights in the woods near the present site 
of Ransom Center. Deer, bears, wolves and wild 
turkeys were plentiful. Mr. Howland selected a 
tract of land whicli is now included in his present 
farm, then walked to Monroe and entered it at the 
Government land-office there. The previous night 
he spent one mile from the town, and in the morn- 
ing approached the land-office, where he found 
fifteen or sixteen other men anxiously awaiting for 
the official to open up and begin oper-itions. At 9 
o'clock A. !\I. the doors of the office were opened, 
and Mr. Howland managed to be the second in en- 
tering and obtaining a hearing. After the adjust- 
ment of this important matter he returned to Adrian, 
and spent the winter with his sister. 

In the spring of 1836 our subject returned to his 
native State, where he engaged in carpentering and 
wagon-making, and followed these trades in connec- 
tion with fartning for six years following. In the 
meantime he was married, and now accompanied by 
his wife and one child, set out for their future home 
in Michigan. They made their way via the Erie 
Canal and the lake to Toledo, and thence by car to 
Adrian, then the western terminus of the Michigan 
Southern Railroad. At that [jlace our subject hired 
a team to take them to the house of Jon.is Goodell, 
living on section 1 of what is now Ransom Town- 
ship. They took up their abode under the hosi)i- 
lable roof of this gentleman until Mr. Howland 
could put up his log house on his own land, which 
was in the unfinished condition we have alre.idy 
described when the}' took possession of it six weeks 
later. His labors from that time until the [iresent 
have ali-ea<ly been partially outlined. 

The marriage of Gilbert Howland an<l Miss Zip- 
porah P. .lohnson was celebrated at the home of 
the bride in Ontario County, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1837. 
Mrs. Howlan<l was born not far from the early home 
of her husliand, in Manchester. N. Y'., Se[>t. 12, 



h 



■♦- 



til 



HILL^DALK CULMV. 



345 



1812. Her father, Joseph Johnson, a native of 
New Jersey, was born Se])t. II. 17.S2. and when a 
yoniiji; man made his wa}' to Massaehusells, wiiere 
he lived until the 1st of February, 180(). Tiience 
he raij^rated to Eastern New York, and from there 
in 1812 changed his resiilcnee to Ontario County, 
settling in Manciiester Village. After a year's resi- 
dence there he purchased land five miles away in 
the wilderness, put up a log house and commenced 
to clear a farm. This was long before the day of 
stoves and before they had been thought of, when 
the |)ioneer mothers ilid all their cooking b3' the 
fireplace. Like others, Mrs. Johnson spun and wove 
for many j-ears, manufacturing all the cloth for the 
use of the family. These arts she also taught her 
daughter Zipporah, together witii the other house- 
hold duties which go so far in affecting the happi- 
ness of the h<jme. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson occu[)ied 
this farm the remainder of their lives. The mother 
passed away some years after the decease of her 
husband, dying on the 16th of January, 186(5. 
Joseph Johnson rested from his earthly labors on 
the 2d of June, 1848. His wife was in her girl- 
hood Elizabeth Pratt, also a native of Massachu- 
setts, anil who was born Jan. .5, 1783. The mater- 
nal grandparents of Mrs. Howland were Nathaniel 
and Zipporali (Smith) Pratt, who it is believed were 
of New England birth and parentage, and spent 
their entire lives in Massachusetts. 

To our subject and his wife there were born the 
children whose record is as follows: Jonathan H., 
a resident of Ransom Township, wiis born Dec. 3, 
1«38, and married Miss Emil3' A. Smith; Sarah C, 
who became the wife of Mason Bryant, was born 
April 10, 1845, and died at her home in Pittsford, 
on the 20th of April, 1871; Cynthia L., who w.as 
born March 3, 1849, became the wife of Ira N. 
Bryant, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this 
work. Mary E., the second child, was born Sept. 
21, 1840, .and died June 27, 1S42. 

When the parents of Mrs. Howland first settled 
in Ontario County, N. Y., deer and other wild 
game were plentiful, while wolves and bears con- 
tributed to add liveliness to the scene. The father 
had only an ox-team to do his farm work and mar- 
keting, and used to take his grain to mill on his 
back. He had the satisf.action of living to see his 



adopted county in a finely developed and prosper- 
ous condition, and l)ore no unimportant part in 
bringiiig about its develop.nent and |)rosperity. 
The household circle included ten children, the 
youngest (jf whom died at the age of thirty-one 
years. .Mrs. Hj.viand wis the fifth child, and now 
in theseventy-si.xth year of hei-age, enjo3"s remark- 
ably good health. 



IETER RICHTMYER. The well-regulated 
J! farm of this substantial aj;riculturist of 




Somerset Township lies on section 21, and 
comprises 112 .acres of land, the greater 
part under good cultivation. The buildings and 
fences are well kept up and in good order, and 
everything about the premises indicates thrift and 
energy to be the distinguishingcharacteristicsof the 
proprietor. The improvements which the passing 
traveler observes with interest have been mostly 
the result of the labors of Mr. Richtmyer. 

Schoharie County, N. Y., w.as the early Iramp- 
ing-grounil of the subject of this sketch, and where 
his birth took pl.ace on the 3d of November. 1833. 
That county was the birthplace of his parents. 
Christian ami Maria (Bnrhane) Richtmj'er. They 
had a family of ten children, and both lived to he 
well stricken in years, the father passing away at the 
age of eighty-four, and the mother after reaching 
her eightieth birthday. It is the belief of our sub- 
ject that all their children are still living. They 
are residents mostly of New York. 

Mr. Richtmyer was thrown upon his own re- 
soui'ces early in life, when a lad of but nine years 
old, and has made his way single handed since that 
time. He commenced working for neighbors in the 
vicinity of his home, where he continued until 
fourteen years of age, and then going into the 
western part of the State, worked by the day and 
month a year for his brother in a blacksmith-shop. 
He subsequently followed this tr.ade at Medina, N. 
Y., but believing that farming pursuits would be 
more to his tastes and capacities, tried this for three 
years, and then launched out .as a carpenter. 

Thus was the life of our subject spent until 1853, 
and on the Cth of February, that year, he was mar- 



•►' ■ ^- 



^n 



346 



■•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



iie(i to :i verj' lovely and amiahle woman, Miss 
Alziia Liddle, wlio was a native of .Shelby, Orleans 
Co., N. Y..and born March 20. 1833. Her parents 
were Adam and Linda (Crapsej') Uddle. The 
former was born in Manlius. April 22, 1785. and 
depart('d this life Oct. 1 1. 1877. in Orleans County. 
He sei'ved as a soldier in the War of 1812. receiv- 
ing an honorable wonnd, on account of which he 
afterward drew a pension from the Government. 
His wife, Linda, the niotherof Jlrs. Eichtmyer, was 
born in Manlius. Aug. 12, 1794, and also died at 
the homeste.ad in Orleans Connt3', Nov. 18, 18GG. 
The parental household included eight children, of 
whom five are now living and residents of various 
.States. The maternal grandfather, .lacob Crapsej-, 
was born March 2, 1767, and died Nov. 8, 1832. 
in Shelb}'. N. Y. He maniid Mifs Anna Griffith, 
who died in Lockj)ort, N. Y., Jan. 21. 1847. at the 
age of seventj' years. Grandfather Crapsey was a 
Free-Will Baptist, in the pulpit of which church 
he officiated for man}' years. The paternal grand- 
father, John Liddle, was born Feb. 28, 1758, and 
died Sept. 12, 1875. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richtmyer have four children, 
recorded as follows: Estella M.. born Feb. 8, 1854, 
is now the wife of J. B. Alley, and the mother of 
four children; they live on a farm in .Somerset 
Township, this county. Delia A. was born Aug. 8, 
1 857, and is the wife of Thomas Tryon. a well-to-do 
farmer of Moscow Township; Sarah A. was born 
May 7, 1859, and is the wife of Stanley Muriy, a 
hardware merchant of Moscow; they have two 
children. Eva E., born April 20, 1862, was gradu- 
ated from Hillsdale College, and is now officiating 
as a teacher for the sixth term in Moscow Town- 
ship; she possesses rare musical talent, to which she 
is devoting much time and attention. The birth- 
place of all these children was in Shelby, Orleans 
Co., N. Y. 

After his marriage Mr. Richtmyer worked at his 
trade and earned on farming until November, 1865, 
when he came to .Southern Michigan, and located 
in Moscow Township, where he resided until 1869. 
That year he sold out and purchased his present 
farm where, with the exception of one year, during 
which he was engaged in the purchase of grain at 
Jerome, he has since continued. He is a man who 



keeps himself well informed upon matters of general 
interest, votes the straight Republican ticket, and is 
an earnest advocate of temperance principles. He 
and his estimable wife attend the Congregational 
Church. Mr. R. is a member of the Masonic Lodge, 
of Moscow Village, and has been connected with 
the L O. O. F., at Jerome, for many years, holding 
nearly all the offices of the lodge there. He takes 
a lively interest in the establishment and mainten- 
ance of schools, but has steadily declined becoming 
an office-holder. 



^- 






WILSON HOU.SEKNECHT is a gener.il far- 
mer and stock-raiser in Moscow Township, 
section 29. where he also carries on a saw- 
mill and a cider-mill, and in his multifarious duties 
displays indomitable energy and perseverance, 
coupled with good judgment and straightforward, 
business-like methods. 

Mr. Houseknecbt is the son of Charles and Sarah 
(Dugan) Houseknecbt, who were natives of Lycom- 
ing County, Pa., while his grandfather was noted 
for his services in the Revolutionary War. The 
parents of our subject after their marriage settled 
in Pennsj'lvania. where the father followed his trade 
of a carpenter in connection with the management 
of a sawmill. He met with a reverse of fortune, 
however, and leaving the Keystone State, he came 
to the West, settling in Scipio Township, this 
county, in 1868. where he bought a lot of land on 
which he erected a house, which remained their home 
until the decease of the mother in 1880, at the age 
of forty-five years. The father subsequently re- 
moved to Kansas, and from there to Pueblo. Col., 
where he owns 320 acres of land besides some prop- 
erty in Pueblo Village. He also owns property in 
the growing citj' of Wichita, Kan., and eleven acres 
in .Scipio Township, this county. 

The parental family of our subject included 
twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of 
whom eight survive, our subject being the eldest. 
William Houseknecbt was born Nov. 24, 1853, in 
Lairdsville, Lycoming Co., Pa., where his youthful 
days were passed in attendance upon the excellent 
common schools of that State. When sixteen years 



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"^^ 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



347 



of itge he .iccoinpaniefl his fiitlier in his jonrnoy to 
the West, and le.-iniinij the trade of a carpenter 
folldweil that occupation here five years. He was 
tiien united in marriage, .Ian. 8. 1875. with Miss 
I'IIIm, daughter of Avery Brown, of whom a sketch 
is found elsewhere in this work. SIk; was the 
younger of two cliildren who came to gladden the 
home of the parents, and was born in "Moscow 
Township, Ma}' 17. 18,')'2. At this time in many 
p.arts of this count}' the log school-house with its 
rude furniture had given pl.acc to the more con- 
venient frame building, and tlie educational facili- 
ties were largely increased. Here Mrs. Houseknecht 
received her education, assisting meanwliile in the 
duties of the home under the careful supervision of 
her mother, receiving those practical lessons which 
have so well fitted her for tiie duties of life. Her 
union with our subject has been blessed by the 
birth of four children: Avery, George, Maud and 
Willie, bright and interesting little people. 

In addition to the business already named in 
which Mr. Houseknecht is engaged, he also operiites 
a clover huller. He has devoted twenty acres of 
his hind for an orchard, and this is occupied by 
ciioice apple trees, making the finest orchard in 
Hillsdale County, and yielding to its owner a hand- 
some return for his patience and industry. While 
supplying the local trade with this fine fruit, and 
even shipping it to other markets, ha also derives 
from his own orchard much of the fruit, which he 
manufactures into cider. Mr. Houseknecht is a 
member of the Central Michigan Threshers' Associ- 
ation, and in politics he is identified with the Dem- 
ocratic party. He is a member of the Methodist 
Epist^opal Church, of Moscow Plains, and is inter- 
ested in the various measures of that church, as well 
as in the .advancement of the community in general. 



^ €^-B- ^ 



LEXANDER HUSTON is one of the most 
jH successful general farmers and stock-raisers 
II of Cambria Township, where he ovvns, on 
section 28, one of the finest and best con- 
ducted farms in this part of Hillsdale County. It 
has been in his possession over twelve years, and 
co-'iprises 100 acres of land, the most of which is 




well improved. It is well stockerl with sheep, cat- 
tle and horses, tiie lattei' lieing of a fiist-cl;iss breed. 
Since coming liero lie h.as ei-ected the fine set of 
farm buildings which now grace his place, con- 
spicuous among wiiicli is the elegant and commo- 
dious modern residence which, with its i)leasant 
surroundings, forms an attractive feature in the 
landscape. 

Mr. Huston is a native of Shelby Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, born .)une 3. 1842. and he was 
the youngest of the two children born to his parents, 
James .and Nancy (Cline) Huston, and of the three 
children born of his father's two marriages. His 
fatlier is now living in retirement in the village of 
Cambria (for further parental histor}- see sketch of 
the father, James Huston, in another part of this 
work.) Our subject w.as only about four years old 
when his parents moved to Williams County, in his 
native .State, and there he was reared and educated. 
He early established a homo for himself in that 
county, and to the young lady, Miss LetticiaErvin, 
whom he chose to preside over it. and become to 
him a helpmate and companion, he w.as united in 
marriage June 7, 18G6. She was a daughter ot 
Armstrong and Mary A. (Moure}') Ervin, now liv- 
ing in West Unity Village, Ohio, in retirement from 
the .active duties of farming, their former occupa- 
tion. They are natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, 
married in W.ayne County, Ohio, later settled in 
Crawford Countv, the same State, and while living 
there their daughter, Mrs. Huston, was born Dec. 22i 
1845. When she was eight years old they moved 
to Williams County, where she was reared and 
educated. She was well brought up by her par- 
entSi who were good, intelligent people,, and were 
very successful farmers and stock-groovers. Mrs. 
Huston was the fifth child of the four sons and five 
daughters, two sons and three daughters of whom 
are now living, born to her parents. Of her union 
with our subject one child has been born, John W., 
whose birth occurred Aug. 23, 187-3. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Huston continued 
to live in their native State for some years, where 
he was actively engaged in farming. Subsequently 
they moved across the border to this State, and 
have since been residents of Cambria Township, 
where they enjoy in the highest degree the esteem 



-^^ 



34H 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and frieiiflshiii t)f the entire eommnnit}'. Mr. Hus- 
ton is an open-hearted, lilieral-niinded man, prompt 
and methodical in his business dealings, and is en- 
teiprising and in<1nstrions in the conduct of his 
affairs. In politics he is a true Deniociat, and 
loses no opportunity to use his influence for the 
benefit of the p.irtj*. 

LONZO R. HESSE, senior mcmlicr of the 
firm of Hesse & Smith, of Nt)rlh Ailams, 
when starting out for himself in life first 
secured a companion and helpmate to assist him 
along life's, journey, and then began learning the 
trade of machinist and engineering, at which he 
labored for a period of fifteen years. Then on 
account of impaired health he resumed farming 
pursuits, with which he had become familiar during 
his boyhood and youth, and at which he occupied 
himself until the spring of 1887. Then, in company 
with his present partner, he puichased the flouring- 
niill in North Adams Township, formerly owned by 
W. H. Pratt, and is now carrj'ing on a flourishing 
business. The establishment has been thoroughly 
remodeled, and supplied with the latest improved 
machinery. This includes the George T. Smith 
system of milling, and which in its operations is 
most admirable, possessing a capacity of 100 barrels 
per day. The mill is one of the solid institutions 
of this part of the county, from whose people it 
receives a generous patronage. 

Our subject, a native of the Empire State, was 
born in Monroe County, July 22,1843. His boy- 
hood was passed in his native county, where he 
attended the common school, and when further 
advanced, completed a business course in the Com- 
mercial College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. His par- 
ents were Charles F. and Marinda (Rose) Hesse, 
natives of New York .State, and who after marriage 
settled in Rush Township, Monroe County. The 
mother died soon after the birth of her son, our 
subject, and the latter was taken to the home of his 
paternal grandfather. The latter about eighteen 
months later came to St. Joseph County, this State, 
and took up his residence among the pioneer settlers, 



where he subsequently remained the balance of his 
life. The father was subsequently married to Mrs. 
Polly Ann Stowers. P^lonzo R. was the only child 
of the first wife, and of the second there was born 
one only, a daughter, Mar3' L., who is now the 
wife of A. H. Smith, the partner of Mr. Hesse. The 
paternal grandfather was of German birth and 
l)arentagt>, and came to this country in 1800. He 
afterward served as a drum major in the War of 
lis 1 2. He spent his last years in .Jackson County. 
Mich., dying in 1865, when seventy-five years of 
age. 

Our subject, before reaching the twentieth year 
of his age, and while a resident of Jackson County, 
Mich., was married, Jan. 1, 1862, to Miss Martha, 
daughter of Palmer and Paulina Barlow, who were 
natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. 
Mr. Barlow carried a gun in the Blackhawk War, 
and afterward settled in the town of Liberty, Jack- 
son Co., Mich., which had been named by the grand- 
mother of Mrs. Hesse, and where the parents of 
Mrs. Hesse still reside. They are now quite well 
advanced in years, the father being seventy-two 
years old and the mother seventy. They emigrated 
to that region of country in 1836, and in common 
with the people around them, experienced all the 
hardships and privations of pioneer life. Of the 
three children born to them Mrs. Hesse is the only 
one who lived to mature years. She wiis born in 
Liberty, Dec. 17, 1844, and her education was con- 
ducted in the district school. She continued under 
the parental roof until her marriage, and is now the 
mother of four children. The eldest son, Harley. 
has charge of the old homestead in Jackson County; 
Beatrice was graduated from the State Normal 
School, at Ypsilanti, and is engaged as a teacher in 
Liberty Township; Burney and Beulah are at home 
with their parents. 

The father of our subject is now living with his 
third wife, in Columbia Township, Jackson Co., 
Micb. Of this marriage there was also born one 
child — Bertha M. Elonzo R. is warmly interested 
in the temperance movement, and some time ago 
identified himself with the Prohibition party. He 
works for the cause whenever opportunity affords, 
and has filled many offices of trust and responsi- 
bility. Both he and his excellent wife are members 



•►^i-^: 



1 ' 

t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



349 



in srood stan<lino; of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and Mrs. Hesse, who is in full sympathy 
with her hiisliand in his temperance ideas, is an 
active nieiuber of the W. C. T. U. 



I 



\l)OHN P. ROOT, deceased, was formerly a 
I valued citizen of Wright Townshi]). with 
1 wliose agricultural interests he was closely 
I identified. He was born in the town of 
Hoiuisfieid, Jefferson Co., N. \., July 17. 1827, 
and was a son of Amos Root, who was born in New 
Orantham, N. H., in 1788. The grandfather of 
our sulijcct moved from that New England State to 
New York in the earl3' settlement of tlie Black 
River country, and made his home there until his 
death. 

The father of our subject was reared in the State 
of New York and married there, subsequently mak- 
ing his home there for some 3"ears. About the 
year 1 .S25 he determined to remove with his family 
to the Territory of Michigan, and after arriving 
here he settled in Frenchtown, Monroe Countj'. 
Ill 1><29 he again started westward with his wife and 
children, and we next hear of the family in the 
town of Lima, in Indiana. Mr. Root was an ambi- 
tious, hard-working man, and was steadily engaged 
in developing a good farm and Imilding up a com- 
fortable home, when his useful life was cut off in 
its prime bj- his death in December, 1831. By this 
sad event a wife and six children were bereft, and 
on the loth of August, 1834, the patient and devoted 
mother was also taken from her children. After 
her death the subject of this sketch came to Michi- 
gan to live with an uncle, whose home was in Me- 
dina Township, and there the remaining years of 
his boj-hood were p.-issed. In that town he met and 
made the acquaintance of Harriet Pixlcy, a daugh- 
ter of Calvin Pixley, one of the first settlers of 
Medina Township (for parental history see sketch 
of Hiram Pixley). On the 'id of April, 1843, our 
subject and his young friend joined hands to walk 
the path of life together. They continued to live 
in the town of her birth until 1844, when Mr. Root 
bought the place where the remaining years of his 
life were passed, and which in the busy years that 

4* 



followed he developed into one of the best and 
most productive farms in the township. He first 
erected a log house, but later in life he replaced it 
by an ampler and more substantial dwelling, which 
is beautifull}' located a short distance from, and in 
full view of the lovely sheet of water called Lime 
Lake. Mr. Root was a practical, sagacious man, 
his life was characterized b}- straightforward and 
honorable dealings, and at his death. Nov. 24, 1866, 
an affectionate husband, kind father and good neigh- 
bor, was removed from this community. 

Ten children were born to our subject and his 
wife, of whom the following is a record: Hiram H. 
lives in Edon, Ohio; Lucj^ A., Mrs. Tnttle, lives in 
Wright Township; Eliza A., Mrs. Price, lives in 
Kalkaska County, Mich. ; Emily M., Mrs. Baker. 
lives in Reading; Wilber E.. Calvin E. and Jcnett 
live at home; Irwin A. lives in Wright Township; 
Ross H. lives in Platteville; John Ernest lives at 
home. 

V\^e cannot leave this sketch without a passing 
notice of the active assistance apcorded to our sub- 
ject by his wife, who occupies with her children the 
home that she helped him to buihl up. Mrs. Root 
was brought up amid the scenes of a pioneer life, 
and remembers well tiie incidents connected with 
it and tiie wild surroundings of her girlhood home 
in an early settlement. She remained under the 
parental roof until her marriage, and under the 
careful guidance of her mother she became a fine 
housewife and an excellent manager of household 
affairs, learning, among other things, to spin and 
weave with great skill, so that vvhen she took upon 
herself the duties of a wife she was amply able to 
perform her share in making their married life a 
success, and w.as indeed a true helpmate to her hus- 



band. 



-^»t?>*^5'si*;S^^«^;tf-««;«s^ 




'SiHOM AS LAZENBY. who is numbered among 
the solid farmers of Allen Township, is a 
man whom nature has i)rovided with a good 
fund of sound common sense and strict integrity 
of character, and the other qualities which have 
caused him to be held in high esteem bj' his neigh- 
bors and the community in general. He is the 
owner of a good homestead on sections 6 and 7, 




HILLSDALE OUUMY. 



•' ^m ^ 



which comprises 120 acres of land, with creditable 
farm buildings, and supplied with the machinery 
necessary for carrying on agriculture in a profitable 
manner. There is an air of comfort and thrift 
about the premises which is exceedingly pleasant 
to contemplate. 

Our subject is a native of Yorkshire, England, 
his birth talking place under the modest roof of his 
parents on the 8th of January. IHIH. Tiie latter, 
Christopher and Elizabeth (Harding) Lazenbj', 
were natives of the same county as their son, and 
there the mother spent her entire life, her death 
taking place when comparatively a young woman, 
about 181H. The father subsequently emigrated 
to America in 1822, and settled first in Massachu- 
setts, where he lived until 1846. Then making his 
way to the young State of Michigan, he took up his 
residence on a farm in Quiney Township, Branch 
County, where his death took place in 1865. 

Thomas Lazenby was the only child of his par- 
ents who lived to mature years. He continued a 
resident of his native county until thirty years of 
age, engaged in farming pursuits, and in the mean- 
time was married about 1840, to one of the maidens 
of Yorkshire, Miss Hannah Smith, who was born 
Jan. 1, 1820. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. L. set- 
tled upon a small tract of land near their early 
home, where they lived until after the birth of 
three children. In 1852 our subject resolved to 
seek his fortunes in the New World, and accord- 
ingly gathering together his family and personal 
effects, boarded a sailing-vessel bound for Quebec, 
Canada. Upon reaching America they came di- 
rectly to this State, taking up their residence 
in Quiney Township. Branch County, where they 
lived al)<>nt two yeais, and then Mr. Lazenby 
rented land in Allen Township, this county, which 
he subsequently cultivated for a period of ten 
years. He had been fairly successful in his labors, 
and saved sufllcient to purchase land of his own, 
and selected the farm which he now occupies. This 
comprises 120 acres, the greater part of which is 
under good cultivation, and where he has made 
good improvements, putting up excellent farm 
Iniildings, including a neat residence. He has a 
fair assortment of live stock, kept in good condi- 
tion, and all through his career h.as been blessed 



with the happy faculty of taking care of what he 
has .acquired. 

To our subject and his excellent wife there have 
been horn fourteen children, but six of whom are 
living: Christopher first married Miss Orinda 
Cronk, who died in Allen Township, and he was 
then married to Miss Josephine Lenson; Jane E. 
is the wife of Ambrose Loekwood. of Allen Town- 
ship; Ellen, Mrs. D.avid Cowen, resides in Quiney, 
Mich.; Hannah married Charles Joiner, of Allen 
Township, and Margaret is the wife of his brother, 
Ralph C. Joiner; Betsey, Mrs. John Condra, has a 
home in Allen Village. Mary died when twelve 
years of age. The wife of our subject departed 
this life at her home in Allen Township, May 30, 
1881, when sixty-one years of age, having been 
l)orn Jan. 1, 1820; she was a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her 
parents, Robert and Jane Smith, were both natives 
of Yorkshire, where they spent their entire lives. 
Mr. Lazenby identified himself with the Methodist 
Church about 1868. of which he has since been a 
consistent member. He deserves great ciedit for 
his industry and perseverance, and will leave a 
record to his descendants of which they will never 
be ashamed. 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^-^ 



^^ HARLES C. WELLS, who departed this life 
at his home in Allen Township, on the 9th 
of May. 1886, was born in Hopewell, Onta- 
rio Co., N. Y.. March 21, 1813. He spent his 
early years near the place of his birth, .and upon 
reaching manhood married, Dec. 30, 1835, Miss 
liachel Polhamus, who was a native of the same 
town as her husband, and was born .Tune 2. 1819. 

Mr. Wells and his wife, after a residence in 
.Steuben County of sever.al years, deciding upon a 
change of location, came to this county in May, 
1849, and settled upon a farm in Allen Township, 
where they continued the remainder of their lives. 
The wife and mother survived her husband only a 
few months, her death taking place Oct. 1, 1886. 
They 'were the parents of five children, of whom 
the record is as follows : Charles H. was born in 
Hopewell, Ontario Co.. N. Y., Oct. 23, 1836, .and 



■^^ 



•«► 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



361 



is now livinji on the old homestead ; Eleanor A. 
was horn in Stcnhen County. N. Y.. April 5, 1840, 
and is now the wife of John Pasco, of Muskegon, 
Mich. ; 'riiankful J. was born in Steuben County, 
May -24, 1847. and is now at Hillsdale; Ilattie E. 
•was born in Allen Township, this connty, Oct. 29, 
1851. and is now with her brother on the home- 
stead ; Frances I. was born in Hillsdale Township, 
Oct. 21. 185(5, and is now the wife of Fred Swartz, 
of the latter township. 

Since the death of Mr. Wells his son Charles 
H. has had charge of the farm of eighty acres, 
which is pleasantly hicated on section 1.3. in Allen 
Township. The homestead is comfortahle and well 
appointed, the soil under a good state of cultiva- 
tion, and the buildings compare favorably with 
those around them. Mrs. Rachel Wells was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. 



'vr^j#3 ^;';?'t 



^^t^i\Jr. 



W work 



1= 



SON B. RICKERD. A biographical 
of the representatives of Hillsdale 
lii County that did not include a notice of the 
gentleman whose name stands at the head 
of this sketch, M'ould be incomplete. He is a self-made 
man in the noblest meaning of the term. Remain- 
ing with his parents until one j'ear after his mar- 
riage, assisting in general farm work, and having 
little or no book learning, he has become an edu- 
cated man in the true definition of that term, and 
has acquired a handsome competency of the good 
things of this world, with which he has surrounded 
himself on tme of the finest farms of Wheatland 
Township. Such a history as his is worth preserv- 
ing, that it may be read by future generations, who 
may learn what may be .accomplished by honest in- 
dustry and well-directed effort, and may be stimu- 
lated to "go and do likewise." 

The subject of this notice was born in Washing- 
ton County, N. Y., July 28, 1824, and is the son of 
John and Sallie (Gyle) Rickerd, the former of whom 
was born in Herkimer County, in the Empire State, 
Sept. 23, 1789, and died in this township at the age 
of seventy-eight years. He migrated to this State 
in 1834, and located a tract of Government land in 
Lenawee County, from which he subsequently re- 



moved to Wheatland Townsliip, this county. The 
mother of our subject was born in Washington 
County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1795, and died in this 
township at the advanced age of eighty -eight years. 
The grandparents of our subject were of German 
descent, but emigrating to this country, died in 
Chautauqua County, N. Y., the grandfather at the 
great age of ninety-seven years. He served in the 
Revolutionary War, while the father of our subject 
was engaged in the War of 1812. Grandmother 
Gyle lived to measure almost a century. The fam- 
ily of Rickerds were active Wiiigs, and subsequently 
Republicans. They were consistent Christians, and 
were preeminent and liberal in church affairs, and 
public-spirited citizens. 

Upon first coming to Wheatland Township, the 
parents of our subject erected a log cabin, in which 
they lived until the time of their decease. Mr. 
Rickerd and his eldest sons cleared fifteen acres of 
this land during the first year. In this log house 
they re.ared their family of thirteen children, seven 
of whom still survive. One son, John, is a farmer 
in Grand Traverse County". Mich., and another is a 
blacksmith in the same county; a third is engaged 
in mercantile business in Eau Claire Connty, Wis.; 
another son, a cooper by trade, served in the late 
war, and is in the receipt of a pension; one sister 
died in this township, one became the wife of Mr. 
Van Patten, and another resides in Gratiot County, 
Mich. 

Our subject was united in marriage on the 25th 
of Maj'. 1845, by E. Lumley, Justice of the Peace, 
with Miss Dersy A. Sales, who was born in New 
York, Monroe County, April 11, 1827, and is the 
daughter of John and Betsey (Putnam) Sales, na- 
tives of Farmington, N. Y. The}' came to Michi- 
gan in 1834, and located at Devil's Lake, Lenawee 
County, whence they subsequeutlj' removed to Cal- 
houn Count}-, and there the father died at the age 
of thirty-five years. His wife survived him some 
years, dying at the home of our subject in 1850, at 
the iige of forty-one years. Their famil}' included 
nine children, five of whom yet survive; one son, 
Chauncey, was killed in the army. 

To Alanson B. and Dersy A. Rickerd have been 
born seven children, all of whom survive, .'is follows: 
Albert D. was born Jnne 18. 1846, and niaiiiccl 



^^►Hl-^ 



352 



HILL.SDALK COUXTV. 




Mary J. West, May 29, 1864; they have three chil- 
dren — Floyd C, James A. and Gertie M. AVillard 
E. was born March 12, 1848, married Mary Mc- 
Gregor, and has two children — Gaylord H. and Otis 
G. ; one son, Howard W., died at the age of three 
years and ten days; Emeline E. was born on the 
7th of January, 1851, and became the wife of Willis 
Baker; they have four children — Alice A.. Frances 
E., Forrest W. and Lena E. (Kor family history 
see sketch of Willis Baker.) Harriet C. was born 
Oct. 30, 1857, and became the wife of Mr. George 
Cooper, a farmer in Iowa; Fred S. was born May 
7, 1866; Lilie G., Nov. 23. 1870, and Frank W., 
April 11. 1872; these three still reside at home. 

During the first year after marriage our subject 
resided on the home farm, and then started out to 
establish a home for himself on a farm west of 
where he now lives, and there remained until 1853. 
He then went across the mountains and engaged in 
lumbering in California; he spent about three years 
in that State, part of which time he was employed 
in mining. Upon his return to this county, he set- 
tled on his present farm, upon which he has resided 
ever since, except three years, whieh he spent in 
California, again engaged in the lumbering busi- 
ness. In 1854 Mr. Rickerd bought the parental 
homestead of sixty acres, and after his return from 
California he added to it forty acres, thirty-five of 
which were improved, and he has since brought his 
farm to a high state of cultivation, and erected 
thereon comfortable and commodious farm build- 
ings, and made many valuable improvements. 

Mr. Rickerd learned the cooper's trade when a 
small boy from an older l.i'other, and has followed 
it at intervals for thirty -three years; his sons also 
are all first-class mechanics. 

The wife of our subject is a lady very highly es- 
teemed in the neighborhood, and belongs to the 
Ladies' Society. Like her husband, she is an active 
and respected member of the Methodist Episcojial 
Church, and has been for forty years. Mr. Rickerd 
has taken a prominent part in church work; he was 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school eight years, 
and has been Steward of the church, and also Class- 
Leader, for a number of years. In politics he is a 
Republican, and is prominent in township and 
county aflfairs. He is a public-spirited, liberal man, 

•^9 — — .^-__ 



and has been identified with almost every enter- 
prise for the public good, while he and his wife are 
earnest advocates of the cause of temperance. Mr 
Rickerd belongs to the I. O. O. F., Rural Lodge No.' 
72, of North Adams, and has held every office in 
the lodge. 



\ j OIIN M. RAYMOND. The subject of this 
I sketch came to Michigan in 1 854, and located 
I on a part of the 120-acre farm which he now 
^ owns and occupies. His first purchase was 
forty acres, upon which he made some improve- 
ments, and seeing a prospect of success in the future, 
added eighty acres more. His first dwelling was a 
log shanty, and his other surroundings in keepin« 
with his residence. The land was practically un"- 
cultivated. Mr. Raymond is fully entitled to be 
classed among the pioneers, as he has worked up 
from first principles to the ownership of one of the 
most comfortable homesteads in Jefferson Town- 
ship. 

In addition to general agriculture, Mr. Raymond 
devotes considerable time to the breeding of fine 
stock, in which, as in the other departments of his 
calling, he has met with success. He was bred to 
farm life from his boyhood, and his ambition has 
been to excel. The results of his industry and per- 
severance are shown in his surroundings, which will 
compare favorably with those of his neighbors, and 
in some respects exceed them. The log shanty was 
long ago replaced by a handsome modern residence 
with a cellar eight feet deep under the whole, and 
which is one of the finest in the State of Michigan, 
and serves almost as well for the preservation of 
provisions as an icehouse itself. In the rear of the 
residence is an orchard of choice apple trees and 
the smaller fruits, whose products supply the family 
the year around with the luxuries of the season. 

Our subject passed his j'outh and early manhood 
in 'lully Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where 
his birth took place Oct. 24, 1803. It will thus be 
seen that Mr. Raymond is quite advanced in years, 
notwithstanding his energy and ambition. His par- 
ents, John and Polly (Evans) Raymond, were na- 
tives of Saratoga, N. Y., and passed to their long 
home many years .ago. The father was a farmer by 



f 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY 



353 



occupation, and inclined to Democratic principles. 
The nine children of the parental family were 
named respectively: Nathan, John, Polly, Moses, 
Royal. Anna, Sally A., Louisa and Jessie. 

The e<lucation of our subject was conducted in 
the pioneer log scliool-house of his native county, 
and when twenty-two years of age he was married, in 
1825, to Hiss Marinda Humphrey, who died at 
her home in Onondaga County in 1846, leaving 
three cliildrcn; two are now deceased. Mr. Ray- 
mond contracted a second marriage, Sept. 10, 1843, 
with Miss Amelia Knapp, who was also a native of 
the Empire State, and they became the parents of 
three children : The eldest, also John by name, mar- 
ried Miss Annie Johnson, and they are the parents 
of two children — Amy and Jessie; this son remains 
at the homestead. George and an infant are de- 
ceased. 

In connection with his native State, of which his 
parents were jjioneers, Mr. Raymond still recalls 
with great satisfaction the simple pleasures of his 
youth, and the times when he attended logging 
bees, and was one of the best "hands" with his 
favorite yoke of oxen, Buck and Bright, the three 
being able to do more than any other trio of the 
kind in tlieir neighborhood. When starting out for 
himself, his father presented him with $100 in 
money, and from that modest beginning he laid the 
foundation of his present jiropert}'. The time for 
arduous labor for him is now past, and in his de- 
clining years he is enjoying the fruits of his early 
toils and sacrifices. He has always taken a lively 
ijilercst in National affairs, keeping himself well 
jiDsted lluneon, and h.as always been in accord with 
Diinocralic principles. 



*34= 



=F>- 



\f)OHN L. RICE, who is a gentleman of excel- 
lent standing among the farmers and stock- 
raisers of Camden Township, came to his 
land on section 1 when a ^oung married 
man in the spring of 1854. He first purchased 
eighty acres, to which he grailnally added, until 
now lie is the possessor of 1!)() acres wliji-h. by tlie 
exercise of great industry and resoiiiliuii, hi' cIcmiciI 



t- 



from the timber, and has brought to a fine state of 
cultivation. He has a substantial set of frame 
buildings, the most modern and improved machin- 
erj', and everything in keeping with the cmplo\'- 
ments of the progressive and intelligent agricult- 
urist. 

A native of Butler County, Pa., our subject was 
born Sept. 13, 1831, and is the son of John and 
Rachel (Lambert) Rice, the father now deceased, 
and the mother continuing a resident of the Key- 
stone State. The paternal grandfather, Ilenr}' Rice, 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and 
after the conflict was ended, located first in Berks 
County, Pa., whence he afterward removed to 
Butler County, where he spent his last days. He 
has now a numerous posterity scattered through- 
out Butler County and vicinity, and in other parts 
of the United States. 

John Rice, Sr., the father of our subject, de- 
parted this life at his home in Butler County, Pa., 
in March, 1 887. He was the head of a large fam- 
ily of children, of whom the following survive: 
Polly, William, Rebecca, Sarah, John L. (our sub- 
ject), Isaac, Jacob S., Alfred, Benjamin E., Lj'dia 
and Emma. These are residents mostly of Penn- 
sylvania. John L. was reared to manhood in his 
native county, receiving but a limited education, 
but early in life began laying his plans for the 
future suggested by his natural industry and en- 
ergy. When twenty years of age he was united in 
marriage with a maiden of his own county. Miss 
Jeiuiie Stewart, in October, 1851. Mrs. Rice was 
born July 2G, 1830, and is the daughter of William 
and Eliza (Trew) Stewart, who were natives of 
Pennsylvania, and passed away some years ago in 
lliat Stale. William Stewart was of Scotch an- 
cestry, while the forefathers of his estimable wife 
claimed their origin in Ireland. The Rice family 
settled in Butler County, Pa., during the period of 
its early history, and the Stewarts settled in Beaver 
County. The family of William and Eliza .Stewart 
consisted of eight cliildien, of whom six are living, 
namely: Alexander, John F., Archibald G., Mar- 
garet, Hiinnah and Jennie. Thej' are residents 
mostly of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Mild Mis. Rice came to this county when 
young people, and all hut one of lluir seven cliil- 



f 



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354 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



dren were born here. The six surviving are: 
Richard M., Hiram D., Theresa !S., Ka3', Minnie H. 
and Stewart. The latter is supposed to be in Mon- 
tana. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have had a full experi- 
ence of pioneer life, but in their later j'ears are 
enjoying the fruits of their labors as the^' deserve. 
They have always been hard-working people, and 
our subject, like Longfellow's Village Blacksmith, 
"can look the whole world in the face, for he owes 
not any man." 

Soon after the outbreak of the late Rebellion 
Mr. Rice, la3'ing aside his personal interests and 
plans, enlisted, in December, 18G1, in Company C, 
7th IMichigan' Infantry', and soon after was pro- 
moted to Sergeant. His company was assigned to 
the Army of the Potomac, and he participated in 
the battles of Fair Oaks, Antietam and Fredericks- 
burg, and followed the seven-days retreat under 
Gen. McClellan. and Gettysburg. After a faithful 
service of four years he received his honorable dis- 
charge at the close of the war, returning to his 
home in July, 1865. Then, taking up the thread 
of his life, he has since pursued the even tenor of 
his w.ay, each year seeing him make some headway 
in the improvement of his farm and the providing 
of that which should sustain him in his old age. 
Mr. Rice in 1882 identified himself with the L O. 
O. F., and is now a member of the lodge at Camden. 



w 




ILLIAM WILSON, a retired merchant of 
Hillsdale in comfortable circumstances, 
owns and occupies a fine home in the south- 
western part of the city, ami as one of the older resi- 
dents, aiding in establishing its business |)restige. is 
regarded with t!ie tacit i'esi)ect accorded those who 
have performed well their part in life, building up 
for themselves a good record and being of service 
to those around them. 

Our sul)ject was born in Greene County, Tenn., 
June 25, 1S17, where he lived untd a youth of fif- 
teen years, and then with his parents, Adam and 
Margaret (Maglll) Wilson, removed to Sullivan, 
Ind. The lownsliip which now bears that name 
was then in its enibi^o condition, and the Wilsons 
settled upon a tract of land where the father elimi- 



nated a good farm from the uncultivated soil, and 
with his estimable wife passed the remainder of his 
days. The children of the household, consist- 
ing of five sons and three daughters, all lived to 
mature years, William being the fourth son and 
child. His elder brother. John H., proved to be 
a man of more than ordinary capacity, and while 
still young in years was first elected Sheriff of Sul- 
livan County, aad subsequently chosen to represent 
the county in the Indiana Legislature. The second 
brother, John M., migrated to Missouri, where he 
can-led on farming until his death, which occurred 
about 188C, in the vicinity of Dixon; Henry K., 
also prominent in the affairs of Sullivan County, 
Ind., was Clerk of the Circuit Courtand also County 
Clerk until elected Senator in the district ci)uipris- 
ing Sullivan and Greene Counties. He died in 
Sullivan County about 1882. The sisters are in 
Sullivan County, Ind. 

The education of Mr. Wilson began in the district 
schools of his n.ative count}-, and the family being 
among the pioneers of Indiana where schools had 
not been generally established, his education was 
thus somewhat limited. He continued on the farm 
of his father until reaching his majority, and then 
entered upon his mercantile experience by engag- 
ing as clerk in a store of general merchandise in the 
town of Merom, and for the firm of Paul & Reed, 
with whom he remained for a period of ten years. 
He then went to Sullivan, the county seat, and es- 
tablished in business for himself, conducting a store 
of general merchandise successfully until his re- 
moval to this county in the spring of 1864. 

Mr. Wilson at once took up his residence in the 
city of Hillsdale, and inaugurated the trade which 
!ic successfully prosecuted for a peritxl of sixteen 
years, when advancing age admonished him that it 
would be wise to retire. While a resident of Sulli- 
van County, Ind., he was united in marriage with 
Miss ALartha Mann in 18411, and they became the 
parents of four children, two of whom died young. 
The two sons living are : Heiuy K., in Hillsdale, and 
John D.. who is running a tea store at LaCrosse, Wis. 
Mrs. Martha Wilson departed this life at her home 
in Hillsdale, in Fel)ruary. 1872. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in June, 1874, was formerly Mrs. Maria 

•^ 



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; 



■^•- 



UILLSDALE COUNTY, 



355 



McDermirl, who wns born in Monroe County. Nov. 
23. 1821, :uk1 is :i lady of njany .nmiable qualities. 
Her parents were Clark and Betsej' Hall. Her first 
husband, .John McDermid, was elected to the .State 
iSenate in 1861. He was engaged in the business of 
a miller and farmer, in addition to his political du- 
ties. They were married at Cambria in the year 
1861, and Mr. McDermid died at his home there, 
May 16. 18G8. His son, Henry A. McDeimid, was a 
native of Michigan. He is now in Hartford, Conn., 
and excells in the trade of a draughtsman and 
machinist. Jolin McDermid was one of the first 
settlers of Hillsdale County. He was born in .Sara- 
toga Count}', N. Y., in August, 1 809, and lived there 
until 1835 or 1836. Politically, he was a stanch 
Hei)ublican. 

Mr. Wilson h.is been quite prominent in public 
affairs, serving as Alderman of the Third Ward one 
term, and following this w.as elected M.ayor of the 
city, which office he held two years. He was in 
earlj' life an adherent of the Democratic party, 
but identified himself with the Republicans at the 
time of their organization in 1856. Both he and 
his estimable wife are members in good standing 
of the Presityterian Church. 

- * > '- J>0^ - — 

^EOROERIEHM. While traveling through 
Hillsdale County, the biographical writers 
of this Album met but few active business 
men who were natives of the county. The vast 
majority of those who to-dav are tilling the soil or 
engaged in business or commercial enterprises were 
born without the borders of the county. Many, 
indeed, were natives of another land who came to 
this country of "great expectations," where they 
hoped to enjoy better facilities for securing a com- 
petence for their families and a name among men. 
Of these fTcrmany has ctintributod a large share, 
and it is a remarkable fact that thuugh the}' came 
here unacquainted with our manners, unable even 
to speak or understand our language, they soon ac- 
conunodaled iheuiselves lo tlu'ir surroundings and 
took place among our most lion<iic(l ciiizeus. Of 
such is the gentleman whose nanu' In ads this skctcii, 




and who is now a prominent manuf.acturer of car- 
riages and wagons, in connection with which he 
conducts a blacksmith-shop in the city of Hillsdale. 

Mr. Riehm was born in Germany, Feb. 22, 1837, 
and is the son of George and Mary C. (Witme3'er) 
Riehm, the former of whom was a small farmer in 
his native country. In compliance with the excel- 
lent educational law of that country, George en- 
tered school at the age of six years and continued 
his attendance for eight years. At the age of nine- 
teen he set sail for America, where he landed at 
New Y'ork, and from there directed his course to 
Lenawee County, in this State, where he learned 
the blacksmith's trade, with Clinton Albert Burdon, 
serving a three-years apprenticeship. At the end 
of sis years he came to Hillsdale, and engiiged in 
the employ of L. C. Tillotson, but at the end of 
eighteen months he ventured into business on his 
own account, opening up a blacksmith-shop, which 
he conducted several years. In 1863 he added to 
his business the manuf.acturing of carriages, wagons 
and sleighs. During the war he carried on a large 
business, employing as many as twenty men, and 
selling his goods readily from the shop. Up to 
within the last few years he had employed fifteen 
men, principally upon buggies and wagons, in the 
manufacture of which he has reached great excel- 
lence. Mr. Riehm is himself a very skillful work- 
man, and exercises a constant and careful supervision 
of his work. 

Mr. Riehm was united in inarri.age, iu .January, 
1864, with Miss Barbara Gauss, who is also a native 
of Germany, and is the daughter of Martin Gauss. 
The}' became the parents of four children, two of 
whom died, one at six j'ears of age and the other in 
infancy; Katie and Freddie survive to gladden the 
househohl. 

Mr. Riehm came to Hillsdale in 1 854. .and in him 
we find an excellent example for young men just 
embarking in the field of active life, of what may 
be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but 
honest, prudent and industrious. He commenced 
at the bott<jni of the ladder, beginning business for 
himself without any ca|)ital, indeed he was a few 
dollars in debt, while he has now a fine residence 
which he occupies, besides another dwelling and a 
yood stoiv bnilding; nor has his been a succi'>s 




356 



,t 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



solely in the sense of accumulating wealth, but in 
doing good to others, in serving tliein well, and in 
winning their respect and esteem. He has ever 
strictly observed th.at most important factor in the 
successful public or business life of any man — hon- 
esty. He is a careful, conscientious business man, 
ever adhering to the dictates of his conscience in 
matters bt)th of a public and private nature. 

Having a natural longing for the scenes of his 
childhood, and being now circumstanced so that he 
could afford some relaxation from his duties, in 
1862 Mr. Riehm paid a visit to his old home in 
Germany, where he enjoyed himself among the 
scenes and friends of his childhood, reviving old 
associations and pleasant memories. In politics, 
Mr. Riehm upon becoming a citizen of this counlrj' 
identified himself with the Democratic party. 



eHARLES ROZELL. The subject of this 
biography came to Southern Michigan in its 
pioneer days, and is now numbered among 
its oldest and most highly respected residents. He 
took up his residence in Litchfield Township in 
1854, purchasing the land upon which he now re- 
sides, and where he has for a period of forty-five 
3-ears moved among the people of his community 
in tliat praiseworth}' manner which has secured for 
him tlieir unlimited confidence and esteem. 

The first purchase of our subject in Litciifield 
Townshij) was eighty acres on section 1 . the land 
being in an uncultivated condition, and upon wiiich 
the labor of jears vvas necessary for its transforraa- 
ti»u into a productive farm. Mr. Rozell went 
about his task with his cliaracteristic energy, and its 
present condition indicates the result of his labors. 
He is the offspring of an excellent family, his parents 
being Banell R. and Martha Ann (Burnett) Rozell, 
who were natives of New York, and settled near 
Lyons, Wayne County, where they spent tiie 
remainder of their lives. Tlie father performed 
good service in the War of Ifsii, and passed away 
at tlie ripe age of seventy-seven years. Tlie mother 
survived her husband some years, her death taking 
place about 1882. at the age of eighty-eight 3'ears. 
Tlieir ten children consisted of five sons and five 



•► m ^^ -_ 



daughters, among whom the estate, valued at from 
|!25,000 to 130,000, was divided. 

Of the ten children of the parental family four 
are living, three of whom are residents of New 
York State. Charles, the third child, was born 
Sept. 23, 1818, at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where 
he spent his childhood and youth and acquired a 
common-school education. At the age of seven- 
teen years he made his way to Gilboa, where he 
learned the trade of tanner, and three years latei' 
was married, Sept. 23, 1838, to Miss Penelope 
Penoyar, a native of his own town, and who was 
born Jan. 30, 1818. Mrs. Rozell is the daughter 
of Reuben and Margery (Van Sickle) Penoyar, who 
were natives respectiveh' of Vermont and New 
Y'ork State, and who came to Michigan in 1837, 
settling near Pulaski, Jackson County, where they 
spent the remainder of their lives. The mother 
died at the age of seventy-eight years, and the 
father at eighty-seven. Their thirteen children 
consisted of six sons and seven daughters, Mrs. R. 
being the sixth child. 

After marriage our subject and his wife lived 
one year in their native State, then coming to Michi- 
gan in 1840, settled first in Concord, Jackson 
County, and three years later purchased the land 
which they now occupy. Here their eleven children 
were horn, of wiiom the record is as follows: 
Margery, tlie eldest, died when twent3'-eight years 
old; Daniel R., after the outbreak of tlie Civil War, 
enlisted in Coinpan3' A, 4th Michigan Infantry, 
serving until he was wounded and taken prisoner in 
the seven-da3's fight at Richmond; he was soon 
afterward paroled and returned home, not, however, 
to stay, for as soon as recuperating he re-enlisted, in 
Company A, lltli Michigan Cavalry. He served 
until the close of the war, in the meantime receiv- 
ing the commission of .Second Lieutenant, and was 
proffered a Captaincy, which he declined. He is now 
a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., and carrying on an 
extensive lumber business. Miss Ann Rozell be- 
came the wife of Frederick Schwabb, and is the 
mother of two children — Gertie and Charles; they 
live in Homer Township. W.alter enlisted in Com- 
pany A, 11th Michigan Cavalry, and Williani. his 
twin brother, vvas a member of another comi)an3' in 
the same le^imeiit; they both served until the tnd 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



357 



of the will'. William in.'in'iei! Miss Mari^aret Racer, 
and is now faiiiiins^ in Xoliraska; he is the father 
of two children — Albert and Harriet. Walter mar- 
ried Miss Delia I'ierce, and they have one chihl, 
Albert; the third son of our subject, Albert, is in 
Los Angeles, Cal., with his brother Daniel; Charles 
remains at home with his parents; JLary is the wife 
of Frank Smith, of Homer Townsliip, and the 
mother of one child, Katie: Lucinda is tiie wife of 
Abraliam Smith, of HomerTownship. and the mother 
of a babe unnamed; Alice married Forest Winter- 
stein, of Litchfield Township; Elizabeth, of Homer 
Townshi]), is the wife of diaries Hatch. 

Mr. Rozell began life dependent upon his ovvn 
resources, and from the school of experience has 
learned valuable lessons. His farm of 120 acres is 
highl}' productive, and in addition to general agri- 
culture he makes a specialt3' of Short-horn cattle, 
which inilustry is the source of a handsome in- 
come. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and 
although no office-seeker, has served as Drain Com- 
missioner, and occupied other positi(jns of trust. 
In religious matters he is a Methodist, a member of 
the societj' at Mosherville. Mrs. Penelope Rozell 
departed this life at her home in Litchfield Town- 
shii), March 2, 188C. The present wife of our sub- 
ject, to whom he was married Maj' 14, 1887, was 
formerly Mrs. Sareiita Gurnnell, of Dimondale, 
this State, and who, by her marriage with Thomas 
Gurnnell, became the mother of three children — 
William C, Frank H. and Frederick T. The eldest 
son is a miller by trade and a resident of Grand 
Ledge, Eaton County; Frank H. is farming in Rice 
Creek, Calhoun County; Frederick T. is at home. 
Mr. Gurnnell was a tiative of England, and died 
May 13, 1873, at the age of twenty-nine years; 
they were married in 1 866. 

Mrs. Rozell is the daughter of Martin and Keziah 
Bromeling, and was born in York State, April 15, 
1840. Her father was a native of New York State, 
and her mother, Keziah (Olds) Bromeling, was a 
native of Canada. They spent their last j'ears in 
Michigan, the father clying in 1857, at the ago of 
si.\ty-two }-ears, and the mother in 1867, at the 
same age. 

Mr. Rozell w.as a Democrat until the nomination 
of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, when he 



idcniificd himself with the Republican party, which 
he supported until the agitation of the temperance 
question, and is now a lively Prohibitionist, totally 
opposed to either the manufacture or sale of intoxi- 
cating liquors. 



^^^ROWBRHiGE WARD, who is a respected 
jfjf^^ citizen and representative farmer of Wright 
^^^ Township, was born in the town of Worth- 
ington, Mass., June 16. 1810. His father, Nahum 
Ward, was a carpenter by trade, and died in Wash- 
ington, Berkshire Co., Mass., in July, 1829. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Priscilla Herrick, 
was left by the death of her husband a widow with 
seven children, and she was a second time united in 
marriage, with Israel Bissell, and lived in Hinesdale, 
Berkshire Countj', a few years, after which they 
removed to Ohio, and settled in Freedom, Portage 
Countj', where they resided until the death of her 
husband. She then removed to Hancock County, 
.and there spent her last 3-ears with her daughter, 
near Finley. 

The subject of this notice was a lad of thirteen 
years when his father died, and he was then thrown 
upon his own resources. He engaged in various 
kinds of job work, such as chopping wood, laying 
stone wall, and general farming, and in the spring of 
1832 he went to New York, and engaged in laying 
st< ne wall in Dutchess County. After a short time he 
returned to Massachusetts, .and in 1833 he came 
west as far as Ohio, and settled in Portage County, 
where he was employed at various kinds of work. 
He was afterw.ard employed during the construc- 
tion of the Western Reserve College buildings, at 
Hudson. While in that count}- Mr. Ward was 
married, Sept. 19, 1844, and he purchased a bouse 
and lot at Twiiisbiirg, and was there employed as a 
carpenter until 1849, when he sold out his interests 
in the Buckeye State, and coming to Michigan, 
settled in Medina Township, Lenawee Count}', 
where he purchased a tract of ninety-two acres of 
land, on twenty .acres of which the trees had been 
girdled. He cut down some trees, and drawing 
them to the mill, had them sawed into planks, with 
which he built a plank house. He then engaged at 



I' 



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358 



iiillsdalp: county. 



•►-i-4 

V 



cai'pentering, and as opjioilunitj' offered, proceeded 
with the clearing of his land. Money was scarce 
among the early settlers, and lie nsed to exchange 
work with the farmers, lie doing carpenter work fc)r 
them, which they wonld pay for liy working on his 
land. In 1864 he sold his proi)ert3' and came to 
Wi'iglit Township, where he ln^mght the farm npon 
which he now resides. At the time of purchase 
twenty acres of land were i)artially cleared, bnt 
tlicre were no buildings, and he first erected a small 
frame house in accordance with his means, into wiiich 
the family removed, and resided some j'ears. This 
lias now given place to a good frame residence, 
rtanked with convenient and commodious out-build- 
ings, suitable for the |iurp(_)scs for which thej' were 
intended. 

Mrs. Ward, wiiose maiden name was Nancy A. 
Calkins, was born at Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. 
Y., May 13, 1825. (She learned to spin both flax 
and wool, and when but a girl earned money to buy 
a spinning-wheel, wliich she lias used more or less 
every year since, and on which she taught every 
one of her daughters this useful and housewifely, 
aecoraplishment. Her paternal grandfather, Ezra 
Calkins, was among the early settlers of Otsego 
County, where he followed the occuiiation of a 
farmer, and improving a farm spent his last ^^ears 
in that count}'; his wife, the grandmother of Mrs. 
Ward, was in her girlhood Ann A. Bishop. Mrs. 
AVard's father, Charles Calkins, was born in Burling- 
ton, Mass., and was quite young when his parents 
removed to Y'ork State, where he grew to manhood, 
married, and resided until 1 838. lie then removed 
to Freedom, Portage Co., Oiiio, and purciiasing a 
tract of laud, resided there until 1845, when he 
again started west, settling in that part of Williams 
County now included in Fulton County, and was a 
pioneer there. He was quite well advanced in 
years at tiie lime of his removal, but his efforts 
were crowned with success, and he built up a nice 
home, redeeming a fine farm from the wilderness, 
and died there at the rii)e old age of eighty-two 
years. His wife, whose maiden name was Dianah 
Bump, was a native of Otsego County, N. Y'., of 
which county her parents, Asa and Lilly (Dauley) 
Bump, were pioneers, settling there when it was a 
wilderness, the home of savage beasts, and the more 



treacherous and savage red man. His family re- 
moved into the log cabin which he erected before 
it had any door, and wolves used to gather around 
the cabin and make night hideous with their howls, 
but would, however, disperse when a firebrand was 
tiirown among them. Thus the}' continued in their 
attempt to subdue nature, and to supplant the 
denizens of the forest with domestic animals, until 
1828, when Mr. Bump sold his possessions there, 
and removing to Ohio, settled at Kirkland, where 
he |nirchased a large tract of land, a part of which 
he sulisequently distributed among his children. He 
accumulated quite a handsome property for those 
days, and spent his last j'ears there in retirement, 
aged eighty-five. The mother finished her earthi}' 
career at the present home of her daughter, Mrs. 
Ward. d3ing at the great :ige of eighty -eight years. 
She had been blind twenty-five 3'ears prior to her 
death, but shortly before the end came she had 
her eyes operated upon in the hope of having her 
sight restored. 

Oiu- subject and his estimable wife are the par- 
ents of five children, who are recorded as follows: 
p]lvira is the wife of George Uurfee, and resides 
in Adrian; Joseijhine is the wife of Jonas Sprague, 
and lives in Wright Township; Adelbert follows 
the profession of a school teacher, and resides a i>art 
of the time at home, the balance in Adrian; Eugene 
married Mar}' Horstman, and lives in Wright Town- 
shi[), while Billie is at home. 

Mr. Ward is independent in politics. His son 
Adelbert is a Republican, and is found at the post 
of duty on the occasion of important elections. 



^- 



■■^-f^^ 



'^ l»;ILl.lAi\l WHlTh.HEAU. Hillsdal 

\/jJ//' ty has a large class of citizens am 

JtW agriculturists who, starting in life 



)^ILLIAM WHITEHEAD. Hillsdale Coun- 

among its 
with no 

capital save stout hearts, willing hands, and in- 
domitable perseverance, have through laborious toil, 
good management, and honorable business trans- 
actions, made a success in life, and to-day are the 
possessors of fine farms and good bank accounts. 
Among the number referred to is the subject of 
this sketch, who is industriously engaged in his 
chosen occupation on section 21, Adams Township. 



-•► 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



359 , / 



He is now in the prime of life, having been bom 
Mareh 6, 1842, in Cambrifigeshire, England, which 
was also the birthplace of his parents, John and 
Mary Ann Whitehead. There thoy were reared and 
married, living together happilj' until the death of 
his father, which occurred in 1S77, when sixty-five 
j'cars old. His mother is still living in England, 
at the .age of threescore years and ten. They were 
the parents of eight children, four bo3's and four 
girls. 

William Whitehead, of wiiom we write, w.as the 
sixth child born to his parents. He remained at 
home, attending school and .assisting his father un- 
til eighteen ^ears of age, when, to satisfy his early 
ambitions, and to make himself a home, he came to 
America, sailing from Liverpool in M.ay, 1861, in 
the sailing-vessel ''Florence Nightingale." Disem- 
barking at New York, our subject at once made his 
way to Hillsdale, tliis county, arriving here the 
2t)tli of June. He at once hired out to Mr. John 
Crisp, who had sent him his passage money, for one 
year. The next fifteen years Mr. Whitehead worked 
by the month, summer and winter, and being a man 
of industrious and frugal liabils, and free from the 
common vices of the day. he was enabled in a few 
3'ears to accunuilate quite a sum of money. Dur- 
ing that time our sulgect had formed the acquaint- 
ance of an amiable young l.ady, Miss Iiliz<abcth Hum- 
phrey, to winiin he w.os married in 1876. She is 
the daughter of Mrs. William Humphrey, who with 
her husl)an(l, is a native of England, where they 
settled after niari-i.age. Not being alile to earn 
sullicient wages in his native counti'y to support his 
family as he woidd like to. Mr. Humphrey, after the 
birth of his eldest child, emigrated to America, and 
at once procured work as a day laborer. When he 
liad saved snflicient money to pay for their passage, 
he sent for his wife and child, who came at once. 
Mrs. Humi)hrey is still living, at the age of sixty- 
one years, h;iving been a widow since the death of 
her iiusband, at the age of forty-live, in 186!l. To 
them had been boru eight children, four sons and 
four daughters, of whom Mrs. Whitehead, the sixth 
child, was born Sept. 14, 1859. Her education was 
received in tlie common schocil, slie remaining at 
home until after the death of her father, when she 
conunenccd working out, supporting herself until 



her marriage. To her and her husband have been 
born three children — Herbert, Carrie and Nina. 

Mr. Whitehead has well improved all his op|>or- 
tunities for making and saving money, dis|)la3ing 
most excellent judgment and good financial abilit}' 
in all his dealings, having been very successful from 
the first. Before his marriage he had become the 
owner of eighty acres of land, for which he paid 
$4,000, and had $.3,300 loaned at ten per cent in- 
terest. His prosi)erity has continued, and he has 
since purchased ninet\'-five acres of land in Jeffer- 
son Townshii>, making the number of acres that he 
owns 175. On his homestead he has erected com- 
fortable buildings, and in addition to his farming, 
devotes much time to stock-raising, keeping a good 
supply of horses, cattle, and hogs, besiiles having a 
Hock of 100 sheep of Merino grade. Our subject 
takes a general interest in everything pertaining to 
the welfare of his adopted country, and in politics 
affiliates with the Democratic party. 



^- 






ANSOM GARDNER. Prominent .among the 
,|--., pioneers of Hillsdale County stands the 
/4i'\\ name of Ransom Gardner, and although he 
^^has passed aw.ay to the enjoyment of the re- 
ward due to Ills long and useful life, his memory 
still lives, and his honorable cai'cer stands forth as 
a fitting example of what can be done by earnest 
and conscientious effort. Mr. Gardner was born 
in Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y., and came to 
Jouesville al)out 1835, among the earliest pioneers. 
He engaged in farming, and also erected a sawmill, 
which w.as a great accommodation to his fellow- 
pioneers. He subsequently became a contractor on 
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and 
after some ^-ears he removed from Jonesvilleto De- 
troit. He linally removed to Kalamazoo, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred suddenly in 
1870. 

The subject of this notice w.as united in marri.agc, 
in Jonesville, with Miss Olivia Smith, and they be- 
came the parents of five children — William, Eloise, 
Fannie, Emma and Morland. Rjinsom (lardner 
grew up witli this country, and was very well ac- 
quainte<l with its wants, while his good judgment 

■» 



i 



A 360 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



dictated the best means of satisfying them. He was 
a gifted and pulilic-spiiited as well as a good busi- 
ness man, and his sterling qualities were appreciated 
by the people of this section of country, who elected 
him to the State Legislature. He discli.arged the 
duties of his office conscientiously and to the satis- 
faction of his constituents, and he has left behind 
him an exanijjle which his descendants may follow 
with advantage. 

_ .^^ v~ 



1| ft^ILLIAM 
\W/ came to 



^' 



^ILLIAM VROOMAN, who was born in 
Orleans Co., N. Y., Jan. U, 1826, 
came to Michigan with his fatiier the year 
after it h.id been admitted intotlie Union as a State, 
and when lie was a lad fourteen years of age. The 
family settled in Jackson Count}', wiiere our sub- 
ject made his home until taking up his residence in 
Scipio Townshii) eleven years later. Here he has 
lived since that time, and is now the owner of a 
good farm on section 16. He has given the most 
of his attention since large enough to labor to ag- 
ricultural pursuits, proving himself finely adapted 
to these, as he has been eminently successful in the 
cultivation of the soil, and acquired a good prop- 
erty. 

Peter Vrooman, the father of our subject, also a 
native of the Empire State, was born in Sclioharie 
County about 1 812. There also he was reared to 
manhood and mariied Miss Eva Kniskern, a native 
of his own county, and who died there while com- 
paratively a young won. an. The father later re- 
moved to the vicinity of Shelbj', Orleans County, 
which continued his home until coming to South- 
ern Michigan and settling in Jackson County. To 
Peter and Eva Vrooman there had been born two 
sons and two daughteis, of whom William, oui' 
subject, was the j'oungest, and two of whom are 
now living and residents of Michigan and Ohio. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary E., 
daughter of John and Patience (Harris) Vanhyning, 
was celebrated at the home of the bride in Hillsdale, 
on the 8th of March, 1860. Mrs. Vrooman was 
born in Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 25, 1828, 
and came with her parents to iMiehigan, settling in 
Scipio Township, this county, about 1850, where 



the mother died on the 27th of January, 1875. Mr. 
Vanhyning survived his wife a little over nine 
years, his death taking place in Hillsdale, Feb. 13, 
1884. Both were natives of New York State. 
Their family comprised seven children, four sons 
and three daughters, five of whom are living and 
residents mostl}' of Michigan. 

Mrs. Vrooman received her education in the com- 
mon schools of her native county, and careful home 
training from an excellent mother, by which she 
became eminently fitted for the position of a sensi- 
ble and worthy wife and mother. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born two sons 
only: Burton. Aug. 4. 1862, and William H., June 
2, 1S65. They are now at home. 

The homestead of our subject includes eighty 
acres of thoroughlj' cultivated land, upon which he 
has effected first-class im|)rovenients. Politicall}', 
he is independent, and has held the office of Town- 
ship Treasurer two years. As a family holding a 
good position in Scipio Township, it is eminently 
propel' that the}' should be represented in a work of 
this kind. 

USSELL H. BROOKS is one of the leading 
j^ citizens of Pittsford Township, where he 
holds the inii)ortant offices of Treasurer .and 
jjygj Collector. He comes of a sturdy race of 
pioneers, who left their comfortable New England 
homes to settle in the wilds of New York State. He 
was born July 1, 1844, on the old homestead which 
his grandfather had built up in the forest depths of 
the count}' of Oneida, in the township of Paris, 
which was also the birthplace of his fatlier, John S. 
Brooks, who was born Nov. 26, 1810. 

The grandfatlier of our subject, who bore the 
same name .is himself, was born in Connecticut in 
1783, and when a young man moved to Oneida 
County, N. Y., and settled in Paris Township, of 
which he was a pioneer. He bought a tract of 
heavilj' timbered land, and during the remaining 
j'ears of his life was steadily engaged in improving 
a farm. The maiden name of his wife was Anna 
Strong, and she. too, was a native of Connecticut, 
her birth in that good old New England State t.ak- 
Ing pliice Dec. 12, 1785. Her father, John Strong, 

— — w^ 




►-i-*^ 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



361 



4 



was born in tlie same State, March 2. I7/)9, and 
emigrated to Oiioida County in tlic early days of 
its settlctnont, cleared a farm from the wihieriiess, 
and made it liis home until death. 

The fatlier of our sul)ject was reared in his native 
town, anil there married Julia AVeber, likewise of 
that town, where she was born June 24, 1814. Her 
father, Peter Weber, was born in 170(5, in the State 
of Connecticut. lie w.as also a pioneer of Oneida 
County, .and spent iiis last years in Paris, dyinsr 
there in 1836. At tlie time of marriage ]Mr. 
Brooks settled on his Grandfather Strong's farm, 
and lived there until 1868. In that 3'ear he sold 
the old home wiiich had been in tlie family for so 
many years, around which clustered so many asso- 
ciations, and where his children had been born to 
him, and with his wife came to Michigan to spend 
their last years. He bought the farm which his 
son now owns and occui)ies, and here he died, 
March 18, 1876, his wife surviving him until June 
21, 18»7. They were practical, intelligent people, 
whose lives were guided by upright principles; they 
were most devoted members of the Congregational 
Church, at Hudson, and were justly held in respect 
by all who knew them. Three (children were born 
of their union, namely: Gertrude A., wife of Rufus 
Seelye, of Pittsford Township; Russell H. and Will- 
iam B. The latter was born Oct. 5, 1849, and died 
Feb. 9, 1874, his deatii being caused b}' an accident 
in the spoke and hul) factory at Hudson. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
the hon)e of his birth, and obtained a substantial 
education, receiving its foundation in the district 
schools of his native town, and finishing it liy a 
course of study at the Clinton Liberal Institute. 
He subsequentl}' became a clerk in a genornl store 
in Paris for one 3'ear, still continuing to make his 
home with his parents until 1864. On the 1st day 
of ^September, in that year, he enlisted in Company 
G. 117th New York Infantry', and di<l valiant serv- 
ice on Southern battle-fields until the close of the 
war. when he w.ts honorably discharged in July, 
1865, at Syr.acuse. N. V. He was under Gen. But- 
ler in the battles before Richmond, and later served 
under Gen. Terry. He took part in the siege and 
capture of Ft. Fisher, and in the last battle there 
he w.as wounded in llic right Mmb by the fr.agment 



of a shell, .ind was not able to be with his regiment 
until the fiiliowing April, when he joined his com- 
rades at Raleigh. 

After leaving the army our subject .again entered 
commercial life as a clerk in a dry-goods store in 
Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained a year and a 
half. He then went to Ohio, where he became en- 
gaged in the business of operating a shingle and 
stave mill at Wauseon, in Fulton County. He con- 
tinued in that employment for three years, when, 
probably led by the same bold, enterprising spirit 
that had moved his forefathers, he too became a 
l)ioneer, and settled in Sedgwick County, Kan. 
This w.as before the time of the settlement of the 
beautiful city of Wichita, which within seventeen 
years h.as become a flourishing metropolis of an ex- 
tensive .agricultural region, with a population of 
40,000 people. Mr. Brooks took up Government 
land twelve miles south of the present site of that 
city in the famous valley of the Arkansas River, 
and was one of the first settlers in that locality. He 
built a log house and actively^ entered upon the 
improvement of his land, and during his residence 
there he was able to bring it into a fine state of cul- 
tivation. In 1876 he was called to this State on 
account of the failing health of his father, and he 
sold his Kansas farm, and came here to settle on 
his father's homestead, which h.as since fallen into 
his possession. It is verj' finely located, and forms 
one of the most valuable farms in this locality. As 
a keen, far-seeing man. of more than ordinary busi- 
ness tact, Mr. Brooks has taken a high place among 
his fellowmen. who honored him by electing him 
to his present i)osition as Treasurer and Collector 
in the spring of 1887. By his good management 
of the financial affairs of the township, .as well .as by 
his scrupulous honesty in handling public money, 
he has shown himself eminently wortlii" of the 
trust and confidence which he has inspired. 

To the amiable wife who makes his home one of 
ple.osantness and comfort, Mr. Brooks was united 
in marriage March 3, 1 872. .She was formerly 
Pliebe Thurlb^-, and was born in the village of St. 
James, Deeping, Lincolnshire, England, Aug. 31, 
1848. Her parents, Joseph and Rebecca (Smith) 
Thurlby, were natives of the same shire, and in 
1854 left their old English home and crossed the ^ 



*^- 



i 



« ► ll "^ 



I 



36-2 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



waters to this country, aeconipanicd by their fam- 
ily. They first locaterl in Berlin Heights, Erie 
Co., Ohio, and from there moved to Wauseon, Ful- 
ton County. Mr. Thurlby is now engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits eight miles southwest of that 
town, owning and occupying a good farm. To 
our subject and his wife have been horn two chil- 
dren — Lillie L., born inK.ansas, Dee. 14, 1872, and 
Arthur, born in Pittsford, Oct. l.'i, 1878. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are influential members of 
the Congregational Church, at Hudson. In politics 
Mr. Brooks is actively identified with the Repub- 
lican party, which has no more faithful supporter 
in its ranks. 

U)ILLIAM II. MURRAY, the descendant of 
an excellent old Scotch family, whose ear- 
^^^ lier representatives settled in New York 
State, whence the father of our subject came to 
Michigan, is perpetuating the labors of the latter, 
now deceased, by his careful cultivation of a good 
farm of 147 acres, on section 12, in Reading Town- 
ship. He is a native of this State, and was born 
near the city of Adrian, Lenawee County, Oct. ;'), 
1838. 

Daniel Murray, the father of our subject, was 
born in Rensselaer County. N. Y., Oct. 28, 1807, 
and traced his ancestry back to an old Scotch 
family which, on account of religious persecution, 
had been driven from their native soil into tiie 
North of Ireland, where was born Alexander Mur- 
ray, the grandfather of our subject. It is believed 
that this gentleman died on his w.aj' to America 
after his marriage, and after the birth of one child. 
Daniel Murray was born after his father's death, 
and in consequence was enabled to gather but 
little of his immediate family history. He resided, 
however, with his mother in New York until a 
youth of sixteen years, and then, accompanied 
by his elder brother, William H., took up his resi- 
dence in Greece Township, Monroe Co., N. Y. 
There he .ate his first wheat bread, as they were 
very poor, and this article of diet had hitherto been 
a luxury too great for them and most others in 
^ ' Rensselaer County to obtain. The mother later 



joined her sons, and died in Monroe County at an 
advanced age. William II. left that section of 
country and engaged .as a boatman, finally becom- 
ing Captain, and was drowned in the Erie Canal 
while passing through a lock. 

Daniel Murray, the father of our subject, was 
married in Monroe County, N. Y., to Anna E. 
Bowen, who was horn and reared there. After the 
birth of one child, a son, George F., thej' left the 
Empire State and made their way to Southern 
Michigan, via the lake to Toledo, Ohio, and thence 
l)y an ox-team to Adrian, in Lenawee Count}-, after 
which there were five more added to the parental 
household, namely : Charles A. and William II., while 
in Lenawee County; Eunice A., Daniel E. .and 
James AV., after becoming residents of Hillsd.ile 
County. In the vicinity of wh.at w.as then a mere 
hamlet, the elder Murr.ay rented a partially im- 
proved farm of eighty acres, upon which he oper- 
ated four 3'e.ars, and in the fall of 1839, accompanied 
b)' Warner F. Chaffee, came to this count}' over- 
land with teams, and purchased land on section 12, 
in Reading Township. The country at this time 
wtis a wilderness, and the}' were obliged to cut their 
w.ay with .axes to their intended home. They spent 
the first night under their wagons, but soon put uji 
a rude log house for shelter. 

Mr. Chaffee, dreading the coming winter, went 
back to Lenawee County, but returned to this 
county a few months later, arriving in Reading 
Township Feb. 22, 1840, and bringing with him his 
family. The property of Mr. Murr.ay consisted of 
a team of oxen and a wagon, besides his eighty 
acres of wild land, and he was $75 in debt. He had 
come to stay, however, and set himself to work 
clearing the land around his cabin, and before the 
summer set in had planted three .acres of corn and 
potatoes. This w.as the beginning of a home which 
in a few years w.as transformed into a valuable farm 
with good buildings. 

The fatiier of our subject in due time added 
forty acres to his first purch.ase, this also being 
heavily timbered. On the 18th of May, 1853, a 
terrible hurricane tore up by the roots and de- 
stroyed sixty acres of valuable timber, all in fact 
which remained on the farm. As the result of this 
the land could only be utilized by removing the 
«► 



- 



"T* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



363 



T- 



(lcl)i i,-, :iii(l propariiig the soil for c-ultivation. To 
I Ills task llic hiMve old pioiu'CT set hiuisolf, and 
liefoic his death had it accoiiiijlishcd and the land 
in a prodnctive condition. 

In the meantime, Daniel Murray, besides dis- 
tinguishing himself as a resolute and thorough 
tiller of the soil, became prominent in the affairs of 
his ailc>|>ted townshii), serving as Supervisor for a 
number of years, Treasurer for a long period, and 
occupying other positions of trust and responsi- 
bility. Originally an old-line Whig, he upon the 
abandonment of this party cordially endorsed 
Uei)ubliean i)rinciples, which he supi)orted with the 
firmness characteristic of the man until life for him 
was over. At length, ripe in j'cars and experience, 
and blessed with the esteem and confidence of the 
people among whom he had lived, he passed awa^' 
Dec. 19, 1884. The mother, who had accompanied 
him the greater part of his long journey, and who 
was born in 1817, died at the homestead two years 
before the decease of her husband, in 1882. 

William H. Murray, our subject, grew to man- 
hood under the parental rooftree, and early in life 
served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, 
which he followed for a |)eriod of four years. lie 
was first married in Allen Township, to Miss Ma- 
riette, daughter of Abner Baleom, now deceased, 
and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this 
work. Mrs. Mariette Murray was Ikhii in New 
York, and came with her parents to Michigan when 
a young girl. Of her union with our subject there 
were born six children, and llic mother passed 
away at her home in Heading Townsiiip, Se|)t. 20, 
1871t. The sons and daughters of this union were 
named respectively: Montford B., Eliza M., llattic 
.1., Ceorgc A., James A. and Edith C. They are 
all living; the three elder are married and settled in 
comfortable homes of their own. 

Mr. Murr.ay contracted a second marriage, in 
Novend)er, 1 .S82, in IJcading Township, with Miss 
Laura A. Northrop, who was born in Kendall, 
Orleans Co., N. V., Oct. G, 18;}'.). Mrs. Laura A. 
Murray is the daughter of Hiram O. and Laura 
(B.alcom) Northroj), who were natives of the same 
county as their daughter, and who, after their mar- 
riage, settled there, but in 180 1 came to fSontheru 
Michigan and i)urchased a farm in Reading Town- 




ship. Here Mr. Northrop died. March 11,1868. 
The wife and mother is yet living, being now nearly 
eighty-one years old, .-ind makes her home; with her 
daughter, Mrs. Murraj'. 

Our subject and his wife have no children, but 
their pleasant home is the frequent resort of their 
many friends in this .and Lenawee County. Roth 
are mend)ers of the Frec-Will Baptist Church, in 
which Mr. Murray has olliciated as Treasurer since 
1885. Politically, he is, like his father before him, 
a solid Reind)lican, and h.as been the incumljcnt of 
the various local ollices. In his skillful manage- 
ment of the farm eliminated from the wilderness 
bj' his honored siie, he is perpetuating the labors 
of the latter b^' the best known methods. 

LI B. ROGERS, a farmer living in the cit.y 
of Hillsdale, is generally known among the 
people of this county .as one of its most solid 
and substantial men, and onv who has assisted in 
bringing it to its present condition. Naturally' in- 
dustrious and energetic, he has been enabled to 
make the most of his opiwrtunities in life, and fnun 
a modest beginning has arisen to a comfortable 
l)osition socially and financially. 

The birthplace f)f our suliject was Lyons, W.a^'ne 
Co., N. Y., where ho was born March 1.'), 1831. 
His parents, James W. and Catherine (\'an Inwa- 
gen) Rogers, were natives respectively of New York 
and New Jersej', the latter born in Deer Park, 
Orange Count_v, Oct. 7, 1807. The father was prob- 
ably of English descent, and the mother was the 
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Patterson) \'an 
Inwagen. of German ancestry. After their marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers located in Wayne County, N. 
Y., where they lived until their son VAi B. was two 
years of age. Thence they removed to Ashtabula 
County, Ohio, and although homesick and dissatis- 
fied, managed to live there live years, then returned 
to their old honie in the Empire State. 

The parents of (.mr subject continued to reside 
this time in Wayne County, N. Y., until 184.5, then 
made their way to Southern Michigan, and settled 
on a farm in Wheatland Township, this county. 
There the father died in 1850, leaving his wife and 

■» 



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»► t t^ M i - 



.t 



364 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



six childieii. Of tlie latter five are still living: 
ISarah A. is the widow of James H. Voorhees; Eli 
B., our subject, is the seeoiid eldest living; Eliza, 
deceased, was the wife of Abel Wolcott, of Hills- 
dale; Jacob Y. niarrieil Miss Hannah M. Carmichael, 
and lives in Plainwell, Mich. ; Daniel V. married 
Miss Emma Wilcox, and is carrying on farming near 
Osborn, Mo.; Phebe J., Mrs. Amos H. Morey, is a 
resident of Adams, this county. 

The sul)ject of this sketch accompanied his par- 
ents during their removals with the exception of 
the time they came to this county. He had in the 
meantime learned the carpenter's trade, which he 
followed until reaching his majority, and joined his 
parents in Michigan in \fio2. .Soon afterward he 
built a house (jn the Emery farm, and continued as 
a buiUler and contractor until his marriage, in the 
twenty-fifth year of his age. The maiden of his 
choice was Miss M- Carrie Fowler, of Adams Town- 
ship, and they were wedded at the home of the 
bride, Dec. 2, 185G. 

Mrs. Rogers is the sister of Col. Fowler, well 
known in this vicinit}', and the daughter of Richard 
Fowler, Esq., one of the first settlers of Hillsdale 
County. The maiden name of her mother was 
Anna Hills. The parents are now dead. Their 
family consisted of nine children. After their mar- 
riage Mr. and Mrs. Rogers settled upon a farm in 
Adams 'J'ownship, where our subject carried on 
farming and carpentering jointly, and in due time 
hati a finely cultivated farm. Various buildings in 
this county are still standing as marks of his skill 
and taste, among them the Floral Hall on the fair 
grounds in the city. 

During the progress of the late war Mr. Rogers 
became connected with the Quartermaster's service, 
and in the performance of his duties traveled 
through the States of Tennessee, Kentuckj- and Ar- 
kansas, gaining much from his observations of the 
country and its people. Thereafter he returned to 
the farm, where he labored until 1!S70, and then 
leaving it moved into the city, where he has since 
resided. He still exercises his personal supervision 
of his country estate, and in the city occupies him- 
self in the insurance and loan business. 

Mr. Rogers pursued his e.arly studies in the com- 
mon school, and after coming to this county at- 



tended one term at Hillsdale College, which be 
declares proved of more value to him than all his 
other schooling put together. He has been quite 
prominent in local affairs, filling positions of trust 
and responsibility. He uniformly votes the straight 
Republican ticket. The mother of our subject is 
still living, and although now quite aged, is in full 
possession of her faculties, and retains much of her 
old-time energy. 



-Sso^i- 



4i 



<;f;OHN M. WATKINS, a native of Allen 
Township, is now numbered among its lead- 
ing citizens, taking a prominent part in pub- 
y lie affairs, and is an impc>rtant factor in ad- 
vancing its agricultural and industrial interests. 
His])arents, Samuel and Jane Ann (Parry) Watkins, 
were jjioneers of this township. His father was 
born in Kent County, England, in 1805, and in 
early manhood married on the Island of St. Chris- 
topher, West Indies, his wife having been a native 
of that island, born March 22, 1810. The first 
four or six yenis of their wedded life were spent 
there, and then they migrated to Cornwallis, Nova 
Scotia, where they remained about five years. 

In the spring of 1837 the elder Watkins and wife 
decided to emigrate to the United States, and com- 
ing to Hillsdale County, Mich., settled in Allen 
Ti>wushi[), and for many years thereafter, and un- 
til their death, remained valuable members (jf this 
comnuinity, contributing by their industrious la- 
bors to the development of the township and 
county. Mr. AValkins died April 1, 1882, at a 
ripe old age, and his good wife did not long sur- 
vive his death, dying Sept. 22,1882. They were 
the parents of thirteen children, four of whom 
died quite young. The record of the surviving 
children is as follows: Margarets, is the wife of 
Thomas Frarey ; Samuel J. is a lesident of Allen 
Township; Jane Ann is the wife of Robert Morley, 
of Allen Township; Susanna is the wife of Henry 
D. Pessell, of Quincy, Mich. ; Joseph P. is a resident 
of Sherwood, Branch Co. ; Mich. ; Thomas W. is a 
resident of Boston, Mass.; John AL; Victoria is the 



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■^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



365 



4- 

■A 



wife of Nelson T. Brockwaj-, of Allen To«'ns!ii[); 
Henry O. is a resident of Allen Township. 

'I'lie snbjec't of this sketch was horn on the old 
homestead in this township, March 1, 1843, and re- 
ceived a substantial education in the public schools 
of his native place. As he grew to manhood he 
received practical lessons in agriculture from his 
father, who was an able farmer, and gieatly assisted 
him in his work. He now owns a farm on section 
19, which is one of the most valuable and best 
manage<l f.-irms in the township. It comprises 160 
acres. 1'20 of which are under a high state of cult- 
ure, and he has erected a fine and conimoilious 
brick residence, a brick barn, and other suitable 
out-buildings, all of which vie with any in Hillsdale 
County in point of taste and architecture. But 
our subject, who is a man of much energy and en- 
terprise, has not, by an}' means, limited his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, on the contrary, he 
has, since 18G>i, been also quite extensively and 
successfully eug.Mged in the nnnufacture of brick, 
for which he finds a ready iiKuket. 

Mr. Watkiiis has l)een twice married. His first 
marri.age was to Miss Anna K. Whitney, daughter 
of Jonathan Whitney, of whom see sketch, and 
took place Nov. 19, 1868, at the residence of the 
bride's father in Allen Township. She was born in 
that townsiiip, Dec. 26, 1842, and l)y her mar- 
riage with our subject became the mother of two 
children — .1. Whitney and Mary E. Her ple.asant 
wedded life was brought to a close by her death, 
•Ian. 2, 1878, and the little household was deprived 
of her wise guidance and loving care. Mr. Wat- 
kins' second marriage, which took place in Quincy, 
Oct. 1;'), 1879, was to Miss Julia Strong, daughter 
of William and Martha H. (Badgley) Strong. Her 
parents were born in Morris County, N. J., and 
after marriage settled in Orleans County, N. Y., 
where the father had been a resident for some time 
previous. In the spring of 1875 they removed to 
Branch County, Mich., and settled in Butler Town- 
ship. Subsequently they went to live in t^uincy, 
and resided there for four years, liut at the expira- 
tion of that time they returned to I5utler, where the 
mother died Aug. 21, 1881. The father now makes 
his home with his daughter, Mrs. Watkins, in Allen 
Township. To him and his wife were born four 



children, of whom the following is the record : An- 
nette is the wife of Harlan S. Howard; Emma M. 
was the wife of Ammi Whitnej', and died in Butler, 
June 26, 1887; Alice J. died in Orleans County, 
N. Y., P>b. 13. 1868, when twenty-one years old; 
Julia, Mrs. Watkins, was born in Barre, Orleans Co., 
N. Y., Jan. 10, 1848. To her and her husband has 
been born one daughter, Martha Alice, who died 
Feb. 26,1883. Mrs. Watkins is a sincere Christian, 
and an active woi'ker in the Presbyterian Church, 
of which she is a member. She has been true and 
faithful in all the relations of life, as an affectionate 
daughter, a tender mother, a devoted wife and a 
kind friend. 

Mr. Watkins is a man whose practical sagacity, 
strong and intelligent convictions, well informed 
mind and unswerving integrit}', have given him an 
honorabhi and influential position among his fel- 
low-citizens, who have honored him by electing 
him to the responsihle otiice of Supervisor of the 
township f<ir two terms, and to theotticeof Justice 
of the Peace for two terms. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternit3% and with his vvife belongs 
to Allen Grange. P. of H. In polities he is a true 
Republican, and cast his first vote for Aliraham 
Lincoln. 

ANLEY M. MAXSON is a farmer of Pitts- 
ford Township, and although not a native 
of this town, most of his life has been 
passed here, and he grew up, as it were, 
with thecountr}', and has inherited from his father, 
a pioneer of this township, a fine old homestead, 
verj' pleasantly located in one of the best farming 
sections of the county. He remembers well the 
wild state of the country in the early j'ears of its 
settlement, witli its impenetrable forests, in which 
deer, wild turkeys, and other wild game, were plen- 
tiful, and as soon as he w.as old enough to shoulder 
a rifle he used to hunt to suppl}- the family larder, 
and many a fine deer has he brought down with his 
unerring aim. The old homestead which his father 
wrested from the wilderness, and where our subject 
was reared, has always remained his home, and in 
the course of time, as before mentioned, it fell to 
him. He has made many valuable improvements, 




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M^ 



366 



tItLLSDALK COUNTY. 



having crecteil a large, cummodioiis frame bouse,- 
and has the entire farm cleared and in a good stale 
of cultivation. 

Jesse Maxson, the father of our subject, was born 
either in Rhode Island or in Eastern New York, 
Sept. 12, 1793, his father, Joseiili Maxson, liaving 
removed with his family from the former State to 
the latter during the last years of the eighteenth 
century, becoming one of the earl}- settlors of Alle- 
gany County, where he resided until his death. 
The father of Manley M. was reared in that pioneer 
home, and when scarcely more than a boy took part 
in the AVar of 1812. He learned the trade of mason, 
and in his turn became a pioneer, not only of New 
York, but latter in life, of Michigan also. He m.ar- 
ried Miss Marietta Dayton, who was born in New 
York State, Nov. 10, 1804. After marriage he 
bought a tract of heavily timbered land of the Hol- 
land Piu'chase Com])any, and resided on it for some 
years, farming and working at his tr.ade, But there 
were no available markets, railways or canals, and 
it being slow work to pay for a farm, he concluded 
to come still further west, and take advantage of 
the eheaijer lands of Southern Michigan, and the 
year 1834 found him on the way to this promised 
land. He traveled via the lake from Buffalo to 
Toledo, and thence on foot through the swamps 
and forests to Bean Creek Valley, where he selected 
a tract of 1 60 acres of land on section 2;") of what 
is now Pittsford Township. Having entered the 
same at the land-office at Monroe, he returned to 
New York, where he remained until 1837. In 
September of that year he, his wife and their three 
children, started for their future hon)e, going with a 
team to Buffalo, and thence, team and all, on a 
steamer across Lake Erie to Toledo, from there 
through Cottonwood Swamp with their team to 
Adrian, and to Pittsford. Mr. Maxson h.ad em- 
ploj'ed a man to build a log house on his land, into 
which the family moved on their arrival. It was a 
rude structure characteristic of pioneer da3's, al- 
though the sawed timber for the floor and shingles 
split from oak were an advance on some of the dwell- 
ings in which the early settlers lived. He improved 
about sixty acres of his land, built two frame barns, 
a granary, and a comfortable frame house. After 
his removal here he remained a i-esidcnt of the 



townsliip until his death, June 21, 1877, and besides 
greatly im|)roving his circumstances by his untiring 
industry and able management, he aided in the de- 
velopment of the county, and lived to see its growth 
from a wilderness to its present populous and 
flourishing condition. The wife who siiared the 
early years of his toil did not live many years after 
coming to Jlichigan, Ijut died May 10, 1844. Five 
children were born to them, of whom the following 
is the record: Maria, the second child, born May 
13, 1827, died in .September, 1828; Marietta Matilda 
married Elisha Beach, and lives in Livingston 
County, Mich.; Manley M.; Marvin M. is a drug- 
gist in Hudson; Myron M., born in Pittsford 
Township, Oct. 16, 1843, died Sept. 14, 1881; and 
a child who died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Center- 
ville, Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept. 21, 1833. His 
uncle, Joseph IMaxson, was one of the pioneers of 
Allegan\' County, and bought a tract of land which 
is now included in the village of Centerville. It 
was then heavily timbered, and he cut the first tree 
from the ground where that flouiishing town now 
stands; he being a poor man at that time traded 
his shoes for the ax which he used to clear the vil- 
lage site. Our subject was four years old when 
he came to this county with his parents, and here 
his education was conducted in the pioneer schools, 
and as soon as he was old enough he commenced to 
assist in the farm work. When he grew to man- 
hood he chose farming as his life work, and his 
good success has proved the wisdom of his choice. 
He is eminently a practical, thoroughl3' trained 
farmer, and conducts his work with good judgment 
and sound business principles. 

Mr. Maxson married, Sept 29, 18G3, Samantha 
Lawrence, who was born March 18, 1836, in Cler- 
mont, Columbia Co., N. Y. Iler father, John 
Lawrence, was born in the same town in 1792, and 
was a son of Peter Lawrence, who was born cither 
in Germany or New York State, of German parent- 
age, and he spent his last years in Columbia Countj'. 
The father of Mrs. Maxson grew to manhood in his 
native county and married ]Maria Lasher, also a 
native of Columbia County. In 183G they removed 
to Waj'ne Count}-, N. Y., via Erie Canal, and set 
tied in the town of Walworth, where Mr. 



t 



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tIlLT>SDALE COUNTY. 



36? 



f 




\' 



Lawrence bought land, and there spent his last 
j-ears, dying in August, 1867; his wife died in 1804. 
Mrs. Maxson received a good education, and com- 
menced teaching at twent}' years of age, and taught 
for one j'ear; she remained with her parents until 
her marriage. She was a graduate of the Hudson 
River Institute, at Clavcrueic, t'olumliia Co., N. Y., 
and is a lady of refinement and culture. To her 
and her iiusband have been horn two children — Roy 
L. and Jessie E. The latter was horn June 9. 1865, 
and died Aug. 18, 1887. 

IMr. !\Iaxson is a man of good mentMl and physi- 
cal ability, his sterling integrity is ncknowledged 
by all, and lie is considered a kind neighbor and a 
good citizen. 

— ^€#^^— 

M. WARREN, M. D. As a highly educated 
Mud skillful phj'sician of Jonesville, and one 
of the leading medical practitioners of Hills- 
dale Count}', we take pleasure in giving a 
brief sketch of the life of the gentleman wiiose name 
appears at the head of this notice. His father, 
Joseph ATarren, a native of Bangor, Me., was a 
prominent journalist, and was engaged in that pro- 
fession through life. His mother was Anne E. Spear, 
a native of Columbia, Pa. After their marringe 
IMr. and Mrs. Warren settleil in Lancaster, Pa., 
where they remained a fcwj'ears. From there lliey 
removed to Auburn, N. V., and thence to Detroit, 
Mich., where tliej' lived several years. In I860 
they went to Washington, D. C, where Jlr. War- 
ren's death occurred Dec. 1, 1880. He was a man 
of superior intellectual powers and excellent judg- 
ment, who gained success in his chosen profession. 
His wife s\irvives him. They were the jwrents of 
six children, four sons and two daughters. One of 
the sons, Robert S., was a member of the 1st Jlichi- 
gan Cavalry, and w.ns killed at Trevilian St.Tlion, 
battle of the AVilderness. M.ny 12. 1803. He was 
commissioned Second Lieutenant, and was in com- 
mand of his company when killed. 

II. .M. Warren, of whom we write, was born dur- 
ing llu' residence of liis parents in Columbia, April 
I'.l, 1840. He wns seven years of :ige when his par- 
ents removed to Auburn, N, Y., where his common- 
school education w.os begun, and which was after- 
^ • 



ward continued in the public schools of Detroit, 
this State, whither he came with the famih'. Being 
a very diligent scholar, with good mental endow- 
ments, he was prepared at the age of twelve years 
to enter the Commeicial College of Detroit, from 
the literary department of which he was subse- 
quentl}' graduated. The ensuing four years our 
subject spent as a clerk in Detroit, and Pittsburgh. 
Pa., la1)oring assiduouslj' to procure the means nec- 
essarj' to defraj- his expenses while studying to fit 
himself for the profession which he had determined 
to follow. For this purpose he first attended the 
Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, III., and 
afterward he took a course at the Western Medical 
College, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution 
he was graduated in 1804. Immediately after re- 
ceiving his degree Dr. Warren located in Jonesville, 
this count}', where he has since practiced, with the 
exception of the two years from May. 1808, to May, 
1870, when he was engaged in a water cure estab- 
lishment at Kalamazoo, Jlich., with a Dr. King. 
That venture not proving a' financial success, our 
subject returned to Jonesville, where he has met 
with flattering success, having an extensive and 
lucrative i)ractice. He stands high in the medical 
profession, and is considered the leading physician 
of the township. 

Dr. ANarrcn was married in Detroit, Mich., July 
10, 180;^, to Miss Georgia S. Harris, the adopted 
daughter of Ransom Gardner, of Detroit. She 
was born in New York Cit}', Oct. "22, 1 841, and was 
left an orphan when six months old. Dr. and Mrs. 
Warrun have two childien — Henry Beach and Lil- 
lian Elvira. The latter is a graduate of the Jones- 
ville High School, and Henry is a student at that 
institution. 

Dr. Warren is an influential member of the State 
Homeopathic Society, of which he was President 
during 18s6. He is now the Medical Examiner of 
several insurance companies. He is :i man of great 
usefulness in his community, and has held various 
minor t)llices in the village and township. He takes 
an active interest in educational matters, and for 
three years has been Township .Superintendent of 
Schools, and has also hold the oflice of Chairman 
of the Board of School Insiiectors. Socially, the Doc- 
tor is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics 



368 



4. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he is a firm Republican. Botli he and his estimable 
wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church 
where he has held the position of Superintendent of 
the Sunday-school for fifteen years. 



-^ry/y^~\tJil!J2/&^^ 



i-H'^S/UTm^ 




,HILLIP SHOOK. Among those who are 
busily engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
Camden Township, the subject of this bio- 
graphical uotice occupies a prominent place. 
He owns a beautiful farm on section 3, comprising 
ninety-four and nine-tenths acres of exceedingly 
fertile soil, admirabl}' adapted to the raising of 
cereals and other crops common to this clime, and 
also to the raising of stock, in which he is niucii in- 
terested, and from which he derives a good income. 
His intelligence, thrift, and careful management of 
his farming interests, are abundantly manifest in the 
good restdts that he has obtained, and in the gen- 
eral appearance of his farm, with its finely tilled 
fields, neat farm buildings, and the comfortable and 
commodious home in which he and his family dis- 
pense a kind and cordial hospitalitj^ to whomso- 
ever crosses its threshold. 

Mr. Shook was born in Medina County, Ohio, 
March 2, 1 839, and is a son of George and Cath- 
erine (Walker) Shook, natives of Pennsjdvania, the 
father having been born in Center County. His 
mother, when quite young, moved with her parents 
from their old Pennsylvanian home to Wayne 
County, Ohio, in the early days of its settlement. 
After her marriage she moved with her husband to 
Medina County, of which they were pioneers, and 
she died in the home that the3- built up there. The 
father of our subject is still living on his old home- 
stead there at an advanced age. He has been three 
times married, and is the parent of ten children, all 
of whom are living, namely: Hattie, William, Julia 
A., Edward, Adaline, Phillip, Alfred, Ella, Libbie 
and George. 

Our- subject grew to maturity in his native State, 
receiving his educ.ition in the district schools, and 
an excellent training from his wise parents, who 
early taught liim habits of industry, honesty and 
sobriety, which have greatlj' contributed to his suc- 
cess in life. He has nearly always followed farm- 



ing exclusively, with the exception of a short time, 
when he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber 
in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He 
has made his way almost unaided to his present 
position of independence and comjiarative wealth, 
and it may well be his pride to be classed among 
the self-made men who have so honored this State, 
and have contributed so much to its material and 
social welfare. In 18G2 Mr. Shook left his native 
State, and crossing the border into Michigan, came 
with his family to Camden Township to build up 
a new home here, and tliey have ever since been 
valued members of this community, winning their 
way to respect and esteem bj' their upright conduct 
and blameless lives. 

To his devoted companion, who has shared with 
him and lightened his labors, Mr. Shook was mar- 
ried in Ohio. She was formerly Mary Rigleman, 
daughter of John and Rebecca Rigleman. Their 
wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth 
of four children, namely : Perry M., Harvey C, Sher- 
man E. and Clara B. Mr. Shook is open-hearted 
and public-spirited, gladly using his influence to 
promote any scheme for the advancement of his 
adopted township or county. He is at present a 
member of the local School Board, and has done 
efficient work in the cause of education in the inter- 
ests of Camden Township. He is one of the most 
prominent members of the Masonic fraternity at 
Camden, and is at present serving as Treasurer of 
the lodge. He is also identified witii the Acme 
Grange, in this township. In politics he is a stanch 
member of the Republican party. 



f; OHN G. GARDNER was born in Ft. Ann, 
Washington Co., N. Y., April 21, 1803, 
while his wife, whose maiden name was Bet- 
sey Reed, was a native of Cayuga County, 
where she was born Jan. 26, 1805. After marriage 
they first settled in Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. 
Y., where they resided two or three years, and then 
removed to Auburn in the same State. After a 
short time, however, they returned to Elbridge, 
where they resided until they started to seek their 
fortunes in the West. 

In 1837 Mr. and Mrl. Gardner came to Michi- 



»► m j^i 



*t 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



369 



gan, ami settled in Joiicsvillo, wlierc Mr. Gardner 
was cngaofed principally in milling, which he fol- 
lowed, in connection with agricultin-al i)nrsuits. 
until liis decease. May 30, 1872. He was a puhlic- 
si)irited man of energy' and good judgment, and en- 
gaging activelj' in business in this State soon after 
its admission to the Union, was a prominent factor 
in its development. 

The family of John G. and ]Mrs. Gardner in- 
cluded eight children, four sons and four daughters, 
of whom Horace R. was the eldest, and was born in 
Klbridge, K. Y.. Jlarch 25, 1827. He accompanied 
his parents to Joncsville when he was a lad of ten 
years, and continued to make this city his home 
principally until 1880, when he finally removed to 
AVarsaw, HI., where he departed this life on tlie 1st 
of April, 1882. In company with the late Ransom 
Gardner, he was engaged in a woolen-mill at Jcmes- 
ville, which was destroyed by fire. They replaced 
it with another, and continued in the same business 
for some time afterward. 

^7 AMES B. SAMPSON, formerly one of the 
prominent farmers of Hillsdale Township, 
^,^ ; but now retired from active labor, occupies 
(^]j^ a snug home in the city of Hillsdale, where 
he is spending his later years in case and comfort 
in the enjoyment of a competency. A native of 
the Empire State, he was born in the town of Ly- 
ons, Wayne County, Aug. 2G, 1827, and is the son 
of Newland Sampson, who early in life learned the 
carpenter trade, but later entered the ministry of 
the Methodist Churdi, where he prosecuted his pious 
labors for a period of forty years. He was first a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later 
identified himself with the Protestant Methodists. 
He was a A'ermonter by birth, and a man of varied 
capacities, with a remarkably busy and active mind, 
who could never rest without being emploj-ed either 
in mind or hands. While using the saw and plane 
he received the contract for building all the bridges 
over the Erie Canal, then under process of con- 
struction from L3'ons to Montezuni.i. 

Rev. Newland Sampson married Miss Catherine 
Hall, of Massachusetts, and they settled in the town 



t 



of Lyons, where they resided until their removal to 
Southern Michigan, in 1848. Here they took up 
their residence on a farm in Hillsdale Township, 
where they lived for a period of six years, and 
where the mother died in 1862, then removed to 
Porter County. Ind., where the father died also about 
1852. Their family consisted of eleven children, 
eight sons and three daughters, nine of whom lived 
to mature years, and three still survive. The 
brothers and sisters of our subject are mostly resi- 
dents of Michigan and Kan.sas. 

James B. Sjimpson was the sixth child of his par- 
ents, and spent his boyhood and j-outh in his native 
town, acquiring his education in the common 
schools. He preceded the family to this Stiite 
three years, being then a youth of nineteen. He 
employed himself as a farm laborer by the month 
for a time, then took up the carpenter trade, which 
he pursued for a period of four years. He had 
lived economically, and with the snug little ca])ital 
which he had saved i)urchased eighty acres of land 
in Hillsdale Township, and from this time on for a 
period of ten years, gave to it his entire time 
and attention. Much of it was in timber, and he 
felled the trees and prepared the soil for cultivation, 
while at the same time carrying ou building im- 
provements, putting up a goixl house and barn, and 
the other structures necessary for his comfort and 
convenience. 

The companion of our subjectin his early lalwjrs 
and ambitions, and to whom lie was married Dec. 
1, 1850, was formerly Miss Betsy J. Coon, who was 
born Feb. lo, 18^51, and was the daughterof James 
Coon, who removed with his fain il}' from Onondaga 
County, N. Y.. to Southern Michigan during its 
early settlement. He and his estimable wife have long 
since passed away. Of this marriage of our subject 
there were born four children, two of whom, James 
H. and Alice, arc deceased ; the others are Sarah A. 
and Mary A. Mrs. Betsy J. Sampson departed 
this life at her home in Hillsdale Townshi[). in Sep- 
tember. 1875. 

Mr. Sampson. Jan. 23, 1876, contracted a sec- 
ond mairiage, with Mrs. Miranda (Tr.acy) Green, 
daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (\Mielock) Tracy, 
and widow of the late W. P. (Jreen, of Hillsdale. 
This Lady was born Oct. 12, 1840, in Pennsylvania. 



f 



-4^ 
370 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



1i 



Her parents came to this county in 1846; the father 
is now deceased; tlie mother resides in Grand 
'J'raverse County, Mich. This marriage resulted in 
the birth of two children, Agnes and Jessie G., who 
are eleven and nine years of age respectively. Of 
the first mari-iage of Mrs. Sampson there were born 
three children — Nettie M.. Fred L. and William A. 
Mr. Sampson put up his present residence in 
Hillsdale in 1888. It is a handsome two-story 
frame structure, finely finished and furnished, and 
replete with all the conveniences of modern life. 
It not only forms an ornament to the city, but is 
the resort of hosts of friends whom Mr. and Mrs. 
Sampson by their genial hospitality have attracted 
to their doors. Our subject cast his first Presiden- 
tial vote for Cass, and has been a lifelong supporter 
of Democratic principles. 



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■7~T 



=E> 




' NSON R. BROWN, M. D., has been a prac- 
ticing ph3'sician of Jonesville since the 
summer of 1883, and came into the State 
when it was a Territory. He was born in 
Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1824, and 
was the youngest of nine children, the offspring of 
John and Rhoda (Crittenden) Brown, who were 
natives respectively of Connecticut and Vermont. 
John Brown, the father of our subject, was of 
-Scotch extraction, and the mother of English ances- 
try, who settled in Connecticut probably during 
the Colonial days, and whose descendants later were 
residents in and around Great Otter Creek, near 
A'crgennes. Zebulou Crittenden, the maternal 
grandfather of our subject, was married, and set- 
tled near that place, where he spent his last days. 
There his daughter Rhorla was born. She spent her 
last days at the residence of her son, our subject, at 
Albion, this Stiite, passing awa3' at tiie ripe old age 
of eighty-eight yeais. John Brown died in Rich- 
mond, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1.S25, when Anson R. 
Brown was eleven months old. 

Dr. Brown, our subject, was earl3' in life thrown 
upon his own resources, and came to the .Territory 
of Michigan al)out 1833 or 1834. He lived in dif- 
fei'ent places in Michigan and Ohio, taking up the 



-♦- 



study of medicine in the little town of Defiance, 
the latter State, reading there and at other places 
until ready to enter the Eclectic Medical College of 
Cincinnati, from which he w.as graduated in 1852. 
He began the practice of his professi(.)n in Medina, 
Lenawee County, this State, whence he removed to 
Jackson County, aiid three 3'ears later changed his 
residence to Cincinnati, Ohio. In the (^ueen Cit^' 
he was made Superintendent of the laboratory and 
wholesale drug-store of H. M. Merrill & Co., which 
position he held for a number of years. He re- 
turned to Michigan about 18i")6, and was a resident 
of Litchfield thereafter for a period of sixteen j-ears. 
He then removed to AUiion and eleven years later 
to Jonesville, this county', and most of this time 
has been continuously engaged as a physician and 
surgeon. 

Dr. Brown was married, Feb. 15, 1840, in Cin- 
cinnati, to Miss Adeline E. Lundy, who died in 
Jonesville in April, 1883. She was the mother of 
eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all 
of whom are living and residents of the United 
States. Dr. Brown contracted a second marriage, 
in Jonesville, May 7, 1884, with Mrs. Sarah A. (Ap- 
plegate) Sudborough, daughter of Joseph II. and 
Ann (Lac3') Applegate, of New Jerse3', and widow 
of the late Joseph Sudborough, of Adrian. They 
oceup3' a snug home in the central part of the cit3'. 
Dr. Brown has been President of the State Eclectic 
Medical Association two 3ears, and politically, is a 
solid Republican. Socially, he belongs to Lodge 
No. 40, A. F. & A. M. 



^- 



■*- 




G. WELLS. Adams Township has among 
(i37LJ|| its citizens many industrious and well-to- 
K do farmers; men who have attained their 
present prosperous condition 1)3' their own 
persevering efforts, having been the recipients of no 
legac3', but who have gained comfortable homes for 
themselves and families by their indomitable energy 
and ambition. Conspicuous among the number 
stands the subject of this sketch. He is a native 
of the Empire State, )»orn in Chautauqua Connt3', 
March 18, 181 G. His father, Roderick Wells, was 
a soldier of the War of 1812. He married Mary 



n 



-L. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



371 



Grecnieaf, and the\' settled in Villanova. N. Y., 
remaining lliere niitil February, IS.'iS, wlieii, fol- 
lowing the march of civilization, they came to 
iMiehignn and took \\\> land in Adams Township, 
which had then but few iMhal)itMnts. The land was 
heavily timbered and lillcd with wild animals of all 
kinds. They at once commenced inijiroving the 
land, and bravely endured the toils and hardships 
of pioneer life, working earnestly the remainder of 
their lives, that of Mr. Wells ending in 1845, at the 
age of sixty-one j-ears. l\Irs. Wells survived him 
until 1 S5G, when she too i)assed away, being then 
sixty-three years of age. Of their fandly of chil- 
dren, eight grew to maturity. Their daughter 
Phebe, now Mrs. fSteele, of Ann Arbor, taught the 
first school in North Adams. 

The subject of this biographical notice was the 
second child born to his parents. His boyhood was 
passed in his native State, where he received his 
education in the public schools, attending during 
the entire school year until ten years old, when, 
being obliged to work in warm weather, he went to 
.school after that only in the winter seasons. He 
came to this State with his parents when twenty-two 
years of age, and for awhile remained at home work- 
ing for his father. He has made good use of his 
time ever since, and his perseveranci; has enabled 
him to conquer all ditliculties. When he coni- 
nienced life for himself, his onl}' possessions were 
an ax and the clothes that he had on, but bj- 
economical habits and steady ap[)lication to work, 
he was soon enabled to purchase forty acres of land, 
which, with the forty acres since acquired, con- 
stitute his present farm. Mr. Wells was married, in 
1811, to Miss Lj'dia J., daughter of Johnand Susan 
(Avril) Greenleaf. Her father was a native of 
Oneida County, N. Y., and her mother was l)orn 
near Hartford, Conn. After marriage they settled 
in Volney Township, Oswego Co., N. Y., but 
after three or four j'ears' residence there, removed 
to I'aris, Oneida County', where they remained until 
March, 1836, when they came to Michigan. They 
became pioneers of Cambridge Townshi|), Lenawee 
County, where Mr. Crecnleaf engaged in his occn- 
l)ation of farming, remaining there until after the 
death of his wife, which occurred when she was fifty- 
eight years old. He subsequently moved to Branch \ 



County, where he spent his last days, dying in 1S72, 
at the age of sevent^^-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Greenleaf were born eight children, of whom Mrs. 
Wells was the eldest. She was born in \'olney Town- 
ship, Oswego Co., N. v., Oct. 12, IS20, but can re- 
member nothing of her life prior to the removal of 
her i)arents to Oneida County. She received her 
education in the schools of that county, coming to 
Michigan w ith her parents when sixteen years old. 
After coming here she taught school three years, 
and during that time formed the acquaintance of 
Mr. AVells, and soon after gave up her profession to 
become Ids wife. To her and her husband have 
been born five children, namely: Ella (deceased), 
Susan A., Jasper .1.. Harriet V., Lucy J. (deceased). 
Susan and Harriet are at home; J.'isper, who lives 
in Adams Township, married Alice Goud^'; they 
have ten children, as follows: Winfield A., William 
B., Grace L., Herbert (i., ]\Lary A., Howard D., 
Bertha A., Percy J., Susan M. and Arthur F. 

Mr. Wells is a man of decided views, and takes 
an active interest in current events; he is an un- 
compromising temperance man, and in politics casts 
his vote with the Prohibition party. Pie first voted 
with the Whig party, but during the slavery agita- 
tion was an Abolitionist. He became identified 
with the Republican party from its organization, 
supporting its first c:nidid:ite. Gen. J. C. Fremont. 
Both he and his wife arc devoted members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church ; they are agreeable, 
hospitable people, whose pleasant home is attractive 
to a large circle of friends. 

R. ASA CLKMANS. The pioneers of this 
)) county still living continue to hold in 
kindly reniend)rancc the name of this well- 
known physician, who departed this life 
over twenty years ago, in Allen Township. He 
came to this section of country during its early set- 
tlement, and faithfully ministered to the ills which 
human flesh is heir to. and in connection with which 
the exercise of good judgment ;inil skill is so essen- 
ti:il. These qualities the subject of this sketch pos- 
sessed in a goodly' proportion, .■md enjoyed tlie con- 
fidence and esteeni of an extended patronage. 




> ► f ^ *_ 




372 



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,t 



HILLSDALK COUKTY. 



A native of Worcester, Mass., Dr. Cleinans was 
born Aug. 31. 1834, and pursuefi his early studies 
in the c(jmmon schools. There he improved iiis 
time to good advantage, and when deciding upon 
his future career, later began the study of medi- 
cine at Castleton, Vt., at which place he received his 
diploma. He began practice in Providence, R. I., 
and from there two or three years later changed his 
residence to Milford, Mass., where he remained un- 
til the spring of 1837. Then deciding upon seek- 
ing his fortunes in the young and rising West, be 
made his way to this county, and settling in Allen 
Township, followed his profession here continuously 
until his death, which occurred Nov. 5, 1865. 

The marriage of Dr. Asa Clemans and Miss 
Bethia Leonard was celeliratcd in Providence, R. 
I., Nov. 1.5, 1 832, and of this union there were born 
six children — Luthera, William, AVarren, Irene, 
George and Mary. The Doctor and his wife united 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Allen 
Township soon after coming here, of which he 
remained a consistent member until his death. He 
had held some of the minor offices, and was always 
interested In the progress and welfare of his adopted 
county, willing to labor and to make sacrifices for 
the good of the people, and to aid by his influence 
and likewise in a more sul)stantial manner the en- 
terprises tending to this result. 

-»-HH-i}f-<Sj^:^^yg>-KH- «»► 

WjILLIAM H. rick located upon his pres- 
ent farm on section 3, in Cambria Town- 
ship, over thirty years ago, and since that 
time he has given to it his best labors and atten- 
tion. He now has a snug homestead with substan- 
tial and convenient buildings, and the fertile fields 
yield each year far more than his present needs, thus 
enabling iiim to lay by something for a rainy day. 
Although perhaps not the hero of any very thrill- 
ing event, ho has labored faithfully and lived worth- 
ily, and it is entirely fitting that his history should 
go on record among those of the other early settlers 
of Southern Michigan. 

Our subject was born over seventy-six years ago 
in Lenox Township, Madison Co., N. Y., the exact 
date being Jan. 6, 1812. His father, Levi Rice, a 



native of Connecticut, emigrated early in life to 
the Empire State, settling with iiis family in the 
woods of Madison County, in 1808. He had mar- 
ried, in his native State, Miss Isabellc Ives, and 
there had been born to thera among the Connecticut 
hills three children, who accompanied them to what 
was then the West. From Madison County the 
parents subsequently removed to Orleans County, 
where they spent the remainder of their lives, dying 
eacii at the age of fifty-eight yeais. They were of 
New England ancestry, both tlie Rice and the Ives 
famil\' having been represented on this side of the 
Atlantic during the Colonial days. 

Levi Rice and his estimable wife were both de- 
vout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and the father, politically, was an old-line Whig. 
After settlement in New York State seven more 
children were added to the household circle, which 
eventually embraced six sons and four daugiiters. 
Four sotis and two daughters are yet living, and 
the eldest, Almon, makes his home with our sub- 
ject, and has already rounded up his fourscore 
years. He was a farmer b}' occupation, but never 
married. For the last fifty years he has been a 
cripple, the result of a horse falling on him. 

The subject of this biography was the third son 
and fourth child of his parents, and when twenty 
years of age left the parental roof to begin life on 
his own account. In the summer of 183.5 he set 
out for Michigan, embarking at Buffalo on the sail- 
ing-vessel "Townsend,".ind spent the three following 
years in Rollin Township, Lenawee County, being 
here during the time when Michigan was trans- 
formed from a Territory into a State. At the ex- 
piration of this time, desiring a sight of the faces 
at the old homestead, he took passage at Detroit on 
the schooner "George AVashington," which, when 
within thirty miles of Buffalo and off Silver Creek, 
on the night of .June 16, 1838. took fire, and was 
burned to the water's edge. There were on board 
about 180 passengers, and it w.is estimated that half 
of these perished. Mr. Rice narrowl^^ escaped the 
same fate, being obliged to swim a distance of five 
miles before reaching shore, and was picked up by 
two men, who fortunately happed to be along at 
that time, nearly dead from exposure and exhaus- 
tion. Although it was summer the water was ex- 



"i^^ 



T 




Cj^rno-4^cyiH 



-U 



UlLLbDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



375 



treniely cold, and probably" a half-liour later would 
have sealed his fate, lie had in tliis perilous jour- 
ney nothing on but his pantaloons and shirt. 

Mr. Rice, after spemliiii^ a few weeks with the 
"old folks at home," returned to Michigan, and on 
the 9th of February, 1842, was married to Miss 
Caroline C. Crittenden, a native of his own State, 
and who was born in Phelps, Ontario County, Oct. 
8, 1812. Mrs. Rice was the fourth child of Orris 
and Lydia (Eaton) Crittenden, who came with their 
family to Michigan in 1834, and located in the 
woods of Wheatland Township. The father pur- 
chased a tract of Government land, and there with 
his family endured the h.ardsiiips and privations 
common to pioneer life. They continued tlieir resi- 
dence upon the land which they first took up, and 
the mother passed from earth in the spring of 1835. 
The father survived a few years, and died at the 
age of sixty-seven. The latter was a native of 
Massachusetts, while his wife was born in Oneida 
Lounty, N. Y. They were married in Ontario 
County, that State, and became the parents of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, who were 
all born before their removal to the West. Two 
daughters are now the sole survivors: Mrs. Rice 
and her sister, Mrs. Sa|)hrouia Metcalf, widow of ' 
Theodore Metcalf, and who is now living in Hills- 
dale. 

Mrs. Rice was a young woman when her parents 
came to Michigan, and continued under the home 
rcjof until licr marriage. Of lior union with our 
suliject theie was born one child only, a daughter, 
Harriet 1., who is now the wife of Aaron Blauvelt, 
and lives on a farm in F.ayette Township; they 
have one child, a son, William H., born Jan. 20, 
1869. Mr. Rice in 1843 went into business in the 
city of Hillsdale as a wholesale manufacturer of 
soda water, but soon became hcjmesick for the farm, 
and is never so contented as when tilling the soil 
and watching the beauty of the growing crops. 
Although having little to do with politics, he is a 
stanch supporter of Republican principles, and re- 
joices when these prevail. His farm operations 
have been conducted with tiiat f<jrethouglit and 
good judgment which have placed him in a posi- 
tion where he can retire from arduous labor at will. 
The wife of our subject is the granddaughter of 



Osee Crittenden, a gentleman of French birth and 
parentage, who crossed the Atlantic at an early 
period in the history of this country, and located 
among the Massachusetts hills. There he met and 
married Miss Lydia Reed, who, like himself, was 
born across the water, and settled with her parents 
in the Bay State when a young woman. After 
marriage they migrated to Ontario County, N. Y., 
where they spent the remainder of their daj-s, and 
departed hence at a ripe old age. They came of 
excellent stock on both sides of the house, and in the 
township of Phelps, Ontario County, ranked among 
the leading citizens. Religiously, they were Pres- 
byterians of strict principles, and in the doctrines 
of this church trained their chililren. Their son 
Orris, the father of Mrs. Rice, and who was their 
second child, upon attaining to mature years, was 
a leading light and an Elder in that church during 
the greater part of his life. 

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Rice, Ebenezer 
Eaton by name, was a native of Scotland, and came 
to the United States before his marriage. He 
wedded Miss Mar3' Perheni in New York State, 
and spent his Last days in Monroe County, near 
the city of Rochester. His wife subsequently came 
to the West, and died at the home of her daughter, 
Mrs. Sherwood, in Allegan County-, when quite 
stricken in years. The Katons were Universalists 
in religious belief, and people generality of educa- 
tion and intelligence. 




RNOLD BURGES, deceased, whose fame 
as a writer on sports by flood and field is 
world-wide, died in the city of Hillsdale 
on the 10th of March, 1888, after an ill- 
ness of eleven days. For several 3'ears he h.ad 
been connected witii the Leader of this place, and 
on account of the many admirable traits of charac- 
ter, the brilliancy of his scholarship, and his remark- 
able natural genius, he is held in most affectionate 
remembrance bj' hosts of admirers and friends. He 
possessed to an eminent degree the man^- qualities 
which endeared him best to those who enjoyed the 
most intimate acquaintance with him, and his life 



u 



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376 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



from beginning to end was an illustration of genius, 
coupled with great sensitiveness of sjiirit, which at 
times caused him to he misunderstood, but whose 
faults, by those who knew him for a period of 
3ears, melted away and were forgotten under the 
genuine goodness of his character. 

As an authority on hunting and shooting Mr. 
Burges had no superior. He was a most voluuiinous 
writer, and foryeais the periodicals of the <lay upon 
this subject were frequently graced with effusions 
from his pen. Besides his large correspondence he 
published a book entitled •• The American Kennel 
and Spoiling Field," wliich was at once accepted as 
a standard authority on these subjects. He was 
solicited by the publishers of the "Encyclopedia 
Biitannica," as one of their most valued contribu- 
tors, and he possessed a wide range of knowledge in 
regard to field sports which encompassed these in 
all their phases, and made of them a science as well 
as a pleasure. It is hardly possible within the 
brief limits of a biograph}' of this kind to render 
him due justice. 

Suffice it is to say, however, that Mr. Burges 
sprang from an honorable ancestrj-, being the son of 
Hon. Tristam Burges, an eminent lawyer and distin- 
guished soldier, and the grandson of Hon. Tristam 
Burges, Professor of Oratory and Belles Lettres. in 
Brown University, and who was elected to Congress 
in 1825, in wiiich body he served for a period often 
years. This latter gentleman was a contemporary 
of John Randolph, and an intimate personal friend 
of Judge .Sttphen Branch, of Rhode Island, whose 
son later became the warm admirer and a close 
companion of Arnold Burges. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Pn^vi- 
dence, R. I., Sejjt. 12, 1839. and after completing 
his primary course of study entered Union C(jllege. 
in Schenectady, N. Y. Upon emerging froLn this 
institution he spent some time in reading law, and 
in 1869 removed from his native State to the oil 
regions of Pennsjlvania. He was for several years 
a resident of Titusville and vicinity, and was mar- 
ried, at Scranton, Va.. to Miss Mar}- E. McCune, on 
the IGth of September, 1873. Soon afterward he 
went to West Meriden, Conn., where he became 
editor of the American Sjxjrtsman. and thence a- 
year later removed to Maysville, Ky., where he 

-M* 



carried on fruit farming extensively until ill-health 
obliged him to relinquish that occupation. In April, 
1 876, Mr. Burges migrated north to this county, and 
took up his residence outside the city limits of 
Hillsdale, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
He brought to this section of country a Drst-class 
kennel of imported English setters, and for over 
ten years his kennel ranked among the best in the 
country, taking many valuable prizes at different 
bench shows in the large cities. Mr. Burges still 
kept up his correspondence ^^■ith the leading sport- 
ing papers of this country and England, and here 
he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, in 
which his active inteiest and love for its principles 
constituted him a prominent figure in the brother- 
hood. His devotion to this fraternity was remem- 
bered at the time of his death, and the solemn 
services thereafter were conducted by them with 
the most impressive ceremonies. His devotion to 
the grand principles of Masonry was consistently 
carried out, as he hail secured an insurance of $12,- 
500. which, with other property, secured to his family 
a competence for the future. From boyhood Mr. 
Burges was the possessor of horses, dogs and hunt- 
ing accoutrements, his ])arents affording him every 
■ opportunitj' for gratifying his intense love of out- 
door amusements, ill-health for many of the clos- 
ing years of his life contributed to make him 
nervous and excitable, but they in no waj' affected 
the sterling qualities of his character, to which both 
friend and foe alike gave testimou}'. Besides his 
literary genius he was a natural orator, and occa- 
sionally charmed audiences with the grace and power 
of his magic speech. It is conceded that Arnold 
Burges was one of the quaintest and most original 
of this generation, and for years will be remem- 
bered as one of the leading lights of the sporting 
w(Mld on both continents. 

Mrs. Mary E. Burges, the wife of our subject, 
was born at Morgantown, Va., Jan. 21, 1848, and 
is the daughter of Thomas and Mary E. (Gould) 
McCune, who were natives respectively of England 
and Massachusetts. Thomas McCune crossed the 
Atlantic when a bo}' of thirteen with his widowed 
mother, settling first at Lower Sandusky. Ohio, but 
is spending his later days at Meadville. Pa. The 
mother died at her home in Hillsdale on the 25th 



u 



HILL>.DALK COUM Y. 



377 



of May, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Burges there 
were born tliree children, one of whom, Tristain, 
died on the •2'2(\ of .Inly. 1883, ao;ed sixteen inontlis 
and twenty -two days; Bessie M. was born Sept. 
14, 1877, and Gny, Nov. 23, 1880. The widow 
and her children occup3' a comfortable home, which 
was secured to them, together with a good income, 
l)j' the forethought of the husband and father who 
has now passed away. 



JOHN GREENHOE. Comparatively a few 
years ago the farm belonging to this gentle- 
man, which is now one of the best in Hills- 
dale County, was little more than a valueless 
piece of swamp land. After a service of two years 
in the late vvar. the subject of this sketch made his 
way to the Slate of Michigan, and purchased the 
land which he now owns and occupies, and has since 
given to it his attention, witii the results which 
we now behold, and with which any reasonable 
man should be satisfied. He has a tract of seventy 
acres under good cultivation, has erected good 
buildings, and is amply fitted for successful farming 
after the best known methods. 

Our subject is an Ohio man by birth and educa- 
tion, having been born in Waj'ne Count^^ that 
State, on the 1st of February, 1836, at the modest 
homestead of his parents, near the town of Chip- 
pewa. His father. .lohn Greenhoe, an<l his paternal 
grandfather, Michael Greenhoe, were natives of 
Pennsjivania, whence the latter removed to Wayne 
County, Ohio, during the early settlement of that 
State. The journey was made overland with teams, 
and the grandfather took up a tr.act of timber land 
in the wilderness of C'hip|)ewa Township. There 
he cleared a farm, and resided upon it until he was 
an old man, then sold out and changed his residence 
to Medina County, where he lived retired from act- 
ive labor until his death, which took place about 
1852. He had been a very industrious man, pos- 
sessed of good judgment, and accumulated a fine 
propertj', giving each of his children a tract of 
land. 

John Greenhoe, the father of our subject, was a 
young man when his parents removed from his na- 



tive State to Ohio. Not long afterward he was 
married to Miss Catherine Aikens, a native of his 
own State, and the daugliter of George and Cath- 
erine (Davis) Aikens. Tliej^oung couple settled upon 
forty acres of land in Chippewa Township, Wayne 
Co., Ohio, where they resided until 1830, then selling 
out, purchased 100 acres in Medina County, near 
the town of Liverpool. There John Greenhoe 
cleared a good farm, and spent the remainder of 
his life. At the time he settled in that section of 
the countrj^ all kinds of wild game were plenty, and 
he lived to .see the country' well settled up by an 
enterprising and prosperous people. He died :it 
the homestead about 1852, Tlie mother subse- 
quently came to this State, and died at the home of 
her daughter, near Sheridan, Montcalm County. 

Our subject was the sixth in the family of eleven 
children born to his parents, and w;is but fifteen 
years of age at the time of his father's death. lie 
w.as then thrown upon his own resources, and 
started out to e;irn his own living. His first wages 
were $10 per month, but as bime passed on and his 
usefulness increased, he was paid $16. After his 
marriage he commenced farming on the land of his 
father-in-law, and was thus occupied three years 
and until after the outbreak of the late war. 

Mr. Greenhoe, in September, 1.S63. enlisted in 
Company D, 128th Ohio Infantry', serving until 
the close of the war the following year. Soon 
afterward he made his way to this county, as we 
have alre.ad}' mentioned. He at once i^urch.ased 
the land where he now resides, and was obliged to 
cut.awaj' the timber to make room for a log house. 
Besides clearing his land, he h;is underlaid all which 
needed draining with tile, and has erected all the 
buildings which are now upon it. 

The marri.age of John Greenhoe and Miss Eliza- 
beth Wicks was celebrated at the home of the bride, 
in Medina Countj'. Oiiio, on the 6th of April, 1859. 
Mrs. G. w!»s born in the same township as her hus- 
band, on the 6th of February, 1840. and is the 
youngest child of George and Barbara ( Breene) 
Wicks, natives of Pennsylvania; the mother spent 
her last days in Ohio, the father is still living. Her 
paternal grandfather, George Wicks, was born in 
Pennsylvania, in June, 1803, He was the son of 
Christian Wicks, whuni, it is believed, wsis also a 



i~ 



<^ 



•> J t <• 



-t^ 



378 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



f 



native of the Key&tone State, and was a carpenter 
and joiner lij' trade. He also was one of the early 
settlers of Wayne County. Oliio. where he .'pent his 
last days. 

The father of llrs. Grccnhoe also emigiated to 
Ohio when a young man, and was there mairied to 
Miss Barbara Breene. a native of Pennsylvania. He 
followed the trade of cabinet-maker for a time, but 
later operated a coal bank, and after that puieliased 
a farm near Litchfield. Medina Countj'. The mother 
died at her heme in Ohio, in 1881, at the age of 
seventy-six j^ears. Mr. Wicks is still living, and 
makes his home with his children in Ohio. Mr. 
Greenhoe is a member of the Free Methodist 
Church, while his estimable wife is identified with 
the United Brethien. They are people greatly re- 
spected among their neighbors, and have contrib- 
uted their full quota toward the progress and 
welfare of their township. 



OSCAR F. GUY. who is engaged in farming 
in Fayette Township, is the son of W. N. Guy, 
who was born in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. 
Y'.,Sept. JiO, 1796. Hismotlier, wliose maiden name 
was Eliza Erving, was born in Monmouth, N. J., in 
September, 1798. When quite young she removed 
to Caj'uga County, N. Y., where she remained 
until her marriage with Mr. Guy, after which they 
settled in Aurelius in that county, and engaged in 
the occupation of farming. 

The parents of our subject subsequently removed 
from Aurelius to Nunda, Allegany Co., N. Y.. 
where they lived some thirteen years, and then in 
June, 1836, they migrated to Michigan with their 
seven children, and located on section 5, Faj-ette 
Township, about one mile from .lonesville, on a 
tr.act of 192 acres of land which Mr. Gu}' bought 
upon his arrival in this State. Here they passed 
the remainder of their days, the death of the father 
occurring Dec. 4, 1 864, while the mother died April 
1, 1872. Mr. Guy was a man respected in his com- 
munity, and held the offices of Supervisor and Jus- 
tice of the Peace; be also did quite an extensive 
business in farming. After their arrival in Michi- 
gan the parental family' of our subject was iu- 

4» 



creased until there were eight children, seven of 
whom lived to grow up, and are recorded as fol- 
lows: George L. is a physician in Reading, Mich.; 
Cornelia M. is the wife of Albert J. Baker; Susan 
was the wife of Judge Justis H. Webb, of Hillsd.ile 
County, and died April 6, 1875; William H. re- 
sides in Jonesville; Oscar F. is the subject of our 
notice; Charles H. is a blacksmith by trade, and is 
at present Postmaster of Allen ; Addison W. is a 
farmer in Fayette Township; Clarissa died in in- 
fancy. 

Our subject was born in Nunda, Allegany Co., 
N. 1'., June 27, 1829, and was a lad seven years of 
age when his father removed to Hillsdale County. 
He spent his youth like the average farmer's boy, 
assisting as he could on ihe farm and attending the 
common schools of the district. He has spent his 
entire life in agricultural pursuits, and has been a 
I'esident of Fayette Township since 1836, where he 
owns 111 acres of good land, which yields him 
bountiful returns for the labor and money ex- 
pended in its cultivation. 

Finding that it is not good for man to be alone, 
our subject took to himself a wife and helpmate in 
the persi>n of Miss Hannah C, daughter of Aaron 
and Arilla (Baker) Thompson, with whom he was 
united in marriage Dec. 25, 1851, in Hillsdale 
County, Mich. Mrs. Guy's parents were born 
March 16, 1798. and June 19, 1805, respectively, 
the birth of the former occurring in Shaftsbury, 
Bennington Co., Vt. They removed from York 
State to Pennsylvania, where they resided for a 
period of two years, and in 1838 they came to 
Hillsdale County, in which two years later they 
settled in Reading Township, which continued to 
be their residence until their decease. The mother 
departed this life Jan. 19, 1879, followed by the 
father on the 19th of February, 1880. To them 
were born a family of five children, who are re- 
corded as follows : Polly, Darwin and Pamelia are 
deceased; Fidelia is the wife of Milon Arciier, of 
Reading; Celestia A. is deceased; Hannah C. is 
the wife of our subject, while Filetus A. was a 
member of Company 1, 11th Michigan Infantry, 
and died in the hospital in Nashville, Tenn., April 
17, 1865. 

Mrs. Guy was born in Eagle, Wyoming Co., N. 



I- 



• ► 11 ^^ 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



^1 



379 iM 



Y., April 6, 1832. and her union with our subject 
has resulted in tiic birth of one daughter. Addle A., 
who is the wife of Ellsworth Lovell, of Fayette 
Township. Mrs. Guy Is a member of the Baptist 
Church, with which siie has been identified for many 
years, and, as well .as her husband, is ever ready to 
contribute of her time and means wherever her 
sympathies are enlisted. Mr. Guy has held the of- 
fice of Township Treasurer for several terms, and 
has discharired its duties faithfully', gaining the ap- 
probation of those who placed him in that position. 

-^V- #^ ^ 



■\ 



ON. GEORGE C. WYLLLS, a prosperous 
farmer residing on section 11, Moscow 
Township, is a man who stands to-day a 
^^i type of manly perfection, not only as an 
agriculturist and horticulturist, but also as a man 
whose influence will be felt for generations as an 
educator and legislator. He belongs to that class 
of cultured, intelligent and enterprising people, 
who came into Michigan from New York and the 
New England States during its pioneer period, 
and who have been such important factors in de- 
veloping in so high n degree the resources which 
nature has so generously lavished ni)on this section 
of countrj'. In those people conscience appears to 
have been as hereditary' as intelligence, and the 
fine accumulative results of the moral struggles 
and triumphs of many generations of honest lives 
appear to have been transmitted, in which original- 
ity of thought as well as practicability of conception 
are combined with an ambitious and energetic sup- 
port of action. These qualities which have been 
noticed in the gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch are thus easily traced. 

The father of our subject was a native of Tol- 
land, Conn., and his mother, Hannah Cobb, was a 
native of Windsor County. Vt., while both were of 
English ancestry. In 1833 they removed to Gen- 
esee County, N. Y.. where they resided for a period 
of five years. At that ])eriod the tiew State of 
Michigan, which had just been admitted into the 
Union, was being penetrated by tlie sturdy pioneer, 
and in 1838 Mr. Wyllls bade farewell to his home 
in New York, and with his family joined the pro- 



cession westward, bringing with him the second 
team of horses ever introduced into I'ulaski Town- 
ship, Jackson County. Here he settled upon 160 ■ 
acres of land on section 22. and was not long in 
establishing himself comfortably, for his characteris- 
tic qualities were thrift, energy and good judgment. 
It was not to be his lot, however, to reap the fruits 
of his labor in this new State, for In the autumn of 
the next year, November, 1839, he was called away 
to "that country from whose bourne no traveler 
returns." The mother with true womanly courage 
took up the work of operating the homestead and 
maintaining the family, but like many other true- 
hearted women of that time she fell carrying the 
standard of financial and social progress. Her death, 
which occurred in August, 1843, was sadly mourned 
and deeply realized by her seven children, who all 
grew to man and womanhood. 

George C. Wyllls was thus by the death of his 
mother left to cope with the world ali)ne, deprived 
of the counsel, assistance and companionship of his 
parents. Sad and unfortunate though it was, it 
tended to develop those reflective qualities and 
habits of self-reliance which we so often find in 
those who are thus thrown upon their own re."ources 
at an earlj' age. This in a measure accounts for 
the strong and marked individuality and force of 
character since displaj-ed in the life of Mr. Wyllls. 
The facilities for obtaining an education in a pio- 
neer country are always limited, and indeed in 
manj' sections for a time wholly wanting. It is 
evident th.at the training of the school-room was a 
privilege and discipline he enjoyed to a very lim- 
ited extent, although by studious application he 
acquired a large fund of knowledge, which, together 
with energy and a great deal of common sense and 
tact, enabled him to pursue the profession of a 
teacher with credit to himself and lasting benefit to 
the community at large, being identified with the 
educational profession of Southern Michigan for 
twen'y years. 

On the 10th of June, 1852, Mr. Wyllls was 
united in marriage with Miss Emily Huck, an amia- 
ble and accomplished lad}', who is also a native of 
the Empire State, where she was born in Dutchess 
County, in 1 832. Site is the eldest daughter of Israel 
and Jane Huck. (See sketches of E. I), and Albert 

•► 



T 



380 



u 



HILLSDALE CUL.N'IV. 



Buck). This union lins Ixen blti-sed l>y the biilli 
of seven children, all of wlion) were boin niion the 
homestead in Moscow Township, and are named as 
follows: Helen 8., Lucy J., James C. Florence. 
Arthur L., Maud C. and Carrie N. Helen e(inpleted 
the classical course in Hillsdale College, and was 
graduated with the class of '75 ; she engaotd as a 
teacher at Warsaw, hid., where she followed that 
profession for six const cutive yeais. and tin n took 
a post-graduate course at the University of Michi- 
gan, from which institution she was graduated in 
1^84 with the degree of Master of Arts; since that 
time she has been Principal of the Union School at 
Austin, HI. Lucy J. is the wife of "\V. W. Arm- 
strong, a hardware nierehaiit of Jerome; James C. 
and Arthur L. have charge of the homestead ; Flor- 
ence is engaged in teaching at Oak Fai k, ill. ; Maud 
C. was also engaged in teaching, and is the wife of 
Will L. Bibbins. a hardwaie merchant at Moscow; 
Carrie N. is attending the High School at Moscow, 
where she will graduate with the class of '«8. 

Mr. Wyllis, prior to locating on his present farm 
and before his marriage, was engaged in the nursery 
business in Somerset Township. Jn 1848 he pur- 
chased forty acres of land in Somerset Townshiii, but 
in 1850 lie exchanged it for 120 acres where he now 
resides, wliich forms a beautiful homestead fitted 
with all modern conveniences. He now has a well- 
improved farm of 17 3 acres, well supplied with 
barns and other suitable out-buildings, and adorned 
with orchards. 

Mr. Wyllis has ever been a public-spirited man, 
and is specially active in all matters pertaining to 
the imiHoveuient of the educational facilities of 
his cominunity. He was elected Seliool Inspeetor of 
his township in 1855, and was a member of the 
board most of the time, either as Clerk or Lis|)ect(jr, 
until 18G8. During this time he did much to im- 
prove the eoudition of the schools, and especially 
successful and commendable were his labors in or- 
ganizing and carrying on the Union School of the 
village of Aloseow, in which he subsequently taught 
several terms. By tlius enlarging the district and 
increasing the school facilities, there is now no 
further necessity for the people of this section to 
send their children from home to procure a good 
coiumon-scln^ol education. Inthesprirg of 18()1 



Mr. Wyllis was elected Justice of the Peace, and 
so satisfact(iril>' has he meted out justice that he 
was called upon to fill that jiositKin coutinuouslj', 
with the exccjiticn of two jeais from that date, un- 
til the fall of ]8h2. when he was nominated by the 
Keiiubliean Convention, which was held at Pitts- 
ford, Sept. 26. as a candidate to the State Legisla- 
ture. Asa gratifying testimonial of his popularity 
we need only say that although he was not actively 
engaged in the cami aign and did no '•stumping." 
yet he received a majority of 457 votes over his 
opponent, Mr. William Bryant. 

As a member of the State Legisl.ature Hon. 
George Wyllis was an active, earnest and efficient 
worker; he was Chairman of the Committee on 
Rules and Joint Rules, and member of the Com- 
mittee on the .State Agricultural College, at Lans- 
ing. He introduced bill No. 173. being a bill to 
amend Section 1. Chapter 153. of the compiled laws 
of 1871. being coniiiilers Section 4.309. relative to 
title to real estate by descent. Hon. Wyllis has 
been Republican in politics from the birth of that 
party to the present time, and has been a firm and 
devoted advocate of its principles. 



•;rg;wr 



IT" 



^m^' 



TJffiiSJT 



^., LKXANDER F. WILLIAMS is a highly 
( ^/u\ \ respected resident of Pittsford Township, 
where he owns and occupies a good farm, 
.ffjj which he has developed from its orginal 

wild state. He is one of the noble army of so-called 
self-maile men. wht), while acquiring independence 
and comfortable lionies through their own unaided 
exertions, have contributed to the uiibuilding of a 
glorious commonwealth. 

Mr. Williams was born in the town of Hamburg. 
Frie Co.. N. Y . July 20. 1819. and is of Knglisli 
descent; his grandfather, John Williams, w.as born 
in England, and when a young man was pressed 
into the English army, and coming to America, 
fought against the Colonists in the Revolutionary 
War. At the time of Burgoyne's defeat he was 
captured by the Americans, and then and there 
foreswore allegiance to all foreign poweis. espec- 
ially the English, and from that time became a 






•► 11 ^^^ 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



381 



faithful and loyal citizen of the United States. He 
settled in Ontario County as a pioneer, but spent 
his closing years in Erie County, N. Y., witii iiis 
children. To hiin and his worthy wife were born 
six cliildren. Their son Nathan, tlie father of our 
subject, vvas born in their pioneer home in Ontario 
County, and there grew to manhood and married 
Sarah Potter, a native of that count}', and a daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel Potter, one of its earliest settlers, 
and a member of the Society of Friends. Sometime 
previous to 1812 Mr. Williams settled in Erie 
County, where he bought a tract of timbered land 
of the Holland Purchase Conipau}-. He partly 
cleared four different farms, and continued his resi- 
dence in that county until 1851. In tliat j^ear he 
came to Michigan and bought a small tract of land 
in Piltsford Township, of which he and his wife 
remained residents until their death. Thej' had led 
blameless lives, characterized by honesty, sobriety 
and industry, and they well merited the trust and 
esteem of the people among whom they settled. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
and lived in his native State until 1844. In the 
meantime, he took unto his home and heart the good 
wife who was to be his wise counselor and true 
friend through the sunshine and shadows of life for 
many years to come, their union taking place March 
24, 1840. Her maiden name was Augusta Com- 
stock; she w.asbornon Long Island, N. Y., in March, 
1822, and was the adopted daughter of Caleb and 
Esther Comstock. In 1844 Mr. Williams deter- 
mined to cast in his fortunes with a colony of thir- 
teen persons bound for Michigan; accordingly he 
made arrangements to leave his old home and begin 
life anew in another and more newly settled part of 
the country, and his family with the other colonists 
crossed Lake Erie to Monroe, where the company 
chartered two cars to conve}' them to their destin.a- 
tion. An engine drew the cars to Adrian, and there 
horses were attached to draw them to Hudson. Mr. 
Williams had a pair of horses that he had l)rought 
with him from New York, and he drove from Monroe 
to his future home in Hillsdale Count}'. He then set- 
tled on the farm that he has occupied ever since. It 
was then heavily covered with a growth of trees cen- 
turies old, and after erecting a board house for the 
shelter of his family, he commenced the task of clear- 



ing his land. He was then in the prime of young man- 
hood, endowed with strength, energy, and a resolute 
and steadfast purpose that well tittod him f(jr ihe 
severe labors and hardships that he was to encounter 
in his struggles witli the forces of nature before he 
could bring his farm to its present cultivated and 
highly productive condition, with neat and sub- 
stantial frame buildings. He was then a poor man, 
and w.as obliged to work out for others in order to 
obtain money enough to live, but by unceasing 
toil he soon had enough of his land cleared so that 
he could farm it profitably. For many years he 
did all of his farm work, marketing and milling, with 
oxen. 

Five children grew up to liless the union of our 
subject and his amiable wife: Juslina, who married 
Andrew Long, died May 2, 1883; Mary married 
James Turner, and lives in .Jefferson Township; 
William E. lives in Pittsford; Ortis E. married 
Harriet Saulsbury, and lives in Pittsford Village ; 
Frank P. lives on the home farm; he married Miss 
Nettie Wood, of Pittsford Township, daughter of 
John and Martha Wood (of whom see sketch in 
another part of this work), and tliey have three 
children — Josie, Aveita and William E. 

Mr. Williams .and his children sustained a s.ad 
loss by the death of the beloved wife and mother. 
Feb. 2, 1887, after a married life of nearl}- forty- 
seven years. She had bravel}' shared with her hus- 
band the adversities of life in a newly settled 
country, and had patiently helped him in building 
up a home. They were devoted to each other and 
their married life was exceedingly happy. She was 
a wise and tender mother, and her neighbors also 
feel that in her death they have lost a kind friend. 
Yet with her we have an abiding faith that it is 

well — 

For her work is comp:issed and done; 
All things are seemly and ready, 
And her summer is just begun. 

But we cannot think of her idle, 
She must be a home-mfiker still; 

God giveth that work to the angels 
Who fittest the t.ask fulfill. 

And somevvbere, yet, in the hilltops 
Of that conntr}' that hath no pain. 

She will watch in her beautiful doorw.aj' 
To bid us welcome again. 



I 

T 





-382 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




jlr. William has nobly fulfilled his obligations as 
a man and a citizen. He has always been faithful 
and tvustworthj' in his relations with his neighbors, 
and genial and helpful toward those about him. ]n 
his own household he was n thoughtful and affection- 
ate husband, and lias ever been a loving father, and 
devoted to the interests of his children and grand- 
children, to whom he is greatly attached. Mr. W. 
has a birthright membersliiii in the Friends' Church. 
He takes a true interest in the welfare of his coun- 
try, and in former days was a member of the Whig 
])arty, but later in life joined the Re])ul)lican partj', 
and is stanch in his support of its mcasines. 

HARLES A. SLOCUM, son of one of the 
honored ])ioneers of Wheatland Township, 
^^ was born here on the 7th of .Inly, 18G0, and 
is living on the homestead which his father built 
np from an indifferently cultivated tract of land 
upon which he located in 1843. This piece of prop- 
erty is numbered among the most bi^autiful and val- 
uable farms of this section, and includes a handsome 
brick residence which the father built in J862, sub- 
stantiautial barns, and all the other structures re- 
quired by the modern agriculturist. The soil by 
a thorough process of cultivation jields the choicest 
crops of Southern Michigan, and the entire prem- 
ises indicate the supervision of an intelligent and 
enterprising propiietor. 

The main points in the history of Albert B. Slo- 
cum, the father of our subject, are in substance as fol- 
lows: He was born in AVayne County, N. i ., March 
19, 1818, and was the son of Smith and Elizabeth 
(Bliss) Slocum, both natives of Berkshire County, 
JIass., who after their mairiage emigrated to the 
vicinity of what was afterward ]\Lacedon, N. Y., 
where the father engaged in farming pursuits. In 
1834 they removed with their seven children to 
Monroe Countj^, where Smith Slocum died the 
year following. The latter was the son of Benjamin 
Slocum, Jr., who was born in Rhode Island in 1751, 
and was the son of Benjamin, Sr., born at New- 
port, that State, Nov. 11, 1714. The latter was 
the son of Giles Slocum, also a native of Rhode 
Island, and born some time in the sixteenth cent- 



ury. His father, Anthony Slcicum, a native of 
England, emigrated to America in 1650, and set- 
tled in Portsmouth. He was killed in King Phil- 
lip's War. The paternal grandmother of our sub- 
ject. Mrs. Elizabeth (Bliss) Slocum, spent her last 
years in Wayne County. N. Y. 

Albert Slocum, when a youth of seventeen years, 
was thus forced to resume the responsibilities of 
head of the family. He continued with his mother 
and her children six years thereafter and was then 
married, Aug. 30, 1843, to Miss Cordelia E., 
daughter of Col. Levi and Olive (Eaton) Tread- 
well. This lady was born Feb. 9, 1 821, and became 
the mother of four children — Llewellyn, Harmon, 
Helen, and Charles A., of our sketch. Grandfather 
Treadwell came to the West late in life and died 
in Wheatland Township, this cf)unty, when a very 
old man. 

Albert Slocum emigrated to Michigan in 1843, 
the j'ear of his first marriage, and ])urchased the 
west half of the southwest quarter of section 28 
in Wheatland Township, from which not a stick of 
timber had been cut. The first winter he taught 
a district school and thus obtained means by which 
he paid for the clearing of the first ten acres. Soon 
afterward he began giving his entire attention to 
his farm, adding to his acreage as time passed on, 
but at the same time identified hmiself with the 
interests fif the people abt)ut him, and was largely 
instiumental in the growth and progress of the 
township. He was at an early <late selected as a 
proper incumbent of the various local offices, and 
arose step by step until he was chosen by the Re- 
publican party to represent the Third District of 
which Hillsdale County forms a part, in the State 
Legislature. During the war he was appointed by 
Gov. Blair and Provost-BIarshal General Fry, a 
recruiting officer, and rendered valuable aid in 
clearing his town from the draft. In both his pub- 
lic and private life he illustrated the worthy man 
and useful citizen, and at his death was mourned 
by the community as one whose place it would be 
difficult to fill. 

Charles A. Slocum has spent most of his life 
in AVheatland Township, becoming familiar with 
the various employmentsof the farm, and receivii>g 
a practical education which has fitted him for the 



A 



^ 



-^•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



383 



i~ 



duties of life ns the offspring of a fine old family 
and whom it behooves to siistiiin the reputation of 
his aiieestors. Altiionj^h perhaps not the hero of 
any thrillin<T event, he is filling his niche in the 
eomniiinily perhaps in the best possible manner, and 
being a man j'et young in years, much is expected 
of him in the future. 

The marriage of Charles A. Slot-um and Miss 
Ida Whitchcr was eelebrated at the home of the 
bride in Wheatland on the 8th of October. 1«82. 
Mrs. SlDciim, lil<e her husband, is also a native of 
Wheatland Township, and was born .June 23, 1859. 
Iler |)arents. Lucius and Caroline (Brookins) 
Whiteher, were natives of New York .State, whence 
they emigrated to Southern Michigan during its 
early settlement. They are now residents of 
Wheatland. Jlrs. Siocura is one of the five chil- 
dren comprising the household circle, of whom four 
are living and are residents of Wheatland. She 
has been thoroughly educated, and by her union 
with our subject is the inf)tlier of two bright chil- 
dren: IJessie V., born April IG. 1883, and Clifford 
L., Aug. 30, 1887. Mr. Slocum voles the straight 
Republican ticket, and with his estimable wife at- 
tends the Congregational Cluirch. A portion of 
the land included in his farm was left him from his 
father's estate, and he afterward added to it until 
he has now a quarter-section which he devotes to 
general farming, raising grain and wheat, and a f^ir 
assortment of live stock. 



55^> ILAS W. GLASGOW, son of one of the 
early pioneers of this county, and whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, is 
now numbered among the prominent and 
well-to do farmers of Allen Township, where he has 
resided for many years, and been closely identified 
with the aff.'iirs of this part of the county since a 
young man. Politically, he is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and has discharged the duties of many impor- 
tant offices, serving as Justice of the Peace several 
terms, ofliciating as School Director and Superin- 
tendent of Schools, and often chosen as a delegate 
to the Stale and County Conventions. Alw.-iys tak- 
ing a warm interest in religious and educational in- 

■<• 




stitutions, he is. with his excellent wife, one of the 
])lllars of the Presbyterian Church, and has been 
Superintendent of the Sabbath-school for many 
years. To put it briefly, he is simply one of the 
indispensable factors in the community, whose place, 
were he absent, it would be diflicult to fill. 

Our subject was born in Fayette Tow-nshlp. this 
count}', Oct. 2, 1843, and it is hardly necessary to 
say, considering the career of his honored father, 
was reared to farming pursuits. His first studies 
were conducted in the district and Union schools 
of Jonesville, and later he took a course in Hills- 
dale College. LTpon returning home he began op- 
erating, in company with his father, the large farm 
of 400 acres, the propert}' of the latter, and father 
and son, in the meantime, inaugurated considerable 
of a loan business, disposing in this manner of their 
surplus funds. The young man at an early age 
evinced the excellent business qualities which have 
l)roved his success in life, and b}- reason of which 
he has attained to his present position. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject was his marriage With Miss Emma L. 
Mitchell, which was celebrated at the home of the 
bride in Jonesville, Sept. 7, 1870. Mrs. Glasgow 
w.as born in Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y.,June22, 18,51, 
and is the daughter of Jonas F. and Cordelia (Row- 
\ey) Mitchell, natives also of the Empire State, tlie 
father born in Erie County, and the mother in 
Castile, AVyoming County. After marriage they 
settled in Aurora, Erie County, where they lived 
until 1860, and thence removed to Delaware, Ohio. 
Some time later, in the latter part of the month of 
December, 1861, they came to this count}', tak- 
ing up their residence in Jonesville, but a few 
months later removed to a farm which the father 
had purchased, two and one-half miles west, in Fay- 
ette Township. The father, a few years later, on ac- 
count of ill-health, was obliged to abandon active 
labor, and returning to Jonesville, took up his resi- 
dence here an<l remained until his death. The 
mother is still living, and a resident of Jonesville. 
Mrs. Glasgow is the only survivor of their two chil- 
dren, her brother, George M., having died in Jones- 
ville, July 0, 1877, when a promising young man 
twenty -two years of age. 

Mrs. Glasgow received an excellent edncalion, 



384 



' ^ m 4 9 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and for a period of three years was engaged as 
teacher in the Union School, at Jonesville. Of her 
marriage with our subject there are three children — 
Amarette J., Eva L. and William M. Mr. Glasgow 
identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, with 
which lie is still connected, and for the principles 
of which he entertains an ardent admiration. 

"iT^AMES H. GILCHREST, late of Allen Town- 
ship, departed this life Nov. 2, 1884. He 
had come to this county in 1865, and during 
his residence here of nearly twenty years, 
assisted material!}' in the development of the soil, 
cultivating his fine farm of 341 acres to good ad- 
vantage, and adding the improvements naturally 
suggested to the industrious and enterprising citizen. 
Mr. Gilchrest was born in Nyack, Rockland Co., 
N. Y., March 4, 1821, and was the son of a well- 
to-do farmer of th.at region, remaining under the 
parental roof until reaching his majority, and he- 
coming familiar with agricultural pursuits. About 
that time, as is quite natural willi tiie youth of that 
time of life, he wished for a change, and accord- 
ingly leaving the farm he went to town and was 
employed as clerk in a grocery store one year. The 
3'ear following we find him engaged in the butcher- 
ing business at Tarry town, and this he followed 
until 1865, when he decided to seek his fortune in 
the young and rapidly growing State of Michigan. 
Allen Township was chosen as the most desirable 
locality for settlement by Mr. Gilchrest at that 
time, and he accordingly located upon land which 
he had previously acquired in the northeastern part, 
and upon which he continued to operate until the 
illness which resulted in his death. 

Our subject, while a resident of his native State, 
was married in Tarry town, Jan. 20, 1858, to Miss 
Emeline Twitchings, who was born near that place, 
in Westchester County, March 1, 1829, and who 
was the daughter of John and Emeline (Avery) 
Twitchings, who were natives of that county. The 
father spent his entire life there, and the mother 
subsequently removed to Georgetown, D. C, where 
her death took place at her home. Mr. Twitchings 
w.as a Methodist in reliaious belief. Mrs. Gilchrest 



was reared under the parental roof, educated in the 
common school, and trained by an excellent mother 
to those housewifely duties which fitted her to pre- 
side over the home of a good man. Of her mar- 
riage with Mr. Gilchrest there were born four chil- 
dren, two sons and two daughters, who have all 
been spared to her and are now settled about her in 
comfortable homes of their own. The eldest, Mi- 
nerva L., is the wife of Joseph J. Walsh, of Allen 
Township; Laura married Charles E. Gier, and is 
also residing not far from the old homestead ; 
George H. married Miss Frank Bennet, and is farm- 
ing in the same locality; Mary A. is the wife of H. 
E. Ford, of Jonesville. 

The parents of our subject were Thomas and 
Lydia (Coleman) Gilchrest, both natives of West- 
chester County, N. Y. The father died in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., when about eighty -six years of age; the 
mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Pol- 
hemns, in Brooklyn also. James H. was a Method- 
ist in religious faith, and politically, a Democrat, 
while Mrs. Gilchrest is a member of the Episcopal 
Church. The homestead is noticeable among the 
other well-regulated farms of Allen Township. 



,ENJAMIN WHITE. That Michigan has 
become a conspicuous and powerful State 
I'/Tllftll) '" ^^^'^ Union is owing largely to the sturdy' 
^^^^ and resolute men of the past and present 
generation, who have so ably developed its rich and 
fertile soil into beautiful and productive farms. 
Pre-eminent among the counties of this State for 
its agricultural facilities and the enterprise and in- 
telligence of ics farmers and stock-growers, stands 
the county of Hillsdale, and among her citizens 
who have industriously devoted themselves to till- 
ing the soil and raising cattle and other stock, is 
the subject of this sketch, who owns a good farm 
on section 30, Woodbridge Township. He was 
born in West V^irginia, Aug. 28, 1816, a son of 
John and Mary (Spencer) White, natives respect- 
ively of Ireland and Virginia. His father was a 
farmer by occupation, and migrated with his familj' 
to Ohio in 1821, and settling in Jackson County, 
successfully carried on his calling there until his 




-t 



-4* 



-4«- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



385 



-^ 



t 



dt'iUli. in 1834. at the age of seventy years. He 
was a stanch Wliii^ in politics, and with liis good 
wile occiiiiici] an lionored position in tlic coni- 
niniiily where he lived. He was horn in 17G4.and 
iiis wife in 1774. the latter dying in 182S. They 
wore the |)aicnls of nine children, namely: James, 
Steplien, 'I'homas, Henjaniin, Mary, Sarah, Martha, 
Catherine and Klizabelh. 

Benjamin While was hut five years of age when 
his parents took him to Ohio to live, and there the 
remaining years of his boyhood and youth were 
passed in securing such an education as was afforded 
by the common schools of those days, and in work- 
iugon a farm. He grew up to he remarkably strong, 
healthy and energetic, could swing an ax with the 
best choppers of the day, and when he became a 
land-owner himself, ranked among the most able 
and vigorous pioneers in wresting a farm from the 
forest-covered soil. After obtaining a good start 
in life he married Miss Jeanetta Kwiug, April 3, 
1844. hhe was born in Ohio, June 8, 1827, and 
was a daughter of Enoch and Susan (Readabaugh) 
Ewing, natives of Virginia, the father born in 1799, 
and the mother in 1800; he died in December, 
188G, and she May 7, 1884. The names of their 
children were as follows: Charlotte, Isaac, Jeanetta 
J., John W., William J., Andrew A., James L., 
Elizabeth, Henry M. and Emma J. ; the latter died at 
the age of four years. Mrs. White was well drilled 
in all the household accomplishments considered 
indispensable in her younger daj's to the making 
of a good housewife. iShe was early taught to run 
the spinning-wheel and loom, and has now in her 
possession coverlets and satinet that she wove 
herself when a girl, and that will be precious relics 
to her grandchildien and great-grandchildren; be- 
sides she spun a gre.it many kinds of cloth from fiax, 
and broke and scrutched flax to prepare it for use. 
A part of the time she attended school and received 
a f'lir education for the times. Of her marriage 
with our sulijcct four children have been born, two 
of whom aie living: Enoch C. married Rose Howell; 
Isaac died at the age of ten years and twenty days; 
Stciihen died at the age of two years and two 
months; Susan J. married James Martin, Jind they 
have one child, Bennie J. 

In 18.53 our subject left Ohio and came to Michi- 
.^ 



gan, to make his tiorae on the farm where he now 
resides. H is homestead comprises 1 70 acres of land, 
and by hard and constant labor he has cleared 1 20 
acres from the forests, and now has a finely im- 
proved farm, with substantial buildings and many 
other indications of thrift and prosperity. He de- 
votes himself to mixed farming, raises good grades 
of stock, and pa3's much allenlion to the culture of 
fruit, having an orchard of 150 apple trees. 



ylLLlAM S. .SCHERMERHORN, senior 
member of the firm of Schermerhorn Bros., 
operates with his partner an establishment 
for the manufacture of hardwood lumber and all 
kinds of building material, and for this purpose they 
occupy the whole of what is known as the Colby 
Manufactory, which is the most extensive enter- 
prise of the kind in Southern Michigan. The firm 
was established in March, 1887, although William 
S. had been engaged in business similar in another 
part of the town since 1867. 

Our subject inaugurated his business first as a 
foundry and planing-niill, and later increased the 
capacity of his establishment, taking in the manu- 
facture of lumber and supplies for house building 
of all kinds. He has operated with marked success, 
as he is thrifty and industrious, prompt to meet his 
obligatio)is, and by his straightforward methods of 
doing business has placed himself upon a sound 
footing with the community at large. He began 
on a capital of less than §2,000. and now transacts 
an annual business of $50,000. Their factory is 
equipped with the most modern and approved raa- 
chineiy, including a oO-horse-power engine, and 
they give employment to twelve men. Mr. Scher- 
merhorn being himself a practical mechanic and 
machinist, has the best advantage over his business, 
knowing how it should be done and being able to 
give directions as to the manner of doing it. 

The early tramping ground of our subject vvas in 
Chatham Township, Columbia Co.. N. Y., where iiis 
birth took pl.ace Feb. 2, 1824. His father, John 
W. Schermerhorn, was also a native of the Empire 
State, and born at Kinderhook, Oct. 17, 1800. The 
family is of Holland ancestry. The father of oin- 



386 



HILLSDALE CULNTY. 



4 



subject was reared to farming pursuits, and was mar- 
ried, in Columbia County, N. Y., to Miss Sarah 
Smitli, also a native of Kiuderhook and wlio was 
born Sept. 25, 1802. She was of American descent 
as far back as the record is known. She was reared 
in her native county, and with her husband is still 
living, making their home in Reading, and being 
now quite well advanced in years. Thej' are the 
parents of seven children, five sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom only one daughter and three sons are 
living, and are .ill married. 

William S. Schermerhorn was the eldest son and 
second child of his parents, with whom he contin- 
ued on the farm till a youth of seventeen years. 
'1 he pursuit of agriculture, however, did not seem 
to be entirely adapted to his natural tastes, and he 
accordingly left home, and going to Ljons. N. Y., 
began an apprenticeship at the trade of machinist. 
He vvas thus occupied until in Januarj', 1864, dur- 
ing the progress of the late war, and on the 4th of 
that month enlisted in Company B, 31st Iowa In- 
fantry, under command of Capt. Spear, of the West- 
ern Army. They were at oncesent to the Southeast, 
and joining the army of Ger. Sherman, participated 
in the famous march to the sea, and our subject was at 
the siege of Atlanta and the battles of Resaca and 
Columbia, besides other conflicts with the enemy. 
He, however, fortunately escaped unharmed, with 
the exception of illness and the natural results of 
privation and hardships, which left their effects 
upon his system and from which he has never fully 
recovered. 

Mr. Schermerhorn received his honorable dis- 
charge from the army after the close of the war, 
Aug. 1, 1865, and returning at once to Iowa, located 
at Cedar Falls, and was occupied as before until 
1 867. He had been married first, in Webster. 
Monroe Co., N. 1'., to Miss Phebe A. Rouse, who 
was born and reared in Monroe Count}', and who 
became the mother of two children — Loraine G. 
and Charles H. She moved to Iowa with her hus- 
band. 

Our subject was married the second time, March 
17, 1869, in Hillsdale, to Mrs. Almeda E., daugh- 
ter of James and Catherine E. (Case) Betts, 
who came to Michigan from Amsterdam, N. Y., 
lived for a time in Jiickson County, and later re- 



moved to Hillsdale, where both died when about 
seventy-eight 3'ears old. Mrs. Schermerhorn was 
educated mostly in the schools of this countj', and 
lived with her parents until her first marriage, with 
John F. Schermerhorn, a brother of our subject, 
who during the late war belonged to Company F., 
18th Michigan Infantrj-, and was killed in the bat- 
tle at Athens. He made a good record as a brave 
and faithful soldier, and gave three 3'ears to 
the service of his country. Of this first marriage 
of Mrs. S. there was born one child, a daughter, 
Carrie E., who is now living in Jackson County, 
Mich. Our subject and his wife have one child 
only: William F., born June 27, 1871. They are 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and number a large circle of fiiends and acquaint- 
ances in their community. Mr. Schermerhorn 
votes with the Prohibitionists, and has served as 
one of the city fathers in years gone by. His busi- 
ness is conducted in the most admirable manner, 
and he ranks among the representative men of the 
county. The beautiful home of the family is located 
on Michigan street, in Reading Vill.age, and forms 
one of the most attractive spots within its limits. 



i#*^ 






'\f' AJIF^S BARKER, retired farmer, residing in 
North Adams, is the owner of a fine farm on 
section 5, Adams Township. As a truly 
representative citizen of this county and one 
who has been closely identified with its growth, it 
affords us genuine pleasure to place a brief sketch 
of his life before the reading public. He is a na- 
tive of New York, born March 31, 1828, on the 
same farm that his father was, in Schuyler, Her- 
kimer County. His parents, Vining and Sally 
(Davis) Barker, were both natives of Herkimer 
County, where they located after their marriage, 
remaining there many years. In 1836 Mr. Barker 
came to Michigan, and invested part of his money 
in eighty acres of Government land on section 8, 
Adams Township, on which he moved with his fam- 
ily three j'ears later. Leaving Schuj'ler in January, 
the journey was made in a wagon containing him- 
self, wife, and their seven children, to Syracuse, 
where thej' encountered a snow blockade, and were 



■•^r^T" 



-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



387 



it"" 



oliligcd to travt'l from there to Cleveland in sleighs. 
At that place thej' aeain took the wagon, in which 
they completed tiieir joniney. arriving .safely at 
their destination in the latter part of February, 
having been a little over a month in making the 
journey, which at the present time can be easily 
accomplished in fourteen hours. The hardships 
and dangers of travel in those days well illustrate 
the conditions of life that obtained in a newly set- 
tled country, in whose vast forests wild animals 
found shelter, and whose swamjjs were ague haunted. 
To leave friends, kindred, and comforUible homes, 
to encounter these, riquired bravery of spirit, 
energetic ambition, and more than ordinary enter- 
prise. Not onl}- iMr. Barker and his wife were pos- 
sessed with these characteristics of the true pioneer, 
but Iheir children, though tender in years, were 
imijued witli the same desirable qualities, and all 
worked together and assisted, not only in evolving 
a home from the forest-covered land, but they be- 
came potent agents in develojiing this portion of 
Michigan from a wilderness to the garden spot of 
America. 

Our subject, then eight years of age, assisted in 
clearing and breaking the land, and two j'ears later 
he was doing a man's work in driving from three to 
five yoke of oxen with a team of horses ahead. He 
has always exhibited the same earnest zeal in all his 
undertakings, and bis success h.as rarely been ex- 
celled. By i)ersevering toil and judicious manage- 
ment he has perfected all his plans, and is enabled 
now to give up the active duties of life, and enjoy 
in comfort the remainder of his years, having 
amassed a competency. Mr. Barker received good 
educational advantages in his native State, but no 
school was establislied in Adams Township until 
after he had been here two years, and then it was 
opened onlj' in the winter season. He, however, 
attended when it was in session, and well improved 
all his time, acquiring in the end more general and 
practical knowledge than many who could avail 
themselves of the superior facilities of the educa- 
tional institutions of the older .States. He remained 
under the parental roof, assisting in the general 
work of the farm until 1850, when he cstalilished a 
home of his own, taking for a life companion Miss 
Julia A. Xoyes. Her father, Gershom Noyes, a pio- 



neer of Lenawee County, was twice married. The 
maiden name of his first wife, by whom he had five 
children, was Electa Matilda ()loast)U. After her 
death he married Lydia Franklin, who belonged to 
the family of .John Fraukliu, whose name appeared 
on Continental money. Her great-grandfather was 
Col. Franklin, of Revolutionary fame, known and 
associated in history with the illustrious George 
Washington. (See sketch of Joseph Bagley.) 

The second marriage of Mr. Noyes was blessed 
by the birth of seven children, of whom Mrs. Barker 
was the third. She was I)orn in I'almyra Township, 
Lenawee County, Sept. 21, 1832, being one of the 
first white children born in that countj'. Adrian, 
its chief settlement, now its largest city, was then a 
struggling hamlet, having but one double log house. 
Her girlhood was passed at home, assisting in the 
duties of the household and in attending school. 
Her quick intellect eagerly seized all chances of 
gaining knowledge, and by observation and applica- 
tion to her books, she became a well-informed and 
an intelligent scholar, and aftershe became a mother, 
was well qualified to guide the mental training of 
her children, and inspire in them the same love for 
learning. Her union with our subject has been 
blessed by the birth of twochildren : Lauren James, 
whose birth took place Oct. 1, 1861 , and Charles L, 
born Sept. 9, 1864. The former, who has charge 
of the homestead, married Miss Minnie Carr, and 
they have one son. Jay ; Charles, who was gr.aduated 
from Hillsdale College in the class of 1887, with 
the degree of Bachelor of Science, is now Principal 
of the High School in Allen, Mich. 

Mr. Barker is the owner of a rich and productive 
farm of 165 acres, on which he has erected a good 
dwelling, ample barn, and other necessary farm 
buddings. These, with the large orchard and orna- 
mental shrubbery which he has set out, form a pleas- 
ant, scenic feature of the landscape, and inevitabl}' 
attract the attention of the passerby. This is now 
under the charge of his eldest son, while he and his 
wife are living in the residence that he has rccentlj' 
built in North Adams. Our subject takes an active 
interest in the affairs of his township, and has served 
as .School Director several times, and filled the office 
of Justice of the Peace for twelve consecutive years. 
Politicall3', he is a Republican, having been identi- 



-4•— 

388 



■•► 



1 



HILLSDALK COUNTY, 




fied with that organization from its beginning. His 
first vote, cast in 1852, was for the candidate of the 
Whig parlj'. Religious!}', both Mr. and Mrs. Bar- 
ker are esteemed members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Chinch, he being a Trustee of the same. Mrs. 
Barker is one of the leading workers of the de- 
nomination, assisted in building the church, and is 
active in its maintenance. She is also a valued 
member of the W. C. T. U. 

ETER SEELEY, farmer and stock-raiser, 
owns on section 4 one of the rich and 
productive farms for which Camden Town- 
ship is noted, and is very successful in the 
management cf his agricultural interests. He is a 
native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, and was born 
aiarch 23, 1840. He is a son of the late Obadiah 
C. and Rebecca L. (Hill) Seelej', natives of the 
iState of New York. It is supposed that his pater- 
nal ancestors were of English origin. His maternal 
grandfatiier, C. C. Hill, served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812. His father moved from Ohio to 
this State in 1843, and, although not among the 
earliest settlers of Camden Township, was regarded 
as one of the pioneers of this county and township, 
baving honorablj' borne a part in the development 
of the agricultural resources of this region, and 
having been interested in promoting its growth. 
He was widely and favoralily known as a man of 
high character and industrious habits, and in his 
death Hillsdale County lost one of her most es- 
teemed citizens. In ])olities he was during the last 
years of his life a stanch adherent of the Repub- 
lican party. To him and his wife were born nine 
children, of whom our subject is the only one now 
living. Those deceased are as follows: .James, 
Mary, Peter Lewis, Gilbert. Helen, Minor, and two 
who died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man's 
estate in this township, and amid the pioneer sur- 
roundings of iiis boyhood received but a scant edu- 
cation, but being naturally intelligent and quick, 
made the most of the schooling that fell to liim. 
He had scarcelj' attained his majority when the late 
Civil War broke out, and he soon determined to 



-*•- 



leave home and friends, and on Southern battle- 
fields devote his life to his countr}'. Fired with 
this patriotic resolve, he enlisted in August, 1861, 
in Company K, 11th Michigan Infantrj', which was 
attached to the Arm}' of the Tennessee. His regi- 
ment, the 11th Michigan Infantry, won a fine rep- 
utation for daring deeds, unflinching courage and 
efficient service, in some of the hardest fought bat- 
tles of the Rebellion, and each man who belonged 
to it has just reason to be proud of his war record. 
In the battle of Stone River our subject received a 
severe wound in the head, in the right arm, and in 
the right hip. and thus disabled was taken prisoner. 
He was confined in Thunder Castle for several 
weeks, when he was exchanged, and returned to 
Michigan. Notwithstanding the dangerous charac- 
ter of his wounds, his youthful and vigorous con- 
stitution, aided by the tender care of his friends, 
enabled him so far to recover that at the end of 
three weeks he again joined his regiment at Mur- 
freesboro, Tenn, and he subsequently took part 
in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buz- 
zard's Roost, Rattlesnake Gap, siege of Atlanta, 
and numerous minor engagements. He was honor- 
abl}' discharged from the army in the fall of 1864, 
when he returned home, and on the 1st of the fol- 
lowing January, 1865, received ample reward for 
his sufferings and privations while a soldier, as on 
that day he led to the altar Miss Jane Seele}-. who 
has since been to him a true wife and a loving, de- 
voted companion. She is a native of Hillsdale 
County, born in Camden Township, June 14, 1846. 
She is a daughter of Harvey and Margaret Seeley, 
who came here at a very early day, sometime in 
the forties, and were respected residents here for 
many j'ears. They and a number of their children 
were devoted members of the United Brethren 
Church. The}' were the parents of nine children, 
eight of whom are living, as follows: Alice M. is 
the wife of John Storer, of Camden Township; 
Jane; Angeline is the wife of Joseph Rising, of 
Southern Nebraska; Susanna is the wife of Oscar 
Clark, of Camden Township ; Mary is the wife of 
John Cross, of Camden Township; John V. lives in 
Emmet County, Mich.; Alonzo lives in Camden 
Township; Byron E. is dead. The pleasant mar- 
ried life of our subject and his wife has been blessed 



n 



-U 



HILLSIJALK COUISTY. 



389 






to tlieni by the birth of tliico cliiklrcn. namely: 
Susie, wiio is the wife of .lolm Robiiiett, of DcKalb 
Count}', Iiid.; Arthur and Frank. 

Mr. Sfeley lias devoted liis life since the war to 
agricultural pursuits, to which he had been bred, 
and he is carrying on his farm of eighty acres with 
a good degree of success. It is amply provided 
with neat and comfortable buildings for the various 
|)uri)oses of a farmer, and his farm is well stocked, 
as from that branch of agriculture he derives :i 
good income. 

Our subject is still a faithful adherent of the Re- 
publican party, under whose banners he fouglit. He 
is a true citizen, and besides contributing his share 
to advance the material prosperity of this township, 
has earnestly striven, aided by his friends and asso- 
ciates, to elevate its moral and social status. He 
has served one term as School Commissioner. He 
is a prominent and influential member of the United 
Brethren Church, of which his wife and children 
are also valued members, and he has been very 
active in its afifairs, serving as Class-Leader, Stew- 
ard, and was also on the building committee 
when the church was being built in Camden Town- 
ship. 

_.-•. " ; H •, '■":■• ■ -^' ;i, : " :,,_ 
'-■ "- " ■' ':,■ - ■ >'■' '■ " •' " '•>' 

(^NDREW REYNOLDS, a thrifty farmer and 
i^Ol stock-raiser of Cambria Township, is pleas- 
|l\ antly located, with his land lying on sec- 
tions 25 and 36; besides general f.-irming, 
he gives a large share of his attention to the raising 
of Durham cattle and I'oiand-China swine. The 
most of his land, com])rising a good farm of 275 
acres, is in a productive condition, and his resi- 
dence occupies a pleasant situation in the southern 
part of section 25. 

Mr. Reynolds, a gentleman in the prime of life, 
was born in the township of California, Branch 
County, this State, Oct. 30, 1840. His father. 
Chancy Reynolds, was born in L^ons, Wayne Co., 
N. Y., and was the son of Joseph Reynolds, one 
of the most thrifty farmers of the Empire .State. 
Grandfatliei- Reynolds left his native soil after 
reacliing middle life, and took up his abode in 
Branch Count}', three miles from any house, in 

^ 



the township of California. There he spent his 
last years, continuing a tiller of the soil, and sur- 
rounded himself with many comforts before his 
death, which occurred in 1850 or 1851. 

.Joseph Reynolds, upon reaching manhood, took 
up, like his father before him, a tract of Govern- 
ment land sometime in the thirties, and continued 
a resident of Branch County the remainder of his 
life, he and his excellent wife passing away within 
a few days of each other, both at the age of sixty- 
five years. 

Chancy Reynolds was but a boy when he came 
with his parents to Branch County, this State, and 
upon reaching manhood sought his wife among the 
maidens of Bedford, Monroe County, being mar- 
ried, about 1841, to Miss Triphena Tuttle, who was 
also a native of New York State, and came to 
Michigan with her parents during its Territorial 
days. The young people after their marriage lo- 
cated upon a tr.act of land in California Township, 
Branch County, where the father labored indus- 
triously as a tiller of the soil, and was rewarded in 
due time by the possession of a fertile farm, sup- 
plied with good buildings, and all the other appur- 
tenances of a comfortable home. They endured 
hardships and privations, and practiced the most 
rigid economy. The first meal in their new home 
was cooked by the side of a stump, and eaten from 
the same dish. They worked together with one 
common purpose, and about 1848. having a chance 
to dispose of their property to good advantage, 
sold out in Branch County, and took up a tract of 
eighty acres of wild land in Camden Township, this 
county, which was then far from any neighbors, 
and where they nearly repeated the process through 
which they had gone in Branch County. Upon 
this, however, they resided but a few years, and sell- 
ing out once more, the father purchased 120 .acres 
in Camden Townshii), which he cultivated for a 
time, then sold out again, and pureh.ased eighty 
iicres in Reading Township. Upon this he made 
some imi)rovemenls. but removed from it in 1852 
to the northeast quarter of section 3C, Cambria 
Townshi|), purcluising also at the same time twenty 
acres in .Jefferson Townshii) adjoining. This also wsis 
a wild and unbroken tract, but the father seemed to 
delight in subduing the wilderness, and here also 



=T- 



390 



■•►■ 



,t 



hillsdalp: county. 






effected a great change in the primitive condition 
of the soil. He also put np two houses, with the 
other needed buildings, and here continued to re- 
side until his death, which took place Aug. 18, 
1865. 

The father of our subject, in addition to his farm- 
ing operations, dealt considerably in real estate, 
buying and selling extensivelj'. At the same time 
he took a lively interest in township affairs, and was 
a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. The 
mother survived her husband until 1880, dying 
February 21 of that year, at the home of our subject, 
in Cambria Township. .She had been a true hel[)- 
mate to her husband, who, without her ready co- 
oi)eration, would probably have fallen far short of 
that which he was enabled to accomplish. 

To Chancy RcA'nolds and his excellent wife there 
were born eleven children, six sons and five daugh- 
ters, seven of whom lived to mature years, and are 
all married and settled in tliis State. Andrew, our 
subject, is the third eldest living. He completed 
his education in the common schools of Cambria 
Township, and took for his new wife one of the 
most estimable young ladies of Woodbridge Towu- 
siiip. Miss Rhoda A. Fuller, to whom he was mar- 
ried Oct. 14, 1874. 

Mrs. Reynolds was born in Sodus Township, 
Wayne Co., N. Y., April 20, 1851, the daughter of 
Alcanzer and Amanda (Hopkins) Fuller, also na- 
tives of Wayne County, N. Y., where they were 
married, and whence they removed to Michigan, 
when their daughter Amanda was an infant four 
months old. The father, a carpenter by trade, fol- 
lowed his occupation until removing to Wood- 
bridge Township, this county, where he purchased 
a small tract of land, thirtj'-five acres in extent, 
which he improved and added to until he is now 
the owner of a good farm of 110 acres, with con- 
venient and substantial buildings. Mr. Fuller is 
fifty-eight years of age, and his estimable wife 
sixty-one. Their family included three daughters, 
who are now residing in Michigan. 

Mrs. Reynolds continued under the parental roof 

nntil her marriage, and is now the mother of two 

interesting children, a daughter and son, Eva A. 

and Chancy, who are pursuing their studies in the 

1 t district school. Mr. Reynolds, politically, has afHli- 



ated with the Democratic party since becoming a 
voter. Their neat horaesteail invariably attracts 
the eye of the passing traveler, and in all its sur- 
roundings indicates the thrift and imhistry of the 
proprietor. 



-Mj^iZ;®^-^ ~^^^ 



-^-S/ZTj^Ji- 



Ip!) BENEZER O. GROSVENOR, Su.. deceased, 
f.ather of the Hon. K. O. Grosvenor, was a 
prominent citizen of Albion, Mich., and was 
born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Mass., Oct. 29, 
1783, having been one of a family of ten children 
born to his father. Rev. Daniel Grosvenor. Of this 
large family nine grew to maturity, and became 
citizens whose influence for good was felt wherever 
they dwelt. Their father was a devout. God-fear- 
ing man, and his innate goodness, purity of heart, 
integrity of purpose, and true Christian character, 
so impressed itself on each of his offspring, that of 
the nine children who were permitted by God's 
providence to reach years of discretion, all made 
public profession of faith in Christ, and two of the 
sons, following in their father's footsteps, became 
earnest and conscientious laborers in the vineyard 
of the Master. Of the other sons, three, i.icluding 
him of whom we write, became Deacons in the 
church, and worked not only for the good of the 
denominations to which they belonged, but also for 
the moral and Christian elevation of society'. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive State, where he received a good public-school 
education, and later in life, by his own persistent 
efforts, acquired such a knowledge of generallitera- 
ture and science, that he became well fitted to asso- 
ciate with men of the highest culture, and to fill 
with satisfaction the oflSces to which he was elected. 
That his attainments should have been so varied 
and so profound without the advantages of a col- 
legiate education, reflects great credit upon himself 
and lionor to the parents under whose wise guidance 
he was enabled to accomplish so much. He was a 
young man of exceptionally fine habits, and al- 
though not a professor of religion until thirty years 
of his life had licen passed, his youth and early 
manhood were noticeably free from the common 
vices of intemperance and profanity, and were 



^ 



t 



■^•- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



3'Jl 



i' 



marked by storliiig integrity of ciinnn-ter and np- 
riglil bnsiness transactions. In llie ^ear 1 SI ;i Mr. 
Grosvenor. who was IIrm) engaged in niercaiitileand 
jneciianieal Imsiness in Worcester Connty, Mass.. 
was united in marriage to a most estimable lad}' of 
culture and refiiiement. Miss Mary Ann, daughter 
of Hiaddyl and Mary (Flint) Liverinore. 

Not long after his m.airiage Mr. Grosvenor met 
with sudden and severe losses, but he submitted 
with cheerfulness to God's will, and removing to 
.Stillwater, N. Y., he engaged in school teaching, an 
occupation he had previously pursued. There he 
remained several years, greatly esteemed and be- 
loved as an instructor of youth, and still more hon- 
ored as an active Christian worker. Under his 
benign influence a large number of his pui)ils, and 
nianj' of the adults of that place, were led to ac- 
knowledge Christ's supremacy, and became earnest 
advocates of Ilis cause. .Subsequently our subject 
taught m the High School of Cliittenango, N. Y., 
whicli was under the supervision of Dr. Yates. 
There he also did efficient service in the Master's 
cause, and his residence there was deemed a bless- 
ing to the place. But needing a home where he 
could attend to the industrial education of as well 
as sup|)ly the temporal needs of his large family, 
our subject removed to Calhoun County, Mich., 
where he purchased a farm in the township of 
Albion, and at once commenced its improvement. 
At that time but a small part of this important and 
flourishing State had been settled, and Mr. Grosve- 
nor deserves honorable mention as one of the 
brave pioneers of tlic central portion of Michigan, 
who b}' their energetic zeal and enter[)rise lent great 
a.ssist!»nce in liringing this part of the State to its 
present jirosperitj'. Mr. Grosvenor was especially 
interested in establishing good e<lucational facili- 
ties, and devoted much of his time and attention to 
securing well qualified teachers for the schools, 
knowing that the cause of universal education would 
be best aided in that way, and now after the lapse 
of half a century the present generation is receiv- 
ing the benefits of the seed then sown. Our sub- 
ject also took part in all the reforms of the da^ , 
and a.ssisted in the advancement of all plans for the 
good of his town, count}'. State, and indeed of 
the world at large. He donated liberally to the 



dilTerent missions, gave his influence toward our 
country from the cuise of slavery, and worked hard 
against the growing evils of intemperance. 

This good man passed from earth April O. 1871, 
at the venerable ,'ige of eighty-seven j-ears, five 
months and seven days, greatly mourned by kin- 
dred and friends. The Presbj-terian Church, wf 
which he was an active member, keenly felt its loss, 
and holds his memory in the highest esteem. The 
public obsequiesof his funeral were very impressive, 
and were attended by large numbers of the citizens 
and prominent men from all parts of the county, 
who came to pay their last tril)ute to a true Chris- 
tian friend and worthy citizen. Deacon Grosvenor 
hail l)een a widower for many years, his estimable 
wife having precedeil him to the better world in 
1849. To them had been born seven sonsand throe 
daughters, the former all being well-known public 
men. 

ARVEY M. TURNEY was one of eleven 
children born to that well-known pioneer 
s>^ couple of Somerset Township, Thomas and 
i^j Mary (Williams) Turney, who settled on 
sections in 1834 or 1835, taking up their resi- 
dence in a log house with their two children, and 
living there until after the birth of live more. The 
two j-ounger were born in the new frame dwelling 
into which the parents had proudi}' rinnoved after ,a 
residence of fifteen years in the first primitive 
dwelling. Their son Ilarve}', of our sketcli, first 
opened his eyes to the light on the 29th of June, 
1846, in the humble dwelling spoken of, and has 
most of the time since been a resident of Somerset 
Township. 

Thomas Turney and his wife were natives of 
Countj" Fermanagh, Ireland, the former born July 
12, 1812, and the latter Feb. 12, 1814. They were 
married in Rochester, N. Y., and settled near the 
town of Batavia. whore tliey lived until coming to 
the West. Thomas Turney had crossed the At- 
lantic when quite young, and became a thrifty and 
well-to-do citizen, respected alike f(jr his integrity 
of char.'ictcr and tlie imlustr}' which enabled him 
to build up a good honu'siead. Politically, he 
voted the Democratic ticket, ami his son, our sub- 



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392 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ject. follows the same line of polities, and is a strong 
advocate of temperance principles. The father 
spent his last years with Harvey M.. and died at 
his home on the 11th of June. 1H76. The mother 
survived her husband a period of over ten j-ears, 
her death taking place Dec. 25, 18K6. Seven of 
their children lived to mature years, and four still 
survive, being residents of Michigan. 

Our subject continued with his parents until his 
marriage, Nov. 23, 1875. his bride being Miss Mar- 
garetta, daughter of Edward and Alfreta (Peak) 
Aldrich, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., 
Ai)ril 8. 1844. Tlie Aldrich family for generations 
were of New England birth, solid and substantial 
people, who uniformly made lesponsible and steady- 
going citizens. The spring following his marriage 
Mr. Turney purchased 100 acres of the old home- 
stead, which he has since occupied, and where he 
has carried on general farming with excellent re- 
sults. His estimable wife is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch, and 
is particularly interested in the Eoreign Missiou- 
aiy Society. 



-S^5!>« 



-NJ^ 



<«5<f» 



^ LBERT GOULD, a leading farmer of Hills- 
IKbA-I|i dale Township, whose unflagging industry 
and wise judgment have gained for him a 
fine home and a competence, is the owner 
of a valuable country estate on section 29. This 
comprises seventy-one acres, which has been care- 
fully cultivated, and is highly productive. Mr. 
Gould came to Michigan in October, 1877, and 
commenced farming on shares in Hillsdale Town- 
ship, operating in this manner five years. He then 
rented a farm of 1 60 acres for six years, the lease of 
which expired in April, 1888. In the meantime he 
secured jjossession of his present home. During the 
eleven years of his residence in Hillsdale Township, 
he has fully established himself in the esteem and 
confidence of the people, and occupied the various 
local offices. He is now serving his tenth year as 
School Director, and officiated as Pathmaster for 
nearly this length of time. A quiet and unobtru- 
sive citizen, attending strictly to his own concerns. 



he is a fair example of the representative men of 
Hillsdale County, to whom it owes its reputation 
and prosperity. 

Our subject first opened his eyes to the light on 
the other side of the Atlantic, in Somersetshire, 
England, Dec. 18, 1845. He is the son of James 
and Mary A. (Carp) Gould, who were of pure En- 
glish ancestry. James Gould was born March 6, 
1813, received a limited education, and was reared 
to farming pursuits. The parents were married in 
their native county of Somerset, and in 1849 
started with their family for the United States. 
Eor ten years thereafter they were residents of the 
Dominion of Canada, whence thej' moved to Niag- 
ara County, N. Y., and from there five years later 
to Southern Michigan. In 1879 the father crossed 
the Mississipjii into Linn County, Mo., where he 
purchased over 100 acres of land within a half-mile 
of the town of Laclede, where he has since lived. 

The mother of our subject departed this life when 
her son Albert was a child two years of age. Of 
this first marriage there had been born five children, 
naraelj' : Eliza and Elizabeth A., deceased; James; 
Albert, our subject, and Mary J. James and Mary 
J. are residents of Missouri. After the death of his 
first wife James Gould was married to Mary A. 
Matthews, of Wales, who is still living. The father 
is a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and politically, affiliates with the 
Kcpubliean ixarty. 

Our subject received a common-school education, 
and when twentj' years of age was married, Sept. 3, 
1865, to Miss Sarah M. Babcock, of New York 
State. Mrs. Gould was born in Niagara County, 
May 15, 1849, and is the daughter of Elisha and Han- 
nah (VanOstrand) Babcock, who were also natives 
of the Empire State. The father was born in 1807, 
followed farming all his life, and died on the 6th of 
January, 1885, in New York State. The mother 
was born in 1811, and died July 15, 1886. She 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The parental household included nine children, the 
four elder of whom were George, Elizabeth, Eze- 
kiel and Delania. Jeremiah during the Civil War 
enlisted in the 8th New York Heavy Artillery, and 
during the campaign in Virginia was captured by 
the rebels and confined first for six months in Libby 



■•> ^ m ■4* 



t 



HILLSUALK CUUMY. 



393 



Prison, whence he was taken to Anrlersonville, and 
after iintokl siifforiiii^s for a year there, finally died 
from starvation; his remains were laid away in 
the prison cemetery. The next child was a sister, 
Julia, who is now in New York State; John E.,aIso 
a soldier, served six months in Company I, 2d New 
York Mounted Rifles; Hannah J. is in New Y'ork 
State. 

Our suhject also, during the progress of the Re- 
bellion, enlisted the same time as his brother-in-law, 
John K., and also served six months. During this 
time his regiment was mostly at Petersburg, and he 
saw very little active service. Mr. Gould became 
identified with the Masonic fraternity in 1885, and 
belongs to Fidelity Lodge No. 32, of which he is 
Junior Deacon. Tiie five children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Gould bear the names of E!mnia M., James E., 
Mar3- A. C, Frank and Beulah B. The eldest is 
twenty-two years of age, and the j'onngest seven. 



: -^t - i M^^ 



(|l IfelLLIAM HECOX. This late lamented 
\aIII citizen of Hil 



\jsJ/' *''^'^^" *'*^ Hillsdale County was one of its 
^^/yfl earliest settlers, locating on the homestead 
which is now in possession of his family as early as 
1836, when Michigan was a Territory. A native of 
the Buckeye State, he was born in the city of 
Cleveland, Dec. 19, 1811, and departed this life at 
his home in Jefferson Township, April 6, 1876. He 
h.ad been prominent in his community, held the 
oflice of Supervisor several terms, voted the straight 
Republican ticket, and was a worthy member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which lie offici- 
ated as Class-Leader, Steward and Trustee, being 
one of its chief pillars and among its most liberal 
supporters. His record in all respects was one of 
which his family may well be proud, fulfilling all 
the qualities of an honest man and a good citizen. 
The parents of our subject, Ambrose and Chloe 
(Spafford) Hccox. were natives respectively of New 
York and Vermont; the former died when his son 
William was a child three years of age. The mother 
Wiis thus widowed a second time, she having been 
previously married, and had by that union two sons. 
She was also married after the death of Mr. Ilecox, 
but there were no children. Her third husband 



died when her son William was about eleven j'ears 
old. He continued to live with his mother until 
reaching his majority, receiving a fair education, a 
part of which was given him in his native cit3'. 

The mother of our subject removed to Mauniee 
City, about ten miles from Toledo, in the western 
part of Ohio, and her son William there made the 
acquaintance of Miss Sarah Marti ndale, with whom 
he went to school, and to whom he was married at 
her home, April 1."), 1833. The young people set- 
tled upon a farm in that region, and four years Later 
came to this State, our subject entering a half-sec- 
tion of land, a part of which is now comprised in the 
present homesteail, he afterward selling a part. 
The woods were then all around them, and Mrs. 
Hecox states that one might travel a whole day 
without finding two acres of cleared land. Indians 
were numerous, but they were friendly, and the 
woods abounded in wild game, so that whatever else 
the family larder lacked there was little trouble in 
keeping a supply of wild meats. 

Mrs. Sarah Hecox was born Jan. 2H. 1816, in St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., arid is the daughter of 
Elisha and Clara (Conant) Martindale, the father a 
native of Lenox, Mass., and the mother of Ver- 
mont. They became residents of the Empire State 
before their marriage, and spent their last years 
near Maumee City, the father dying in 1801. and 
the mother a number of 3'ears before. Of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. II. there were born seven children, 
but three of whom are living. Three sons were in 
the army, Cyrus S. being killed on the battle-field of 
Chickamauga; Herbert Horatio lost his hearing by 
the mumps while in the service but lived to return 
home, and is now farming near Battle Creek, Mich. ; 
he receives a pension, is married and the father of 
two children. Mary E. died when an interesting 
young lady of twenty-two years, and Eliza died at 
the age of fourteen ; Caroline is the wife of Nelson 
Elliot, who has the management of the home farm, 
and is the mother of five children. 

Mrs. Hecox receives a pension of $12 per month 
as the mother of a son killed in the arrn^-. She is 
a lady who has experienced many of the vicissi- 
tudes of life, has performed well her part as a wife 
and mother, and stands high among the people 
of her community. Slie was the efficient assistant 



4~ 



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394 



■■» II ♦ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of her hiislmrrl in his enrl.y toils anf) strng^glcs, and 
now, suiTOiniclef] by all the comforts of life, is in 
possession simply of her just dues .is one -nho w.-is 
always willin": to rlo her share of labor, and suffer 
hardshipand sacrifice forthe sake of lier family and 
their future good. 



^i^ DWAKD GAMBLE, who has formed a 
LU] praisewM-rlhy member of the communitj' of 
jL^ ' Wright T<jwnship for a period of twenty 
years, was born on the other side of the Atlantic 
in Lincolnshire. England, on the 4th of July. 1833. 
His father, P2dw.ird Gamble, was a native of the same 
shire, and the family seemed to have lived tliere 
for several generations, as the paternal grandpar- 
81. ts of our subject, probably natives of the same 
shire, also spent their entire lives there. 

Edward Gamble, the father of our subject, was 
the only member of his father's family who came to 
America. He was reared in Lincolnshire, and at a 
very early age commenced as a shepherd boy, 
which he followed until manhood, having charge of 
large flocks of sheep. In 1840, accompanied by 
his wife and four childrer. he started for America, 
selling sail from Liverpool on the 1st of June, .and 
landing at New York City after a pleasant voyage 
of five weeks and four days. Edward, of our 
sketch, vvas then a lad of seven years, l)ut still rec- 
ollects many of the incidents connected with that 
memorable journey. From the metropolis they 
soon proceeded westward, tia the Hudson River to 
Albany, and thence by canal and lake to Cleveland, 
Ohio, after which they located in Huron County, 
that .Slate, where they lived until the following 
spring. 

The father of our subject early in 1841 began 
the cultivation of rented land in Richland County, 
Ohio, but two years later abandoned farming and 
employed himself at whatever he could find to do. 
He was industrious and honest, saved his earnings, 
and in 1846 started with his family, equipped with 
a yoke of oxen and a wagon, for the northwestern 
part of the State. He halted in that part of Williams 
which is now included in Fulton County, and pur- 
ch.ased a tract of timber land at $3 per acre. After 



putting up a small log house for the shelter of his 
family he cfninuiMcd to clear his land, rolling 
together and burning large logs which now would 
sell at a great price. He continued u])Cin this land, 
building up a good homestead, and before his death 
was the owner of over 200 acres which had become 
very valuable. He rested from his earthly labors 
in Januarj', 1 883. 

'i'he mother of our subject was before her mar- 
riage Miss Sarah Dickinson, also a native of Lin- 
colnshire. She passed away some years before the 
decease of her husband, in Gorham, Ohio, in 1875. 
The five children of the paiental family are re- 
corded as follows: Edward, of our sketch, was the 
second born ; John is a resident of Fulton County, 
Ohio, and Richaid lives in Primrose, that State; 
AVilliam settled near the old homestead, where he 
still resides. The eldest born died in England in 
infancy 

Mr. Gamble, of our sketch, was a lad of seven 
j'ears when he crossed the ocean with his parents. 
He was reared to manhood on a farm in Fulton 
County, Ohio, and continued with his parents until 
reaching his majority. Then starting out for himself 
he worked b}' the day and month, but continued to 
make his home with his parents until his m.irriage. 
This event occurred on the 28th of March, 1861, 
his bride being Miss Nancy Wise, who was born in 
Crawford County. Ohio, Jan. 28. 1842. Mr. Gam- 
ble had previouslj' purchased land in this county, 
and the young people soon afterward removed here 
and endure<l many of the hardships and ditticulties 
incident to opening up a new farm. Their labors 
and sacrifices, howevei", have met with a rich re- 
ward, as the wild land has been transformed into 
cultivated fields, and the first rude structures have 
given place to substantial frame buildings. 

Mrs. Gamble was the daughter of Solomon and 
Isabella (Tarns) Wise, natives respectively of Penn- 
sylvania and Ohio. The father was horn Oct. 8, 
1808, and the mother Aug. 20, 1822. The pater- 
n.al grandfather, John Wise, was one of the early 
settlers of Seneca County. Ohio, to which he re- 
moved from Pennsylvania, and where he cleared a 
farm and spent his last years. His son Solomon 
was but a boy at the time of the removal from the 
Keystone State, and developed into manhood in 



=-► ■ ^ v 



_ »» ^ ll < • 




4 



IIILLSDALK CUUM Y. 



*i 



3!>5 i H 



Seneca County. Thereafter for a time he took up 
his residence in Crawford County, hut suUsequently 
returned to Seneca. He served an a|)[)reiiticeshi|) 
at the hiacksmitli trade and carried ou husine.ss in 
Attica some years, but finally removed to Carlisle, 
where he lived twelve j'ears, swinging the sledge 
there as before. His last years were spent in Omar, 
Seneca Co., Ohio, where his death took place Nov. 
14, 1887. ilis wife, the mother of Mrs. (xamble, is 
still living and a resident of Omar. In politics 
Mr. Gamble is a Democrat. 

«1 Ijp'lLLIAM GLAvSGOW, a prominent and 
\jsJ// ^^^^^^y I'esident of Allen Township, is the 
W^ owner of -100 broad acres of valuable land 
located on sections 1 2 and 1 . The fact that he ac- 
cumulated his present possessions l)y the exercise 
of his own industry and good judgment, and that 
lie has now attained to a high position socially and 
financially, is greatly to his credit, and in conse- 
quence of which his history comprises a narrative of 
more than ordinary interest. When first settling 
in Allen Township, in 1845, he commenced farming 
on eighty acres of land, and from this moderate 
beginning has built up one of the finest honu'steads 
in the western part of the county. He is also the 
owner of a valuable property in Jonesville. 

Our subject is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his father, 
John Glasgow, the son of Scotch parents, having 
been born in the North of Ireland, in County Ty- 
rone. There, upon reaching manhood he was mar- 
ried to Miss Jane Glasgow, a native of the same 
county and of like ancestry; they settled down for 
a lime near the home of their childhood. In 1844 
the father, not satisfied with his condition or his 
prospects, resolved upon seeking his fortune in the 
New World. Alter his arrival upon American soil 
with his family, he proceeded directly westward to 
Southern Michigan, and located in F.ayette Town- 
ship, this county, about one and one-half miles west 
of the present site of Jonesville. Mr. Gl.asgow 
there became the owner t>f a good farm, and the par- 
ents resided there until their death. The seven 
children comprising the household circle included 
four sons and three ilaughters, of whom the record 



is as follows: Robert, the eldest, was killed by the 
falling of a tree in IJarry County, this State, when 
about fifty-five years of age; Mary A. married, and 
died at her home in Moscow Township about 1850; 
William, of our sketch, was the third child of the 
family; of John, the next younger brother, and a 
resilient of Jonesville, a sketch will be found else- 
where in this Ai.iiusr; Bessie, the wife of William 
Henry, died in Barry County about 1853; James is 
engaged with his two sons in merchandising in 
Jackson ; Margaret became the wife of Samuel 
Glasgow, and died in Auburn, N. Y. 

The subject of our sketch was born, like his par- 
ents, in County Tyrone, the North of Ireland, Feb. 
11, 1811. He became familiar with farm life dur- 
ing his boyhood, and continued a resident of his 
native county until reaching his majority. He had 
in the meantime Ijeen greatly interested in tlu; glow- 
ing accounts received from America of tiie induce- 
ments there offereil to the young and enterprising 
emigrant, and determined to repair thither. Embark- 
ing on a sailing-vessel, he rea>ched New York City 
after a voyage of six weeks, and after visiting 
friends for a time in the city of Auburn, N. Y., 
engaged in farming, and was there employed for a 
period of ten years, some of the time as overseer of 
a farm adjacent to the cily limits. In the mean- 
tinje, in 1837, he came to this county and purchased 
eighty acres of land in Fayette Township, which 
later he disposed of, and remained in the Empire 
State with his little family until 1842. Then, ac- 
companied by his wifeand onechildand his brother 
John, he journeyed once more westward, to ixmain 
permanently. 

Mr. Glasgow now settled in Fayette Township, 
where he began operations on the eighty acres of 
land already spoken of. He encountered the strug- 
gles and difficulties common with the pioneer set- 
tlers around him, but by the exercise of the closest 
economy, and making it a point always to live 
within his income, laid the foundation of his pres- 
ent property. In due time he added to his real 
estate by the purchase of more land and put up 
suitable farm buildings, having now of these some 
of the best in Allen Township. He has thus con- 
tributed his full quota toward the prosi)erity and 
development of this section of country, assisting in 



n 



A 396 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



.'1 



its transformation fiom comparatively a wilderness 
to a community which is now made up of a class of 
intelligent and enterprising people. 

The marriage of William Glasgow and Miss Eliza 
Glasgow was celebrated at the home of the bride 
in Auburn, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1836. The wife of our 
subject, also born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 
28, 1814, came to America with her future husband 
and her two brothers when she was eighteen jearsof 
age. The household included six children, four of 
whom lived to mature years. Wesley C, the eldest 
son and child, died Oct. 26, 1881; Silas W. is a well- 
to-do farmer of Allen Township, this county; Julia 
A. is the wife of William Hewlett, of Trinidad, Col. : 
Cassius L. is carrying on general merchandising at 
Nashville, this State. Mrs. Glasgow died at her 
home in Allen Township, Feb. 4, 1887. She w.as a 
lady possessed of many lovable and amiable quali- 
ties, and a devoted member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. G. also identified himself with this 
church raan^- yeais ago, and still remains loyal to 
his early convictions. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Harrison, and is one of the most ardent 
adheients of the Re|iublican party. 

The career of Wesley C. Glasgow, the eldest son 
of our subject, which was cut shoit in the prime of 
life, was th.at of a man of more tban ordinary' abil- 
ity. He chose for his vocation the profession of 
law, and being gifted with rare talents as an orator, 
became prominent in the county where he passed 
the later years of his life. He was born in Auburn, 
N. Y., April 28, 1842, and after completing his 
studies in the common schools became a student at 
Hillsdale College, whence he was graduated with 
honors and received the degree of A. M. Subse- 
quently he entered the law department of Michi- 
gan University, being here also graduated with 
honors, and soon afterward entered u|)on the prac- 
tice of his profession in the office of the late Hon. 
W. A. Baxter, of Jonesville. There being a desira- 
ble opening at Lagrange, Ind., he removed thither, 
and at once entered upon the career which was so 
greatljr to his cre<lit. He was recognized as a val- 
ued accession to the community, and entrusted with 
important matters, both .as attorney and public of- 
ficial. From 1!S71 to 1875 he held the office of 
Prosecuting Attorney for the Twelfth Indiana Dis- 



triet, and in 1882 was the Republican candidate for 
Congress from the same. I'his district was largely 
Democratic, and although running far ahead of his 
ticket, his defeat, although expected, was little short 
of a victory, his opponent. Judge Lowrey, being 
elected by only a small majority. 

Wesley C. Glasgow was a man extremely sym- 
pathetic by nature, liberal-minded and progressive, 
and his eloquent and persuasive language, both at 
the bar and on the stump, exercised a wide influence 
in the section of country where he was permitted 
to labor. Sedate and thoughtful by nature, he at 
an early period in his life identified himself with 
the Presbyterian Church, and at Lagrange officiated 
as Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and ever 
maintained a lively interest iu both religious and 
educational affaiis. He was cut down in the midst 
of his usefulness, and in the heart of his afflicted 
father an<l the affections of his friends his memory 
will be kept green as long as life shall last. 



■^ OHN H. .SHEARMAN. Many of the men 
I who have contributed bone and muscle to 
the development of Hillsdale County are 
I natives of '-Merrie England," whose sons are 
known for their robust and vigorous manhood and 
their energy and determination in surmounting all 
obstacles. John 11. Shearman, the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch, is a native of that country, 
and was born March 22. 1832. He is now pleas- 
antly located on section 6, F.ayette Township, where 
he is successfully conducting agricultural pursuits, 
surrounded by favorable conditions, which he has 
carved out for himself by his indomitable perse- 
verance. 

The father of our subject, William Shearman, 
was a native of England, .as was also his mother, 
Ann Bell. In that country they united their lives 
and fortunes, but after a residence there of some 
time, hoping to better their condition and being 
convinced by the reports which reached their shores 
from this free and prosperous countrj', they decided 
on a removal. AccordingI}' in 1851 they bade 
good-by to the scenes of their childhood, and took 
passage for America. Upon their arrival they first 



-i 



•► II <• 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



397 ,i. 



settle(J in Cnuvford County. Pa., wliencc they re- 
moved in 1861 to Hillsdale County, this .State, and 
settled in Fayette Township. Here they improved 
a farm, upon which they resided until the death of 
AVilliam Shearman, which took place in June, 1876, 
after he had been recognized as a valued addition 
to the community. 

John H. Shearman was the only child of his par- 
ents who reached 3'ears of maturity, and came 
with them to this country in 1 8.1 1 , and to this county 
in 1861, since which time he has been a resident of 
Fayette Township. Here he owns a neat farm of 
seventy-four acres, provided with suitable liuildings, 
and the modern appliances which make the life of a 
farmer very different from that of him who settled 
in this countrj- when its only inhabitants were the 
wild animals and the untutored savage. 

Our subject was united in marriage, in Crawford 
County. Pa., about 1855, with Rachel G. Coldwell, 
who has been to her husband a cheerful and faith- 
ful assistant in their efforts to provide for them- 
selves and their children a competency of this 
world's goods .and an honored position in society'. 
Their union has been blessed bj' the birth of six 
children — William A., Naomi, Elmer and Elsie 
(twins), Harl}' N. and Jesse. Mr. Shearman and 
his family are attendants of the Methodist Church, 
and in politics the Republican party can always 
count on a vote from Mr. S. on the occasion of 
important elections. 







w 



MMANUEL BROWN, a wealthy and enterpris- 
ing capitalist and an extensive land-owner, is 
\ widely and favorably known though Southern 
Michigan. He has a very pleasant home on section 
17, Woodbridge Township, where he is engaged in 
the business of speculiiting in real estate and monej' 
loaning, and also in man.aging his large farming in- 
terests in this part of Hillsdale Count}-. He was 
born in Hancock County, Ohio, ^larch 1, 1837. 
His p.".rents, Jonas and Nancy (Franks) Brown, 
were natives of New York and Ohio, the former 
born in November, 1800, and the latter in 1801. 
The father w.as re.ared in his native State, and re- 



-^»" 



ceived a good edu(;ation. He there learned the 
trade of a tailor, .and was .also occupied as a farmer. 
He taught school in early life. When quite a young 
man he moved to Ohio, where he was profitably 
eng.iged in his business, and as he was a good man- 
ager and a fine financier, w.as accumulating property 
when his useful career was closed by his death in 
1849, while he was still in life's prime. His death 
was felt to be a severe loss in the community where 
he had made his home, as he w.as a man of high re- 
spectability, and took an active and prominent part 
in educational and other public affairs. The mother 
of our subject was of German antecedents, and her 
parents removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio among 
the early settlers of that State, and there her father 
died in 1856. She was reared, married, and spent 
her wedded life in Ohio. In 1850, shortl}' after 
the death of her husband, she removed to Michigan 
with her family and located in Camden Township, 
where she lived for sixteen years. She then came 
to Woodbridge Township and spent the few re- 
maining years of her life here, drying in 1874. .Siie 
was a truly good and upriglit woman, and in early 
life became a member of the United Brethren 
Church. Of the eleven children born to her, two 
died in infancj', and the names of all are as follows : 
John, Arminda, Rachel, Eliz.abeth, Immanuel, Mar- 
garet, Nancy J., Jon.as, Mary, James and Joseph. 

Immanuel Brown passed most of his boyhood 
in his n.ative State. The sad lo.ss of his father when 
he was but a lad of twelve years early made him 
dependent on his own resources, and bravely and 
manfully did he struggle to earn his living that he 
raiglit not be a burden to his mother. He chopped 
wood for some time, and thus gathered together 
money enough to give him a good start in the 
world. AVhen lie was in early manhood the great 
Rebellion broke out, and on the 3d of November, 
in tliat ever memorable year, he took up arms in 
defense of his country, becoming a member of Com- 
pany B, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, and won an 
honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier. 
He was soon transferred to Com pan}' C, which was 
attached to the Army of the Potomac, in which he 
served for three years, taking an active part in 
m.any general engagements. He was for some time 
at .South Vernon, Ind., with the men who were in 



n 



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398 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



pursuit of Moro-an. the daring rebel raider. He 
was in llie battle of the Wilderness, at fSpottsyl- 
vania, and participated in manj- other engsgc mtiits. 
He was (vouiided five different times, receiving a 
severe wound in each thigii, and the others were 
flesh wounds. In the battle where he was wounded 
in one of his Ihiglis, he received deserved promo- 
tion for gallant conduct on the field to the rank of 
Sergeant, and had diarge of Company C. When 
he was disabled in this battle he was carried on 
board of a steamer and conveyed to Washington, 
D. C, thence to Philadelphia, Pa., and then to De- 
troit, Mich., where he was discharged on the 5th of 
Way, 1865. It was a year before he was able to 
work, bis constitution had been so sliattered by his 
sufferings and hardships of his soldier life, and he 
is now in receipt of a pension. As soon as his 
health was sufficiently restored. Mr. Brown estab- 
lished himself in the real-estate business, and con- 
ducted farming in connection with it. In his career 
ns a business man he has met with remarkable suc- 
cess; all his financial schemes have prospered, and 
he is now the wealthiest man in AVoodbridge Town- 
ship. He has a fine estate here and ovvns from 
1,800 to 2,000 acres of land in Michigan and other 
States, some valuable mortgages and other property. 
He is an eminently shrewd financier, is of strict in- 
tegrity, is frank and warm he.arted, ever ready to 
extend a hcl|)ing hand to those in need, loaning 
money or otherwise aiding a poor man and taking 
the ciiances of payment. 

Mr. Brown was married to Ellen E. Judd, April 
3, 1857. She was born in this county, Nov. 7, 
1837, and is a daughter of Liberty and Ann 
(Phillips) Judd, early pioneers of Hillsdale County. 
Her father was born in Vermont, in 1787, and died 
in Michigan in I87G, at a very advanced age. He 
was a member of the Baptist Church, and in i)oli- 
tics was a Democrat. His wife was born in New 
York in 1807, and died in Michigan in 1856. She 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
To her and her husband were born five children, 
namely: Ellen E., Panielia M., Wilson, Abigail S. 
and Charlie L. Mrs. Brown is a woman of true 
nobility of character, is an earnest Christian and 
an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. She and her husband are the parents of 



seven children, of whom three are deceased, namely : 
James F.. Adolphus D. and Josephine L. ; the others 
are AVilson E.. Frank L, Abbie L. and Lulu E. 

Mr. Brown is regarded as a public benefactor, as 
he spends money freely to aid any cause that will 
in any way benefit the town and county. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is 
still as firm a defender of the Republican party as 
he was in the days now long since passed, when he 
risked his life in defense of his country's honor. 



APT. GUSTAVUS F. SMITH, who is well 
known throughout Jonesville and vicinity 
S^l' as the champion granite contractor of the 
State, has through his invention been the instru- 
ment of l)iinging about probably the best street- 
paving known in the Northwest. On account of the 
acknowledged superiority of this material some 
cities have discarded wooden blocks entirely, and 
adopted the improved Telford Macadam Pavement, 
composed of cobblestone and crushed boulders, 
and the pre[)aration of which Mr. Smith has made a 
specialty for some 3'ears. This has been the result 
of much study, labor and perseverance, besides a 
considerable outlay of money, and as one of the 
men who has i)ersevered amid many discourage- 
ments, and trium|)hed at the end, the subject of this 
sketch is a happy illustration. 

Our subject is a son of James J. Smith, a native 
of Rutland, Vt„ and born^NovrVs, 1819. The 
mother, formerly Miss Marana J. Barker, was born 
in Sj'racuse, N. Y., Aug. 22. 1821. After mar- 
riage they settled in .Sjracuse, but a year later re- 
moved to Perrysburg. Ohio, where they now reside. 
Their son, Gustavns F., was born June 17, 1845, at 
Perrysburg. Ohio. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John L. 
Smith by name, served as a Colonel in the 2d Ver- 
mont Cavalry in the War of 1812. He married a 
Miss Preston, a descendant of the noted family of 
that name, which originated in Dublin, Ireland. 
Grandfather Smith, after the war, became largely 
engaged in the real-estate business, and his son, 
James J., also developed into quite a speculator, 
whde also carrying on the feed and commission 



^ 



«► ■ <• 



HlLLisDALK COU.NXr. 



399 , ,] 



t 



business. The hitter jinrt of his life, however, was 
devoted almost entirely to agrienltund |)iirsuits. 
The parental liouselmld included three sonsand one 
daughter, of whom (iustavus F. was the seeond son. 

Our sulijeet acquired his early educatitiU in the 
common schools, and latei' attended tlie college at 
Perrysliurg. until the outlireak of the Rebellion. 
Nt)t long after being graduated he enlisted, in June, 
ISGl, in Company C, 21st Ohio Infantry, but was 
rejected on account of his youth. Later, liowever. 
he succeeded in being admitted to the 11 lib Regi- 
ment in the spring of 1862. and served eighteen 
months, when he received the rank of Sergeant 
Major, lie marched with his comrades to the front, 
but did not participate in any serious fighting until 
the spring of 18ti4. He was then present at the 
battle of Resaca, Ga., and was promoted to Second 
Lieutenant. He was wounded in the right leg by a 
minie ball at New Ho|)e Church, and was subse- 
quently appointed aid de camp on the staff of the 
commanding officer of the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 
23d Army Corps. 

Lieut. Smitii subsequently participated in the 
siege and capture of Atlanta, where he was pro- 
moled to First Lieutenant, and was struck by a 
shell in the right shoulder, knocked off his horse, 
and lay insensible for twenty-four hours. From 
this, however, he recovered rapidly, and happily' 
escai)ed being confined in the hospital with the ex- 
ception of a few days, during the entire service. At 
the battle of Franklin, Teun., he was still further 
j)romoted, being now given a Cai)tain's commis- 
sion, and assigned to the command of ("ompany E, 
111th Ohio Infantry. During this engagement he 
received a slight bayonet wound in a hand-to-hand 
fight at the charge of the rebel General, Cle- 
buru's, division, which was very severe, and during 
which the 111th lost 182 men hi killed and wounded. 

Our subject was now proffered the commission as 
Major of the 182d Ohio Infantrj', but declined, as 
he preferred to remain with his own regiment. At 
the battle of Ft. An<lerson, .S. C, a shell burst 
about ten feet from where he stood, which blinded 
him to such an extent that he was obliged to re- 
main in a dark room for some time afterward, being 
threatened with the entire loss of his eyesight. He 
was captured by the I'ebcis on two different occa- 

4* 



sions, but each time made his escape. He led the 
charge at Fisher's Hill, Ga.. which is recorded in 
history as highly creditable to the regiment. For- 
rest's cavalry made an attack upon their wagon 
train, and the 1 1 1th had been left at Duck River to 
guard the fort. The rebel attack was a surprise, 
and Capt. Smith was the onl}' officer remaining to 
lead the charge, which he did with great bravery 
and credit, seizing the colors and bearing them 
himself. For this he received the approval of his 
superior officers in high words of commendation. 

Capt. Smith continued with his regiment until it 
was mustered out of service at the close of the war. 
He then returned to Pennsylvania, where he be- 
came interested in the oil wells of Pithole, and 
made and lost a large sum of money. His next 
location was in New York City, where he engaged as 
a commercial traveler for a clothing establishment, 
and was thus occupied for some seven years. In 1 870 
he made his vfny to Southern Michigan, and estab- 
lished at Jouesville in the clothing business, which 
he continued four years, then migrated cast to 
Boston, Mass., and engaged as a traveler for Eastern 
houses, while at the same time he continued his 
business at Jonesville. In the meantime he put up 
the brick building known as the Baker & Smith 
Block, and, continuing his headquarters at Boston, 
traveled until 1880. He also erected the Grosveuor 
House, which he conducted about two years. 

Capt. Smith began in 1881 as stone and paving 
contractor, which business he has since followed 
with the admirable results above indicated. Uni- 
formly the encouragerof those enterprises tending 
to benefit the people, he became a stockholder in 
the cotton-mills, and has identified himself with 
many of the movements inaugurated for the build- 
ing up of the town of .Jonesville, and attracting to 
it an intelligent class of people. A Democrat, po- 
litically, and a man of decided views, he has no 
small influence in molding public opinion, and 
socially, is a member in good standing of the 
M-osonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F. 

The marriage of Capt. Smith and Miss Fanny 
Woolson was celebrated at the home of the bride 
in Syracuse, N. Y., .Ian. 7, 1868. iSIrs. Smith is 
the daughter of Albina and .Salina (Wilson) Wool- 
son, and her father many years .ago vviis one of the 



f 



400 



a 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



prominent salt manufacturers of Syracuse. He 
died there in 1864. The mother is still living, and 
a resident of Syracuse. Their daughter, Fanny C, 
was born in Syracuse, Aug. 19, 1845, and of her 
union with our subject there was born one child, a 
son, Bertie W., who died in infancy. 

James J. Smith, the father of our subject, was 
Captain of the company in which Gustavus F. first 
enlisted, but on account of severe illness was un- 
able to enter the field. He afterward, however, 
made himself useful in the State Militia, and was a 
Douglas Democrat all tiirough the war, and one of 
the most ardent supporters of the Union cause. 
The paternal great-grandfather, Solomon Smith, 
carried a musket during the Revolution, and was 
killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

Capt. Smith was one of the leading men in the 
organization of the Grand Army of tlie Republic, 
and was the first Commander of Henry Baxter 
Post, being re-elected three different times. He 
has also served as Secretary and Vice President of 
the Southeastern Grand Army Association. He 
received the appointment of ca<let at West Point 
upon the outbreak of the war, but declined to 
accept. 

Capt. Smith has in his possession many testimo- 
nials of the satisfaction which his system of road 
pavement has given, and possesses a thorough 
knowledge of everything pertaining to this most 
important subject. 



'Tl SAAC WADE, the proprietor of a good farm, a 
substantial brick residence, an excellent barn 
and all other necessarj' farm buildings, is pleas- 
antly located on section 22 in Litchfield Township. 
Connected with his proprietorship of this "thereby 
hangs a tale," as follows : 

Mr. Wade had spent his boyhood and youth un- 
der the parental roof and assisted his father in 
building up the homestead, which the latter in later 
3'ears deeded to the elder brother of our subject, 
John Wade. This was considered an act of injus- 
tice, and was a source of great grief and humiliation 
to Isaac. He thereupon tied up his earthly effects 
in a bundle, and early the next morning bade his 



mother good-by, telling her she would never see 
him until he was the owner of the neighboring farm. 
He went to California, and there, at raining and other 
labor, secured the means to carry out his cherished 
project, and returning purchased the farm where he 
now resides, and going home to his mother threw 
the deed into her lap. Upon this place he has been 
a continuous resident, and during all the years 
which the people of this section have known him, 
has evinced the same determined spirit which laid 
the foundation of his success in life. 

Isaac Wade was born in County Down, Ireland, 
Feb. 27, 1829, and was the second of the six chil- 
dren who comprised the family of John and Mary 
(Parker) Wade, who were also natives of County 
Down, and the mother of Scotch descent. The 
parents continued upon their native soil until their 
son Isaac was a youth of fifteen years, then com- 
ing to America, settled, in 1843. in Lysander Town- 
ship, Onondaga Co., N. Y. , In April of the next 
year they determined to push further westward, 
and started for Southern Michigan, by way of the 
Erie Canal to Buffalo, from there by lake to To- 
ledo, and thence across the country by wagon and 
rail to Jonesvillc, in Fayette Township. Leaving 
his family there the father came over into Litch- 
field Township, where he purchased eighty acres of 
land, and going back after his family brought them 
hither, and unloading his goods in the woods, pre- 
pared to locate. Thej' slept in the log house of his 
brother, James Wade, until a suitable tenement 
could be provided on tlieir own land, and then 
commenced in earnest the toils and struggles of 
life in a new country. 

In addition to the arduous labor of felling the 
trees and preparing the soil for cultivation, the 
Wade family suffered greatly from ague. They 
had come to stay, however, and labored persever- 
ingly together until the dawn of better days. A 
few years later foun<l their farm finely productive, 
and their condition gre.atly changed for the better. 
The parents here spent the remainder of their days, 
the mother passing aw.ay May 20, 1863, at the age 
of seventy years. John Wade survived his wife 
eight years, his death taking place May 10, 1871, 
when he was seventy-four j'ears old. Of the three 
sons and three daughters, four lived to mature 




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•► 11 ^^ 



■«» ^ ll ^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



401 



t 



years, and still survive, being residents of the 
Stale of Michigan. 

Our subject was a lad of fifteen j'ears when he 
crossed the broad Atlantic, and in that experience 
of itself possesses a greater knowledge than thous- 
ands of Americans. His school advantages upon 
his native soil had been exceedingly limited, and he 
only attended school in Litchfield Townshii) a very 
little afterward. He worked with his father until 
twenty-two years old, and then, with what he could 
.«ave of his one j-ear's wages since reaching his nia- 
joritj', purchased a yoke of cattle, Init finally gave 
these to his father. He then proceeded to Jones- 
ville, engaged in teaming about three years, and in 
lS.i2 set out for California. 

In this adventure our subject was accompanied 
by Ed Hastings, George Gray, David Bigelow, the 
two Heaumont brothers, and a Mr. Halsted. Their 
outfit consisted of one wagon and five horses. They 
left Jonesville in the eai'ly part of March, traveling 
southward until reaching the prairies of Illinois, in 
the vicinity of what is now Rock Island, and where 
they were obliged to lay up for a time on account 
of the impassable roads. Upon setting out again 
twenty-one days later, they crossed the Mississippi, 
and i)assed Iowa City and Council Uluffs, taking in 
the present site of Omaha, of which there were no 
indications at that time. At Shell Creek, where the 
beautiful city of Lincoln, Neb., now stands, they 
encountered a party of about 500 Indians, who, 
knowing neither mercy nor fe.ar, made demands upon 
them to which they found it impossible to accede, 
and there ensued a desperate fight, in which the In- 
dians were badly defeated, two chiefs, thirty-two 
warriors and one squaw, being killed, and many 
more drowned in the creek. This routing of the 
savages by a party of sixty white men was consid- 
ered a very remarkable and gallant deed. They 
had joined a wagon train on the route, from Ken- 
tucky, which made in all the sixty men. 

Our i)arty now pushed on Westward, and upon 
arriving at Salt Lake City tarried there for a pe- 
riod of six weeks. During this time. Mr. Wade, our 
subject, became acquainted with Brigham Young, 
and witnessed the laying of the foundation of the 
Mormon Temple. Then continuing on their way, 
the party, six months after starting from Michigan, 



drew up at Placerville or Hangtown, in California. 
Here Mr. Wade engaged in surface mining sev- 
eral months, but on account of his more than ordi- 
nary intelligence and his honesty, was given the 
position of collecting agent for a water company. 
This finally collapsed, but our subject was several 
thousand dollars ahead. He now returned to his 
old haunts, via the Isthmus of Panama, Aspinwall, 
Cuba, Havana and New York City, reaching homo 
in the fall of 1856, and nearly thirty-two years ago, 
purchasing his present farm under the circum- 
stances which we have already indicated. 

Mr. Wade was now in a good condition to estab- 
lish a home of bis own, and accordingly' a few- 
months later. Jan. 22, 1857, took unto himself a 
wife and helpmate. Miss Charlotte Cobb, the wed- 
ding being celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Moscow Townshii). Mrs. Wade, the eldest child 
of her parents, was born Dec. 17, 1833, in New 
York State, and was a child four years of age upon 
coming to Michigan with her parents. Of the lat- 
ter, Orrin and Ursula (Turrell) Cobb, a sketch will 
be found in the biogr.aphy of D. T. Cobb, on an- 
other page in this volume. Orrin Cobb atter his 
marriage continued a resident of New York State 
five years, then coming to Jlicliigan, settled in Ran- 
som Township, this county, where he continued to 
live from 1837 to 1847, and in the latter year took 
up his abode in Litchfield Township, of which he 
continued a resident until his death, in December, 
1 884, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. 
The mother survived her husband less than a year, 
her death taking place in November, 1885, when 
she was seventy-four years old. Their farailj- con- 
sisted of five children, four of whom, three sons 
and one daughter, lived to mature years. Mrs. 
Wade received a very good education, attending 
the High Schools both at Litchfield and Jonesville. 
She subsequently taught four years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wade commenced the journey of 
life together upon their present homestead, and 
here their three children were born. Their eldest 
daughter, Laura A., is the wife of liugene Elmore, 
a prosperous farmer of Litchfield Township, and 
the mother of one child, a daughter, Ethel May; 
Almond F. and Warren C. are at home with their 
parents. Mr. Wade continued at his farm two 



>► 11 ^^ 



f 



402 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



3'ears after his marriage, and then, seized with an- 
other attacit of the Western fever, set out, in 1859, 
for Pike's Peak. On this expedition he was accom- 
panied by S. Purdy, his two brothers, John and 
AVilliam, John Gibson and Daniel Conger. They 
were equipped with horses and a wagon, and trav- 
eled overland, via the old California route, our sub- 
ject acting as guide. The ground which was vacant 
during his first trip to the West was now occu- 
pied by the enterprising young city of Omaha, 
and there were various other evidences of the 
march of civilization toward the Pacific Coast. They 
met, however, many discouraged emigrants return- 
ing East, and upon reaching Elm Creek our ad- 
venturers began to share tlie common spirit of 
homesickness, and accordingly followed suit and 
soon found themselves on tlieir old tramping ground. 
Mr. Wade now settled contentedly down on bis 
farm. He has the satisfaction, however, of having 
visited nearly' all the Western States and Terri- 
tories, including both Old and New Mexico, and is 
probably one of the most extensive travelers in his 
township. This, together with his broad observa- 
tion of men and things, has been a rich experience, 
with which no amount of money could tempt him 
to part. He has kept himself well posted upon 
matters of general interest, voted for John C. Fre- 
mont at the organization of the Republican party, 
and has since Io3'ally adhered to its principles. 
While in California he met Mr. Fremont, and had 
the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with the 
old hero during his stay there. By the citizens of 
his township he is regarded as one of its best men. 



* -»I< ■■^- 



^ SAAC S. GATES is jnstl3' entitled to represent- 
I ation in this biographical work as one who has 
/ii faithfully fulfilled all the duties devolving 
upon him as a man and a citizen. He is classed 
among the intelligent and progressive farmers of 
Hillsdale County, representing the agricultural inter- 
ests of Pittsford Township, where he has a valuable 
farm, and he has done his share in clearing away 
the wilderness and in bringing this region into its 
present prosperous condition. He is a self-made 
man in the best acceptation of that term, as he has 



■♦- 



acquired all of his property since starting out in 
the vigor of early manhood with the earnest de- 
termination to make a success of life, with no other 
means than a sound mind in a sound body. 

Mr. Gates was born in Ontario, Ontario Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 12, 1817. His father, Jeremiah Gates, 
a native of Hartford, Conn., when a young man 
left his native State to make his home in Vermont, 
and there married Sarah J. Sonthworth, who was 
born in Rutland County, that State. Her father, 
Isaac Sonthworth, a lifelong resident of the Green 
Mountain State, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gates 
continued to live in Vermont until the winter of 
1815, when they started vvitli their six children for 
Western New Y''ork, the removal being made with 
horses and sleighs. Mr. Gates bought land in On- 
tario County and resided there until 1822, when 
he sold his property and moved to Orleans County. 
He bought land of the Holland Pui'chase Company, 
in Barre, and built a log house for the shelter of his 
family, and commenced to clear a farm. In 1836 
he sold out there and moved with his family to the 
Territory of Miciiigan. and bought a tract of land 
in Plj'mouth, Wayne County, and made bis home 
there imtil his death in 1858. His farm contained 
120 acres of fertile land, and there were a frame 
barn and log house on the place when he moved 
there. He was industrious, and by judicious man- 
agement became quite successful; his wife survived 
him many years, dying on the old homestead in 1871. 
To this worthy couple were born eleven children. 

Our subject was the seventh child born to his 
parents, and inherited in amarked degree those New 
England traits of honesty, thrift and enterprise, that 
had been their distinguishing characteristics. His 
boyhood was passed in his native State, where he re- 
ceived the usual educational advantages of thedaj-. 
He was nineteen years of age when he came with 
his parents to Michigan, and he remained with them 
until 1841. In the meantime, on the 19th of No- 
vember, 1840, be took unto himself a wife in the 
person of Harriet Howell, who has indeed proved 
a faithful and devoted helpmate. She was born 
in the beautiful town of Southampton on Long 
Island, near the sea coast, Jan. 26, 1820. Her father, 'i 
Benjamin Howell, was born in the same town, and 



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t 
1 



t 



>► ■ ^» 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



403 



marrierl Naiioj' Uishop, a native of the same place, 
and a daujjhter of John and Nancj- (White) 
Bisliop, hoth natives and lifelong residents of 
Long liilMiid. Ml'. Bishop's father, who was of Kn- 
glish birth, died on Long Island. After marriage 
the parents of Mrs. Gates continued to live in their 
native place, fSouthampton, until after the liirth 
of seven children. In 1833 they started with their 
family for Western New York, traveling via the 
Hudson River and Erie Canal to Perrinton, where 
they spent the two succeeding years, until July, 
183;'). when they came to IMidiigan Territory and 
located in Canton, Wayne County, where Mr. Howell 
bought 160 acres of partly in)pri)ved land, on which 
stood a log house, into which the family moved. 
They resided there for man}' years, but after the 
death of his wife in 1871 Mr. Howell sold his farm 
and went to Missouri, where he died in the home 
of his son in Audrain County. 

In 1841 Mr. Gates, with his young wife, left the 
parental roof in Plymouth an(J came to Hillsdale 
County, where he bought 107 acrr's of he.ivily tim- 
bered land in Wheatland Township. He built a 
frame house which remained their home until 1871. 
In tlie meantime he was busily and actively en- 
sasred in felling the trees and improving his land, 
of which he cleared about seventy .acres, and he 
also erected a good set of frame buildings. In 
these years of weary labor he had the sympathy 
and aid of his good wife, who by her good man- 
agement of her household affairs contributed her 
share in the mutual upbuilding of a home. She 
cooked their meals liefore the rude firejilace, which 
.served them instead of a stove; and she used 
to spin and weave all the yarn used in the famil}-. 
When they first located in Wheatland Township 
Adrian was the nearest railway point, but after- 
ward the railway was extended to Hudson, which 
was for many years the nearest railway station. 
When Mr. Gates commenced farming in Wlieat- 
land he had one pair of oxen, one cow and two 
hogs, and he did his farm work and marketing for 
several years w-ith oxen. In 1 87 1 he sold his prop- 
erty in that place and liought liis present farm of 
100 acres, wliich he has improved into one of the 
finest in the township, and has ample buildings and 
r all the necessary implements for carrying on his 



work. Mr. Gates is a man of rare sagacity, strength 
of purpose and stability of character, and is a great 
re.ader and is well informed. The life record of 
himself and wife is a noble one, and they have 
been quietly and unpretentiously a power in their 
united lives for much good. Having no children 
of their own they have taken to their home and 
hearts the following, who are as much beloved bj' 
them as if they were bound to them by the sacred 
ties of kinship: William Dinsmore lives in Hudson; 
Nellie W^ay married Albert Bradfield, is now a 
widow, and lives in Canton, Wayne County; Annie 
Ambrose married Cecil Carl, and lives in Wj-an- 
dotte, Kan.; Frederick A. Carrigan is in the mail 
service at Atlanta, Ga.; Jessie Johnson is making 
her home with them now. Mr. Gates was formerly 
a Whig, but has been a Republican from the for- 
mation of the party. 



a^.OBERT B. SUTTON. The name of this 
IL^ gentleman, now deceased, is recalled by the 
/L \\\ citizens of Hillsdale as that of one of its 
'*g most active business men and highl}' re- 
spected citizens. He was born near Trenton, N. 
J., March 29, 1792. W'hcn eight years of age, 
his parents moved to the town of L3'ons, Wayne 
Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood .and learned 
the cooper's trade, which he fi>llowed some years 
during his residence in his native State. During 
the troubles of 1812 he served as a soldier, and was 
wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane, on account 
of which the mother subsequently drew a pension 
from the Government after his de.ath. 

Mr. Sutton was a man of remarkable phj'sique, 
and nature placed within him an intellect and n 
will power commensurate with his noble stature. 
In his earlier life he was eng.iged as a boatman on 
the Mohawk River, and later became interested in 
the lumber business, going into Canada and becom- 
ing the head of the extensive operations carried on 
thereafter between the Dominion and the .States. 
Later, near his native place, he became the owner 
of a valuable farm, and after turning his attention 
to the Territory of Michigan, purch.a.sed largely of 
pine logs, wliich he converted into lumber and dis- 



i 



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*r 



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,t 



404 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



posed of at a high figure. He also became the 
owner of lai'ge tracts of land in Illinois and Iowa, 
which had fallen to hira as the security of large 
suras of money which lie had loaned, and which he 
could recover in no other way. 

Mr. Sutton during his early manhood was mar- 
ried in New York State, where he became the 
father of several children and where his first wife 
died. His family had reached mature years before 
the removal to Michigan, and were all married in 
their native State, where the survivors are still liv- 
ing. Mr. Sutton took up his residence in Hillsilale 
about 1859, and became identified with the lumber 
interests, with which he continued for a namber of 
years. He was particularly fortunate in the invest- 
ment of his capital, and was chiefly instrumental in 
the organization of the First National Bank, of 
which he remained a Director until the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1876. Enterprising, en- 
ergetic and ambitious, he was warmly interested in 
the development and progress of his adopted county, 
and here invested a generous share of his capital. 
He put up what is now known as the Sutton Opera 
House Block, which comprises a substantial build- 
ing, three stories in height, which gives ample 
accommodation to four stores and the large audi- 
torium from which it derives its name. 

Mr. Sutton contracted a second marriage, in 1 860, 
in Hillsdale, with Miss Anna B. Wragg. who became 
the mother of one son, John R. Sutton, who is now 
numbered among the active young business men 
of the city, and is in possession of a handsome prop- 
erty which requires the greater part of his time 
and attention. Mrs. Anna (Wragg) Sutton departed 
thie life at her home in Hillsdale in 1883. 




"^ EVI WOOD, who is widely and fa^vorably 
I (^ known throughout Reading Township as 
/ l^vN one of its most thorough and successful 
farmers, has a snug homestead of eighty .icres on 
section 15. The place is supplied with good build- 
ings, a neat residence, barn and outhouses, a fair 
assortment of live stock, including horses, cattle and 
swine, and the land has been underdrained wher- 



ever needed with tiling, which has rendered it highly 
productive. Everything about the premises indi- 
cates thrift and prosperity', and it stands as a silent 
but forcible wituess of the industry and enterprise 
of the proprietor. 

Mr. Wood came to this farm in March, 1868, 
from Wheatland Township, to which he had mi- 
grated with his father in January, 1842. He was 
born in the town of Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., 
April 29, 1833, and is a son of Seth Wood, a native 
of the same place, and who was born in 1805, 
two years after his father, Levi Wood, Sr., had set- 
tled there. The latter was from Pelham, Mass., and 
had served in the Revolutionary War, at the 
close of which he witnessed the surrender of Bur- 
goyne to the victorious Continentals. The great- 
great-grandfather of our subject, Jedediah Wood, 
was also a native of the Bay State, whence he mi- 
grated late in life to Wayne County, N. Y.. and 
died at the home of his son. 

Levi Wood, Sr., one of the earliest settlers of 
Waj'ne -County, N. Y., felled the trees around his 
cabin, and in due time eliminated a good farm from 
the forest. The tract where be settled was after- 
ward named Macedon Township, and he resided 
there until his death, in 1835, at a ripe old age. 
He had married, in early manhood, Miss Bethany 
Fuller, a native of his own State and of New En- 
gland parentage and ancestry. She survived her 
husband, and coming to Michigan, died at the 
home of her son Freeman, in Wheatland Township, 
this county, when about eighty years of age. She 
was the mother of twelve children, the daughters 
being Hannah, Bethany, Electa, Phila, Permelia 
and Lois. These are all deceased. The sons were 
Levi and Freeman, who served in the War of 1812; 
Seth, the father of our subject; Zebina, and Asaph, 
the eldest, are deceased. Nearly all the children 
lived to mature years, were married and had fami- 
lies of their own. 

Seth Wood developed into manhood upon his 
native soil, and when his parents were no longer 
able to care for themselves he performed a son's 
whole duty by them until they had passed away. 
In 1833, after his marriage and the birth of two 
children — Esther, now Mrs. Pease, of Jonesville, and 
Levi, our subject — he sold out to his eldest brother, 

.^ 



f 



t 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



405 



and removing to Oliio located npon an nnimproved 
fnini of ICO acres ir. Columbia Township, Lorain 
County. He continued a resident of the Buckeye 
State until 1842. and in the meantime had improved 
his 1 GO acres of land. Later he trnded 100 acres 
of this for 105 acres in Wheatland Towns-hip, this 
county, to which he came in Januar}', 1842. Here 
he labored as before, reducing the soil to a state of 
cultivation, and bringing about the improvements 
naturally suggested to the thorough and skillful 
farmer and man of good business capacity. He 
added to his real estate by the purchase of eightj' 
acres more, and thus at the time of his death had 185 
acres, most of it in a productive condition. He 
rested from his earthly labors on the 8th of Jan- 
uary, 1855. 

The father of our subject in early manhood 
identified himself with the old Whig party, which 
remained in existence until the year after his death. 
He was decided in his views and maintained his 
l)rinciples with all the strength of his character. 
He had neveT been an otiice-seeker. but officiated 
as Justice of the Peace many years before his death. 
The mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Gates, 
was born in Wayne Countj-. K. Y., and came of 
Massachusetts parentage. Her father, Jeremiah 
Gates, spent his last years in AVheatland Township, 
this county, passing awaj* when about seventy-five 
years old. 

The mother of our subject received careful home 
training and a fair common-school education, and 
she, with her husband, Seth Wood, was an act- 
ive mem])er of the Regular Baptist Church. In 
this church Seth Wood officiated as Deacon many 
years. They weie the parents of nine children, 
three sons and six daughters, two of whom, a son 
and a daughter, died in childhood. Levi, our sub- 
ject, was the eldest son and second child, and 
completed his education in the public schools of 
Wheatland Township, this county. There also he 
developed into manhood, and was married, Oct. 20, 
1858. to Mi.ss Fanny llaynes. ]\Irs. Wood was 
born in Hamilton Township, Madison Co., N. Y., 
June 9, 1837, and was the only daughter of Iliram 
and Jerusha (Dibble) Haynes, who were natives 
respectively of Rensselaer and Madison Counties, 
, N. Y. They were married in Madison County, 



4- 



-4•- 



where they lived a few years afterward, and where 
their two children, Orlando and Mrs. Wood, were 
born. The former is now a resident of Hillsdale, 
and retired. 

The parents of Mrs. Wood came to Michigan about 
1840 and located in Jackson County, where Mr. 
Haynes established the first carding-machine, which 
he operated a number of years. Later he sold out, 
and in 1848 took up his residence in Wheatland 
Township, this county, here also establishing and 
carrj'ing on the manufacture of woolen cloth, and 
being the pioneer of the business also in this section. 
Heretofore, however, he had lived for a time in 
Rollin Township, Lenawee County, before coming 
to Wheatland, where he carried on the same business, 
operating it in connection with a fiouring-mill. 
His life was successful financially, and he was also 
a man who was highly e.steemed among his neighbors. 
His death occurred in Adams Township when he 
was seventy-two years old. His first wife had died 
in Jackson County, Mich., and he then married 
Mrs. Sarah Metcalf, who survived him about one 
j'ear. Both ladies belonged to the Methodist Church, 
and Mr. Haynes was, politically, during the last 
years of his life a strong Repulilican. 

Mrs. AVood was reared in Wheatland Township, 
where she acquired a good common-school educa- 
tion and commenced teaching soon after fifteen 
years of age, which she coiatinued for some time 
before her marriage. Of her union with our sub- 
ject there were born three children, one of whom, 
Lamoiit, died at the age of twenty -three j-Qjirs and 
seven months, in Jv'ewtou, Iowa. He had married 
Miss Mabel Basom, who is still living and is now the 
wife of Thomas Rowe, of Jackson. This son is a 
3'oung man of great promise, well educated and 
highly intelligent, and acts as telegraph operator 
and agent at Auburn, Ind., and other places, for the 
Jackson & Ft. Wayne Railroad, which is now the 
Lake Shore & JMichigan Southern. Miss Jennie E. 
Wood completed her education in the State Nor- 
mal School at Ypsilanti, makes her home with her 
parents, and occupies herself as a teacher in the 
district schools of her township; Marion II. remains 
on the farm and assists his father. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wood are members in good standing of the Regular 
Baptist Church, and our subject, politically, uni- 



h 



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406 



HILLSDALE COUNTY 




IX Ilia 



formly votes the Republican ticket. Tlie Wood 
homestead is the resort of a large number of 
cultivated and intelligent people, who find in their 
host and hostess the spirits with which they are 
happy to affiliate. 

EMAN D. BAILEY. Nearly a quarter of 
a centur}' marks the time which the suhject 
of this biography has called Hillsdale 
County his home. Reared to agricultural 
pursuits, he followed these tiirough his boyhood and 
youth, and in the fall of 1864 jjitehed his tent 
within the limits of Pittsford Township, taking up 
a tract of land upon which he operated five years. 
Then, seized with the California fever, he made his 
wav to the Pacific Slope, and occupied himself as 
before in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties four 
years. At the expiration of this time he returned 
to Michigan, and rented a farm in Wright Town- 
ship, this county, which he occupied nine years. In 
the meantime he purchased the land which he now 
owns, and which he located upon in 1884. To this 
he has given his entire attention since that time, 
erecting good buildings, and gradually bringing 
about the improvements which have made the home- 
stead noticeable among those of his neighbors. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Livingston 
County, N. Y., born near the town of Graceland, 
Ma\' 11,1 847. His father, John Bailey, a native of 
the same place, was born Dec. 9. 1815, and his pa- 
ternal grandfather. Thomas Bailey, was one of the 
early settlers of that region. The latter purchased 
a tract of land, and farmed there a number of years, 
then removed to Cattaraugus County, where he 
spent his last days. John J. Bailey upon reaching 
manhood was married, and, like his father before 
him, followed agriculture, operating first on fifty -six 
acres not far from the place of his birth. Thence, 
in 1864, he came to this county, and purchasing 
land on section 27 in Pittsford Township, here 
spent the remainder of his days, passing away on 
the 22d of December, 188a. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Miss Sarah A. Arner, who was born in Pennsylva- 
nia, Feb. 24, 1817. Her father. John H. Arner. re- 



moved from the Keystone State to Livingston 
County. N. Y., in 1822, purchasing land adjacent 
to the town of Graceland, where he cultivated the 
soil, built up a comfortable homestead, and spent 
ttie remainder of his life. His wife is still living on 
the old homestead in Pittsford. The i)arental 
household included six children, namely: Eliza J., 
now the wife of Alonzo Webster, and Lyman II., 
of Pittsford; Charles L., of Oregon; Ilenian D., of 
our sketch ; Catherine M., Mrs. Maples, of Pittsford, 
and Edward L., of Nebraska. 

The boyhoo<l years of our subject were spent 
after the manner of most farmers' sons, attending 
the district school and making himself useful 
around the homestead. He started out for himself 
when a youth of eighteen, and employed himself 
working by the month until coming to this count}'. 
Among the maidens of this region he found a wife. 
Miss Martha M. Monroe, to whom he vvas married 
on the 29th of March, 1868. Mrs. Bailey, the 
daughter of one of the earliest pioneers of Pittsford 
Township, was born here on the 26th of October, 
1847. Her parents were Linasand Lucy M. (Hol- 
le3') Monroe. Her father was a native of Orleans 
Countj, N. Y'., and the son of David Monroe, a 
Vermonter by birth, and an early settler of the Em- 
pire .State. From Orleans he removed to Monroe 
Count}' and thence, in 1836, to the Territory' of 
Michigan, settling in Pittsford Township. Here he 
purchased a tract of timber land, put up a log 
house, and thereafter carried on the cultivation of 
the soil until resting from his earthly labors. The 
maternal grandmother of Mrs. Bailey died in Or- 
leans County, N. Y. 

Linas JMonroe was quite j'oung when his parents 
removed to Penfield, where he developed into man- 
hood. The parents were married in Williamson, 
Wayne County, May 14, 1834. Mr. Monroe had 
learned the trade of tanner early in life, which he fol- 
lowed in Wayne and Monroe Counties, N. Y. When 
coming West he was accompanied by his father, and 
settled upon the land which the latter purchased, 
and where his wife and son Gnilford now live. 
He died Sept. 15. 1880. 

The mother of Mrs. Bailey, formerl}' Mrs. Lucy 
M. Holley, was born in Louisville, St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y.. Oct. 8, 1814. Her father, George Hoi- 



n 




yfux /^'^^^ 




HILLSDALE COUNT ». 



40 'J 



i' 



ley. was born in Hiirlson, Coliiinbia Count}', wlionce 
he removefl to JSt. Lawrence County during its car!}' 
settlement. Me took uj) his resiflence in Waj'ne 
County later, in 1828. Ten years later he made 
his way to the Territory of Michigan, and located in 
Wright Township, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. The maiden name of his wife was Ellen 
Foster, who was born in New \ ork City and died 
in Wright Township. Their daughter Lucy, the 
mother of Mrs. Bailey, lived with her parents until 
her marriage, becoming familiar with all house- 
wifely duties, and being especially expert at the 
spinning-wheel. During the first years of her life 
in Michigan she cooked by a fireplace. Their log 
cabin was constructed without any sawed lumber, 
the roof being of "shakes" and the floor of split 
puncheons. Their neighbors at that early day 
were few and far between, and for weeks together 
Mrs. IL probably did not look upon the face of a 
white vvoman. The journey to this primitive spot 
was accomplished from Toledo with a team of 
horses and wagon. There was no road to speak of, 
the track being marked by blazed trees, through 
the forest, where they laboriously' made their way. 
Heman D. Bailey happily escaped man}' of the 
privations of the earliest settlers, but experienced 
enough of pioneer life to fully realize its dillicul- 
lies and hardships. He is now well-to-do, and the 
fatlier of a line familj', comprising four sons — Ro- 
nieus J>., Walter II., Byron M. and John B. Our 
subject and his wife are members in good standing 
of the Baptist Church, and enjoy in a marked de- 
gree the respect of their neighliors. Mr. B., polit- 
ically, afliliates with the Republican [)artj'. 

vil IfelLLIAM BliYAN, whose jiortrait is given 
\/jJl/ on the opposite page, was one of the fore- 
W^ most of the brave and resolute pioneers of 
the beautiful township of Woodbridgc over half a 
century ago, and from that day to this has occupied 
a leading position among its most influential citi- 
zens. When he first settled here in the fall of 1837 
the generally rolling and elevated character of the 
surface of the township, rising into bluffs and knolls 
in the northern [lart, Wiis densely covered with 



trees of man}' centuries' growth, such as beech, 
maple, jioplar, oak, black walnut, hickor}', black 
and white ash. And a few acres of these magnifi- 
cent old trees of the primeval forest that are still 
scattered here and there throughout this region, and 
that were once so common in Michigan, give one 
an idea of what the early settlers had to contend 
with in those pioneer days, when such giants had 
to be hewn down and enormous stumps uprooted 
before the land could bo developed into farms, and 
they must, indeed, have been men of more than 
ordinary brawn and muscle, stoutness of heart and 
strength of character, who were enabled to accom- 
plish the vast work of opening this country. Our 
subject has been one of the instruments in devel- 
oping this township and count}' from their original 
wild state; he has cleared 100 acres or more of 
land by his incessant and active labors, and he now 
owns a fine farm of ninety acres, under the best 
tillage, and yielding the various cereals, vegetables 
and fruits, commonly grown in Southern Michigan 
in the greatest abundance and perfection. Mr. 
Bryan built the first frame house anil also the first 
school-house in the townshii). and he cut the first 
road to Woodbridge from Cambria. 

Mr. Bryan was born in Cheshire, Berkshire Co., 
Mass., Nov. 22, 181G, and is a descendant of an 
old English family, who are known to have been 
landed proprietors in England as far back even as 
the days of William the Conqueror. One branch 
of this family some centuries later migrated to 
Derry, in the northern part of Ireland, and the 
famous Irish patriot. Wolf Tone, who cut his throat 
rather' than to be gibbeted by the English Govern- 
ment, was collaterally descended from that branch. 
At some time in the eighteenth centur}' the grand- 
father of our subject left Ireland, embarking on 
board of an American-bound vessel, for this coun- 
try. The ship in whicii he sailed was either be- 
calmed or driven out of its course by storms, and 
he was delayed on the waters for several weeks, and 
came near sulTering starvation. He finally landed 
safely in Boston, and for some 3'ears m.ade his home 
in Massachusetts, marr^'ing, in Worcester County, a 
lady who was a native of Lancaslei', that count}'. 
Some years after marriage he removed with his 
family to Canada, wlu'ie he took up five concessions 



4 410 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of land ill the town of Cornwall, each concession, 
comprising 100 acres, making a mile long. His sons, 
the father of our subject being one, took some of 
this land, which was finally taken from them by tiie 
English Government. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject was in many wajs a superior man; ho was phy- 
sically and intellectually strong, possessed keen 
perceptive faculties and a large fund of general 
information. 

Richard Bryan, tlie father of our subject, was 
born in Massaciiusetts in 17H6, and there married 
Miss Sarah Sawyer, likewise a native of that State, 
born in 1784. After iiis land had been confiscated 
by the British Government, he removed from 
Canada and settled in Cheshire, Mass. He took 
part in the War of 1812, and served out the time 
of another man. For his gallant conduct he re- 
ceived a land warrant, settled on his land and 
farmed, and was also engaged in the shoe business. 
After living in Cheshire sixteen years he came to 
Michigan, and located in Woodbridge Township in 
September, 1838. He improved a good farm on 
section ."), and continued to reside here many years, 
honoreil and respected by all who knew him. until 
his death in 18GS, at the age of eight^'-two. He 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for a term 
of four years, and otherwise took an important part 
in the administration of local affairs. His estima' 
ble wife had preceded him in deatli in 1856. To 
them were born five children, namely: William, 
liichard, John, Sarah and Ezra. 

William Bryan was reared to manhood in the 
place of his nativity, and he there married Miss 
.Susan Brj-ant, in September, 1837. She was born 
Feb. 6, 1820, and was the daughter of Barton and 
Artemisia (Sayles) Bryant, natives of Rhode Island, 
where the father was born in 1793. IMr. Bryant 
was an intelligent, upright man, and a hard worker. 
He and his wife settled in Chesiiire, Mass., and there 
died, he in 1864, and she in 1867. They were the 
parents of eight children, as follows: Susan, Ste- 
phen, George, William, Lewis, James, Delvin and 
Eliza. 

When our subject and his wife thus started out 
in life together in youth's golden prime, they were 
poor indeed as far as woildl}- possessions are con- 
cerned, but they were rich in health and strength, 



and the high hopes and ambitions of the young. 
Four weeks after marriage they set out for the new 
State of Michigan to brave the unknown dangers 
of its forests, that they might build u[) for them- 
selves a comfortable home. At first, after locating 
on his land, Mr. Brjan had to go out as a day 
laborer at $1 a day to obtain means of subsistence 
until he could clear enough of his own land to be- 
come independent. His young wife staid at home 
to care for the stock, that no wild beasts might 
molest it, bears then being plenty, and our subject 
has at different times driven them away from the 
hogs. The first few j-ears of their life here must 
have been fraught with many a haidship and pri- 
vation to which they had been un.accustomed in 
their Massachusetts home. But they patiently en- 
dured their trials, worked without ce.asing, and their 
labors were nt length rewarded; a fine farm was 
developed from the f(jrest-covered land, the home 
for which the3' longed reared its sheltering walls, 
and they are now spending their declining years, 
over fifty of which the3' have passed together, sur- 
rounded by Its peace and comfort, and hold in lov- 
ing regard and the highest respect by the many 
friends who have become attached to them by their 
unvarying kindness and sympath}'. The record of 
the six sons born of their marriage is as follows : 
Jasper married Rhoda Sayles; Addis married 
Selinda Niles; B3-ron m.arried Ellen Benedict; Her- 
bert D. married Nanc^^ Cox; Adelbert married 
Sarah Wells, and Otto is unmarried. 

The long and honorable career of our subject has 
marked him as a man of sound principle, unblem- 
ished character, and vigorous and earnest thought; 
he is progressive and advanced in the stand that 
he has always taken in regard to the intellectual, 
political and moral questions that have long agi- 
tated, and are continuing to agitate, the public mind 
to-day. He has earnestly stiiven to enlarge the 
educational privileges of the j-outh of this township 
while filling the oIKce of School Inspector, and has 
assisted in building four school-houses. Politically, 
he is independent, with a leaning, however, toward 
Greenbackism ; in his religious views he is liberal. 
He has been one of the prime movers in the cause 
of temperance for the la it thirty j'ears, has taken 
the stand on many occasions throughout the county, 




-■ ^» 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



411 



Ims Itoeii a mcinbin- of various U'lnpcraiice orgaiii- 
zalioiis. beloiigeil to the 'IVMuplc of Honor for eight 
j'oai's, was a member of tlie (ioofi 'rem|)lars, and 
wiis. at one time, VVorthy C'hief of the order of 
Sons of Temperance. Mr. Bryan has ever taken a 
conspicuons part in the uonnciis of Woodbiidge 
Townshi|). and has held every ofHee of importance 
and responsibility, from tliat of Constable to Super- 
visor. He was elected to the hitter office in 1 850, 
was elected Treasurer in 1844, and also Highvvaj' 
Commissioner. 



^^ 



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-fe 



'JOSEPH HESS, a prominent farmer of Am- 
I boj' Township, residing on section 5, was 
born in Monroe County, N. Y.. Dec. 2, 1830, 
and is tiie son of JL'ithias and Mary (Smith) 
Hess, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The Hess 
family had been represented in the Ke3-stone State 
for several generations. The maternal grandfather 
spent his last years in New York State, and it is 
believed that his brother served in the Revolution- 
ary War and later in the .War of 1812. 

To Mathias and Mary Hess there were born nine 
children, and of the survivors the record is .as fol- 
lows: William is a resident of Monroe County, N. 
Y. ; Joseph, our subject, was the second child; 
Lydia is the wife of Willis Case, of Branch County, 
this Slate; Caroline, Mrs. William Peck, lives in 
Henry County, 111. The deceased are: John, Maria, 
Mary, Abraham and Susannah. Joseph was reared in 
his native county, receiving a limited education, and 
l)eing taught to make himself useful around the 
homestead at an earlj' age. His inclination to read 
and study, however, |)r()vided him with a good 
fund of information, and upon reaching his major- 
ity he had a very good insight into business affairs. 

Our subject, soon after becoming his own man, 
left the Empire State and took up his abode in 
Huron Count}', Ohio, where he w.as married, July 
3, 1 855. to Miss Abbie Hosmer, who was born in the 
village of Jerusalem, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1832, and is 
the daughter of John and Lucy (Earl) Hosmer, 
who were the parents of eleven children. Of these 
ten .arc still living, uiimely : Titus. Ceorge, Daniel; 
Mercy A., the wife (>( Alfred Frisbie; Lucy. Mrs. 



Alexander Boyd; Abbie; N'ancy, the wife of Orin 
Rice; Sydney, Frank; Ellen, Mrs. Smith, and Bar- 
rett. Our subject, in 18,') I, left the Buckeye State 
with his famil}', .and coming to this county em- 
ployed himself at fanning until the fall of 1800, 
when he settled on his present farm. This com- 
prises eighty acres of good land, which he cleared 
from the wilderness, and where he built up the 
comfortable home which he and his estimable wife, 
who has always been his able and cheerful assist- 
ant, are now enjo3ing in their declining years. 
Their union was blessed by the birth of five children, 
namely : iSIaria, the wife of Frank Frarej-; F'rank, 
Delia, F>lith and George. 

Mr. Hess, politically, votes the Republican ticket, 
and has served as School Director in his township, 
while alw.ays being the supporter of those prOjCcts 
calculated for its advancement and prosperity. He is 
duly imbued with patriotic principles and feels grati- 
fied over the reflection that two of his paternal great- 
uncles did good service in the Revolutionary War 
and the War of 1812. Mr. Hess, in February, 1863, 
was drafted into the Union arm}', becoming a mem- 
ber of Company D, 16th Michigan Infantry', which 
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he 
fought at the battles of Chancellorsvillc, Middle- 
burg and Gettysburg, besides meeting the enemy 
in various other engagements and skirmishes. He 
served in all nine months, and fortunately' escaped 
wounds and imprisonment, being permitted to return 
in safety to his family. 



-^^3- 



(| SALTER R. BRANCH, Register of Deeds 
\/sJi ^^ Hillsdale County, a gentleman still 
V^'^ young in years and of excellent capacities, 
spent the early years of his life in Huron County, 
Ohio, where he was born Nov. 1. 1«59. The only 
son of Augustus W. and Grace H. (Wier) Branch, 
he enjoyed good advantages during his boyhood 
and youth, pursuing his early studies in the Nor- 
vvalk school and Later attending the High School at 
Norwalk, one of tlic most bea\itifnl towns in the 
Buckeye State. 

Mr. Branch came to Southern Michigan with his 
parents, and was a student in the Union School at 



i~ 



j >¥ ^J f ■» 



^ 



412 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Hillsdale. Upon putting away his books he entered 
the {iffiee of the Regigtei- of Deeds in the capaeity 
of clerk, in the employ of bis uncle. Robert A. 
Wier. in which position he served until the death 
of this gentleman, which occuired Oct. IC). 1887. 
Mr. Branch then succeeded to the office of Regis- 
ter of Deeds, and is now also acting as Deputj' 
Clerk of the Circuit Court. He makes an efficient 
officer, serving with credit to him.'-fclf and satisfac- 
tion to all concerned. 

Our subject and his family reside on Howell 
sti'eet. Mr. Branch having been married. Dee 6, 
J 882. to Miss Minnie, only daughter of Jra B. Cord, 
Postmaster of Hillsdale. Mrs. Branch was born in 
Cambria Township, this county. By this union there 
is one daughter. Mabel G.. «ho was born Ajiril 27, 
1887. Mr. Branch, politicallj'. is a zealous Repub- 
lican, and sociallj'. is a member of the IMasonic 
fiaternily, belonging to Hillsdale Lodge Ko. 176, 
and the K. of P., Lodge Ko. 49. 



-w\. -\«a£i2r©~^^ 



>»^,S,-jrzr?i»v.-i 



ff' OHN 8. KIRKWOOD. Among the honored 
and resjiected citizens of Hillsdale County, 
and prosperous agriculturists of Scipio Town- 
ship, no one is more deserving of mention 
in this biographical volume than he of whom we 
write. Mr. Kirkwood was born in York County, 
Pa., Nov. 21, 1822. His parents, Robert and 
Elizabeth (Thompson) Kirkwood, were born re- 
spectively in Harford County', Md.. July 27, 1797. 
and in York County, Pa., April 4, 1791. The}' 
were both of Scotch- Irish ancestry. They were 
married in York Count.y, Pa., in 1821, and lived 
there until 1 823. They then removed to Ontario 
County, N. Y., where they remained about five 
years. From there thej' went to Allegany County, 
in the same State, where they bought a tract of 
land and established a home. The death of Mrs. 
Kirkwood, the mothei' of our subject, occurred there 
Feb. 20. 1839. After her death her husband re- 
mained on his homestead initil the year 1843. when 
he exchanged that property for land in Lucas 
County, Ohio, whither he removed with his chil- 
dren. Two yeais laiir he came to this county and 
settled in Moscow Township, where he lemained 



until the fall of 1 847. when he came to Scipio Town- 
ship, and from that time made his home with our 
subject until his death, which occurred Sept. 30, 
1800. Both he and his wife were worthy members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and esteemed members 
of society. They were the parents of four children, 
of whom the following is the record : John S., our 
subject; Eliza A. died in Allegany Count}', N. Y., 
Oct. 3, J 841 : Alexander T. is a miller in Washte- 
naw County, Mich.; Esther is the wife of Jesse 
Woolcott. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, 
and educated in the district schools of New York. 
He chose farming as the occupation by which he 
should maintain himself, and after reaching man- 
hood came to Michigan, arriving in Hillsdale 
County in 1845. In the autumn of 1847 he bought 
100 acres of wild land on section 16 of Scipio Town- 
ship, which by industry, energy and good manage- 
ment, he has now under an excellent state of 
cultivation. On it he has erected a suljslantial 
dwelling, good bai-ns and out-buildings, and made 
other valualile improvements. The neat and thrifty 
appearance of his homestead shows with what judg- 
ment and skill the time and labor expended on it 
have been used. 

Mr. Kirkwood was married, Oct. 26, 1853, to Miss 
Irene J. Woolcott, daughter of Jason and Lydia 
(Iloxie) Woolcott, both natives of New England. 
They were the parents of five children, two sons 
and three daughters, of whom Irene was the third 
child. She was born in Wayne Countj% N. Y., Feb. 
4, 1826. Of her union with Mr. Kirkwood two 
children have been born — Lydia H. and Eliza A. 
The former is the wife of Rev. M. F. Loomis, a 
Methodist clergyman, of Calhoun County, Mich. 
Eliza is at home with her parents. 

Mrs. Kirkwood has been a most faithful wife and 
mother, being a womanly woman, in whom the 
heart of her husband doth safely trust. He has al- 
ways found in her a judicious counselor and a 
ready helper, and justly gives her due credit for 
the active part she has taken in establishing their 
pleasant home. Mr. Kirkwood has identified him- 
self with the interests of this township since coming 
to Scipio, and by his unswerving integrity has wou 
the esteem and confi<lence of his fellow-citizens. He 



-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUMTY. 



413 



has served as Township Supervisor two terms and 
for one term as Justice of the Peace. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Kirkwood are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Ciiurcii, where he has held the 
offices of Steward and Trustee. To such people as 
the family of our subject Hillsdale County is in- 
debted for its high social and moral standing among 
the other counties of this great commonwealth. 

ylLLIAM SHANEOUR, a representative and 
successful farmer who is located on section 
27, Wright Township, was l)orn in Stark 
County, Ohio, May 12, 1842. His father, David 
Shaneour, is a native of Adams County, Pa., where 
he was born Jan. 27, 1813, and is the son of Jacob 
Shaneour and the grandson of Henry Shaneour, 
who was a farmer by occupation and died in Adams 
County. Jacob Shaneour was reared to farm |)ur- 
suits in that county and lesidcd there until about 
1820, wiien he removed to Stark County, Ohio, of 
which he was an earl3' settler, and resided there 
until his decease. His wife, tiie grandmother of 
our subject, who in her girlhood was Elizabeth 
Henry, died at the home of one of her daughters 
in .Seneca County, Ohio. 

The father of our subject was a little lad of seven 
years when his parents removed to Ohio and set- 
tled in Stark County, and he commenced life for 
himself when but a small boy, working by the 
month at ^3 per month, while §8 per month was 
the best remuneration he ever received at service. 
After his marriage he rented land in the same 
county, upon which he operated until 18.57, and 
then came to Wright Township and purchased 
eighty acres of laud on section 27. At the time 
of purchase the place contained a small frame house 
and about forty acres of laud were partially cleared. 
Since then he has added to his landed estate until 
it now comprises 200 acres, the greater part of 
which is cleared. He has erected a good set of 
frame buildings, suitable for the purposes for which 
they were intended, and supplied himself with the 
most approved iigricultural machinery. 

The father of our subject was united in marriage, 
Sept. 2, 1836, witli Miss Lydia Goodenberger, a 

40 



native of Adams County, Pa., and the dangiiter of 
Andrew and Mary (Scliultz) Goodijnberger. They 
became the parents of fourteen children, eleven of 
whom grew to maturity and are recorded as follows : 
Jacob is deceased; John lives in Wright Township; 
William, our subject; Franklin is deceased; Ann 
Maria became the wife of Gilbert Seely, .and lives 
in Wright Township, as do also the next two, 
David and George; Mary Ann became the wife of 
William Gibson, and lives in Wiight Township; 
Lovina married David Rogers, and lives in Harri- 
son County, Iowa; Josiaii is a resident of Wright 
Township, as is also Amelia, who became the wife 
of Amos Adams. The mother passed awaj' April 4, 
1878. 

William Shaneour was fifteen years of age when he 
came to this township in company with his parents, 
and he resided witli them until his marriage. He then 
settled on section 22 of the same township, where 
he purchased a farm, but in 1870 he rented that 
property and removed to section 21, which became 
his home for fourteen years. ,He then returned to 
the old homestead, where he has since resided with 
his father, and is provided with all the comforts of 
life. The career of his father, David Shaneour, 
is remarkable, and affords to the rising generation 
an illustration of what one man may accomplish. 
Thrown upon his own resources when little more 
than a child, anil deprived of the advantages of a 
school education, he has overcome all obstacles by 
sheer force of will power and energy, and from the 
humble beginning at !S300 per mouth, he has accu- 
mulated a handsome competency for his support 
in his old age, and a goodly herit.age to leave to his 
children. 

Our subject was united in marriage, in 18()4, with 
Miss Zeruiah Richards, who was born in Ottawa 
County, Ohio, .luly 10, 184(5, and is the daughter 
of Arnold Richards, who was born on the Ohio 
River, whence his parents had removed from Ken- 
tucky. He grew to manhood in Clark Countj% 
where he settled after his marriage and resided until 
1848. He then removed to Toledo, but after a 
residence of one year in that city he removed to 
Wright Township, this county, in 1849, and pur- 
chased ten acres of timber land on section 27. He 
erected a log house and cleared and improved his 



n 



-4^ 



414 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



hiiid, altir wliicli he solfl tmt niul liolight twenty 
acres on section 2'2, and tlieie Imilt and ini|iiove<l 
.1 home in which he spent liis lust years. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Clarissa Greenwood, was 
born in Clarite County, Ohio, wlnle iier parents were 
natives of New Hamijshire. and early settlers of 
Clarke Ct)iuity ; her father served in the War c)f 1812. 
Mrs. Shaneoiir's maternal grandmothei' was in her 
girlhood Zeriiiah B.iiley. 

Ml-, and Mrs. Shaneour iiave two cliildien — Kffle 
C. and AdcHicrt W. In religi<in Mrs. S. belongs 
to tlie Christian or Disciples' Church. Mr. S. is a 
Republican. 



i 




V 



*t 



,IVILL1S BAKER. One of the finest farms 
'' in Somerset Township is located on the 
north half of section 28, and comprises 2oO 
acres of valuable land, most of whicii has been 
brought to a higii state of cultivation. Tliere has 
been spared, however, a fine timber tract of fort\'- 
flve acres, which the proprietor has wisely reserved 
for future use. Here he carries on farming exten- 
sively, and has been lemarkably successful. An 
elegant residence and several fine barns add to the 
atlr.actions of the homestead, as also does the live 
stock, which includes the vari^)us domestic animals, 
Init the specialty is fine horses. In these Mr. Baker 
deals largely, and is the owner of tiie famous thor- 
oughbred colt of the "Judge Leland" stock, which 
latter bids fair to rank with the "Mainlirinos" and 
other fine trotting stock. To general faiming, be- 
sides stock-raising. Mr. Baker also gives due atten- 
tion, and takes ]iride in the result of his labors. 

The Empire State, which has given so many of 
its sons to the development of the great West, and 
of which there is a fine re|iresentation in .Michigan, 
contained the early home of our subject, he having 
been born in Wayne Count}', SeiH. 22, 1836. John 
F. and Polly (Lamb) Baker, of whom a sketch wdl 
be found elsewhere iu this volume, were natives of 
New York, and Willis, of our sketch, was the fifth 
child. John Baker followed farming the greater 
part of his life, and our subject continued at home 
with his parents, becoming familiar with plowing, 
sowing and reapiu,^-, which, together with the other 



myriad employments of rural life, occupied his 
time during the summer seast)n, while iu winter he 
attended the disti'ict school, lie was married after 
reaching his thirtieth year, on the 21st of February, 
1867, to .Aliss i'.meline Rickerd, who was born in 
AVhcatland Township, this county, Jan. 7, 1851, 
and is the daughter <jf A. H. Rickerd, who still 
lives there, and who is written of elsewhere in this 
work. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baker after their marriage settled 
on their present farm, although it did not then 
number the acres which have furnished such facili- 
ties for the extensive operations of the |)ast few 
years. Mr. Baker had left his native State in 1836, 
and cast his lot with the earl}' settlers of this 
county, piuchasing at first eighty-five and one-half 
acres, which formed the nucleus of his present 
property. A man of great energ}', intelligent and 
well inltirmcd, he has not onl}' assisted in raising 
the standard of agriculture, but has always been 
warmly interested in the general welfare and pro- 
gress of the community. In politics he is a de- 
cided Repul)licau,and in 1872 was elected Township 
Treasurer, serving that term, and being re-elected 
in 1884. He was Highway Commissioner four 
j'ears, and for two years was Township Drain 
Conimissi(jner. The four children of our subject 
and his wife are all living, and, with the exception 
of the eldest, continue under the home roof. Alice 
A. was born Aug. .5, 1869, com|)leled her education 
in the city schools of Hillsdale, and is now tlie wife 
of W. B. Clancey, who is engaged in the grocery 
and hardware trade in Somerset Center; Frances 
E. was born July 4, 1872; Forest W., Nov. 17, 
1^74, and Teua E., Sept. 14, 1883. 



^r^lEOUOE BKAJNUO: 

II j^^ in the lucrative bi 
^:;J* Stock-raising on S( 



EORGE BRANDON, prosperously engaged 
business of farming and 
section 18, Woodbridge 
Township, is a native of Ireland, boin in County 
Donegal, Dec. 8, 184i(. His parents, Francis and 
Anne (Cunningham) Brandon, were of Scotch-Irish 
ancestry, born respectively in the years 1808 and 
1823. They were reared and married in their na- 
tive land, residing there until 18,il. when Jlr. 



1 ' 



-4«- 



.t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



415 i 



Braiifloii emigrated to America, landing in New 
York City. lit- i)roceeded to Connecticut, where 
he procured work by the month, and being pleased 
with his future prospects in the United States, sent 
the following year for his family. He soon after 
removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he 
worked on the i-ailway for some 3'ears. In 1857 
he commenced farming on his own account, and 
two years later moved to Williams County, Ohio, 
where he bought 100 acres of land, which he has 
improved into one of the finest farms in the local- 
ity, and where he has since lived. To him and his 
wife have been born the following children : Frances 
and .John (deceased), Hugh. Thomas, (ieorge, Alex- 
ander, Mary A. and Margaret. 

George Brandon was reared on a farm, and re- 
ceived a fair education in the public schools of 
Ohio. He started out in life without a penny in 
his i)ocket. and liis present condition is entirely due 
to his own efforts. He was ambitious, industrious, 
frugal, and of go<jd habits, bt)und to make a suc- 
cess of every undertaking. His persevering laliors 
and tireless energy conquered all difflculties, and in 
a few years he found himself on the road to pros- 
perity-. Having obtained a good start in his chosen 
'Occupation, Mr. Brandon sought as a life com- 
panion INHss .Susan Copeland, to whom he was mar- 
riefi .Fuly "24, 1879. She was a native of Ohio, born 
in Columbiana County, M.ay 28, 1850. Her par- 
ents, Patt<^rsoii and Susan (Lindersmith) Copeland. 
were natives respectively of Pcnns3dvania and Ohio. 
Both are now deceased, tlie mother having died in 
1886. Of the marriage of our subject and his wife 
two cliildren have been born: Ilarley, whose birth 
occurred June KJ, 1881, and J una, March 31, l.s«8. 

After his marriage Mr. Brandon remained in 
Ohio until 1882, when, luri'il l)y tiie attractions of 
Michigan .as an agricultural State, he removed to 
Hills<lale County, and bought the farm where he 
now resides. The land was niostl}' cleared at the 
time, and he has since worked it advantageously 
and profitably-. Besides tilling the soil, Mr. Brandon 
is mucli interested in the care and rearing of stock, 
expecting to make that branch of business a specialty. 
He has a fine bull, " Duke" by name, of the .Short- 
horn breed, that being his favorite stock, and he 
h.as besides other good cattle. Our subject is inter- 



ested, as every good citizen should be, in advanc- 
ing the interests of the townshi[), and h;w served 
as Pathmaster, satisfactorily performing the duties 
of that office. He is a man of much decision of 
character, and lias won the respect and confidence 
of his fellow-townsmen by his fair business methods 
and unswerving integrity. Mr. Brandon is a true 
Repulilican, and earnestly supports the principles 
of that party. Mrs. Brandon is a valued member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and is much esteemed 
in social circles. 



EV. JESSE PACKARD BORTON, p.astor 
of tiie Congregational Churches of North 
'IQV Adams and Jerome, assumed charge of 
\Vg> these congregations in the spring of 1886, 
and by his conscientious and kindly bearing has 
fully established himself in the esteem and confi- 
dence of the people. A native of Columbiana 
County. Ohio, he was born March 26, 1840, and is 
consequently in the prime of life and amply fitted 
for its duties and responsibilities. 

The parents of our subject, Darling H. and 
Amy (Ingling) Borton, were natives of Burlington 
County, N. J., and descended from ancestry who 
were Quakers in religious faith. The maternal 
grandfather, however, allowed his patriotism to 
overcome his religious scruples, and during the 
War of 1812. carried his musket .against the foes 
of his countr3'. The ptirents of our subject, about 
1826, left New England and settled in Columbiana 
County, Ohio, making the journey l)y wagon. In 
1842 tiiey moved to Wood County, and settled 
among the pioneers. There the mother died on the 
12th of May, 1845, at the .age of thirty-three years. 
The chihiren were scattered in various families, 
and the father was .■,ubsequently married to Miss 
Anna L. Thom[)S(>n, and seven more children were 
added to the iiousehold. Darling H. was a l>l.ack- 
smith bj' trade, and although a mechanic and 
laborer, was a man of deep pietj-, and his natural 
inclinations led iiini to tiie pulpit in the early his- 
tory of Oiiio. which he, in the absence of the 
rcularlj- ordained minister, graced to the satisf.ac- 
tion of attentive hearers on occasions of Sunday 



n 



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416 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



services, fnnernls and the like. He Tvas a man 
whom the ghosts of the past never haunted, the 
fear of the future seldom troubled. ,ind ^\h(s(' de- 
mands on the jirfsmt ^ere casil}' satisfied. He 
was a friend to the unfoitunale. a boon of good to 
the sick, and a loving fatlirr to his children. He 
rested from his eailhly labois in Amboy Township, 
this count}', on the 19th of September, 1SG6. at the 
age of fifty-one years. Four of the six children of 
the first marriage are still living. Two sisters are 
residents of Nebraska, one biothcrof California, 
and the other is represented in the jierson of Jesse 
P., our subject. 

The early years of Mr. Bortc ii were spent in his 
native count}', whence he emigrated to Michigan 
in 1846. The year following he became an inmate 
of the familj' of Col. Henry Malton, but ran awa}' 
from him for fear of having to go into the well to 
get a pair of beetle wings, used to sink the bucket, 
Col. AValt(-n having jokingly told him he would 
have to go into the well, which he took foi' earnest. 
He was next taken to the h(!Die of his uncle, Wil- 
lerd Hill, nith whom he remained five years, and 
at the expiration of this time the children were 
gathered together by their father, and Jesse P. re- 
mained with the latter for ten jears following. His 
early education 'was extremely limited, but he had 
succeeded bj- a course of reading in becoming 
fairl}' well infoimed and began leaching when a 
3'oMlh of seventeen. By this means he hoped to 
earn sufficient numey to complete a higher course 
in school, in which he succeeded to his great satis- 
faction, graduating in 1866, then resumed teaching 
until 1881. Upon experiencing a change of heart, 
he soon aftcrwaid felt drawn toward the pulpit 
and its duties, in which inclination he was seconded 
by his friends and the churches of that region. 
For five jears thereafter he officiated as minister 
for the churches at Ran.som and Prattville, in this 
county, and also followed his profession of teacher 
two years of the same time. The labors of these 
he resigned to accept the call to the churches over 
which he now presides. 

The marriage of the Rev. Jesse P. Borton and 
Miss Maggie McFaul was celebrated ai the home 
of the bride in Dowagiac on the 1 2th of September. 
1867. The parents of Mrs. Borton were natives 



respectively of Ireland and Canada. Her father emi- 
grated to the United States •nhen but a child, with 
his parents, who became ownos of a part of the 
land now f)ccupied b}' the city of Detroit. Wayne 
County was but a wilderness when he first settled 
there, and the parents were married at Ann Arbor 
about 1 839. They si)ei]t their last years in St. Joseph, 
the mother dying in 18.S1, when about fifty-seven 
years of age. and the father in 1882, when about 
sixty. Their family included nine children, of whom 
Jlrs. Boi'ton was the filth in order of biilli. She 
was born Aug. 27, 1849, at Ann Arbor, and re- 
moved with her parents to Niles when nine }'ears 
of age. From there they went to St. Joseph 
and thence to Dowagiac, where she made the ac- 
quaintance of her future husband. The}' have two 
children: Call Darling, now a jeweler at Dowagi.ac, 
and Cora Jessie, who is a member of the class of 
'80, in the North Adams school. 

Mr. Borton. while a resident of New Berlin. Ohio, 
was afflicted with bone erysipelas, from the effects of 
which his right limb was disabled, leaving him a 
cripple for life. He has been prominent in town- 
shii) affairs, serving as Schot)! Inspector in Cass 
County, and in his township in Hillsdale County. 
A man fond of reading and study, and thoroughly 
acquainted with the duties of his position, he is 
fulfilling his mission in life in a creditable and 
worthy manner, and exerting a good influence upon 
the community around him. 

(<^?.IOS BARNKS, a painter of much skill, 
j^/Lir prompt, rel labile and trnstw*irthy, is well 
^(1 known to a large proportion of the citizens 
of Hillsdale, of which he has been a resi- 
dent for the last thirty-one years. His early home 
was on the other side of the Atlantic, and he was 
born near the city of London, April 8, 1827. 

The parents of our subject, Joseph and Sophia 
Barnes, were also of English birth and parentage, 
and the father died upon his native soil when his 
son Amos was but a lad eight years of age. Amos 
acquired his education in the common schools of 
IMiddlesex County, which he attended quite regu- 
larly until fifteen years old. He then began his 



•^9- 



-4•- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY, 



»» I I 4» 

417 .} 



ai)i)rcnticesliip at the painter's trade, at which he 
served for seven years, tlien hegan working as a 
journcyiiian. lie continued thereafter in his native 
county until September, 18,")4, and tiien not being 
satisfied witli liis prospects or his condition, em- 
barked lit London on a sailing-vessel bound for 
New York City. After a somewiint tedious voyage 
of six weeks the " Petrel " landed at her destination, 
and our subject soon afterward made his way di- 
rectly westward, stopping for a brief time in Toledo, 
Ohio, and then coming to this county, arriving in 
Hillsdale on the 2d of Apiil following. He soon 
secured emi>lovment at his trade, but uot long 
afterward changed his occupation and engaged as a 
clerk in the employ (jf Allen Hammond, with whom 
he continued three years. At the expiration of this 
time he engaged with Mr. Allison, the well-known 
dry -goods merchant of Hillsdale, and upon accutnu- 
laling sufficient capital, in 1868 he entered into 
partnership with Daniel Cliilds, still continuing in 
the dry -goods trade. A year later Mr. Barnes dis- 
posed of his interest in the business to AVilliam 
Childs, and now returned to his okl occupation of a 
painter. To this he has added all kinds of wall 
decoration, including pajjcr hanging, besides the 
finer arts of carriage painting and similar work. 

Mr Barnes sought for his wife among the maidens 
of his own county in England one of the most 
estimable of his acquaintance, Miss Susan Walker, 
of Middlesex, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Walker, 
who were of pure English stock, and spent their last 
d<i3's in England. Mrs. Barnes was born April 17, 
1824, and became the wife of our subject on the 
24tli of M.ay, 1851, the wedding lieing celebrated 
at the home of her parents, and under the roof 
where she was born. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the 
parents of two sons, both living. The elder, Amos, 
was born May 17, 1850, in England, and having 
inherited the talent of his father, is a photographer 
and artist, and at i)resent traveling with a gallery. 
Alfred J., who was born Feb. II, 1858, in Hillsdale, 
is of a more practical turn of mind, his tastes in- 
clining him to trade, and he is now operating in the 
wholesale meat business in Chicago. Mr. Barnes 
put up his present fine residence over thirtj' years 
ago, and by reason of keeping it in good repair, it 
is still in excellent condition. Besides this prop- 

-^ 



erty he has one good dwelling on Manning street, 
the rent of which yields him a snug sum annually. 
He and liis excellent wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Barnes is a workman of 
rare merit', h.iving his shop at his residence and 
giving employment to three men. Many of the 
buildings of the city attest his skill and thorough- 
ness, and his taste in the matter of color and 
quality of work is unquestioned. 

.-^ .^^ ^ 



^=^EORGE C. MONROE was born in Elbridge, 
III ^^ Onondaga Co., N. Y.. Jan. 22, 1814, and 
^^^Jl was the eldest son of Nathan and Cyn- 
thia (Cliamplin) Monroe, the former of whom was 
born in 1791, and after a successful career as a 
merchant and banker, departed this life in 18.3'J. 
He was a liberal jjatron of educational institutions, 
and was the founder of Monroe Institute, located 
at Elbridge, N. Y. 

George C. Monroe w.as educated in a select 
school at Skaneateles for two 3'ears, and also at- 
tended the Onondaga Academy, and the Polj'tech- 
nic Academj'. at Chittenango. He later attended 
the Rensselaer School at Courtland, and matricu- 
lated into Y''ale College at the age of sixteen. On 
account of failing health, however, he relinquished 
his studies and gave up his proposed college course. 
After serving for some time as clerk in bis father's 
store, he wished to engage in business for himself, 
and came to the Territory of Michigan in August, 
1834. He engaged in mercantile and real -estate 
business, in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Coun- 
ties, making his headquarters at Jonesville, and at 
the same time operated flouring-mills at Litchfield 
and Jonesville, until 1852, when he engaged in the 
hardware business. In 1862 Mr. Monroe sold out 
his interests to bis partner, William Lewis, and 
became a contractor on the Michigan Southern 
Railroad, and also on the Ft. Waj'ne, Jackson & 
Saginaw; he at the same time conducted farming 
operations quite extensively. 

Upon the opening of the Civil War Mr. Monroe 
was engaged for two years in recruiting soldiers, 
and gave his aid in the vigorous |)rosecution of the 
war. He was proniiiient in the public affairs of his 



^ 11 ^« 



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418 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




township and county, and held the principal offices 
within the gift of his townsmen. He was at differ- 
ent times candidate for btatc Senator, Lieutenant 
Governor and State Treasurer on the Democratic 
ticket, though he was defeated in each instance. 
He was a delegate to the United States Democratic 
Convention, held at Baltimore in 1860, and also to 
the Democratic Convention, lield at St. Louis m 
lt<76. He was also a life memljer of the Hillsdale 
County Agricultural Society, of wliich he was both 
President and Treasurer. He was identified with 
all the public enterprises of the village, and was 
prominent in educational matters. He was elected 
first President of Jonesville after its incorporation, 
and was a member of the School Board for eighteen 
years. He was a charter member of the I. O. O. F., 
and passed through all the chairs in the order; and 
was a member of tlie Grand Lodge of the State. 
He was also a memlier of the Masonic fraternity, in 
which he held some of the most important offices. 

Mr. Alonroe was married, Oct. 13, 1840, to Miss 
Elizabeth C. Leake, of New York, but slie died 
June 11, 1848, leaving five children to the care of 
her husband. Mr. Monroe was a second time mar- 
ried. March 14, 1849, to Miss Clara M. Leake, a 
sister of his former wife, and their union resulted 
in the birtli of nine cliildren. Mr. Monroe departed 
this life in Jonesville, Aug. 16, 1883. He was a 
gentleman, genial and courteous, and his death was 
mourned as a public loss. 

ILAS W. HUGGETT, a native-born citi- 
zen of Hillsdale County, is now [)rom- 
inently identified with its farming and 
stock-raising interests, and is still living on 
the old homestead, which was his place of birth, 
on section 27, Camden Township. He is a fine 
representative of one of the early pioneer families 
of this county, and the names of his parents, Rich- 
ard and Eleanor (Piall) Hughett, will ever be cher- 
ished by those who knew them with reverence for 
tlieir true worth and nobilitj- of character. They 
were natives of Old P^ngland. and were reared 
and married in the land of their nativity, from 
whence, after the birtli of two children, they emi- 




grated to America. They spent the first eleven 
years of their lives in this country in Plielps, N. Y., 
and came from there in 1839 anil settled in the for- 
ests of Camden Township, on the land now occu- 
pied by our subject. Mr. Huggett had to clear 
space on which to build the humble log cabin in 
which he and his family lived in the most primitive 
manner for some years, bravely enduring the hard- 
ships of their lotas early settlers in a new country. 
With the untiring assistance of his good wife, he 
wrested a fine farm from the wilderness, and re- 
placed the log cabin by a more commodious and 
substantial dwelling. He had to perform his work 
with oxen, and used to have to go with them t(» 
Adrian to take his grain to mill. At an early 
day he used to carry the mail neatly to Toledo, 
and also at that time he managed a peppermint 
distillery with good success. Mr. Huggett occu- 
pies an honorable place in the history of Hillsdale 
County, and especially of Camden Township, with 
whose public interests he was actively identified for 
many years, holding the responsible office of Town- 
ship Treasurer for a number of j-ears. and also 
served as Road Commissioner. He was a great 
favorite at the social gatherings of the early settlers, 
as he was a fine singer, and he was for many years 
a leader in the church choir, and, though not a 
member of the church, 3'et he was active in its 
work and contributed liberally to its support. He 
was always generous to those less fortunate than 
himself, and ever ready to sympathize with the af- 
flicted. In his politics he was a Democrat, and 
was firm in his support of the principles of that 
party. He led an upright and blameless life, and 
in his death, Dec. 8, 1860, Hillsdale County lost 
one of its best citizens and one of its most honored 
pioneers. His good wife, who shared the respect 
in which he was held, survived him until March, 
1874. A number of children were born of their 
union, of whom the following are living: Charles, 
Richard, Samuel, William, Celia (wife of G. H. 
Derr) and Silas W. 

The latter, of whom we write, was born Aug. 21, 
1844, and w-as reared to manhood in this, the home 
of his birth, receiving liis education in the common 
schools, and assisting his father In his pioneer 
labors of developing his farm. He thus gained a ^ 



^ 



»► ■ ^* 



HILLSDALE COUN'IY. 



1 



^ood practicnl knowledfie of farming, wliidi, after 
he attained nianlmiid. lie cIkisc' to oimtinue to prose- 
cute as his life calling. He lias met with an as- 
snicd success, and his well-stocked, well-nianagetl 
farm of 120 acres lepicsents one of the most val- 
uahle pieces of propcity iiiCauMlen Township. He 
is enterprising, capable and imlustrious, and is con- 
sidered a re]>iesentative citizen of this community, 
which he has served three years in the capacity of 
Road Commissioner, and in the various .school 
otiices of his district has done much to promote the 
cause of education. He is one of the leading mem- 
bers of the F. & A. I\L, at Camden, and has officiated 
as Treasurer of the lodge for two teims. In politics 
he is classed among the most influential members 
of the Deniociatic pai'ty in this locality. 

Mr. Muggett was united in marriage, March 19, 
1H7-2, toMiss Estelle K. McWilliam, daughter of 
,). (i. McWilliam, of whom a sketch appears in this 
work. She is an admirable housewife, is devoted 
to the interests of her husband, and makes their 
home comfortal)le and attractive, not only to him, 
but to their large circle of friends, whom they have 
gathered around them by their intelligent conversa- 
tion and pleasant manners. 



+ J-##^- 



JONAS BROWN, a farmer and stock-grower 
j living on section 21, of Woodliridge Town- 
I ship, occupies a prominent position among 
' the representative citizens of this township 
and the progressive fanners of Hillsdale County. 
He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, March 21, 
1846, and is of Irish descent, his paternal grand- 
father having been a native of Ireland, while his 
maternal grandparents were natives of Pennsj-1- 
vania. Mis parents, Jonas and Nancy (Franks) 
Brown, were natives of the Buckeye Slate, born 
resijectively in the years 1800 and 1801. His 
father was finely educated, and a man of good busi- 
ness capacity. He learned the tailor's trade, but 
after marriage purchased a farm that he miglii have 
a permanent home for his family, and. in addition 
to tailoring, carried on farming. He was an influ- 
ential citizen of his county, and lirnd^' supported 
the principles of the Dcmociatii- party. In religion 



he was a member of the United Brethren Church, 
and when his death occurred, .July 25, 1849. while 
3et in the prime of life, their loss was sadly mourned 
by hosts of friends. His wife, who remained faith- 
ful to his memory, died in Michigan, May 3, 1874. 
She was also a member of the United Brethren 
Church, and consistently followed its teachings in 
her daily life. To her and her husband had 
been born the following children: Arminda, Rachel, 
Elizabeth, Immanuel, Margaret, Nancy, Jonas. 
James, Mary A., and two who died in infancy. 

He of whom we write, having become familiar 
with the duties of a farmer, selected that occu- 
pation as the one which he desired to follow 
through life. Realizing the need of a home of 
his own, and the assistance and counsels of a good 
woman, he secured them b^' his marriage with Miss 
Mary C. Beatty, the ceremony which made them 
one being solemnized Feb. 11, 1875. She was also 
a native of Hancock County, Ohio, born May 1, 
1849, being a daughter of John T. and Eme- 
line (Alford) Beatt^'. both natives of New England. 
Mr. Beatty's parents were of Puritan stock, and 
born in Vermont, while the mother of his wife, 
grandmother of Mrs. Brown, was a niece of John Q. 
Adams, formerly President of the United States. Mr. 
Beatty, who was a farmer by occupation, was born 
in 1820, In 1868 he moved with his family from 
Indiana, where he had lived a few years, to Michi- 
gan, and settled in Woodbridge Township, where 
he still resides. He is an influential citizen, hon- 
ored for his true manly characteristics, and is con- 
sidered one (jf the leading men of the place. His 
religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he is a ])rominent member, and 
where for fourteen \'ears he held the position of 
Class-Leader, Mrs. Beattj', whose birth took place 
in 1827, is also living, and shares equally with her 
husband the respect of the community. She is an 
earnest member of the United Brethren Church, 
and in her daily life exemplifies its teachings. To 
her and her husband have been born eight children, 
namely: Hiram B., Mary C. Zimri T., John M., 
Cortilda E., Paulina E., Melvin R. and August;* L. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brown are living on their ple.asant 
homestead, which contains 112 acres of rich and 
|iroduclive laud. ;dl of which is clcand and under 



l- 



-4«— 
4-20 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



a good state of cultivation. Mr. Brown, who ranks 
as a model farmer of the county, has toiled unceas- 
ingly to bring his farm to its present fine condition, 
and now, with its neat and well-arranged dwelling 
and ample farm buildings, it presents a pleasing 
appearance to the passerby, and on every hand in- 
dicates the thrift and prosperity of its owner. In 
politics our subject is a sound Democrat, and works 
for the success of that party. He is, however, no 
office-seeker, and, though repeatedly called upon to 
fill some responsible position, lie has consistently 
declined all nominations, preferring the quiet of 
liis own liome to the tumult and unrest of public 
life. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Brown are members of 
any church organization, but they lead pure, up- 
right lives, and strictly follow the admonitions of 
James, of Biblical record. 



O'"" HARLES H. BRUKN, deceased, w.is actively 
identified with the agricultui-al interests of 
Pittsford Township, and held a prominent 

position among the farmers of this commuuit}'. 
Coming to Hillsdale County when scarcely fifteen 
years had elapsed since the first settlement had been 
made within its borders, he may well be classed 
with its early settlers. He was born in Newark, N. 
J., May 17, 1818. His father, Joseph Bruen, who 
was born in England, and was descended of good 
English ancestry, spent his last j'ears in New Jer- 
sey, where he was employed as a farmer. Our sub- 
ject grew to manhood in his native State, and when 
a young man went to New York City to learn tlie 
trade of tailor. He was endowed with an ambitious 
spirit, talents of a high order, and a resolute will, 
and, dissatisfied with that employment, he prepared 
himself for the profession of civil engineer, and 
afterward rose to eminence in that calling. In 1842 
he came to Michigan in the emplo}' of the Michi- 
gan Southern Railway Company, which was then 
constructing its railway through this State, and he 
occupied the important position at the head of the 
civil engineer corps. He was afterward employed 
in the same capacity on different railways of Ohio. 
After Mr. Bruen had been here a few years he 



bought the farm which Mrs. Bruen now occupies, 
and in 1854 he abandoned the practice of his pro- 
fession, and settling on his farm, devoted his time 
entirely to agricultural pursuits. A small part of 
his land was partly cleared, and a log house stood 
on it. He soon built a small frame house, and sub- 
sequently erected a large frame barn. He was an 
energetic, hard-working man, throwing his whole 
heart into his work, and in the years of toil that 
succeeded his settlement here, he cleared quite a 
large tract of land and developed it into fine farms. 
Shortly after making his permanent residence 
here Mr. Bruen was married, Feb. 23, 1856, to 
Mary A. Rooke, who was born in Superior, Wash- 
tenaw Co.. Mich., Jan. 30, 1838. Her father, Rob- 
ert Rooke, was born in England, and resided there 
until he was twenty-one, wlien he came to Amer- 
ica and joined an elder brother in Lyons. Wayne 
Co.. N. Y, In 1833 he came to the Territory' of 
Michigan, via canal and lake to Detroit, and thence 
by team to Washtenaw County. He bought land 
in Superior Township, and built a log house in 
which his family lived for some time before it had 
either doors, windows or chimney, and in that 
humble abode Mrs. Bruen was born. Mr. Rooke 
bought other land, and at one time owned 320 
acres. His widow now owns 160 acres of his es- 
tate and his son the remainder. The maiden name 
of Mrs. Bruen's mother was Cassie N. Arnal ; she 
was born in Georgetown, D. C, and is now living 
in Pittsford Township. Two children were born 
of the marri.ige of our subject and his wife, Robert 
Charles and Edith U. C. The latter is the wife of 
Samuel Topps, and thej'have one child, Mary E. 
Robert lives in Spink Count3', Dak.; he married 
Mary M. Walker, and they have three children — 
Winifred, Leon and Cl.aude. 

In the death of Mr. Bruen, July 14, 1883, Pitts- 
ford Township lost a loj'al and faithful citizen, one 
who was warmly interested in its welfare, and used 
his influence to promote its prosperity. He was a 
man of fine character, honorable purpose, an affec- 
tionate father, and a devoted husband. Mrs. Bruen 
has had the entire charge of the farm since her hus- 
band's death, and has shown herself to be a woman 
of rare abilit3', sound judgment, and quite as capa- 
ble of managing her interests as any of her neigh- 

•^ 



f 



L. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



421 



bors of the opposite sex. She was reared to habits 
of industrv, and early learned all the aceoraplisli- 
nients of a jrood housewife, among which were 
numbered in iier girHuHid days the art of spinning, 
and she became a deft si)inncr. Her farm of 1"2G 
acres she has under the same good state of tillage 
that it was in her husband's lime, and in 188.5 she 
erected a commodious frame house. 



•..or/2;fii^@» 



^^-§1— .— '>^^^^<r»>' 



eORNELlUS BROWN. Prominent among the 
early settlers of [lillsdale Count}' stands the 
name of Cornelius Brown, of section 15, 
Pittsford Township, and his successful career stands 
forth as a striking example of what can be done by 
earnest and well-directed effort. Mr. Brown was 
born in Root Township, Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
July 24, 1827. 

Joiin M. Brown, the father of our subject, was 
born in Connecticut, and had the misfortune to lose 
his father by death when he was but nine years old. 
He was soon after bound out and learned the trade 
of carpenter and joiner, but at the age of seventeen 
j'ears he bought out his time and worked for him- 
self until his marriage, after which he settled in 
Montgoiner}' County, N. Y., in the early history of 
railroading, becoming a contractor and builder. He 
bought a farm in Root Township, Montgomerj' Co., 
N. Y., through which lan a stream known as Flat 
Creek, and erecting a grist and a saw mill, he utilized 
this water power, and operated tiie mills in connec- 
tion witli his farm until his death, in Ma}', 1857. 
Tlie locality in which he resided was known far and 
near as Brown's Hollow. The mother of our sub- 
ject, who in her girlhood was Elizabeth Lyker, was 
born in Root Township. Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
and was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Lyker, 
natives of York State, but of Holland ancestry. 
She acted well her part in life's struggle, .and at its 
close at the old homestead, was laid to rest by 
those whom she had loved so well, and who will 
long cherish and revere her memory. 

Our subject was the sixth cliild in order of birth 
of eight children included in the parental family. 
He was reared on a farm, and assisted his father in 



j the mill, in which he learned the trade, and was thus 
engaged until his marriage, after whicli he removed 
to Ohio, and settled in Williams County. His father 
had manj' years previously purchased 1,300 acres of 
timber land in that section, and the object of Mr. 
Brown was to imi)rove a part of it. He engaged 
courageously in the work, and during the eight 
years of his residence there he cleared 100 acres, 
which he brought to a fair state of improvement. 
He then returned to New York State, and resided 
on the old homestead until I8.i7, when he bade 
good-by to the scenes of his childhood, and came 
to try his fortune in the West. Upon reaching this 
count}' he settled on a farm in Pittsford Township, 
which he yet owns. This farm consists of il4 
acres of land, ninety-five of which are cleared, and 
contains a commodious brick house with a frame 
barn, and all other necessary farm buildings. In 
connection with general farming, Mr. Brown de- 
votes special attention to stock-raising, and in this 
branch of industry, as well as in his entire opera- 
tions, he is very successful.. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 

On the 28tli of February, 1857, our subject was 
united in marriage with Helen Maria Hoag, who 
was born in Root Township, Montgomery Co., N. 
Y. Her parents, Francis and Mary (Gage) Hoag, 
were natives of New England, and were among 
the pioneer settlers of Root Township. Her union 
with our subject resulted in the birth of three chil- 
dren: Eriord C, who married Alice Fontaine, and 
resides in Manistee County ; Eugene, who died at the 
age of nine years, and Bertha, who resides at home 
with her father. Mrs. Brown died May 17, 1885, 
at the homestead, and is buried in Hudson. 



yaLLIAM E. TllO.MA.S, a farmer in comfort- 
able circumstances, having forty acres of 
^J^^ land on section 2G, in Litchfiehl Township, 
has pursued the even tenor of his way among the 
people of this county for a period of thirty-eight 
years, during which time he has gained a firm place 
in their good opinion. 

Our subject is of substantial Welsh ancestry, his 
father, Evan, having been born in Cowbridge, Mor- 






■*► 



'4 



i-22 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ganshire, and his mother, Mary (Jones) Thoraas, in 
Monmoiithshii-e, which was formerly in Wales, but 
is now in Englanrl. The parents after their mar- 
riage settled in the latter county, where the father 
made a good living for his familj- as a laborer, and 
where his death took place, in 1 848, when he was 
sixty-six 3'ears of age. The mother survived her 
husband a period of seven years, dying in 1855, 
and being of the same age. Their four children 
consisted of three sons and one daughter, and one 
son died in England when about seventeen 3'ears 
old. Those surviving hesides our subject, who is 
the eldest, are Mary W. and John, who still con- 
tinue upon their native soil. 

The subject of this biography, a native of the 
same place as his mother, Monmouthshire, AVales, 
was born June 17, 1811, and acquired a common- 
school education, in the meantime also becoming 
familiar with farm pursuits. He followed agricult- 
ure in his native county until 1838, when twenty- 
seven years of age, and was then married to Miss 
Celia Watkins, a lady of English birth and parent- 
age. Eight years thereafter he continued a tiller 
of the soil in Monmouthshire with unsatisfactory 
results, and finally determined to seek his fortune 
upon another continent. Embarking with his fam- 
ily' and personal effects upon a sailing-vessel at New- 
port, he landed in the State of Maine, and after 
being a brief sojourner in the cities of Bangor, Bos- 
ton, Mass.. and Btiffalo, N. Y., he made his way to 
Sandusk^', Ohio, where he employed himself at 
whatever he could find to do, and was in the sum- 
mer season mostly a sheep-shearer. He cleared 
$100 the first summer, and in 1851, in consequence 
of his father's death, and the necessary settlement 
of the estate, he recrossed the Atlantic to his child- 
hood's home for this purpose. A few months later 
he returned to America, and with his share of the 
property converted into cash, made his way to this 
county and purchased the land which he now oc- 
cupies. In the meantime his wife, Mrs. Celia 
Thomas, had died, in when forty-five years old, 
leaving no children. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, in Oc- 
tober, 1853, with Mrs. Mary Scribner, widow of 
George Scribner, who was a native of Lancester 
County, Pa., born Aug. 17, i819. Mrs. Thomas 



had removed with her parents to Ohio about 1826. 
She is the daughter of Thomas and Sally Kelley, 
who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now 
dead. Their family consisted of ten children. 

The property of our subject includes forty acres 
of good land, which he has brought to a fine state 
of cultivation. He put up a good brick house, and 
has convenient barns and out-buildings. He has 
never been ambitious to make a stir among men, 
but pursued the even tenor of his way. distinguish- 
ing himself as an honest man and a good citizen. 
Since becoming a voter he has been a stanch ad- 
herent of the Republican party. 

1^:^ OLOMON W. YEACxLEY is Clerk of the 
^^^^ Circuit Court in Hillsdale, Mich., and in 
l^/\uj the discharge of the duties of his office has 
acquitted himself in such a manner as to 
secure the esteem of his constituents. Mr. Y''eagley 
was born in Columbiana Count}', Ohio, on the 22(1 of 
October, 1 842, and is the son of John G. and Jo- 
hanna F. (Bloom) Y''eagley, both of whom were 
born in Wurtemberg, Germany, the father Jan. 17. 
1817, and the mother in 1816. When the}- were 
yet children, their parents emigrated to America, 
and settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in which 
Mr. and Mrs. Y''eagley grew to maturity and were 
married. Here they resided until 1852, when they 
removed to Michigan, and settled in Wright Town- 
ship, Hillsdale County, which was their residence 
some thirteen years. They then removed to Hud- 
son, Mich., where the father died in October, 1885, 
while the mother died April 30, 1888. They be- 
came the parents of the following-named children: 
Jacob, Solomon W. ; Hannah C, the wife of Patrick 
Connor, and John D., a traveling salesman for a 
wholesale house at Ft. Wayne, Ind. 

The subject of this notice was ten years of age 
when he came with his parents to this county, where 
he received the advantages of the district schools, 
and subsequently of the college at Hillsdale, where 
he pursued his studies two j'ears. He then engaged 
in school teaching, and followed the profession two 
terms, after which he returned to Hillsdale College, 
where he remained for some time. At this time the 



•►HH^: 



^- 



I 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



423 



nation was tlireatoneH with rlisiiiption, and Mr. 
Yeagley volunteered his services in (iefcnse of the 
Union. In 1863 he enlisted in the army, becoming 
a menilier of Compan3' G, 128th Indiana lnfantr3', 
nnd his regiment was plaee<l under command of 
Gen. Sherman, and first saw active service in Ten- 
nessee. Our subject took part in thirteen regular 
battles, including those of Kesaca, Atlanta, Kenne- 
saw Mountain, Jonesboro and Franklin. On the 
30th of November, 1864, they began the great bat- 
tle of Nashville, which lasted two days. Our sub- 
ject was promoted Orderly Sergeant, and in 1864 
he was made Second Lieutenant, with which rank 
he continued to serve until April 10, 18G0, when he 
received his honorable discharge. Our subject then 
returned to his old home in Wright Township, and 
engaged in .ngricultural pursuits for a short time, 
after whicli he resumed his profession of school 
teaching, which he followed a number of years. In 
the fall of 1884 Mr. Yeagley was elected to the 
office of Clerk of the Circuit Court, serving with 
such acceptance that he was re-elected in 1^86, and 
is the present incumbent. 

On the 19th of September, 18G6, Mr. Yeagley 
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Battin, 
of Wright Township, Hillsdale County, and the 
daughter of Joshua Battin. Her union with our 
subject has resulted in the birth of five sons — Osce- 
ola R.. John G., Joshua G., Arthur and Clyde. Mr. 
Y'cagley is a member of Hillsdale Lodge, F. & A. 
M., and also a K. of P., and is a member of the G. 
A. R., and Charter Commander of Capt. Wilson 
Post No. 146. 

-^ ^-^^ <- 



*HOMAS B. TAY'LOR forms one of the im- 
portant factors in the farming community of 
Jefferson Township, and is successfully pros- 
ecuting his calling of agriculture and stock-raising 
on section 21. His eyes first opened among the 
hills of Y'orkshire, England, Aug. 21, 18.'52, where 
he lived until after his marriage, and in the spring 
following emigrated to America, making the voyage 
on a siiiling-vessel, and being seven weeks and two 
days on the water. He landed first at Quebec, but 
at once crossed over into the States, and proceeding 




directly westward came from Detroit to Tecumseh, 
Lenawee County, this .State. In Tecumseh Town- 
ship, that county, he rented a tract of land, and was 
the occupant of one farm a period of seven years. 
He then purchased it in July and sold it in Novem- 
ber following, clearing from the transaction the 
snug sum of $400. Me moved to his present home 
in 1868. His first purchase here comprised cightj' 
acres, to which he afterward added forty more, and 
then sold eleven acres to his son, so that he now has 
109 acres, and this he has brought to a fine state of 
cultivation. He had but $80 when landing in 
America, aud from that little sum and his own in- 
dustry and perseverance have grown up his present 
possessions. Thomas B., Sr., and Mary (Green) 
Taylor, the parents of our subject, were also of En- 
glish birth and ancestry, and the father a farmer by 
occupation. They are now deceased. Thomas, Jr., 
had but little opportunity to attend school after 
nine years of age, having mostly to look out for 
himself and to aid his parents whenever he could. 
Notwithstanding tliis he managed to pick up con- 
siderable information, ke|)t his e3es opeu to what 
was going on around hiui, and read instructive 
books as he had opportunitj'. He was employed as 
a laborer from the time he was twelve years of .age 
until twenty-four years old, worked two years for 
each of three men and six years for another. At 
the expiration of this time he had saved $200. He 
was mariied, Nov. 2.5, 1856, to a maiden of his own 
county. Miss Ann Scott, who was born in Y'ork- 
shire, Oct. 11, 1832, and is the daughter of Luke 
and Mary (Johnson) Scott, who are now deceased. 

To our subject and his wife there were born eight 
children, four of whom died in infancj'. Joseph, 
who was born Dec. 2, 1858, was married to Miss 
Emma Blount, Nov. 25, 18K0, lives in Jefferson 
Township, and is the father of two sons; Lizzie 
Ann was born Aug. 13, 1861. and was married, 
Dec. 16, 1883, to David F. Benedict; they have one 
sou. John William was born Dec. 7, 1864, and 
married Miss Leona Stevens, Aug. 9, 1885; they 
have one son, and are living in Jefferson Township. 
Ives Wiley was born Dec. 15, 1867, aud was mar- 
ried to Miss Lizzie Decker, Dec. 20, 1887; they 
live in Jefferson Township. 

The children of Mr. Taylor were all given a good 



•w ^ m < » 



-^^ 



4-24 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



common-school education, and, like their [jarents, 
are highly respected members of the community. 
Our subject, politically, rather inclines to Democ- 
racy, but avails himself of the right of an Ameri- 
can citizen to vote independently. His career is 
eminently worthy of record in this volume, and one 
upon which his children will look with pride in 
after years. 






\Y, ABIN STRONG, of Somerset Township, for 
manj' years occupied the old homestead, 
but in April, 1885. took possession of the 
property where he now lives. He is well 
known as a thorough and skillful 'agriculturist, 
operating extensive!}', and has been uniformly suc- 
cessful. A native of Saratoga Count}', N. Y., he 
was born on the 25tli of September, 1823, and is 
the son of Jabin, Sr., and Olive (Powers) Strongi 
the former of whom was born in the State of Ver- 
mont, and the latter in Saratoga Covuity, N. Y. 
The father died when our subject was about two 
years of age, and the record of the Strong family is 
comparatively unknown to Jabin, Jr. 

The mother of our subject, who w-is subsequently 
married to William Moreland, continued a resident 
of Saratoga County after the death of her first hus- 
band, until 183o, and then coming to this State, 
spent the last years of her life in Moscow Town- 
ship, this county. She passed away at the home of 
her husband in 1852, when about fifty-six years of 
age. Of the three children comprising the parental 
family Jabin, Jr., is tiie only one living. He came 
to Michigan with his mother and stepfather in the 
spring of 1833. They first located in Washtenaw 
County upon eighty acres of Government land, but 
four years later sold out and purchased 200 acres, 
also of wild land, in Moscow Township, this county. 
Jabin assisted in the improvement and cultivation 
of this, and continued with his mother and step- 
father until twenty-seven years of age. 

Mr. Strong upon starting out in life for himself, 
located upon seventy acres of partly improved land, 
which had been given him by his stepfather, and 
which is claimed to be the highest point of land in 



Southern Michigan. Our subject boarded with one 
of his neighbors for the first three years, and in the 
meantime cleared a part of the seventy acres, and 
later purchased 200 acres more partially improved, 
upon which he has effected a gr^at change, putting 
up the necessary buildings, and adding to the farm 
stock and machinery necessary for its full develop- 
ment. He continued investing his surplus capital 
in real estate, and now, in company with his sons, is 
the owner of over 600 acres of as fine farming 
land as tiiis county can boast. 

The children of our subject and his estimable 
wife consisted of three boys, all but the youngest 
born and reared in the log house on the farm where 
the parents began life together, and also three 
daughters, all living at home. The wife of our sub- 
ject was formerly Miss Sarah J. Davis, and they 
were married at North Adams, this county, on the 
24th of June, 1855. Mrs. Strong was born in 
Cayuga County, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1839. and is the 
daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Bell) Davis. 
Samuel Davis was also a native of the Empire 
State, born Sept. 18, 1815, and spent the greater 
part of his life, which was brief, in Albany County. 
He came to Michigan in 1840, some years before 
his death, in 1847, and died .at the age of thirty- 
two years. His wife, Mary A., was born in County 
Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 27, 1811, and came to this 
country with her brother when a young girl, set- 
tling in Auburn, N. Y. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Davis was 
married to Samuel Moreland, and died on the farm 
where our subject now lives, Oct. 23, 1884. Mrs. 
Strong was the only child of her parents, and of her 
union with our subject there were born the children 
whose record is as follows: Robert, the preseut 
Supervisor of Somerset Township, was born July 
18, 1857; Homer N. was born Dee. 1, 1859, and is 
conducting a store of general merchandise in Somer- 
set; he married Miss Georgiana E. Weaver, and is 
the father of one child, a daughter, B. Marie, born 
Sept. 25, 1887. Mary E. was born Feb. 19, 1SG2; 
Edith M., June 7, 1864; Katie E., born April 17, 
1867, died April 24, 1878; Anna B. was born Oct. 
16, 1869, and Jabin, Jr., Sept. 15, 1873. 

Mr. Strong has given his children the advantages 
of a thorough education, and they are well quali- 



■^•- 



-•► 



llILLsDALE COUNTY. 



425' 



fied to make their own way in the world. Our 
subject, pulitioally, is a Repulilicaii, witii strong Pro- 
hibition proclivities, and has iield the various offices 
of liis townsliip. He comes of excellent ancestry, 
and oneof iiis paternal uncles served as a Captain in 
the War of 1812. Some of the relatives of Airs. 
Strong fought in the Mexican War. 




t 



IIARLES P. KLINGENSMITII. The beau- 
tiful and valuable farm of the subject of 
lis sketch, which is finely located on sec- 
tion 12, in Jefferson Township, and which he has 
built up by his own industry and perseverance, is 
perhaps the most forcible illustration of the charac- 
ter of the man. The fields are laiil off with neat 
and well-kept fences, the buildings are of first-class 
description, the farm machinery of the most im- 
proved pattern, and the live stock of that descrip- 
tion peculiar to the thrifty German farmer, being 
sleek, fat and well sheltered. The whole forms a 
most attractive homestead, and is looked upon with 
admiring eyes by every traveler through this sec- 
tion of country. 

The early home of our subject was on the other 
side of the Atlantic in the little Kingdom of Bava- 
ria, German}', where his birth took place Dec. 27, 
lyy?. under the modest roof of his parents, Jacob 
and Charlotte (Warner) Klingensniith, who were 
of pure German ancestry. They lived there until 
Charles P. was a youth of sixteen years, then all 
started for America, landing at Mew York City, 
Maj' 1, IbJiG, and proceeding diredly westward to 
this county. The}' were poor in pocket, even 
having to borrow money to bring them to this 
country', and while the father cultivated his little 
tract of land in Pittsford Township our subject 
and his three sisters went out to earn money to pay 
the family debt. 

Young Klingensmith confined himself to his filial 
duties, assisting his parents right along until he was 
twenty-four years old. In the meantime he had 
manage! to save something from his earnings, and 
had purchased forty-eight acre.-^ of land in Cauibi ia 
Township, which he soon afterwaril sold, and con- 



tinued buying and selling several times, making 
I something each sale, until he was enabled to secure 
possession of his present farm of 190 acres, which 
is now valued at §7;") per acre. 

Upon reaching the twenty-fourth year of his age 
our subject was married to Miss Sarah Ish, July 4, 
1H61, in Jonesville, and had a very good home to 
offer his bride. His mother died in Pittsford Town- 
ship, Sept. 15, 1872, but his father, who was born 
Sept. 21, 1802, is still living, and makes his home 
with our subject, retaining, notwithstanding his 
great age, a goodly share of his old-time industry 
and activity. 

Mr. Klingensmith had received a ver^' good educa- 
tion in his native tongue before coming to America, 
and after his arrival here he acquired the English 
language very readil}', and was not ashamed to go 
to the district school and add still further to his fund 
of knowledge. By a steady course of reading he 
has kept himself well informed upon general topics, 
and is a man of more than ordinary' intelligence to 
converse with. To him and his excellent wife there 
were born seven bright children, six of whom are 
still living: George, born Jul}' 14, 18G2, continues 
under the home roof; Emma, born Ma} 22, 1864. 
was married, March 20, 1883, to Amasa Gee, and 
lives in Antrim County, this State; Mr. and Mrs. 
G. are the proud parents of three sons. Ellen was 
born July 28, 1866, is now deceased; Libbie and 
the younger children are all at home with their 
parents; she was born March 20, 1870. Eva, Dec. 
31, 1871; Charles, Feb. 12, 1874, and Frank, Miiy 
18, 1879. 

Our subject upon reaching his majority identi- 
fied himself with the Democratic party, and is now 
one of the leading men in his community. Were 
it not that the Republicans are largely in the ma- 
jority he would be holding important offices in ids 
county, lie was reared in the doctrines of the 
Lutheran Church by his excellent parents, and 
although not a member still adheres loyally to his 
early training. The family of his parents included 
four children, of whom Charles P. was the j'oung- 
est; his sister Mar3\ born April 22, 1827, is the 
wife of George Koster. a well-to-do farmer of Pitts- 
ford Township; Elizabeth was born March 17, 
1830, and is the wife of John Steinle. of Wheatland 



_^P jf ■^« 



-U. 



426 






HILLSDALE COUMTY. 



TowDsbip; Catherine, who was born Aug. 15. 1835, 
m.irricd John Ani.and lives in MoPherson Countj', 
Kan. 

Mrs. Sarah Klingensmith. the wife of our sub- 
ject, is the (laughter of Nieholas and Barbara 
(Voghl) Ish. and was born in Wyandot County, 
Ohio, Aug. 18, 1836; her parents were natives of 
Switzerland, and came to the United States after 
their marriage. Mrs. K. is the youngest in a fam- 
ily of eight children; her eldest sister, Mary, was 
born in February, 181 8, and is now deceased, as are 
also Kieholas, who was born Aug. 4. 18:^0. and 
John, who was born Dec. 2. 1821 ; Elizabetli was 
born Nov. 19. 1823; Earbara, Dec. 6, 1825; Benja- 
min, Dee. 18, 1827, and Susan, Dec. 15, 1832. 

Nicholas Ish, the father of Mrs. Klingensmith, 
was born in August. 1782, and died on the 18th 
of tliat month in 1880; bis wife, Barbara, was born 
in December, 1794, and died in April, 1871. Mr. 
Klingensmith has been connected with the School 
Board of his district for the last nine years. Com- 
ing from an empire of compulsory educatkn, the 
most admirable law ever established, he is natur- 
ally in favor of everything calculated to insuie the 
intelligence and usefulness of the rising generation, 
consequently the establishment and maintenance 
of schools have found in him a zealous and liberal 
supporter. By the building up of one of the finest 
homesteads in the township, he has not only been 
of material value in its growth and progress, but 
on account of this alone has signalized himself as 
one of its best citizens. 



-^*-^ 



i~ 



^W^^ARRY G. BAILEY, attorney-at-law, and a 
gentleman in the prime of life, has estab- 
lished himself faiily in the legal profession 
^) in Hillsdale County, and is accredited with 
the intelligence and ai)plic:ifion required to make 
ot his calling a complete success. He is of excel- 
lent birth and parentage, and fiist ojiened his eyes 
to the light in Lorain County. Ohio, May 4, 1846, 
being the younges-t of ten childien, six sons and 
four daughters, the offspring of Jonathan B. and 
Hannah (Dufei) Bailey, natives respectively of 
Orleans CouDtj. Vt.. and Hinsdale. N. Y'. Ihese 



children all liveil to maturity, and nine still survive. 
One brother during the late Rebellion was killed in 
battle at Petersburg, in 1863. 

The father of our subject carried a musket dur- 
ing the War of 1812, and received an honoralile 
discharge; he received a pension from the Govern- 
ment during the last years of his life. In 1844, 
two j'ears before the birth of our subject, he re- 
moved with his family from Vermont to Lorain 
County, Ohio, and continued a resident of the 
Buckeye State until 1855, engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. In the spring of the latter year he dis- 
posed of his interests in Ohio, and coming to this 
county, settled on a farm in Ransom Township, 
where he and his estimable wife continued to live 
during the remaining years of their stay upon earth. 

Mr. Bailey was but a lad when his parents came 
to this county, and completed his earl}' education in 
the district school. He continued under the pa- 
rental roof, assisting his father on the farm until a 
youth of nineteen years, when he started out for him- 
self, and was employed as a clerk in the store of L. 
J. Squire, with whom he remained about six years. 
He then embarked in the dry-goods trade on his 
own account, and was making good headway until 
1 874, when his store with its contents was destroyed 
l>y fire. He had no insurance, and consequently 
lost everything. 

Various things besides this now conspired to lead 
our subject to abandon trade, and securing a tract 
of new land in Ransom Township, he resumed 
the pursuit of agricidture. While carrying on the 
improvement of his land, and putting up buildings, 
he devoted his spare time to reading law, and com- 
menced practice in the Justice Courts of the county. 
Being considerably encouraged by his success, he 
determined to make a trial of the legal profession 
in earnest, and in 1880 entered the law otHce of 
Judge Dickeiman & St. John, of Hillsdale, under 
whose instruction he completed his studies, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1881. He was thereafter 
connected with these gentlemen six months, and 
then opened an office of his own. since which time 
he has given his entire attention to the duties of 
his profession. In 1882 he was nominated on the 
Republican ticket for the office of Circuit Court 
Commissioner, and elected, enteiing upon the dis- 



• ^ m ■<» 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



427 



charge of liis duties on the 1st of .Jaiiuaiy follow- 
ing. In 1884 he was re-elected, and at the close of 
his term withdrew, but was soon called upon to 
again serve the public in the capacity of Alderman. 
The fact that he was given this latter otHce in a 
ward strongly Democratic, and that he was re- 
elected in 1886, is ample evidence of the estimation 
in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Bailey has a pleasant home in the northeast- 
ern part of the city, which is presided over 1)3' an 
amiable and estimable wife, to whom he was mar- 
ried Nov. 29, 18G9. She was formerly Miss Sarah 
S., second daughter of L. J. Squire, of Ransom 
Township, and was born June 2, 1848, in Lenawee 
County, Mich. This union resulted iu the birth of 
three sons and three daughters, namely: Carl L., 
Cora IL, Roy R.. Elva E.. Jesse C. and Lena, the 
latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. Bailey identi- 
fied himself with the K. of P., in 1884. Li order 
to more thoroughly perfect himself in the knowl- 
edge of his profession, lie keeps himself well posted 
in regard to the various questions which are likely 
to arise iu the various courts to which the interests 
of ills clients will lead him. 

MBROSE M. BURROLGHS, of Wright 
Township, one of its thrifty farmers and 

//rifi most highly esteemed citizens, has been 
jgi/' familiarly known for the last twent}' -three 

years as the owner of the old Pixlej' homestead, 
one of the first farms opened np in this township. 
A native of Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y^, he was born 
Oct. 12, 1822, and is the son of John IL Burroughs, 
who is a native of the same St:ite. His paternal 
grandfather, the record of whose birthplace has not 
been preserved, is known to have spent the greater 
part of his life in New Y'ork State, where his re- 
mains were laid to rest. 

The father of our subject was reared and married 
in his native State, and was one of the earliest set- 
tlers of the town of Y'ates, Orleans County. About 
the time of his marriage he secured a tract of land 
of the Holland Purchase Conipan}, where he erected 
a log house, in which the subject of this sketch 
was born, and which remained the home of the 



parents until 1832. John H. Burroughs, in 1831, 
visited the Territory of Michigan and entered a tr.act 
of Government land near the hamlet of Napoleon, 
in Jackson County; thence returning to New York 
State, he remained there until Ma}', 1832, and then 
set out with his family for their future home. The 
joume}' was made via the Dominion of Canada, with 
two j'oke of oxen and a wagon. They arrived at 
their destination in the month of June, and settled in 
the wilderness without even a roof to shelter them, 
until a log cabin could be erected. This rude 
structure was covered with bark, and the chimney, 
composed of the primitive soil and small i)ieces of 
timber, was built outside. 

After the father of our subject had established 
his family as comfortably as he could under the 
circumstances, he set out with his ox-team for 
a load of goods which he had shipped bj- water to 
Detroit. Upon securing these and returning home 
he had but $2 in cash. There was a large family 
of children to provide for and onl}' one of them 
old enough to earn money. The father was obliged 
to work out in order to snppl}' his family with the 
necessaries of life. He was very industrious and 
energetic, secured friends readily, and besides work- 
ing for his neighbors, i>ut in all his spare time in 
the improvement of his own Land. 

About this time a neighbor, living five miles dis- 
tant, was iu possession of a quantity of wheat, an 1 
Mr. Burroughs asked to buy some on time. The 
neighbor declared that he would not sell, but would 
lend him forty bushels until he could rei)ay him 
from his own ciops. This act of kindness was fully 
appreciated by the struggling pioneer, and assisted 
him gieatly in his emergency. It is hardly neces- 
sary- to say that he repaiil this kind neighbor just 
as soon as possible. He was prospered in his labors, 
and in due time had a large proportion of his land 
under cultivation, and was enabled to erect a good 
set of frame buildings. Upon this place he lived 
and labored until the last illness which resulted in 
his death. He passed away in May, 1803. mourned 
b}' his family-, and regretted b^- the entire com- 
niunity. 

John H. ]?urroughs was three times married. 
His first wife, the mother of our subject, was Miss 
IMelinda Moore, a native of New York State, who 



i~ 



;f 



428 



-•»> 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



flied in Orle.iTis County, that State, when her son, 
Ambrose M., was a little larl ten years of age. 
His father remarried before coming to the AVest. 
Ambrose M. remembers well the incidents of prepa- 
ration, and the tedious overland journey through a 
seclion of country which in places, sometimes for 
miles, was unmarked even hy a wagon track. His 
stepmother used to spin wool and flax, which she 
wove into cloth for the use of the household, snp- 
pl^'ing them thus for several years. Ambrose M. 
continued under the home roof until reaching his 
m.ajority. and for a time afterward employed his 
summers in farming and his winters in teaching 
school, until the spring of 1852. On the 18th of 
March, that year, accompanied by three otiier men, 
he started overland for California. Their outfit 
consisted of seven horses and a wagon, and they 
arrived at the mouth of Nelson Creek. Cal., on the 
22d of August following. Mr. Burroughs engaged 
in mining a short time, and then repaired to Cala- 
veras County, where he continued searching for the 
yellow ore until January, 1856. 

At this time, longing for a sight of the home 
faces. Mr. Burroughs boarded a steamer in the har- 
bor of San Francisco, and sailed down the Pacific 
until reaching the Isthmus, which they crossed, and 
then took steamer for New York Cit3'. Later our 
subject arrived in Jackson County, this State, in a 
few weeks being married in Medina, Lenawee 
County, and for four years following was engaged 
as clerk in a store of general merchandise. At the 
expiration of this time he settled with his famil3' on 
the old Pixley homestead, a part of which his wife 
had inherited from her father. Mr. Burroughs 
purchased the interest of the other heirs, and has 
since with his family made the old place his home. 
He has kept up the improvements, carefully culti- 
vated the soil, and each year exhibits some of the 
finest crops to be found in Southern Michigan. 

1 he wife of our subject, whom he married on the 
10th of March, 1856, was in her girlhood Miss 
Diana Pixley, born in Clarkson. Allegany Co., N. 
Y.. May 19, 1830. Her father, Joseph Pixley, was 
of New Kngland biilh and parentage, but removed 
with his i)arents to New York early in life, and was 
there married to Miss Tryphena Kellogg, a native 
of that State. In 1835 he and his eldestson came to 



■^•- 



the Territory of Michigan, making the entire journey 
with a pair of oxen. Upon arriving at the hamlet 
of Adrian he left his team with his half-lirother, 
while he worked at the trade of hatter. The j'ear 
following he entered a tract of Government land in 
Medina Township, and a short time later was joined 
by his family. He had erected for their reception 
a log house, which they occupied until the spring of 
1837, when Mr. Pixley sold out and removed to 
what is now Wright Township. There he entered 
the Land which is now included in the homestead 
of our subject. He was the first to turn a furrow 
upon it, and there made his home the remainder of 
his life, resting from his earthly labors in 1840. 
The mother also died at the old homestead. Oct. 
15, 1864. Six of their children are still living, and 
three of them residents of Wright Township. Samp- 
son is farming on section !); Abigail is the wife of 
Rev. S. B. Downer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs had born to them seven 
children, five living: Milla is the wife of George 
Feaster; Tryphena P., Carrie A.. Charley H. and 
AValler A., are all living at home. The deceased died 
in infancy'. They have given their children the 
benefits of agood education. Mr. Burroughs belongs 
to the Ba])tist Church, and Mrs. B. to the Congre- 
gational. In politics Mr. B. is a Eepublican. 

LARK W. WELDEN. who. with his aged and 
^^ excellent partner, is numbered among the 
most honored pioneers of Hillsdale County, 
followed agricultural pursuits until late in life, 
abandoning active labor in 1881, and is now living 
retired at a comfortable home in the village of 
Mosherville. A native of Columbia County, N. 
Y., he was born two miles from the town of Maiden, 
Jan. 12, 1812, and made his home there until seek- 
ing the newlj- admitted State of Michigan. 

Mr. Welden came to this county in the summer 
of 1842, and settled on eighty acres of land in Scipio 
Township, to which he subsequently added by the 
purchase of forty more. He made his home with 
Mr. Mosher until the fall of 1848, and then sought 
for his wife and helpmate Miss Annis Tripp, their 
marriage taking pl.ice at the home of the bride in 



^ j^ if •4» 



•► II ■^« 



HILLSIJALE COUNTY. 



429 



Scipio Township, Sept. 2!S, 1848. Mrs. Welden was 
burn in Adams, .lefferson Co., N. Y.. Doc. 2, 18;50, 
and is the daughter of Ira and Lydia (Wicks) Tripp, 
natives of Rensselaer Count3\ N. Y., who spent 
most of tiieir lives in Jefferson County, where 
tlie mother died about 1836. The fatlier in 1831) 
came to Michigan, and made his home in Hanover, 
Jackson County, for a period of eight ^ears, then 
coming to the home of his daughter in Scipio Town- 
ship, he here spent his last days, his death taking 
l)lace in November, 1882. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welden began the journey of life 
togetlieron afarm which they now occupy, and here 
their ten children were born. Two of these, Lu- 
cetta and Freddie, died early in life. Those sur- 
viving are: Lydia R., Charles M., John C, William 
11., Ira P., Ida A.. Clark W. and George W. These 
are all residents (if Michigan. John C. married 
Miss Agnes Baker, and William became the hus- 
band of Miss Anna Deering. Mr. Welden cast his 
first Presidential vote for Van Buren, and since the 
organization of the Republican party has been a 
stanch supporter of its principles. He is a warm 
friend of temperance, and with his e.xcellent wife, a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

The parents of our subject, John and Rebecca 
(Ashley) Welden, were both natives of New York 
State, and the father died there in Columbia County, 
when middle .aged. The mother later joined her 
son. Clark W., in this count}', and died at his home 
in 1 865, aged eighty 3-ears. 



W 



I, I^ILLIAM IIIIGGE'IT. one of the honored 
pioneers of this county, and now comforta- 
bly located on section I I, in Camden Town- 
ship, was born in New 1 ork State, March 13, 183(). 
His parents, Richarii and Eleanor Huggett, were 
natives of England, whence they emigrated to 
America about sixty years ago, and settled in New 
York State. 

From the Empire State Rieliard Huggett a few 
years later emigrated to Michigan, shortly after it 
had been admitted into th(' Union as a State. I'hey 
settled at once in Camden 'I'ownship, in the soutli- 



western part of this county, where they spent the 
remainder of their days, the father passing away in 
December, 1860, and the mother in March, 1874. 
They had experienced all the trial's and difficulties 
of life in a new country, having settled in the wo(k1s 
of Camden Township, where the father secureil 
eighty acres of land, which he cleared and upon 
which he erected a set of substantial frame build- 
ings. He was a very industrious and trustworthy 
man, and held in higii esteem by the people of this 
count}'. He interested himself in township affairs, 
served as Road Commissioner and Treasurer, and 
filled other positions of trust and respousibilit}'. He 
possessed unusual intelligence, kept himself well 
posted iu regard to matters of general interest, and 
lived the quiet and unassuming life which gained 
him many friends and enabled him to live without 
enemies. 

The parental household iucUided five sons and 
one daughter, and the survivors are located as fol- 
lows: Charles, Richard and Samuel are residents of 
Reading Township; Celia is the vvife of G. II. 
Derr, and with her brothers, William and .Silas W., 
lives in Camden Township. vViUiani, our subject, 
was reared to manhood on the farm, assisting his 
father in the labors of plowing, sowing and reap- 
ing, and received only a district-school education. 
A short time before re:iching the twenty-fourth 
year of his age, he was married, Jan. 1, 1860, to 
Miss Harriet Brown, who was born in Ohio, April 
3, 1838, and is the daughter of Parle}' and Louisa 
(Woolcott) Brown, who were natives of New York, 
and are now living in Camden Township, this county. 

!Mr. and Mrs. Huggett commenced life together 
on a farm in Camden Township in a style in keep- 
ing with their means and circumstances, and now 
after years of industry find themselves surrounded 
by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. They have two children: Eva A., the wife 
of Ovid M. Jackson, of Camden Township, and 
Elmer S., who is at home. The daughter took kindly 
to her books and prepared herself for a teacher, 
which profession she followed some time before her 
marriage. The homestead embraces 120 acres of 
good land, of which Mr. Huggett took possession 
in 1800. Mr. II. has all his life supported Demo- 
(•i:itic iiriii(i)ilrs. I lis estimable wife is a member 



n 



430 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



\ 



in guod slaniling of the Metliodist Eijisoopal Clnmch 
of Camdi'ii. In local [jolitics Mr. IIiigi;i'tt votes 
independently. Like his fatlier before him. he is 
a man greatly respected by his neighbors, and one 
whose word is considered as good as iiis bond. His 
finances are upon an excellent Ijasis, and his fore- 
thought has served to provide him with a comforta- 
ble living during the remainder of his natural 
life. 

AVhen the father of our suiiject came to this 
county there were only seven votei's in Camden 
Township. For many years he had only an ox-team 
with which to do his farm \iork and tr.ansjwrt him 
on his expeditions to the mill and to the hamlet of 
Adrian. The trip to this latter place was one 
which he always took great satisfaction in making, 
and which occupied hiin about a week, during which 
time he camped out niglits, sleeping in or under his 
wagon and cariying his provisions with him. 

"^yOSEPn WINFIKLD. a well-to-do farmer of 
I Scipio Township, has made Ids home within 
1 its limits for the past twentj'-four3'ears, dur- 
/ ing which time he has fully established him- 
self in the esteem and confiiienee of tlie people. A 
native of the ?]mpire State, he was born in Starkey, 
Yates County, May 7, 1814, and lived there vvitli 
his parents until a young man twenty years of age. 
lie then changed his residence to Ontario County, 
where he followed the farming iMUSuits to which 
he had been reared, and continued a resident of 
that county until Decenjber. 18G3. 

In the fall of 1 804 .Mr. Winneld came witli his fam- 
ily to Soutliern Michigan, and since that time has been 
a resident of Scipio Township. His property em- 
braces 150 acres of fertile lanil uiidcr a go<^d state 
of cultivation, with neat and substantial buildings, 
first-class farm machinery, a fair assortment of live 
stock, and all the other a|ipliances of the well- 
urdered country estate. Mr. Winfield has given his 
undivided attention to his farming operations, hav- 
ing v<ay little to do with politics and steadilj' de- 
clining to become an ollice-holder. He keeps himself 
well jJosted, however, upon matters of general inter- 
est, and many years ago identified himself with the 



Republican party, whose principles he still zealously 
upholds. Both he and his excellent wife are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of Mosherville. in which Mr. W. has officiated 
as Trustee, and contiilinted liberally and cheerfully 
to its snppoit. 

One of the most im|)ortant events in the life of 
our subject w.as his marriage, which took place in 
Ontario County', N. Y., July 19, 1849, his bride 
being iNIiss Temperance Skclinger, who was born in 
Tompkins County, that State, Oct. 11, 1821. The 
paientsof .Mis. Winfield, Samuel and Eleanor (Alex- 
ander) Skelinger, were natives of New .Jersey, and 
spent their last jears in Canadice, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
where the father had been engaged in farming the 
greater part of his life. Mr. and Mrs. WinfieM 
commenced life together at a modest home in Cana- 
dice. and their union has been blessed by the birth of 
five chililren. of whom the record is as follows: 
Eleanor is the wife of Franklin Knowles. of Hills- 
dale Conntj' ; Phebe A. married his brother, Ezra 
Knowles; .James married Miss Elizabeth .Sheppard, 
and is occupied at farming in Jackson County; Hor- 
lon took to wife JHss Eliza Combs, and is engaged 
in farming in Scipio Township; Scott married Miss 
Luva Bush, and is a resident of Jackson County. 

The i)arents of our suiiject, Heniy and Mary 
(Wilson') Winfield, were natives of New Jersey, and 
spent their last years in Ontario Ci)unty, N. Y. Their 
f.-iinil)^ included ten children, four boys and six 
girls. 



\w SAAC BAKER, in 18.S2, purchased 212 acres of 
land on section 0, in Wheatland Township, and 
to the care and cultivation of this he has since 
given most of his attention. He makes a specialty of 
fine horses, and is now turning his attention consid- 
erably to the manufacture of ma|)le sugar and syrup, 
having a fine orchard of 400 trees, from the pro- 
ceeds of which he has the pros|)ect of realizing a 

j handsome sum of money. 

I Our subject, like man}' of his compeers who have 
so materially assisted in the development of Hills- 
dale Count}', is a native of Wayne Count}', N. Y., 
and was born at the homestead of his parents in 
that county, Aug. 22, 1832. His parents. John F. 

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i 



Mc- 



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hillsdalp: county. 



431 



and Polly (L-iral>) Baker, were natives of New York 
John F. Baker (lied in May, 1888, in Somerset 
Townsliip, this county. His widow still lives at the 
old homestead in Somerset Township. 

Mr. Baker came with his parents to Michigan at 
an early date, and continued a member of his \ 
father's household until after reaching his majority. 
The next important event of his life was his mar- 
riage with Miss Frances E. Ostrom, whicii was cele- 
brated at the home of the bride in Somerset Town- 
ship, Dec. 19, 1854. After marriage the young 
people settled near the old homestead in Somerset 
Township, wliere our subject had purchased seventy 
acres of wild land. Their first dwelling was a log 
house, and the}' continued to reside there, making 
some improvements, until 18(34. Mr. Baker then 
selling out purchased 100 acn-es in Moscow Town- 
ship, to which he later added eighty acres, and 
there carried on farming successfull}'. In the 
spring of 1882 he purchased the Imd which con- 
stitutes his present homestead. 

In 18ii3 Mr. Baker, desiring to see something of 
the (;ouutry along the Pacific Slope, journeyed 
overland to California, where he engaged in mining 
one year, and then farmed one year. Then, being 
satisfied with this experiment, he returned to his 
home and his family, where he has since been con- 
tented to remain. He has added one improvement 
after another, and is now supplied with a good set 
of frame buildings, all the machinery necessary for 
his successful operation, and with his family is sur- 
rounded by all the comforts of life. His two chil- 
dren, a daughter and son. were named respectively 
Harriet J. and Frederick. Tlie former was born 
March 25, 1857, and was married, March 27, 1875, 
to Andrew J. Wicks, a well-to-do farmer of Moscow 
Township; they have had two children, one of 
whom died at the age of live; their only rlaugh- 
ter, P'rances, w.as born March 25, 1885. Mrs. 
Wicks is a lady of culture and education, and com- 
pleted her studies in tiie High School at Jonesville, 
this county. Frederick Baker was born Nov. 
25, 1865, and is working the home farm with his 
father. He completed his education in the school 
at North Adams. 

Mrs. Baker, like her husband, is als > a native of 
Wayne C<junty, N. Y., and was born April 12, 



1837. Her parents, Daniel Z. and Olive II. (Bixby) 
Ostrom, were natives of Dutchess County, N. Y.. 
the father born Dec. 30. 1807, and tlie mother. 
June 15. 1813. They vvere married Sspt. 22, 1831, 
and continued residents of tiieir native county until 
183!). That year they emigrated to Michigan, 
locating first in Calhoun County, but subsequently 
removed to Somerset Township, this count}'. Later 
they took up their residence in Moscow Townsliip, 
where they spent their Last years, the father dying 
Feb. 15. 1873, .and the mother Sept. 1, 1882. 

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Baker were 
Abner and Ruth Bisby, the former of whom w^as 
born June 9, 1780, and died in Wheatland Town- 
ship, this county, Jan. 25. 1854. His wife, Ruth, 
w.as born Feb. 3, 1784, and died July 3, 1X54, sur- 
viving only a few months after the decease of her 
liusl)and. Her grandparents on her father's side 
spent their entire lives in their native State of New 
York. Politically, Mr. Baker is a Democrat. 



/OSEPH L. BAGLKY, a retired farmer of 
North Adams, is one of those men who came 
to this section of country during its d.ays of 
promise and while little had been fullilled. 
He took up a tract of land, and after doing success- 
ful battle witli the soil for a period of thirty-five 
years, w.as able to retire upon a competency and 
enjoy the fruits of his labors. He has one of the 
finest resiliences in town and owns eighteen acres 
of valuable land adjacent to the limits, which is 
chiefly devoted to .agriculture and which, having 
been brought to a high state of cultivation, is very 
productive. Mr. Bagley is deeply interested in the 
temi)erance movement, and although formerly a 
stanch Democrat, politicall}', he is now one of the 
most deeply interested members of the Prohibition 
party. In this work he has the cordi.al sympathy 
and .assistance of his excellent wife, who belongs to 
the W. C. T. U., as Vice President, and devotes 
much time to this most important work. 

Our subject was born in 1824, in New Y'^ork. and 
is the son of David and Harriet (Smith) Bagley, 
natives of Connecticut. The father emigrated to 
New York State wIkmi a young man, settling in 



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432 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



Cayuga Couiitj',' and Ihcrcnftcr fovcd riming the 
War of J812. He harl learncrl caliinct-making. at 
which he worked for a time, hut later purchased a 
tract of land where he carried on agriculture suc- 
cessfully for many years. The parents were mar- 
)ied in New York State, and to them were born 
five children, namely : David M.. Harriet M., Al- 
fred B., .Saxton .S.. and Joseph L., our subject. The 
mother died in 1826, while still a young woman, 
and when her son Joseph was but two years of age. 
The father was subsequently married to MLt^s Louisa 
Pennoycr, and there were born five more children, 
all in New York State, exccj)t one who was born in 
Michigan. 

David Bagley had no means lie^yond his land, and 
experienced great difficulty in providing comforta- 
bly for his large family-. lie decided to seek the 
farther West in the Iiopes that his condition might 
be bettered, and accordingly in the winter of 
1 835-36 came to this county and took up 360 acres 
of Government land, his letters patent being signed 
by JMartin Van Buren. He had made this journey 
alone, and after securing his title returned to New 
York State for his family, starting again for Mich- 
igan in the spring of 1836. They made their wa^' 
to Detroit by canal and lake steamer. The father 
brought with him a wagon and l)ought a yoke of 
o\en at Detroit, and thus equipped started over- 
land for their final destination. Their worldly 
effects were loaded upon the wagon, and after a 
week's delay at great expense, they proceeded on 
their journey. This accomplished, the}' were 
obliged to send another team back to biing the 
goods which the first wagon would not contain. 
The father had also purchased two cows on their w.ay 
thither, and the first week after reaching their new 
home they lived on bread and milk, using a dry- 
goods box for a table, while the boys slept on a pile 
of straw. The parents and a danghter took refuge 
at night with Elder Foote. one of their neighbors. 

The land which tlie father of our subject had se- 
lected occupied a portion of sections 21 and 22 in 
Adams Township, but he built his first house on an- 
other piece of land on section 15, because the town- 
ship lines had not been fully determined. David 
Bagley was a man of great industry and persever- 
ance, progressive and intelligent in his ideas, and i 



made a desperate effort to surround his family with 
the comforts of life. In this he succeeded admira- 
bly, in due time reaping the reward of his labors, 
while at the same time his stern integrity and 
strong convictions of right gained him the esteem 
and confidence of the people around. A zealous 
Christian, he was one of the pillars of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in this region, in which he oflieiate<l 
.as Class-Leader from the time he was nineteen 
years of age. After the organization of the Repub- 
licans he became one of their most zealous supporters, 
was o|iposed to slaver}', and the friend of every 
good work and purjiose. He filled the vaiious local 
offices of Adams Township, was its first Treasurer, 
served as Assessor, and represented the township in 
the County Board of Supervisors, besides filling 
other responsible offices. ]n 1848 he was elected 
Judge of the Probate Court of Hillsdale County, 
and in this, as' in all the other duties of life, ac- 
quitted himself in a most conscientious and credit- 
able manner. 

The Masonic fraternity found in David Bagley 
one of its warmest admirers and supporters. and he 
assisted in the organization of Jonesville Lodge, 
the first of its kind in Hillsdale County. After the 
labors of a long and useful life he died in 1861. at 
his home in Adams Township, when seventy years 
of age. He was not only raonrned by the family, 
who h>ad always looked up to him with reverence 
and respect, but by the entire community, by whom 
he had been regarded as one of its worthy and most 
usefid citizens. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad twelve 
years of age when he came to Michigan with his 
father's familj', and was soon turned out to drive 
a break-up team, consisting of from four to six 
yoke of oxen. In these labors his employer was 
the celebrated i)ioneer. Benjamin Fowler, with 
whom he worked for st)me time. While in his na- 
tive State he had attended school for a few years, 
but upon coming to the Territory of Michigan there 
were no school facilities until about the third year of 
his residence here. The first school building, built 
of logs, was put up in 1838, and was furnished with 
the stereol^'ped shake roof and slab floor. In the 
building of this our subject and his brother Sex- 
ton assisted materially, cutting down the trees, 



/ 

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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



433 



t 



li;uiliii<r the lo^s. and wdrking- until its c-om])letion. 
This (lone, he enteiefl the stincliiie iis a imiiil a 
few terms during the wintei- season. The first 
teacher was Miss Phebe AVells, the sister of A. G. 
Wells, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this 
work. 

Young Hagley was never idle during those years. 
and when not employed hj' the neighbors, assisted 
his father in building up the new farm. In the 
meantime he also learned the cooper's trade, and 
at an early age began l.-iying plans for an establish- 
ment of his own. One of the most important steps 
toward the consummation of this was his marriage, 
which look jjlace on an election day, Nov. 7, 1848. 
the bride being Miss Lydia K. Noyes, who, like her 
husliand. was a native of New York Str.te, but 
whose father, Gersham Noyes, together with his 
estimable wife, was a Vermonter by birth. They 
emigrated to the Empire State after their marriage, 
where they remained until 1833, and where their 
daughter, Lydia K., in the meantime was born, 
June 22,1820. Upon coming to the Territory of 
Michigan they located fir.st in Palmyra Township, 
Lenawee County. 

Gersham Noyes by his first marriage became the 
father of five children, and his first wife departed 
this life about 1825. in New Y'ork. Of his second 
marri.ige, to the mother of Mrs. Bagley, there were 
born seven children, of whom Lydia K. was the 
eldest. She was at an early age ti'ained to habits of 
industrj' and economy, and besides assisting her 
mother frequently earned considerable mone}' by 
working in the various families in the neighbor- 
hood. Notwithstanding this she succeeded in ob- 
taining a fair e<lucation. and at the time of her 
marriage was eminently fitted to take her position 
.as the wife of a good and worthy man. The four 
children resulting from her union with our subject 
are recorded as follows: Harriet E., the wife of 
Manassee Kem|)ton, of Adams Township, is the 
mother of two children — Arena and .Joseph E. ; 
Minnie B. is the wife of Delbert Fort, a general 
mechanic, of Allen Village; Joseph H. died Aug. 8, 
18.5(i, when six months old, and Nillie. Aug. 18, 
1872, at the age of fifteen months. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bagley after their marriage settled 
on a rented farm in Adams Township, and then our 

-M 



subject, anxious to begin the establishment of a 
homestead, contracted for a farm, going heavil}' 
into debt. He took possession of his purchase, and 
by the exercise of the most unflagging industry 
and close econom}'. his efforts in due time were 
crowned with success. He had to begin with a yoke 
of three-year-old steers which he had himself 
raised, a cow, a log cabin, an ax and a sled. He 
paid a shilling per day for the use of a plow and 
drag, and each season found him making headway, 
so that in the course of a few 3-ears he was amply 
provided with farming implements and live stock, 
convenient buildings, .and ever3thing pertaining to 
the first-class agriculturist. A great change has 
come over the face of the country as well as his 
own prf)spects. When the Bagley family came to 
this county deer, bears, wolves and wild turkeys 
were plentiful, and the In<nans still roamed over the 
countrj*. One tribe of them were still living a 
mile and a half from the cabin of the Baglej's. 
The name of their chief was Meteo, and Joseph L. 
of our sketch often |)layed with the Indian boj's 
while herding his cattle. As' years passed by he 
performed no unimportant part in the progress and 
development of the country, which tlu'ougli the 
efforts of such men as himself now bears the repu- 
tation of one of the most desirable sections in the 
great West. 



J^HOMAS HICKERSON. The beautiful home- 
stead of this gentleman is finely located on 
section 12 in Camden Township, and em- 
braces 10(1 acres of highly cultivated land with the 
best modern improvements. Our subject came to 
this county in 1880, and located on his present 
farm, where he has since resided, and aimed to excel 
in its care and cultivation. The result of his labors 
is shown in ever3"thing about the premises, which 
wear a most pleasant and inviting ai)pearance, and 
invariably attract the .admiring ej'e of the p.assing 
stranger. 

Six and fifty years have p.assed since the subject 
of this biography w.as cradled in Licking Count}', 
Ohio, his birth occurring April 2o, 1832. His 
father. Samuel, vvas a native of Maryland, and his 
mother, Mary (McCrary) Hickerson, was born in 




f 



-4^ 

434 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




Nr Co 



Stark County, Ohio. His paternal ancestors were 
English, wliile his mother's people emigrated from 
Ireland. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Hick- 
erson, Sr., was also born in Maryland, and owned a 
portion of what now constitutes the city of Balti- 
more at the time it was under the old English law. 

To Samuel, Jr., and Mary Hickerson, there were 
born eight children, seven of whom are believed to 
be living. William, the eldest, is residing in Put- 
nam County, Ohio, and James H. in Hancock 
County, tiiat State; Thomas, our subject, was the 
next in order of birth; Elizabetli, Mrs. Henry H. 
Mathias, and Sophia, the wife of Wilson Patrick, 
are residents of Camden Township; Jemima is the 
wife of William Dick, of Hancock County, Ohio; 
Loretta when last heard from was in California; 
Sarah A. died wlien about ten years old. The father 
had been married before his union with liie mother 
of our subject, and had one son, Allen O.. who died 
when about sixtj'-six years old. 

Mr. Hickerson, our subject, was reared to man- 
hood in bis native county, and in his boj^hood be- 
came familiar with the wild scenes of pioneer life. 
Like most of the sons of fanners of that time and 
place, he was early in life taught tiiose habits of in- 
dustry and econom3' which have been the secret of 
his later success. He acquired his education in 
the primitive schools, and upon reaching manhood 
was married, Nov. 1.5, 1857, and settled down con- 
tentedly to the pursuits of agriculture. 

The wife of our subject, who in her girlhood was 
Miss Mary A. Jjnes, was also a native of Licking 
County, Ohio, and born Jan. 10, 18o6. Her par- 
ents, Levi and Melinda (Oliver) Jones, were natives 
I'espectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. When 
their daughter Mary was in the fouilh year of her 
age they emigrated to Putnam County, Ohio, and, 
in common with the pioneers about them, endured 
the privations and hardships incident to the settle- 
ment of a new country. The father occupied him- 
self as a tiller of the soil, and the mother looked 
carefully after the ways of her household. 

To the parents of Mrs. Hickerson there were born 
eight children, of whom the record is as follows: 
Samuel and William are farming in this county; 
Arminda is the wife of Jasper Paitie, of Putnam 
County, Ohio; Alice, the wife of Benjamin Mathias, 



resides near Ottawa, Kan.; Caroline died when 
about sixteen years ohl, and Ezekiel T. yielded up 
his life iu the service of his couutry during the late 
Rebellion; Sarah, a sister younger than Mrs. Hick- 
erson, is living in Putnam County, Ohio. The 
maternal great-grandfather was an officer in the 
Revolutionary War. 

Our subject and his wife are the parents of two 
children onl}' : Alwilda C, born July 12, 1874, and 
Hattie, Nov. I, 1881. Mr. Hickerson affiliates with 
the Democratic part}', has officiated as Path- 
master in Camden Township four years, and, with 
his excellent wife, is held in high esteem by his 
neigiibors and acquaintances. He has signalized 
himself .as a liber.il-minded and public-spirited citi- 
zen, and now in the prime of life, surroumled by 
children and friends, has apparently very little 
reason to complain of the allotmoatsof Providence. 



WjILLIAM KUNKLE, of Camden Township, 
h.as been iilentified with the interests of the 
people of Southern Michigan for a period 
of thirty-six years, having come to this county in 
the fall of 1852. He purchased eighty acres of 
timber land on which there was not even space 
enough to put up n dwelling, and cut away the trees 
for the erection of a small frame house ; he later 
bought forty acres on the same section, and has 1 20. 
His next business was to clear the land around him 
and bring the soil to a productive condition. To 
this task he set himself with all the natural energy 
of his character, and the fact that he is now in the 
enjoyment of a comfortable home with fertile fields 
around him, a neat and substantial modern dwelling 
and all necessary out-buildings, is sufficient indica- 
tion of the manner in which he succeeded. Now, 
with his faithful p.artnei', he is spending his later 
years in the ease and comfort which he has so justly 
earned. 

The earlj- home of our subject was in Peny 
County, Pa., where his l)irlh took place March 20, 
1821. His parents, Henry and Catherine (Stone) 
Kuukle, were also natives of the Keystone State, 
and of German descent. His father was twice mar- 
ried, and was the parent of the children who are 

•► 



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I 



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^i^HI-* 



HIJ.LSDALK CUL'MY. 



435 



rcconled as folkins : William ; Henry is a lesirleiit of 
Williams County. Ohio. tosjethcT with Marj' A., the 
wifi" of John Shinal)ei<>;c'r, and George; Jacob lives 
in KUsworth County, Kan.; Adam is in Nebraska; 
David is also in Ellsworth County. Kan.; Jane is 
the widow of Joseph (J ranger, and lives in Michi- 
gan : Benjamin, during the late war liecame a soldier 
of the Union army, and was killed in battle; Adam 
and David were also engaged in that memorable 
conflict, .and on the same battle-field with their 
brother when he met his death. T!ie other broth- 
ers were John, Jeremiah and Daniel. 

The subject of this biography spent his boyhood 
and youth in his native county, where he received 
such eilucation as was afforded the rising generation 
of that (lay and localit}'. His mother died when he 
was a little lad eight yeais of age, and for two years 
afterward he made his home with his paternal uncle, 
Jacob. In his eleventh year he vvas bound out to 
John Stanibaugh, in Perry Count}', with whom he 
remaine'l four years. He then engaged to work on 
the farm of William Owens by the month, and the 
most of his w.ages was drawn by his father until he 
reached his nineteenth year. After this he was per- 
mitted to use his own earnings, but still assisted his 
father financially, as occ.ision demanded. 

Mr. Kunkle h.as been a lover of books all his life, 
and by a thorough course of instructive reading 
has become well [losted upon general topics. When 
twenty-two j'ears of age he began learning raill- 
wrighting, and followed the same at odd spells a 
good many years. He developed considerable skill 
as a mechanic, and also followed carpentering, assist- 
ing in the building of the first mill in Camden 
Township. This was destroyed by fire, and Mr. K. 
•assisted in the erection of the second mill on the 
same site. He also assisted in building the first 
gristmill in Reading, and was among the pioneer 
millwrights of this county. 

Mr. Kunkle put ui) his present residence during 
the summer season, and at the s.ame time suyjerin- 
tended the operations of his farm. He hail been 
married while a resident of his n.ative fitate, Jan. 6. 
1H4(;, to ^Hss .Sophia Hartinan, who wasa nativeof 
his own .State, and was born Sept. 14, 1 H2H, in Berks 
County. Mrs. Kunkle is a daughter of Henry D. 
and Leah (Luckenville) Ilartman, both natives of 



Pennsylvania, and the father born in Perry County. 
Her paternal grandfather carried a musket in the 
Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonists, 
notwithstanding the fact that he vvas born on Kn- 
glishsoil. Subsequently he settled in Pennsylvania, 
where he married his second wife, and is well repre- 
sented by a numerous posterity. 

The father of Mrs. Kunkle was three time$ 
married. Of his first union there were born ten 
children, of whom six survive, namely: .Sophia, 
Benjamin; Eliza, Mrs. John Harris, of Williams 
County, Ohio; Catherine, the wife of Henry Miller, 
of Cumberland County, Pa.; David, of Whitley 
Countj', Ind., and Henry, of Williams Count}', 
Ohio. To our subject and his wife there have 
been born nine children, two only of whom are liv- 
ing, namely: Homer, born Dec. IG, 1859. m.arried 
Miss Nellie Odren, and Frank, born March 23, 
1864, m.arried Miss Adie AVhorton. The deceased 
children, who died young, were named respectively : 
William H., Anna, Emeline, John H., Lena, Laura 
and Lee H. 

Mr. Kunkle, politically, is a sUmch Democrat, 
liberal minded and progressive, and in favor of all 
the enterprises set on foot for the imi)rovement of 
the county, and the elevation of its people. He has 
been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as 
School Director, and was Constable four years in 
Camden Township. Both he and his excellent wife 
are active members of the Lutheran Church. So- 
cially, jNIr. K. belongs to the M.asonic fraternity, 
being a member of the lodge at Camden. As the 
result of a temper.ale life and correct habits, he 
would p.ass for a man still in his jirime, although 
now sixtj'-seven j'ears of .age. 



«^"^^. 
"^i^* 



REDERICK WILLIAM STOCK, proprietor 
of the Hillsdale City Mills and Litchfiel.l 
AHlls, came to this cit}' in 1869, and pur- 
chased what was then known as the Cook & Wal- 
dron Mills, which were of small capacity. In the 
latter part of 1869 he remoileled and rebuilt the 
mills, and supplied them with the most improved 
machinery of that time, incre.asinir the w:iter power 





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b 



436 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






by deepening the mill-race, from the mill up to 
Bawbeese Lake, from which he secured his motive 
power. Seventeen years later his business had 
grown to such an extent as to demand increased 
facilities, and he introduced steam power into the 
mills, which he used in connection with the water 
power, and continued making improvements until 
1882. when he completed the addition of a roller 
system, with a capacity of 400 barrels in twent^'- 
foiir hours. 

Li order to keep pace with his business it became 
necessary to build an elevator, which Mr. Stock did 
in 1884, erecting a building adjoining the mill, 
40x50 feet in dimensions, and with a capacity of 
.50,000 bushels. The mill and elevator proper cover 
.in area of eighty-five feet square, throe stories in 
height, with dormer windows, and a mansard roof, 
covered with niet.Tl. He removed from the mill 
the old engine and boiler, and purchased a Reynold 
Corliss engine, condensing, made by E. P. Allis & 
Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., witb a capacity of 300- 
horse-power. With this he w.as enabled to meet 
the growing demands for the products of his mill, 
as it has a cap.acity of 400 barrels in twenty- four 
hours; it is his purpose to increase it to 1,000 
barrels in twent3'-four hours. He has since placed 
in his establishment another Corliss engine, which is 
used to generate the power for electric light plant 
for the cil}', and he constructed a special side track 
from the Lake Shore <fe Michigan Southern Railroad 
to his mills several years ago. Mr. Stock has now 
one of the largest and best equipped mills in .South- 
ern Michigan, and carries on an immense trade, 
giving superior advantages to the faimers in that 
section, and supplj'ing dealers far and near with 
that staple article of food. In connection witii his 
business he has a cooper's shop, in which he manu- 
factures all the barrels used in his trade. He pur- 
chases the necessary material at various points, and 
has it brought in and put up under bis own super- 
vision; this he found necessary in order that he 
might have a secure and satisfactory package. In 
the cooper's department he employs from twenty -five 
to thirty men, while in the mill proper and in the en- 
gine department he emjjloys as many more, and has 
so conveniently arranged his business, that all the 
loading and unloading are done directly on the cars 



without the use of teams, thus saving quite a con- 
siderable expense. He also owns .and operates at 
Litchfield another mill of 125 barrels capacity, and 
conducts a cooper-shop in connection with this mill 
also. His office is elegantly finished in Georgia 
pine, oiled, and while devoting his attention to 
business he does not neglect the cultivation of the 
finer tastes. His shipments of the products of his 
mills are sent to New York, and to the New England 
States, as well as to the large ports of the Southern 
States, and he also ships in considerable quantities 
to European ports. 

Mr. Stock's mills are located about the center of 
the great wheat belt of Michigan, having the ad- 
vantages of several br.anch railroads, on which 
grain may be convej-ed to the elevator. He has 
the contract for lighting the city, and in connec- 
tion with his mills he has put in an electric plant, 
which is run l>y a separate Corliss engine, of the 
capacity of 150-horse-power. This consists of two 
Thompson & Houston arc-light dj'nanios, and one 
of George V/estenhouse's alternating incandescent 
dj'namos of 750 lights, of sixteen-c.andle-power 
cap.acity. In 1883 he erected an office on a separ- 
iite lot some 200 feet from the mill, and so situated 
that he can overlook the mill and track, the oflSce 
being on an elevation located at the junction of 
two streets. He built the Litchfield Mills in 1882, 
and here he does a merchant and exchange business. 
The mills are of the entire roller system of the 
latest and most improved pattern, and they are 
propelled by water power derived from the St. 
Joseph River. The choicest wheat of the State is 
used at this mill, and ten men are employed in its 
manuf.acture. 

The subject of this notice is a native of German^', 
where he was born in the Rhenish Province of Prus- 
sia, Sept. 11, 1825. He was educated in the schools 
of his native country', and in 1855 emigrated to 
America. In the third year after his arrival he was 
united in marriage with Miss Minnie Augusta Char- 
lotte Seiilel, a native of the same Province as her 
husband. Of this union there were born eight chil- 
dren, five sons and three daughters: One died in 
inf.ancy; Alfred F., a bright son, died of consump- 
tion in 1884, at the age of twenty-five. He was a 
superior young man of admirable character and 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



437 



•lisposition, and was already Siiperintcnrlent of a 
Sabbath-school in the country. lie was licld in high 
estimation bj- all who had the pleasure of his acquaint- 
ance, and his death at the entrance to a noble man- 
hood was sincerely mourned. While the " King of 
Terrors" invariably inspires awe, even though the 
subject is aged, and the angel's visit is expected, how 
terrible is his ruthless grasp when he comes unex- 
pectedly, and snatches from us those about whose 
hearts our warmest affections are entwined. Such a 
s;id Itereavcment has been sustained by the subject of 
this notice. His son August, a promising j'oung man 
of twenty years, of sterling character and good 
business qualities, already superintendent of the 
mills, and managing all the details successfully, was 
caught in the mnchiner}', and was so terribly man- 
gled that he lived onl^' twelve daj's after the acci- 
dent, dying in 1883; Josephine died of hemorrhage 
of the lungs, in 1883, in the eighteenth year of her 
age; she was a lovely young lady of a most amiable 
disposition, and an excellent musician. Adolphus is 
acting as the electrician for the electric system ; 
Frederick W. was educated in the Business Uni- 
versity at Rochester, N. Y., and is now employed 
in his father's office; Alexander was educated in 
Hillsdale; he is superintendent of the office. Louisa 
A. is a graduate of Cleveland beminarj-, Ohio, and 
is at present at home with her parents. 

Mr. Stock was the second in a family of six 
brothers, and volunteered his services in the Prus- 
sian arm}- at the age of eighteen, and remained 
twelve months. His parents, John W. and Mary 
Catherine (Dorp) Slock, died in their native land. 
The five brothers of our subject remained in Ger- 
many, and are all in good circumstances. The young- 
est brother died in 1857, the father in 18()0, and 
the mother in 1867. 

Mr. Stock's residence is on the opposite side of 
the street from the mill, and is a handsome frame 
structure, heated throughout by steam. In all 
its appointments, even to the minutest details, it 
gives evidence of that t^iste and neatness which are 
one of its owner's prime qualities, and which are dis- 
cernible in all his various buildings, while no pains 
have been spared to make it a true home for an 
affectionate family. 

In 18G8, Mr. Slock having his business in such 



condition that he could be spared for a time, and 
wishing to revisit the scenes of his childhood, and 
to have a little relaxation after the labors of a busy 
life, started witii his wife and five children for his 
old home. He had not signified his intention to 
his family in the old country, and his brothers were 
equally surprised and delighted to greet the wan- 
derer after so many years absence from the Father- 
land. This visit occupied four months, and was 
time well spent in reviving and recalling youthful 
associations, and in recuperating. They returned 
to this country with renewed energy, happy in the 
land of their adoption, and our sultject has since 
pursued the even tenor of his way, sustained by 
pleasant ties and agreeable business connections. 
In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. 
The family attend the Presbyterian C'iiurch. 



^f AMES BAKER. In the life of the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch we have 
an illustration of what' may be accomplished 
by industry, determination and good judg- 
ment. Mr. Baker began life for himself at the 
foot of the ladder and with but a limited educa- 
tion, and without influential friends or surround- 
ings of which he could take advantage, l)ut b}' his 
own unaided efforts he has succeeded in placing 
himself in a good positit>n in society', and sur- 
rounding himself and his family with all the com- 
forts and conveniences that can be desired. ]S'or 
has his been a success solel}- in the sense of accumu- 
lating wealth, but by the observance of the Golden 
Rule, and his inflexibility and honesty of purpose, 
he has won for himself the confidence and esteem 
of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
When we say that he has accomplished this by his 
own unaided effort, we must make an exception in 
the Ciise of Mrs. Baker, who has been trul}' a help- 
mate in every sense of the term, and has nobly 
performed her part in providing for themselves a 
comfortable home and a heritage for their children. 
And now as they journey down the hill of life, they 
can look back upon a long career well spent in pro- 
moting the interests of others, and can look for- 
ward hopefully to a golden sunset at its close. 

— a^ 



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HILLSDALK COUM'Y. 



James Baker was born in Columbiana Count}', 
Ohio. Sept. 24, 1816, while his father, Jephtlia 
Baker, was born, it is thought, in Chester County, 
Pa. His grandfather. Aaron Baker, was born in 
Berks County, Pa., and learning the trade of a 
tailor, followed tiiat calling some years in Eastern 
Pennsylvania. He finally removed to Washington 
County in the same State, and purchased a farm, upon 
vvliich he spent tlie remaining years of his life. The 
father of our subject was reared to manhood in 
Pennsylvania, and there was united in marriage 
with Miss Sarah Snyder, also a native of the Key- 
stone State, and of German ancestry. Early in the 
nineteenth century he removed to Columbiana 
County, Ohio, and was there during the War of 
1812. He settled on a tract of land which his 
father had purchased near New Lisbon, and dealt 
to some extent in horses and cattle. Soon after 
settling in Columbiana County, he went to a neigh- 
bor's a few miles distant to assist in butchering. 
Toward night he started for his home with an ax 
in one hand and a piece of fresh meat in the other. 
Darkness overtook him while yet soine distance 
away, and the wolves began to howl and to 
draw nearer and nearer, being attracted by the smell 
of the meat which he carried, until at length he 
found himself surrounded by the hungry animals. 
He was obliged to drop his meat and with his ax 
to fight for his life. He cut his way through them 
and reached a large oak tree, which, however, he was 
unable to climb, as he dared not drop his weapon 
for a moment. Placing his back against the tree 
he dealt out death to the infuriated animals, keep- 
ing them at bay until daylight, when they retreated, 
leaving seven of their number dead at his feet. 
Finally, while returning from Philadelphia whither 
he had been with a lot of liorses, he was taken sick, 
and died at his father's house in Washington 
County, about 1820. After his death the widow 
with her seven children returned to Pennsylvania, 
and was there a second time married, to James 
Pratt. She spent the last years of her life in 
Fayette County, Pa. 

Of the seven children included in the parental 
family of our subject, three still survive. James, 
the subject of this .sketch, was four 3'ears old when 
his father died, and he lived with his mother until 



he was six years of age, after which he was taken 
to Ohio and lived with an uncle for two years. He 
then went to W.ashington County, Pa., and was 
bound out to live with Joseph Rejester, receiving 
for his services his board and clothing, and remained 
until he reached the age of sixteen years. This was 
yet in the primitive days, when the grain was cut 
with a sickle, and other agricultural operations were 
conducted in a manner similarly crude and slow. 
When he was seventeen years old Mr. Baker re- 
ceived $75 for the last year's work, and the next 
year he received $7.50 per month for eight months, 
after which he worked for his board and the privi- 
lege of attending school the remainder of the 
year. He continued to work by the month until 
twenty-three years old, and then rented land on 
shares in Columbiana Count}', Ohio. A few years 
after his marriage, he purchased in the same 
county seventy-two acres of land, fifty of which 
were cleared and contained a log cabin. He erected 
a frame addition to the house and built a barn, and 
engaging in the cultivation of his farm, he remained 
there until 1864, then sold his property and came 
to Hillsdale County, where he bought 168 acres of 
timber laud, on section 34 of Wright Township. 
It was almost all covered with timber and had re- 
ceived no attention. Mr. Baker cleared eighty 
acres of the land, erected good frame buildings, 
and resided there until 1876, when he bought 170 
acres on sections 27 and 34. At the time of pur- 
chase this farm contained two frame barns, and our 
subject has since erected two commodious and sub- 
stantial frame houses. 

Mr. Baker was united in marriage. May 16, 1843, 
with Miss Mary Morris, who was born in Washing- 
ton County, Pa., May 15, 1820, and is the daughter 
of Samuel Morris, who was as far as is known a na- 
tive of the same count}', and was born Jan. 30, 
1795. The grandfather of Mrs. Baker was Isaac 
Morris, prob,ably born in Berks County, Pa., Jan. 
21, 1751, and was the son of Jonathan and Mary 
Morris. He was a farmer by occupation and spent 
the last years of his life in Washington County, 
Pa., dying, however, while visiting at the home of 
his daughter in Columbiana County, Ohio. 

The father of Mrs. Baker was reared to manhood 
in Pennsylvania and there m.arried, and engaging in 



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lllLLSDALK COUNTY. 



43<J 



nfri"i('iilliii!il ofciiimtions, spent his entire life in the 
pinoe of his biilh. His wife, wiiose nj.iidcn name 
was Jennie .Sturgeon, vvjis a unlive of Pinnsylvania 
and tlie daugliter of Kobert and Janet (Patrick) 
Sturgeon; she di(din 1828. Mis. Baker resided 
with her father until she had reached womanhood, 
learning besides general housework those accom- 
plishments so necessary in the pioneer days, 
namely, spinning and knitting. 

Mr. and Jlrs. Baker have five children, as fol- 
lows: .Sarah J., .Samuel M.. William, Levi and 
Belle. Two children are deceased: Amanda M., 
who died in infancj". and Knicline Amelia, who died at 
the age of nineteen ^ears. IMrs. Baker is a member 
of the United Brethien Chnidi, and is an ex- 
emplary woman, highly esteimid for her many 
virtues. In jjolilics Mr. Baker is a Republican. 




RS. ELLEN (COLLINS) BARKMAN. 
This lady, the heroine of a history of un- 
usual interest, when a bride of eighteen 
jears settled with her husband on the farm 
which she now owns and occupies, and which has 
been her home for a period of over fifty years. A 
lady of more than ordinary intelligence, she pos- 
sesses all the womanly traits of character which 
have endeared her to the people around her, and 
caused her name to be held in respect wherever it 
is spoken. Hers has been the privilege to watch 
the remarkable growth and development of South- 
ern Michigan, and in fulfilling her whole duty as 
daughter, wife and mother, the has in an unobtru- 
sive n)anner done her part toward disseminating 
the principles which tend to the well-being of a 
community. She has a full knowledge of the hard- 
ships and difficulties of life in a new country, and 
the scenes she has passed tluough if fully written 
np would form a most interesting volume. 

Mrs. Barknian was boin in Seneca County, N. 
Y., Feb. 29, 1820, and is the daugliter of James 
and Elizabeth (Chandler) Collins. The latter is 
known to have been a native of the Empire State, 
and it is believed that the father was also born 
there. James Collins was left an orphan at a very 
early age, but taken into the home of friends and 



reared to farming pursuits. He also learned the 
trade of miller, which seemed more in accordance 
with his tastes and capacities than agriculture, and 
followed this the greater part of his life. In 1819 
he changed his location from Seneca to Niagara 
County, where he invested his modest capital in 
eighty acres of timber land. He employed men to 
clear this and cultivate it, while he continued at his 
trade. 

The father of Mrs. Barkman, in 1833, determined 
to seek his fortunes in the Territory of Michigan, 
wlii'-h was then attracting much attention from 
those desirous of settling farther West. He came 
first to Washtenaw County and settled five miles 
north of Ypsilanti, when his neighbors were few and 
far between. He employed himself in a mill at 
Y^psilanti for some years. In the meantime, with 
his usual forethought he invested again in land, upon 
which he hiied men to work while he kept on with 
his milling. About 1858 he sold his farm and 
came to Washtenaw County. After a few years 
he sold this farm also, and returning to his old 
haunts in Ypsilanti, from that time lived retired 
from active labor, spending his last years in ease 
and comfort. 

The mother of Mrs. Barkman survived her hus- 
band a few years, dying also at their home in Y-psi- 
lanti. Their daughter Ellen was thirteen years of 
age when they came to Michigan, and although 
fifty-four years have elapsed since that memorable 
journey, she can still recall many of the events 
which transpired, together with the dilikulties and 
dangers of the undertaking. Part of the family 
came via the lakes and brought the goods, while 
Mrs. Barkman with the others came with a team 
via Canada. Her father put up a hewn log house 
on the land which he had selected for their future 
home, and here Ellen was first married, on the 28ih 
of August, 1836. to Richard R. Britton. In Sep- 
tember following the young couple came to this 
county, and settled upon the land which the subject 
of this sketch now owns and occupies, 'ihey made 
the trip from Washtenaw County with a team of 
horses and wagon which Mr. B. had borrowed from 
his biother. 

Mr. Britton had not yet built upon his land, so the 
newly married pair moved into a log house with 



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440 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



another family, where they staid three weeks and 
until Mr. B. had his own cabin ready for occupancy. 
This primitive dwelling stood near the site of the 
present residence, and was constructed after the 
fashion of those days, the chimnej' being of earth 
and sticks and the fireplace occupying a good por- 
tion of one side. There were no stoves at that day, 
and Mrs. B., in common with the very few neighbors 
around her, carried on her cooking by the fireplace, 
^he had been taught habits of industry by her ex- 
cellent mother, and was an adapt at the spinning- 
wheel and loom, and for years afterward made all 
the cloth for the family use. 

Mr. Britton entered with true pioneer courage 
upon the work before him, taking the deepest inter- 
est in the building up of the homestead, cultivating 
the soil, and watching closely the slow but sure prog- 
ress of the people and the countr3' around him. 
For his first orchard he transported the trees from 
Adrian on his back. Many of these are still stand- 
ing and in good bearing condition, 'i he log house 
was substituted b}' a fine new frame structure, and 
the rude sheds in due time gave way to a set of 
modern farm buildings. The little household was 
completed by the birth of eight children, and the 
father after a lifetime of cheerful labor departed 
hence on the 19th of JSovember, 1875, mourned 
by the community as one who had distinguished 
himself always as a public-spirited citizen, and the 
encourager of every wortny enterprise. He was 
very intelligent, a great reader of politics, and kept 
himself thoroughly informed upon the leading- 
questions of the day. 

Richard R. Britton, like the subject of our sketch, 
was also bi>rn in Seneca County, N. Y., April 11, 
1812. His father, Richard Biitton, Sr., is believed 
to have been a native of New Jersey. It is certain 
that he spent his younger years in that State, and 
was married there, whence he removed afterward 
to New York State and settled among the pioneers 
of Seneca County. In 1833 he soKl out. and made 
his way to the Territory of Michigan, settling first 
in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, upou a 
tract of wild land, and taking possession of the 
solitary building, a log house, which had been 
erected and abandoned by some discouraged emi- 
grant. In 1834, accompanied by two sons, he started 






out to explore the Bean Creek Valley ; at the time 
there were but two log houses on the present site of 
Hudson. He selected a quarter-section of land in 
Pittsford Township, walked to the land-ofHce at 
Monroe to have it properly entered, then returning 
on foot to his new home, settled down and continued 
there until his death, which occurred about 1845. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Hand, 
was a native of New Jersey, and spent her last years 
among her children in this county. 

After the death of Mr. Britton his widow con- 
tinued on the farm two years, then removed to 
Hudson, but four years later returned to the old 
homestead, and it is quite evident that no other 
locality would suit her as well as this. The record 
of her children is as follows: Marietta became the 
wife of William DeVoe, and is living in Pittsford 
Township; Elizabeth J.. Mrs. Lewis Hood, resides 
in Gratiot Countj'; Harriet A. is the wife of Seth 
V. Anderson, of Wright Township, a sketch of 
whom will be found elsewhere in this volume; 
Roxie is the wife of Ezekiel Cole, of Ypsilanti; 
Matilda E., Mrs. Harvey Jeirels, lives not far from 
the homestead in Pittsford Township; George J. 
died Dec. 25, 1882; Ida is the wife of Thomas Curtis, 
of Rome Township, Lenawee County, and Frank is 
a resident of this State. 

The marriage of Mrs. Ellen Britton and Lorenzo 
Barkman was celebrated at the home of the bride, 
Nov. 29, 1877. Mr. Barkman was born in Al- 
bany, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1814, and was the son of 
Peter Barkman, who was the son of Jacob Barkman. 
Peter Barkman was a blackmith by trade, and spent 
his last years in Gorliam, Ontario Co., N. Y. The 
father of Mr. B. vvas reared and married in Albany 
County, whence he moved to Ontario County, and 
from there to Steuben County, carrying on agii- 
culture in each, and in the latter spent his last years. 
He had taken for his wife Miss Esther Jones, who 
survived her husband some years, and died at the 
home of her son in St. Joseph County, this State. 

Mr. Barkman was first married in his native State 
to Miss Harriet A. Esget, who was a native of 
Monroe County, N. Y. Directly after their mar- 
riage the young people came to Michigan, and Mr. 
B. purchased eighty acres of timber land in Oak- 
land County. He made several changes during the 



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HILL.SDALK (JOUNl Y. 



443 



next few years, and in the meantime visited his 
native State, mikin:^ th ! entire (tist-inue witli a 
sieiq;li ;ind a piirof liDrses. lie staid there two 
3'ears, and then retnrninsj; to Michigan lived in 
Medina Township three years, then removed east- 
ward as far as Indiana, and from there hack to St. 
Josepli Connty after the war. His next ventnre 
was at Hudson in the grocer}' bnsiness, nt which he 
was occupied fourteen years. His first vvife died in 
1876. Of this union there had been born four 
children, namely: Rosala. the wife of John Stewart, 
of Fremont, this State; Einrai, .Mrs. Hiram Force, 
of Hudson; Mortimer, of Fremont, an<l Viola, the 
wife of Mr. Murphy. 




LFRED C. Dubois is an enterprising citi- 
zen of Bankers, Cambria Township, where 
he owns and manages a sawmill and a 
tgy/ . cider manufactory. He established him- 
self here in the lumber business in I.S74, and saws 
about 4,000 feet of lumber a day. He soon after 
commenced to make cider also, in connection with 
his first business, and makes more than 3,000 bar- 
rels a year, besides some 2,000 gallons of jelly. He 
was born in Rosendale Township. Ulster Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 26, 1H4.5. His father, D.aniel G. DuBois. 
was a native of the State of New York, where he 
was for many years successfully engaged as a farmer. 
He married Ann D. Hoffman, and in 1«67 they left 
their native State, where many years of their mar- 
ried life had been passed, and came to this State, 
where their son, our subject, had preceded them two 
years before. They first settled in Branch County, 
then I'emoved to Reading Township, in tiiis county, 
and finally came to Cambria Township, where Mi'. 
DuBois, who was a most worthy man and a good 
citizen, departed this life Dec. 1, 18«7, at the age 
of sixty-five years. He was a stanch Democrat in 
his political views. His estimable widow is now 
living in Bankers, and is sixty-four years old. 

Their son Alfred, of whom vve write, was the 
eldest of their three sons and three daughters, of 
whom one son is now deceased. He grew to man- 
hood in his native .State, and being a plucky, am- 



bitious lad, he commenced to make his own way in 
the world at the age of twelve, being employed in 
various capacities. For some time he worked on 
the canal as a boatman, and w.as otherwise era- 
ployed in many places until the fall of 186.5, when 
he came to Michigan. He was engaged at Reading 
for three years as a miller, becoming a practical 
and skilled mechanic while working in his uncle's 
mill in that town. He afterward engaged in farm- 
ing and milling for some years, but did not per- 
manently establish himself until he came to Cambria 
in 1874, where he has since carried on his |iresent 
business very successfully, his in'lustry .and good 
management having brought their reward in due 
season, and he is now the owner of a fine estate, con- 
taining twenty-five acres of land, a handsome resi- 
dence, and substantial buildings for carrying on his 
business. 

Mr. DuBois was married in Reading, Dec. 8, 
1869, to Miss Lyda. daughter of George \V. and 
Mary (Stone) Fitzsimmons, natives of New Y'ork 
State, who were numbereil anii)ng the early pioneers 
of Reading Township. Her fatlier was a farmer, 
and owned eighty acres of land there, which he had 
helped his father, George Fitzsimmons, to improve. 
His father was for a long time Justice of the Peace 
for Reading Township, where the closing years of 
his life were spent. The fatlier of our subject lived 
on his farm in that township for eighteen years, 
and subsequently in the village for thirteen years, 
whence he moved to Fremont, Newaygo County, 
and is there successfully engaged as a farmer. Mrs. 
DuBois was born in Reading Township, April 20. 
1852, and there grew to womanhood, receiving her 
education in the public schools, and an excellent 
training in the duties of a housewife. She presides 
with true hospitality over the ple.asant home of 
herself and family, and is devoted to the best inter- 
ests of her husband and children. Five children 
have been born of that marriage, of whom two are 
dead. The names of those surviving are: Ella M., 
Fred C. .and May Belle, all of whom are living at 
home. 

Mr. and Mrs. DuBois have not attained their 
present prosperity without hard labor, and by hon- 
est and upright lives they have won a high position 
in this community. They are influential mem- 



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HILLSDALE lOUM'Y. 



bcrs of theFi-ee-Will Baptist CLuitli.df which their 
(laughter Ella is eleik. In politics Mr. DiiBois is 
a soliil Democrat. 

A view of Mr. DuBois' place is given in con- 
nection with this hrief sketch of his life. Jt shows 
something of what he has accomplisherl since com- 
ing to this cuuntj'. 



-l^^l^- 




HARLES P. OSIUS. This solid and reli- 
able citizen is a representative of the most 
res|)onsible element of .Fayette Township, 
where he has a finely appointed farm of 320 acres 
on section 12. Of this he has been in possession 
since the spring of 1S57, coming upon it when it 
was in a comparatively uncultivated condition, and 
here has exercised his genuine GernKui thrift and 
perseverance, with ttie most hap[)y results. The 
main points in a family history of exceeding in- 
terest are essentially as follows: 

Our subject is the son of William Frederick and 
Mai-y (Buss) Osius. natives of Germany, and the 
former born on the 20th of March. 171)7. The 
mother was born April 23, 1802, at Fulda, Ger- 
many. William Frederick Osius served the required 
time in the German arm3', in which he evinced 
considerable military skill and adaptabilitj-, and re- 
ceived an officer's commission, participating there- 
after in one of the greatest wars of Europe, and 
meeting the enemy in several regular battles. In 
1814 he was found under arms as a volunteer in 
Bnlow's Corps, and was in all the engagements 
in which his corjjs fought. In 1815 he fought 
under Blucher, the battles preceding the day of 
Waterloo, and marching in a drenching rain, deep 
in mud, during night, from the 17th to the 18th 
of June, and all the day long. He arrived in time 
to hear the last guns of that teirible contest, which 
decided the fate of Europe for centuries. Under 
Blucher he saw Paris, when that proud city had to 
kneel before its conqueror — the leader of the allied 
armies. 

The parents of our subject came to this country 
before marriage, which event took place March 20, 
1826, at Erie, Pa. ; they afterward located in Erie 
County, that .State, where they lived about six 



3'ears, and where the father carried on farming. 
Thence, in 1832. they came to this State, locating 
first in AVashtenaw County, whence they came the 
following year to Freedom Township, of which 
they continued residents until 18G4. Ann Arbor 
was their home for a time after the next removal, 
and from there, in 1865, they moved to Pittsfield 
Township, Washtenaw County, where the death of 
the father took place on the 4th of January, 1879. 
He was an intelligent man, one who identified him- 
self thoroughl3' with the interests of his adopted 
country, served as Supervisor of Freedom Town- 
ship for a period of nine years, and also officiated 
as Justice of the Peace. He became a member of 
the I. O. O. F. in 1846, with which he continued 
until his death. The mother is still living, having 
reached an advanced age, and makes her home in 
Pittsfield Township. AVashtenaw County. 

The parental household of our subject included 
five children, two sons and three daughters, of 
whom Charles P. was the eldest son. His birth 
took place in Erie County, Pa., Jan. 20, 1832. ile 
was but an infant when his parents took up their 
residence in Michigan, and he continued a member 
of his father's household until twenty-seven years 
of age, when he was united in marriage with Miss 
Elizabeth C. daughter of Jacob and Christina 
(Noe) Kesselring, who were also of German birth 
and parentage. The wedding took place in Jones- 
ville, this county, Jan. 15, 1859. The father of 
Mrs. Osius was born March 13, 1797, in the city of 
Hamburg, where the parents were married, and 
whence they emigrated to the United States in 
1829. They settled first in Monroe County, N. Y., 
but six years later made their wiiy to the Territory' 
of Michigan, and located in Scipio Township, this 
county. After a residence of three years there, 
they moved over into Moscow Township, where 
the father carried on agriculture as before, and 
where his death took place on the 16th of June, 
1881. The mother had preceded her husband to 
the silent land thirteen years, her death also taking 
place at the homestead in Moscow, in July, 1868. 

Mrs. Osius was the eldest daughter of her par- 
ents, whose family included one girl besides herself 
and seven sons. She vvas born in Henrietta, Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y.. May 14, 1835, and was trained by 

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HILLSDALE COUJSTV. 



445 



an excellcMit mother to all useful household duties. 
Siie continued under the liome loof until her mar- 
riage, and b3' her uiiion with our sid)ject h:xs be- 
come the mother of four children, three living: 
Mary E., born .Sept. 17. I8G2; William, Dec. 1. 
1864, and Gertrude C, June A, 186C. The eldest 
daughter is pursuing her studies in Hillsdale Col- 
lege, and the youngest is the wife of Montie Morey, 
who is occupied at Edniore, Montcalm Co., Mich. 
The sou, William C, an intelligent and enterprising 
3'oung man, h.as inherited largely of his father's 
thrift and industry, and has charge of the home- 
stead during the absence of the latter. All the 
children have been given excellent advantages, and 
are well fitted for their rightful positions in life. 

Mr. Osius after his marriage took up his resi- 
dence in Fayette Township, this county, upon the 
land included in his present homestead, and since 
that' time has given his diligent attention to its cul- 
tivation and improvement. It now comprises one 
of the most desirable farms in the township, and 
yields the richest crops of Southern Michigan. The 
buildings are convenient and substantial, the live 
stock well kept and of gcjod qu.ality, and the farm 
machinery of excellent description. Mr. Osius, 
having such a reliable son to lean upon, is enabled, 
in connection with his farming interests, to carrj' 
on a floinishing lumber business in Montcalm 
County, Mich., which is the source itself of a com- 
fortable income. 



1? EONARD H. BAILEY, of Wheatland Town- 
I (@) ship, is a son of one of the earliest pioneers 
/ l '-^ of this county, who made his w.iy from the 
Empire State as early as 1834. Thomas N. Bailey, 
the father of our subject, w.as born in 1811 in 
Barry County, N. Y., where he was reared to man- 
hood, and was married in 1833 to Miss Harriet 
Crittenden. The latter, also a native of New York 
State, w.as born in 1815, and consequently became 
a bride when eighteen years of age. 

The year following their marriage the parents of 
our subject migrated westward. Thom.as N. liailey 
before leaving his native State had followed farm- 
ing considerably, and also operated a sawmill. 



Upon coming to this county he took 120 .acres of 
Government land in Somerset Township, and Leon- 
ard H. still h.as duplicates of the original deeds. 
The father, however, only lived eight years there- 
after, dying in 1842. at the early .age of thirty-one. 
This calamity had only followed upon the heels of 
another, as the mother had died nine days previously, 
aged twenty-seven. Thus three children were left 
orphans. Mr. Bailey, the f.ather of Thomas N., 
h.ad been Laid to rest upon the soil of his native 
State of New York, but the paternal grandmother 
of our subject, corning West, died in Wheatland 
Township, this county, at the advanced age of 
ninety-two years. 

After the death of his father Leonard H. Bailey 
was taken into the family of Robert Taft, a mer- 
chant of Hollin Township, Lenawee County, of 
which he remained a member until eleven years of 
age. He was then bound out to Wsirren D.ay, of 
Pittsford Township, this county, with whom he 
lived three years and attended the district school. 
His next home was with the f:i|nily of Mr. Stafford, 
in Wheatland Township, with whom he remained 
four years, and at the cxpiiati(.in of this time hav- 
ing then reached manhood, took up his abode on 
fort3' .acres of the land which his father had secured 
from tlie Government, ami which he had cleared 
before his death. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Wheatland 
Township, Jan. 24, 1837, and on the 2d of Novem- 
ber, 1856, before reaching the twentieth year of 
his age, was married to Miss Harriet E. Saunders, 
who was burn in Palmyra, Waj'ne Co., N. Y., Feb. 
20. 1839. and w.as consequently within three months 
of being eighteen years old. Mrs. Bailey' is the 
daughter of Lorenzo and Calista (Tal)or) Saunders, 
a sketch of whom will be found in the history of 
Lenawee Count}', this State, recently pul)lislied. 
The young people commenced life together in a 
manner corresponding to their means, taking up 
their residence in Hudson, where they lived one and 
one-half years, and at the expiration of this time 
Mr. Bailey returned to his farm in Wheatland Town- 
ship. For many years he has been .agent for the 
sale of organs and sewing-machines, in addition to 
carrying on his farm. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey there were born two 



i' 



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4 



446 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



chilflren only: Clara E., Aiijr. 11. 1857. and Dora 
C. Sept. 11. ]8(jO. Ulie former is a niiis^ician of 
fair talfnt. and has- been oijianist of the Bni)tist 
Church for a period of twelve years, .'^lie was also 
oi-ciipied as a teacher ten years. She was married, 
March 23, 1881, to George Carpenter, who is farm- 
ing with his faiher-in-law, our suhjcct. 'Ihey have 
one child, a d.iuohter. Bertha, who was born May 
1.5, 188'2. Mr. Carpenter is a native of AVluailand 
Township, and was liorn Oct. 2. 1856. The younger 
flauohler, Dora, is the wife of Dr. E. B. .Saliin, and 
resides at Church's Corners; thej- have one daugh- 
ter, named Hattie C. Mr. and Mrs. Baile^' are active 
members <jf the Bajrtist Church, and the latter is 
identified with the Missionary Society. Our sub- 
ject votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a 
strong temperance advocate, although not believing 
in ii third part}'. He also has considerable musical 
talent, and has been chorister in the church and 
Sunda^'-school for several years. 

Lorenzo Saunders, the father of Mrs. Bailey, was 
a native of Wayne Countj', N. \ ., where he was 
reared to manhood and lived until coming to Michi- 
gan in 1854. He purchased seventy acres of land 
in Wheatland Township, upon which he operated 
until 1863, then sold out and took up his abode in 
Reading Township, where his death took place in 
February, 1 888, when nearly seventy-seven years 
of age, having been born June 7, 1811. The wife 
and mother passed away some j-eais before at their 
home in Wheatland Township, cm the 6th of August, 
1856. Their four children are all living, a sister 
in Kansas, the others in this State. 




R. LESTERR.W ATKINS, deceased. The 

subject of this biogiajihy, after a success- 
ful practice of over thirty-four years in 
Allen Township and vicinity, departed this 

life at his home in the village of Allen. Feb. 4, 1880. 

He was born in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y.,Sept. 

3, 1821, and being the son of a well-to-do farmer. 

became earl}' in life familiar with agricultural pur- 
suits. 

Young Watkins. however, was of a studious turn 

of mind, fond of books, and after leaving the 

4' 



primary school entered Canandaigua Academy, and 
upon the com)ileti(jn of his ccnise there, had fully 
decided to enter the medical profession. He accord- 
ingly began his studies to this end in the office of 
the successful jiaeliliont r. Dr. H( Idcn, of Hopewell, 
and made such good headway that before twenty- 
one years of pge he was admitted to Geneva 
Medical Colhge. from which he was graduated 
,lan. 27, 1846. lecciving his diploma in the month 
of May following. 

Dr. Walkirs l«gan the practice of his profession 
in Allen Township, this county, locating in the 
village, where he made his home the remainder of 
his life. Here his steady application to his business 
resulted in the building up of a large patronage. 
He was a ckse student, an ixtensive reader, and 
conscientious in his fidelity to duty. A friend of 
the poor, his ears were ever open to the tale of 
distress, and his hai d (h((rfully ministered to their 
necessities. In society he was of that genial and 
companionable disposition whiih gained him hosts 
of friends. He gave to church and school his 
hearty and liberal support, antl was a man, who, 
on account of his temperate judgment and wise 
counsel, was consulted invariably in regard to mat- 
ters most nearlj' affecting the general good of the 
community. He served as Township Clerk for 
many years. He was a charter member of the 
Masonic Lodge in the village, with which he re- 
mained connected until the day of his death. Politi- 
callj', he was identified with the Republican party. 

The parents of our subject, Ephraiinand Deborah 
(Whitney) Watkins. were natives of Massachusetts, 
and spent their last days in Hopewell, Ontario 
Co., N. Y. The father wasa farmer by occupation, 
and the household circle consisted of thiee sons 
and six daughters. A more extended notice of the 
parents will be found in the biography of Charles 
Watkins, on another page in this volume. 

The marriage of Dr. Lester R. Watkins and Miss 
Zeruah W. Pickett, was celebrated at the home of 
the bride in Gorham, Ontario Co., N. Y'., April 27, 
1852. Mrs. Watkins was born there May 3, 1826, 
and is the daughter of Ansel and Charlotte (.St. 
.lohn) Pickett. Her father was born at Litchfield, 
Conn., and the mother was a native of ."^aratoga 
County, N. Y. After their marriage they settled 








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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



447 






in Gorhatn, Ontario County, the latter Stite, but 
subsequeiitlj- retuoveil toPhelps, in tiie same county', 
where the father died in 18G6. The mother came 
West, and spRut a pirtiou of tliu time vvith hur chil- 
dren. l)ut most of the tiin.> at R)3lijster, N. Y., 
with her daughter, and died at the liome of her 
daughter in Allen Township, June 3, 1881. 

To Dr. and Mrs. W.atkins there were born two 
children only, both of whom were soon taken from 
the household circle, Charles A., the elder, dying 
when four years old, and an infant dial u lannj 1 
The Doctor left a comfortable property for his 
widow, who is now living quietly in Allen Village, 
enj )yiug th; estijin of a large circle of friends. 



^«-^i-*«^^S 



'^YlOHN KANE, late a highly respected farmer 
of Cambria Township, passed from earth .at 
his residence, Feb. 25. 1H80. A native of 
/ County Clare, Ireland, he was born in 1832, 
his family being of pure Irish ancestry. He was 
reared under tlie parental roof, ami until approach- 
ing manhood .assisted his father in the emploj'ments 
of their little farm, and remained upon his native 
soil until 1849. then crossed the Atlantic and took 
up his residence in Geneva, N. Y. Two years Later 
he sought the Pacific Slope, making the journey vi.a 
the Isthmus of Panama, .and for three ye.ars there- 
after occupied himself as a miner in the gold re- 
gions of llangtown. Later he left the mines and 
was otherwise employed in different parts of Cali- 
fornia until 185!(, when he returned to New \ ork 
State, seeking his old haunts in Genev.a, and then 
transferred his residence to Southern Michigan, tak- 
ing up his abode in this county, of which he remained 
a resident until his decease. 

Mr. Kane, when a youth of twenty-.seven years 
was married, March 8, 185'J, in Geneva, N. Y.. to 
Miss Maria Murphy, a native of his own country, 
but born in County Kildare, Mareli (!. 1834. Her 
l^arents, Michael and Ann (Culleu) Murpliy, were 
natives of the same county as their daughter, and 
the father a farmer by occupation. They left 
Ireland in 1847, accompanied by their si.\ chihlren, 
four sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Kane 
was the eldest. They started August l.i. on the 




sailing-vessel ••Kalamazoo," aii'l after a safe voy.age 
of twentj'-eight days, landed in New YTork City 
September 12. whence they proceeded to Ge- 
neva, where the father eng.aged in farming, and 
where they lived until his death, iu 1863, at the 
age of seventy-seven 3'ears. The mother subse- 
quently came to this county' and died at her home 
in Hillsdale, aged seventy -four years. 

Mrs. Kane was reared in the faith of the Catholic 
Church, of which her family had been adherents on 
Ixjth sides for generations back. She received a 
common-school education and w.as trained in all 
housewifely duties by her excellent mother, con- 
tinuing under the parental roof until her marriage. 
Of her union with our subject there have been born 
seven children, two of whom, Mary E. and Willie, 
died in early childhood. Their eldest daughter liv- 
ing, Hanora, is a well-educated young lady, having 
been graduated from St. Mary's School in Windsor, 
Canada, and is now occupied as a teacher in Da- 
kota; Lilla is at home with her parents; she com- 
pleted her studies in the Union Schools of Hillsdale, 
and is engaged as a clerk in a millinery store — the 
Chicago Bazaar, of Hillsdale. Theresa, who was 
also a student in the Union Schools, is te.aching iu 
Dakota; Katie, who has also been emi)loyed as a 
te.acher, is attending Hillsdale College; John J. con- 
tinues at home with his parents, having not yet 
emerged from the district school. 

The parents of our subject, Daniel and Catherine 
(Kane) Kane (no relative), were natives of County 
Clare, Ireland, and the former lived to attain his 
threescore years au'l ten, spending his entire life 
upon his native soil. The mother died when a 
young woman in her native county. The}' were 
the parents of seven children, all of whom are liv- 
ing and residents <)f the United States and Ireland. 
The family has l)een identified with the Catholic 
Church for many generations, and our subject still 
adheres loyally to the religious doctrines in which 
he was trained when a child. 

The Kane homestead comprises 120 acres of finely 
cultivated laud on section 12. upon which are neat 
and substantial buildings, an<l which forms a most 
comfurtalile and inviting lK)Uie. Mrs. Kane is a 
very pleasant and hospitable lady, and l>y her kind 
heajt and cheerful disposition has won to herself a 



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t 



448 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



large ciicle of warm friemls. Her (laughter, Ha- 
iiora. lins flevekiprd rare talent as an artist, and 
specimens of her painting arlorn the walls of their 
home, reflecting great credit upon her skill and in- 
dustry. Since the death of iier hiisl).ind Mrs. Kane 
has superintended the operations of the farm with 
excellent judgment, and sought to keep up the 
homestead in the manner which would most perfectly 
carr3' out his plans. 



^^•"EORGE KDTTEN. The fine farm of 325 
||( (__, acres occupying a little more than the west 
^J4 half of section 23 in Mo.scow Township, is 
one of the most attractive features of the landscape 
ak)ng the northern line of the countj', and consti- 
tutes the homestead of one of its most wide-awake 
and enterprising citizens. He came to this section 
of eountr}' when a young married man with his 
wife in I«4H.and since casting his lot with the early 
settlers of Southern Michigan has been closely 
identified with its progress and development. 

Uur subject all his life has been engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits, and at an early age developed a 
remarkable love for the equine race, which the suc- 
cess of the later years of his life has ]3ertnitted 
him to indulge in liberally. As a breeder and 
trainer he has been eminently successful, .-ind has 
now a stable of twent3-five head of fine animals, 
including two magnificent Hambletonian stallions, 
familiarl}' known as "John C. P'remont" and 
"Verto." 

Our subject is a native of Yates County, N. Y.. 
his birth taking place Nov. 2, 1H20. His parents, 
George and Jemima (Pierce) Kulten, were also 
natives of the Empire State, the father of En- 
glish ancestry, and the mothei- a descendant of one 
of the families who crosseil the Atlantic from Hol- 
land, probably in the Colonial days. George Nut- 
ten, Sr., after his maniage settled in Steuben 
County, N. Y., l)Ut later removed to Yates County, 
where the family resided until coming to Southern 
IMicliigan, in September, 1843. They landed in Hills- 
d.de County on the I'Jth of the month, where the 
father purchased land, and in thecourseof a fowyears 
was the owner of a half-s(ctiiin ( mbracing four 



farms in I>enawee and Hillsdale Counties. He died 
at his home in Moscow Township in the spring of 
1848. aged sevent3'-one years. The mother also 
die<l the same year, some weeks after the decease of 
her husband, when si.xty-eight ^ears old. Their 
family of seven children included four sons and 
three daughters, and George was the sixth in order 
of birth. 

The boyhood of Mr. Nutten was spent in his na- 
tive countj', engaged in the emploj'raents common 
lf> farm life, while he acquired his education in the 
district school. He continued under the parental 
roof until he vvas twenty-six years of age, and in 
the spiing of 1846 set abcvut the estal)lishment of 
a home of his own by securing to himself :i wife 
and helpmate from the maidens of his own county, 
Miss Amelia Low, who was three years his junior, 
and was born May 20, 1823. They continued resi- 
dents of the Em])ire State until 1848, and in the 
summer of that year made their way to this county, 
of which they have since been continuous residents. 
The prciperty of Mr. Nutten has been accumulated 
by his own industry and perseverance, and he has 
reason to be proud of his record. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of VA- 
ward and Lucy (Williams) Low, who were born, 
reared, married, and spent their entire lives in New 
York State. The father was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and rested from his earthly labors at the age 
of seventy-one ^ears, in 18CG. The mother sur- 
vived her husband about nineteen J ears, dying at 
the home cf her daughter in Yates, in 1885, when 
eighty-five jears old. Of their seven children Mrs. 
NuHen was the third in order of birth. With the 
exception of her twin sister, Mrs. Richards, 
fornieily c>f Jonesville, but now deceased, the chil- 
dren are nil living, being residents mostly of New 
York State, and settled in comfortable homes of 
their own. The joungest is over fifty years of age. 
Tliey were all given a common-school education and 
trained in those habits of industry' and principles 
of honor which have made of them praiseworthy 
an<l useful citizens. 

Mrs. Nutten before her marriage occupied her- 
self as a teacher in the schools of New York, and 
as an instructor was remarkably successful. Her 
marriage with our subject resulted in the birth of 



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HILLSDALK COUMV. 



449 



four ohililren, all daughters, one of whom. Elizabeth, 
died at the age of twent3'-nine j'ears. Lucy is the 
wife of Scott Booth, a prosperous farmer of Moscow 
Towtii^hip, and the mother of two children — Grace 
and Alice. Mary is the wife of Miles Hopkins, a 
graduate of Hillsdale College, who is now engaged 
in the livery business in Nebraska. She also was a 
graduate of this institution in the class of '77; 
they have three children — Edith, Betty and Emma 
A. Alice, Mrs. Augustus Bleech, of Moscow Town- 
ship, is the mother of three children — Ella, Miles 
and Ada. 

The improvements upon the Nutten homestead 
are nearly altogether the result of the enterprise 
and industry of the present proprietor. He put up 
the house and barns, and from lime to time added 
the other structures necessary to the carrying on of 
the joint occupations of farmer and stock-raiser. 
Although having little to do with politics he keeps 
himself well posted upon matters of general in- 
terest, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. 
He has occupied the various school offlces of his 
township and is a man whose opinions are generally 
respected. His amiable and estimable wife Is a 
memlier in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

-A-,.>3&?.-A__6- 



,f OHN V. SHANNON has been named one of 
the foremost farmers in Woodbridge Town- 
ship. He makes a specialty of stock-grow- 
ing, and is pleasantly located on section 7, 
where he has eiglity acres of land, good buildings, 
and all the other appliances of a first-class country 
estate. He was born in Van Bureu Township. On- 
ondaga Co.. N. Y., Dec. 10, 1H30. and is the son of 
Robert and Elizabeth (Yeder) Shannon, who were 
also natives of the Empire State, the father born 
May 8, 1793, and the mother Aug. 25, 179H. 

The father of our subject was a cooper by trade, 
and also fond of farm pursuits, which he prosecuted 
considerably in connection with his trade. He came 
to this State in 1849, and carried on agriculture in 
Reading 'i'ownsliip, where his death took |)lace Sept. 
11,1 863. The mother survived her liusband twelve 
years, her death taking place Dec. 4, 187.5. .She 




spent her last days at the home of her son, our sub- 
ject. She was a most excellent lady, and a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for many years. The ten children of the parental 
household are recorded as follows: Aim i ra w.as born 
March 2, 1816, and died July 26, 1864; Margaret 
was born April 7. 1818, and died .Ian. 1, 1848; 
Miranda was born April 18, 1820, and died Aug. 
15,1839; Caroline was born Feb. 18, 1822, and 
died Oct. 10. 1885; Jane, born Dec. 2, 1823, died 
Jan. 27. 18G4; Martha, born Dec. 3. 1825. is a resi- 
dent of Eaton County, this State; Asa B. was born 
April 4, 1828; John V., Dec. 10, 1830; Robert J. 
was born June 20, 1833, and died Feb. 28, 1869; 
Aymor R. was born Sept. 2, 1836. 

Our subject came to Michigan in 1847, alone by 
canal and lake, and was two days on the journey 
from Toledo to Hillsdale, a distance of sixty miles. 
This was in the times of the old strap railroad, and 
young .Shannon, after selecting his location, em- 
ployed himself by the week or month in chopping 
and clearing land for other parties. In this way he 
has cleared over 200 acres in this .State. The price 
paid was usually $10 per acre. His education had 
been completed in the common school, and seven 
ye.ars after coming to this State he was married, 
Dec. 29, 1854, to Miss Dorlesky J. Barnes, who was 
born in Fairfield Township, Huron Co., Ohio, Jan. 
2, 1834. 

Mrs. Shannon was the daughter of John and Abi- 
gail (Ilerrington) Barnes, natives of New York 
State, and the f.ather born March 9, 1788. He was 
a f.armer by occupation, and received but a limited 
education. He was reared and married in his na- 
tive State, and moved to Ohio in 1823, renting land 
in Huron County, where lie remained until coming 
to Michigan, in 1845. He took up his residence in 
Reading Township, on the western line of the county, 
where lie labored for a period of fifteen years, and 
was called hence on the 28th of May, 1 862. 

Mrs. Abigail Barnes was born in 1800, and sur- 
vived her husband a period of two years, her death 
taking pl.ace Jan. 27. 1864. She had for many 
years been a member of the Baptist Church. Their 
children are as follows : Loran, a carpenter by trade, 
lives at Morgan Park, a suburb of Chicago; .Maria 
married Benjamin Monroe, of Union County; Will- 



I 

I 



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450 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



iam died in Alma, Gratiot Co.. Jlicli.. in 1.S85; 
Charles is living near Fairfield. Ohio; Louisa is a 
resident of Eaton County, this State. There had 
heen a child older than herself, named Louisa, who 
died at the age of two years. Lovisa is a resident 
of Hillsdale; Dorlesky. Mrs. Shannon, was the 
next in order of liirlh; Elizabeth lives in Wood- 
bridge Township, this county, and Loretta livesnear 
Reading; John died when about twenty-one years 
old. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon theie were born two 
sons: Eugene B., boin Jan. 11, 1855, married Miss 
Clara Saunders, and is carrying on farming in 
Woodbridge Township; Loran B., who was born 
Jan. 5, 1869, married Miss Cynthia Seholty, and 
lives in Eaton County. The Shannon homestead 
includes eighty acres of good land, and bears all 
the evidenets of the supervision of a man of indus- 
try and intelligence. Our subject, politically, is a 
stanch Democrat, but has no desire for the respon- 
sibilities of office. 

^T AMES NOBLE, a leading merchant of Mont- 
gomery, and the oldest one heie, well re) re- 
, sents the mercantile interests of this part of 
(^^^ Hillsdale County. He carries a general line 
of drugs, groeei US, 1 oots and shoes, and enjoys a 
fine trade. His store, which is in a building one 
and a half siories in height, is 18x45 feet in dimen- 
sions, and is neatly and tastefully arranged. Mr. 
Noble was born in Stark County. Ohio, March 10. 
1826, and is a son of Robert and Mary Noble, 
the former being of Irish extraction, and the latter 
a native of Pennsylvania. They were among the 
early settlers of Stark County, where the father 
was engaged in faiming. Ihey weie active in 
assisting to develop the resources of the country in 
which they settled, and for their sterling viitues 
were much respected by their neighbors and friends. 

The subject of this brief biographical notice was 
born amid the scenes of a pioneer life, and under 
the influence of such surroundings grew to an ener- 
getic and self-reliant manhood, receiving such edu- 
cation as was afforded by the schools of that early 
day. Being an ajjt and diligent student, he prof- 



ited by his instructions, and was in his turn able to 
impart knowledge as a tfacher. and for some three 
j'ears taught school during the winter season. By 
diligent and persistent industry he was enabled to 
establish a comfortable home very early in life, and 
was married, in 1849. to Miss Jane E. Snodgrass, 
and their pleasant wedded life was blessed by the 
birth of three children, namely: James S.. Robert 
S. and Horace G. This little household was called 
to mourn the loss of the kind and affectionate wife 
and mother. 

Mr. Noble married for his second and present 
wife Mrs. llulda E. Allen, widow of Edward W. 
Allen, of Hillsdale County, and daughter of Ran- 
som and Mary Crawford. Mrs. Noble was born in 
Ontario County. N. Y., July 6, 1827. and when she 
was about ten years of age came with her parents, 
in 1837, to Hillsdale County, where they settled in 
what is now known as Wright Township. They 
were thus pioneei'S of Hillsdale County, and nobly 
assisted the other early settlers in clearing the land, 
and preparing the way for its present prosperous 
and flourishing condition as a great agricultural 
region. When Mr. Crawford first settled on his 
claim, Wright Townshij) was heavily timbered, and 
he had to cut a road through to his land. The 
Indians had not then left that locality, and the noted 
chief of the Pottawatomie tribe, Bawbeese, was a 
frequent visitor at their log iiouse. Mr. Crawford 
took an active part in public affairs, and served as 
Justice of the Peace, lie took a leading part in 
promoting the cause of Methodism, his day being 
the time of the Methodist itinerancy. Mrs. Craw- 
ford was a gentle Quaker, and shared the respect 
and affection with which her husband was held. 
By their de.ith, heis in 1861, and his in March, 
1871, many mourned the loss of kind neighbors and 
true friends. 

Mr. Noble came to Hillsdale County with his 
family in 1862, and located in Woodbridge Town- 
ship, wheie he was quite extensively engaged in 
fanning for several years. He finally decided to 
turn his attention from agricultural to mercantile 
pursuits, and in 1875 established himself in Mont- 
gomery in his present business. His business tact, 
his well-known reputation for unswerving honest 
and his pleasant manner, have gained for hir 



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HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



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451 



large and very jinifitable trafle. He has a good 
income, and he and liis amialile wife are spending 
their declining years in the enjoyment of every 
comfort and hixury that they can wish for, and 
have tiie respect and confidence of tlie entire com- 
munity. Mr. Noble is a man (if an earnest and 
thouglitfnl. religions nature, and is a prominent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a 
Bible class teacher, and lias served as Trustee. In 
politics he is a laiihfui foiU.wtrof the Republican 
|)arty. '1 he prosperity of our subject has not come 
to him without years of steady toil, for what he has 
and what he is he owes entirely to his own exer- 
tions, he being a fine example of a "self-made man," 

JOHN BOAL8. of Amboy Township, and a 
: gentleman in the ]irime of life, has been in- 
I duslriously cidtivaling a portion of the soil 
' of section i-13. eightj' acres of which he se- 
emed possession of in 1^72. He began life in 
Richland County, Ohio, on New Year's Day, 1846, 
and is the son of John and JSarah (Hart) Boals, the 
father deceased, and the mother now a resident of 
Woodbridge Township. He is of Irish-German ex- 
traction, and his maternal grandfather, it is believed, 
served as a soldier in the Kevolulionary War. 

John Boals. JSr., was twice married and the father 
of twenty-two children, of whom the following 
survive: Mary. Elizabeth, Emilj', Elmina, John, 
Joseph, Margaret and Hannah. In the spring of 
1862 the father came with his family to this county 
and settled on the land now owned by our subject. 
A few years later, however, he was called hence, 
resting from his labors in the year 1868. He was a 
man respected by all who knew him. and politically, 
a decided Democrat. The mother is still living, 
l)eing now nearly eighty years old. and resides with 
one of her daughters in Woodbridge Township. 
Her faculties are preserved in a remarkable degree 
and she is quite active, able to do considerable 
work, and never so happy as when employed at 
something useful. 

Mr. Boals w.is reared to manhood in this county 
and acqiiirerl his education in the district school. 
He also became thoroughly familiar with agricult- 



V 



ural pursuits and early in life chose these for his 
vocation. When twenty-three years of age he was 
married, Feb. 20. 1869, to Miss Mary L. Phillips, 
who was born May 15, 1851, in Ohio, and is the 
daughter of Henry L. and Mary J. Phillips, who 
were natives of Conneticut; the father is still living 
in Amboy Township, the mother is dead. Their 
history is briefly sketched on another page in this 
volume. 

Mr. and Mrs. Boals commenced life together at 
the homestead which they now occupy', and their 
union was blessed by the birth of three children : 
Carrie, born Sept. 28. 1869; Hattie B., Oct. 29, 
1»73, and Ellen, March 30. 1875. The property of 
our subject includes eightj' acres of fertjle land, 
which he has cultivated to good advantage, and 
each year adds souielhing to the value of his estate. 
Like his father before him, he votes the straight 
Democratic ticket, and has served as Assessor and 
School Director. He takes a genuine interest in 
the progress and welfare of his township, and pos- 
sesses all the qualities of an honest man and a good 
citizen. 




IRAM W. TULLER. a contractor and builder 
of this county, is situated in the village of 
m^^ Jonesville. He is the son of Artimedorus 
(^^ Tuller, who was born in Kgremont, Mass., 
Jan. 26, 1783. and Rachel Champlin, who was a 
native of Auburn, N. Y., where she was born in 
1791. After their marriage they first settled in 
Auburn, where they lived several years, and then 
removed to Erie Countj', Ohio, where they lived 
some seven or eight years. In 1825 they removed 
to Tecumseh, in Lenawee County, this .State, where 
they made their home until 1831, when they carae 
to Jonesville, this county, and eng.aged as •' mine 
hosts" in the hotel known as the " Waverly House;" 
this building, which was destroyed by fire about 
1863, was located on the site of the Grosvenor 
House. In April, 1832, the family moved to 
Jonesville, where the parents died, the death of 
the father occurring Feb. 4, 1859, an<l th.at of 
the mother March 20. 18.52. The father was a 



^ 



4.5-2 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



contractor in building the Government road from 
Detroit to Chic.^go. 

The parental family of our subject included nine 
children, five daughters and four sons. Hiram W. 
was born in Lower Sandusky, Ohio, Sept. 17, 
1824, and was but eight years old when his parents 
removed 'to Jonesville. where he h.as spent his life 
with the exception of seven years. At the age of 
seventeen years he was apprenticed to learn the 
cabinet-maker's trade, at which he served three 
years, receiving as wages $25, $50 and $100, 
respectively. Upon the completion of his term of 
apprenticeship he removed to Penn Yan, N. Y.,and 
attended and taught school for five years in Yates 
County. He then returned to .Jonesville and 
worked at his trade for twelve years, after which 
time he began his work as contractor and builder, 
in which he has since been chiefly engaged. 

In 1862 Mr. TuUer was united in marriage, in 
Jonesville, to Miss Clara E., daughter of Roland 
and Zeruah (More) Nimocks, both of whom were 
born in Massachusetts. After marriage they set- 
tled in Houseville, Lewis Co., N. Y., and subse- 
quently removed to Genesee County in the same 
State, whence in 1843 they came to Michigan, and 
settled in the township of Moscow, Hillsdale County. 
After residing here some years they removed to 
Clinton, Lenawee Co., Mich., where they died at an 
advanced age. Their household included nine chil- 
dren, six sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. 
TuUer was l)orn in Houseville, Lewis Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 1, 1827. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Tullerhas resulted in 
the birth ot five children, four living: Jennie B., 
Ellen N.. Charles A. and Lew W. .lennie is the wife 
of James Monroe, of Detroit, Mich., and Ellen, of 
Hon. Edmund Haug. of Detroit; Charles A. re- 
sides in Minneapolis. They have buried one child, 
named Montie, who died when two 3'ears old. The 
two daughters were teachers in the public schools 
of the village of Jonesville for a number of years, 
where they gave entire satisfaction. Their mother 
was also a teacher for a number of years prior to 
her marriage, in the same village and schools. 

Mr. 'I'uller has been Justice of the Peace and has 
held several of the minor offices, the duties of 
wliich he discliarged with credit to himself and sat- 



•<•- 



isfaction to his constituents. During the years 
18G3 and 1864 he held a Government clerkship at 
Washington, D. C, and he was also Engrossing and 
Enrolling Clerk of Michigan State Senate during the 
sessions of 1865 and 1867. Mr. Tuller was one of 
the Trustees of the Michigan Mutual Benefit Asso- 
ciation, at Hillsdale, in 1865, and its Secretary in 
1 886. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
while in politics he affiliates with the Democratic 
party. 



<>-;»;^- 



^^ 



«SfS<f* 



"ifOSEPH STRATTOX. The valuable farm 
property of this gentleman is finely located 
on section l.in Litchfield Township. It 
comprises 224 acres of land, with good 
buildings, first-class farm machinery, a fair assort- 
ment of live stock, and all the other appurtenances 
of the model country estate. The proprietor has 
been a man who. during his early life, was obliged 
to keep his shoulder to the wheel steadily for years, 
but later began realizing the reward of industry and 
perseverance. He was also blessed with the qualities 
which led him to pursue a thoroughly upright 
couise in his transactions with his fellowmen, and 
in proportion enjoys their confidence and esteem. 
William and Elizabeth (Denning) Stratton, the 
parents of our subject, were natives respectively of 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the latter born in 
Westmoreland County. They were taken by their 
parents to Wayne County, Ohio, in their youth, 
where they developed into mature years, were mar- 
ried and settled there, continuing residents of the 
Buckeye State until the death of the father, who 
spent his last years near Finley, in Hancock County, 
where he died in 1860, when forty-eight years old. 
The mother is still living, and resides in Imiiaua 
with her daughter, Ann McDowell, and is now 
sixty-eight years old. They were the parents of 
ten children, seven sons and three daughters, Jo- 
seph, our subject, being the second child. 

Mr. Stratton was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 
Jan. 3, 1840, and continued with his parents until 
1862. He had been reared to farming pursuits, and 
chose these for his future vocation. In his native 
county he made the acquaintance of Miss Magdalena 



n 



.•4-i- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



453 



^ 



4 



Reilcr, a laflj' wlio nns born in Germany. Nov. 4, 
183y. She came to America witii iier parents, 
JSebaslian ami Seiiariotte Keiter. when a little girl 
eight or nine years of age, the3' s-ellling first in 
Pennsylvania, wlienee tliey removed a short time 
afterward to Hancock Connty, Oliio. Tiiey were 
among the early pioneers of tliat region, and there 
the fatlier died at the age of fifty-fotn- years, after 
opening up a good farm from the wilderness. The 
mother is still living on the old homestead, ar.d is 
now seventy' years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Straiton were acquainted wiiii 
each other some years before their marriage, and 
Mrs. ,S. was nineteen years old when their wedding 
took place. They are the parents of nine children, 
the eldest of whom, a daughter, Minerva, is now the 
wife of J.evi Doty, of Litchfield 'l(.wiiship,and the 
mother of one child, a d.iughter, Myrlie. With 
one exce|ition, Minerva, the children — George W. 
'J lionias ,1., Maiy Ann, Lizzie M., William and 
Olivei- — are at home with their parents. Daniel 
died when an infant. 

At the time of his father's death Mr. Mratton 
purchased eighty acres of the old homestead, where 
he lived until 1^82. then came to Litchfield Town- 
ship, and bought the Brewster Benson farm of 224 
acres. Li his labors his estimable wife has been 
his most valued assistant, and to her he generouslj' 
gives great credit as being the equal partner of his 
toils, and the rightful sharer of his prosperity. 
Although not identified with any religious organi- 
zation, they lean strongly toward the Christian 
Union Church, which they occasionally attend. The 
aim of Mr. Stratton, politically, is to vote for prin- 
ciples and not men, and he is thus quite in- 
dependent. 

^lFA)liC.E W. BKNTLEY, a thrifty farmer 
'ij (=■ and stock-grower of Somerset Township, in 
^^i^ the northeastern part of this county, owns 
and operates eighty acres on section .33. Of this 
he took possession in the spring of 18GM, when it 
was practically in an uncultivated condition, and 
from the greater part of which he cut awa^' the 
timber, dug out the stumps, and after much hard 

■<• 



labor brought the soil to a fine state of cultivation. 
As an agriculturist of most excellent judgment and 
a business man straightforward in his transactions, 
he is looked upon by the people of this localitj' as 
one of their best citizens. 

The earl_v home of our subject was in Orleans 
County, N. Y., where his liirth took place under 
the modest roof of his parents, April 17, 1832. 
The latter, John and Sylvia (Bugby) Bentley. were 
of New England birth and jincestry, the father born 
in 1790 and the mother in 1792. John Bentley 
followed farming all his life, and although possess- 
ing a very limited education enjo^-ed financial suc- 
cess and acquired a good propert3^ He departed 
this life at his home in Orleans, N. Y., June 3, 1871. 
He was for many years a consistent member of the 
Kree-Will Baptist Church, together with his estim- 
able wife, and both were devoted Christian people, 
wIkj set an example before their children and 
neighbors which was worthy of imitation. Ten 
children came to bless their unioiT, namely : Cla- 
rissa, Mrs. Grider, of New York; Oliver, George 
and Benjamin, who are in Michigan; Ann, Mrs. 
Perry, of New York; .Sophia, Mrs. Hewitt; Cather- 
ine married Daniel Strait ; .lohu, Zeruiah anil Lou- 
isa, deceased. 

George W. Bentley enjoyed only limited advant- 
ages for an education, but became thoroughly 
familiar with farm pursuits and was well fitted for 
the business which he chose in life. He remained 
with his father's family until his marriage, taking 
for his wife, Jan. 20, 1850, Miss Jane Parker, who 
was a native of his own State, and died in Hillsdale 
County, in 18G4, aged about thirty-three 3'ears, 
She is remembered as a lady of many amiable and 
lovable qualities, and was a member of the Free- 
will Baptist Church, adorning her profession by 
her Christian life and character. The children born 
of this union were named respectively: Lyman H., 
RLirtha IVL, Clarence A., George W.. Marshall E. 
and Marsilva J. All are living nn<l residents of 
Hillsdale County. 

Mr. Bentley, after his marriage, carried on farm- 
ing in Orleans Township until the second year of 
the late Rebellion. Then, considering ilhisdutj'to 
lay aside his personal interests, he enlisted in the 
I 7lh New York liattery, under command of {'apt. 




454 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



George T. Anthony, and participated in the battle 
of Petersburg, being stationed two months in that 
vicinity and at Deep Bottom, Tenn. He was present 
in many hard-fought battles, being at Richmond, 
Va., where he saw one of the greatest conflicts of 
that memorable period, and at the close of the 
struggle had the inexpressible satisfaction of wit- 
nessing the surrender of the forces under Gen. Lee 
to Gen. Grant at Appomattox. He still has in his 
possession a $10 Confederate note which came into 
his possession about that time. The privations and 
hardships incident to army life and the unwhole- 
some fare had the effect to seriously impair his 
health and induce a disease from which he never 
fully recovered. On account of this he now draws 
a pension from the Government. Owing to his ill- 
health he was compelled to accept his discharge for 
disability before the regular mustering out of the 
troops. 

The wife of our subject had died while he was 
absent in the service of his country, and upon his 
return he located with his children upon forty acres 
of land in Somerset Township. On the 9th of 
Februarj', 1868, he contracted a second marriage, 
with Miss Mary A. Miller, who was born in Canan- 
daigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., July 23, 1847, and is 
the daughter of John and Mary (Dimond) Miller, 
who vvere also natives of the Empire State. Her 
father was born in Ontario County, Oct. 14, 1806, 
learned the cooper's trade in earl}' life, and also 
became familiar with farming pursuits. He came 
to Michigan with his family in 1852, locating on a 
farm in Somerset Township, where he lived and 
labored until the fatal illness which resulted in his 
death, on the 6tli of May, 1877. He was an honest, 
hard-working man, of the strictest integrity, and 
held in the highest respect by all who knew him. 
He took an interest in all matters of public impor- 
tance, and was in politics an uncompromising Dem- 
ocrat. 

The mother of Mrs. Bentley was born in Ontario 
County, N. Y., July 20, 1808, and died there on 
the 2d of April. 1850, before the removal of her 
family to Michigan. She was a most estimable 
Christian lady, and her name is held in affectionate 
remembrance by her ciiildren. Tliese, ten in num- 
ber, were named respectivelj' : George A.. Benja- 



<»• 



min, William and Annie (twins), Zachariah, Eliza J., 
Almira. Johu, Harriet and Mary A. Of these two 
are living, and residents of Hillsdale County. 
John Miller was a second time marrierl. to Miss 
Polina D. Hecup, and they had three children. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have been born four 
children, namely : Frank A., John Z., Clarissa T. 
and Nellie. The eldest is eighteen years of age 
and the youngest eight years. The homestead, 
although not elegant, is comfortable in every re- 
spect and bears fair comparison with those around 
it. Mr. Bentley is a solid Rspablicin, politically, 
and socially, belongs to Mead Post No. 189, G. A. 
R., at North Adams. 

AMES J. KIRBY is one of the respected citi- 
zens, as well ns successful and energetic far- 
mers, of Adams Township. His farm of 120 
iU^/' acres is situated on section 30. His land is 
well improved and yields him bountiful harvests, 
and noticeable among its various productions is the 
choice fruit from an orchard of 100 trees, which he 
set out in 1863. He has erected a conveniently 
arranged house, a fine barn, and other f.arm build- 
ings. 

Mr. Kirby is of English descent, his parents, Will- 
iam and Anna (Sykes) Kirby, having been born in 
Yorkshire, England. They were reared and married 
in their native country, remaining there until after 
the birth of their second child. In 1828, desiring 
to better their condition, they emigrated to the 
United States, having the city of Ogdensburg, N. 
v., as their objective point. Mr. Kirby, who 
had been a cloth dresser in England, abandoned 
that trade when he came to America, and began 
life in his new home as a farmer. After residing 
five years in Ogdensburg. he came to Michigan, and 
was one of the original settlers of Adams Township, 
locating on the present premises of our subject. 
The land was then in its primitive wildness; not a 
tree had been felled, and Mr. Kirby, with the as- 
sistance of two of his neighbors, cut a road through 
the pathless woods to Jonesville. He owned 120 
acres of valuable land at his death, which took 
place June 15, 1888, at the .age of eighty-three 



t 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



455 



years. He was lielrl in high respect and reverence 
by the entire conimniiity as one of the ])ioneersof the 
early (ia\s of Hillsdale Count}-. His wife died in 
1876, having rounded out a period of seventy-two 
years. To them had been born nine children, 
seven of whom grew to maturity. 

The subject of this sketch, the tliird child of the 
faniiU', was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., May 18, 
18;iO, and came to Michigan with his parents when 
five years old. He received his education in the 
pioneer schools of the day. and lemained at home 
until he attained his u)ajority. Then, desiring to 
see more of the country as well as to earn a living, 
he went to F"ulton, Ark., where lie worked out by 
the day. Preferring life at the North, our sub- 
ject turned his steps homeward, and on reaching 
LaSalle County. ]ll., he stojiped for awhile there, 
having secured work by the month. Hclurning to 
Michigan he resumed work on his father's farm, 
and soon after bought a portion of it. In 1859 he 
took a most important step onward in his efforts to 
permanently establish himself in life, being at that 
time united in marriage to AHss Kachel, daughter 
of Benjamin and Rachel Vanaken, who moved from 
Monroe County, N. Y., to Wayne County, Mich. 
They subsequent!}' moved to Fairfield Township, 
Lenawee County, where they remained until 1849, 
when they removed to Hillsdale, where they both 
died in 1852, he being sixty-seven years of age, 
and she fifty-seven years old. They were the par- 
ents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Kirby, the 
youngest of the five now living, was born Aug. 27, 
1835, in Fairfield Township, Lenawee County. She 
first attended the public schools in Lenawee County, 
and later the High School at Lansing, Mich. After 
graduation she taught two terms, resigning her 
position as teacher to become the wife of our sub- 
ject. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby have no children of their 
own. but have adopted a daughter and a son, Clara 
and Willis T., to whom they have given a full 
measure of parental love and devotion, training 
and educating them as if they were indeed their 
own offspring. Clara, a graduate of the Hillsdale 
High School, is at home; Willis is a student in the 
Adrian High School. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are most estimable people, 
and command the warm respect and regard of a 



large circle of friends. IMrs. Kirby is a valued 
memlierof the Methodist Church at Hillsdale. Mr. 
Kirby has been a school officer for many years, and 
has heartily co-operated with his associates in pro- 
curing the present excellentschool si'steni of Adams 
Township. He is identified with the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and in politics has allied himself with the 
Prohibition party. He is a man of high moral 
character, and earnestly wields his influence in sup- 
port of tlie reforms of the day, or of any measure 
that will in any way benefit his fellowmen. 




i' 



-. ^t=-4s. -. 

IRAM M. POWERS. The snug homestead 
of this gentleman is located on section 16, 
in Woodbridge Township, and comprises 
sixty acres of land in a high state of culti- 
vation, improved with first-cl.ass buildings. In ad- 
dition to his farming interests he also carries on 
carpentering, being a natural mechanic, a black- 
smith by trade, and more than'ordinarily skillful in 
handling tools. 

A native of Wayne County, Ohio, our subject 
was born June 30, 1827, and is the son of Hiram 
and Maria (Moulton) Powers, natives of Vermont, 
the father born in October, 1794. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and died in Mercer Count}', 
Mo., June 10, 1870. When a youth of eighteen 
years he traveled on foot from Vermont to Cu3'a- 
hoga County. Ohio, where he worked a number of 
years by the day and month. and was very expert 
with all kinds of tools, working as a shoemaker, 
carpenter and millwright, and being able to turn his 
hand to nearly anything that came in his way. At 
the same time he was an extensive reader and stu- 
dent and through his own efforts became a fine 
scholar, there being few in his day who possessed 
as large a fund of general information. While a 
resident of Wayne County. Ohio, he also engaged 
for a time in merchandising, but in this was not 
wholly successful, having lost some money. Al- 
though not a men)ber of any church he was strictly 
moral and upright, making it the rule of his life to 
do unto others as he would have them do unto 
him. 

The parents of our subject were married in Wayne 



•► 11 ^^ 



i 



456 



HILLSDALK CUUiNlV. 






County, Ohio, in 1824. The mother was horn 
May 8, 1803, in Vermont, an'i the household circle 
numbered thirteen children, two of whom died in 
infancy. The eleven are all living:, and are named 
respectively: Louisa, now Mrs. Flickinger; Polly, 
also a Mrs. Flickinger; Hiram M., of our siietch; 
John Q. ; Clarissa C, Mrs. Hiram Scott; Fhineas P., 
who married Celia Scoby ; Ann C, Mrs. Gilbert U. 
Smith; Elizabeth, Mrs. Kirkendall: Harriet, Mrs. 
H. Ranch; Thomas P., who married Milly Britton ; 
Dolly, who first married John Wagner, who died in 
Iowa, and is now married to John Ernest. 

Mr. Powers continued under the parental roof 
until his marriage with Miss Minerva M. Magoon, 
Aug. 28, 1850. The young people then took up 
their residence in Ohio. They removed to their 
present home in 1864, and became the parents of 
three children, all deceased. Their eldest. Alma C. 
married J. F. Snyder, and died leaving one child, 
a son Frank, who was adopted by his grandfather 
Powers; Fannie M. was born Feb. 23. 1856, and 
died Dec. 21, 1873, aged seventeen years and ten 
months; she was a very bright and lovable girl, a 
great favorite among her associates, fond of her 
books when at school, and had chosen the profession 
of a teacher, in which she had occupied herself one 
term. Four schools of the township closed to at- 
tend her funeral, and in their loss the stricki.'n par- 
ents received the sympath3' of the entire commu- 
nity. Their youngest child, George E., was born 
Jan. 6, 1861, and died Sept. 12. 1865. 

Mrs. Powers was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 
Dec. 6, 1H25, and is the daughter of Benjamin and 
Fannie (Cooley) Magoon, natives respectively of 
New Hampshire and Vermont. Her father was 
born Feb. 18, 1794, carried on farming all his life, 
and died in Ohio, Oct. 1, 1859. The mother was 
born in 1803, and is still living, making her home 
now in Cambria, this county. The parental family 
included six children, namely : Sarah A. married 
William R. Williams; Oscar, who married Sarah 
Sweet, deceased; Minerva M., Mrs. Powers; Susan, 
Mrs. G. Williams; Abbie, unmarried and living 
in Cambria with her mother, and John, who died 
when thirteen months old. 

Our subject is the direct descendant of Abram 
Powers, one of the old Puritans. The Powers 



family was originally from France, and is of En- 
glish descent. His people were near relatives of 
Gen. Spafford, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Pow- 
ers is a Republican, politically, and has held the 
various local offices in his township. Three of his 
brothers served in the Union army during the 
late war. John had charge of the Government 
shops first at Gallipolis, Ohio, and then at Nashville, 
Tenn.; Phineas had charge of the Government 
stables at Gallipolis, and Thomas P. was a Cor- 
poral, and received an honorable wound at the 
battle of Shiloh. 






JrOEL B. NORRIS, of Cambria Township, h.is 
for the last fifteen years occu|)ied the tract 
j of land which his father purchased in 1854, 
^_^j/ and which embraces forty acres now in a 
high state of cultivation. It occupies a part of the 
southeast quarter of section 15, and is embellished 
with neat and substantial buildings, finely adapted 
to the various requirements of the progressive agri- 
culturist. In addition to this Mr. Norris owns a 
quarter-section in Woodbridge Township, which has 
also been brought to a productive condition. He has 
been a resident of Cambria Township now for a 
period of over thirty j'ears, and is interested in all 
which interests its people. 

The township of Canandaigua, Ontario Co.. N. 
Y., was the early tramping ground of our subject, 
and there his birth took place April 2, 182). His 
father, John Norris, a native of Massachusetts, and 
of New England ancestrj', was Captain of a com- 
pany and Colonel of a regiment, these honors hav- 
ing been conferred upon him after his removal 
from New England to the Empire State. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Samuel Norris. was a tailor by 
trade, and during the Revolutionary War did good 
service as a soldier in the Continental Army. After 
the independence of the Colonists had been estab- 
lished, he took up his residence in Ontario County, 
N. Y., where he died in 1825, at the age of sixty- 
seven 3'ears. As the head of a large familj' and a 
substantial farmer in comfortable eircurastances, he 



n 



;* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



457 



was a representative citizen of his adopted county. 
His son. .lolin C. w.ts the fiftli child in tiie famiij-, 
.Tnd was liut a boj- when the removal was made 
from New Hampshire to the Empire State. Upon 
the (jiitiireak of the trouiiles of IHl'i. lie liaving' 
inherited tlie patriotic sentiments of his honored 
father, shouldered his musket only to lay it down 
when the conflict was finally ended. He then re- 
turned to his trade of carpenter, which he followed 
a few years with more than ordinary success, being 
a natuial mechanic and unusually handy with tools. 

In 18.'57 John C. Jsorris made his way to South- 
ern Michigan, and took up llie whole of section 2. 
then Government land, in Woodhndge Township. 
It was mostly covered with timber, and after a 
portion of this had been cleared away, the soil 
proved unusually fertile and yielded to his indus- 
trious hands a generous reward. In due time he 
turned this projierty over to his sons, by whom the 
improvements had been made, and went back to 
Ontario County, N'. Y., wlieie he lived practicallj' 
retired from active labor until 1.S54. Then return- 
ing to Michigan he purchased 120 acres on sections 
14 and 15 in Cambria Township, where he spent 
the remainder of his days, passing peacefully away 
on the 1st of March. 1872. after he h.ad rounded up 
the ripe old age of eighty -four years. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject had mar- 
ried his third wife before coming to Michigan. This 
last lad^' was in her girlhood MissLydia Densmore, 
and she was a native of New i ork. Her death 
took ])lace in the latter part of 1870. before the de- 
cease of her husband. They were the i)arents of 
one child only, a daughter Cordelia, who is now the 
widow of W. C. Barrett, and a resident of Cambria 
Township. The first wife of John Norris was Miss 
Polly Bishop, who was born in Connecticut, and 
who died in Ontario County. N. Y., leaving one 
child, Jared B., who died in 1865. in Michigan. 
The second wife was Miss Betsy Gage, of New 
Hiimpshire, who left her native hills with her par- 
ents when a young child, and who died in Ontario 
County, N. Y., in 1829, when about forty-one years 
old. Of her union with John C. Norris there were 
born five children, three of whom are deceased. 
Those living are: Joel B., the subject of this biog- 
raphy, and Jason B., who married Miss Elizabeth 



Kinney, of Michigan. The father was numbered 
among the successful farmers of Cambria Town- 
ship, and de|)arted this life March 4, 1866. 

The deceased children of John C. Norris are re- 
corded as follows: Jackson B. was married, and 
died without children, at his home in Cambria, in 
March, 1 860 : James B. was married, and made his 
home in Oceana Count}', where his death took place 
in 1877; he was the father of one child. 

Joel B. Norris after the death of his mother re- 
mained with his father in Ontario Count}'. N. Y., 
until his marriage, Dec. 16, 1846, to Miss Margaret 
M. Brown. This lad}' was born in Middlesex, 
Yates Co., N. Y., March o, 1825, and was the 
daughter of Luther and Lorah R. (Pangburn) 
Brown, who were natives respectively of Massachu- 
setts and New York, and were married near Utica, 
the latter State, in 1817. Mr. Brown was a brick- 
maker by trade, which occupation he followed his 
entire life. He died where he had lived, in Ontario 
Count}', Dec. 17, 1855, when about seventy years 
of age. Mrs. Brown after the cjealli of her husband 
joined her daughter, Mrs. Norris, in this county, at 
whose home her death took |)lace Nov. 23, 1863, 
when she was ripe in years. 

Mrs. Nt>rris was reared and educated in her na- 
tive township, and trained by a wise and judicious 
mother in a manner which fitted her to be the life 
companion of a worthy man. Her union with our 
subject resulted in the birth of two children. The 
elder, H. Ellen, is the wife of Edwin Doty, a well- 
to-do farmer of Caml)ria Township, and the mother 
of two children — \Villard L. and Walter R. The 
son, Charles S.. took to wife Miss Mary Weudt, of 
Huron County, Ohio; they are living on a farm in 
Woodbridge Township, and are the parents of one 
child, a son Leon. 

Mr. Norris is a pronounced Democrat, and has 
represented his township in the County Board of 
Supervisors, besides holding other positions of trust 
and responsibility. For some years he has been 
one of the Superintendents of tlie Poor, and he is 
President of the Hillsdale County Agricultural So- 
ciety, besides hohling an office in the County 
Grange. He is liberal and public-spirited, and 
with his estimable wife, a regular attendant of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, at Cambria. He is 



f 



a 



458 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



also Agent and Collector for the Hillsdale County 
Fire Insurance Coijipany. Tliese matters, together 
with his farming interests, leave little time for idle- 
ness, and his whole career has been that of an active 
and busy man who is never happier than when 
hands and mind are employed. 



••iepj2-'©^@" 



jj^4^4— ^^@^OT<™.. 



(^NDREWJ. TUTTLE. Among the self- 
^Ml made men of Hillsdale County who came 

llfiS within its limits while it was struggling for 
i@^ recognition as a coramuiiity, and assisted 

materially in its settlement by an intelligent and 
enterprising class of people, the subject of this 
sketch occupies no unimportant place. Deprived 
of educational advantages during his childhood and 
youth, he has yet, through tiie exercise of the powers 
which nature kindly bestowed upon him, suc- 
ceeded in obtaining a useful fund of general infor- 
mation, by reason of which he is ranked among the 
most intelligent men of his township. 

Our subject is the offspring of an excellent fam- 
ily, his father being Benjamin Tuttle, a native of 
I>ong Island, and who came to the West in 1845, 
settling in the domain of Wright, in the southeast- 
ern corner of this county, before it had scarcely at- 
tained to the dignity of a township. To this section 
of country he had migrated from the vicinity of 
Canandaigua, N. Y., where Andrew ,) . our subject, 
was born on the 13th of April, 1833. 

Benjamin Tuttle vvas left an orphan at an early 
age and thus thrown upon his own resources. He 
lived on Long Island until reaching manhood, then 
changed his residence to Ontario County, N. Y., 
where he served an apprenticeship as a hatter, which 
trade he followed in the Empire State until 1844. 
Then, not satisfied wiih his condition or his pros- 
pects, he resolved to seek the West, where land was 
cheap and where there would be a possibility of 
building up a good home for his family. 

The father of our subject set out on his journey 
to the young .State of Michigan, accompanied by his 
wife and nine children and their household goods. 
They traveled via the Erie Canal and the lake to 
Toledo, and thence proceeded by rail to the then 



unimportant town of Adrian, where they hired a 
team by which the family vvas trans|)orted to the 
tract of land in Wright Township, this county, 
which the father had purchased without seeing. 
Upon this there were no buildings, but the father 
rented a double log house near Lime Lake, three 
miles distant, and in this the family lived one year. 
The father much of the time spent his nights at the 
farm until he could erect a log house, and he cleared 
a small tract of land, and was then so much in need 
of hard cash that he repaired to Adrian and worked 
at his trade for the purpose of earning it. 

In 184G, Benjamin Tuttle finding that he was not 
making sufficient headsvay in clearing his land, 
employed men to clear ten acres, upon which he 
sowed a crop of fall wheat. He continued vvorking 
at his trade three or four years, while the boys and 
their mother managed the farm. Atthe expiration 
of this time he was enabled to give his entire atten- 
tion to his homestead, and was thus occupied until 
the fatal illness which terminated in his death, 
April 9, 1871. By this time the greater part of the 
land was yielding the richest crops of .Southern 
Michigan, and the homestead with its buildings 
bore fair comparison with that of its neighbors. 
Benjamin Tuttle before coming to the West was 
married, in Ontario County, N. Y., to Miss Arminda 
Freer, who was a native of that county, and who 
died on the old homestead in Wright Township 
seven years after the decease of her husband, aged 
sixty-two. Of their children, twelve in number, 
eight are now living. Andrew J. was a lad nine 
years of age when his parents came to Michigan, and 
has a vivid recollection of many of the incidents 
connected with pioneer life. The beautiful farm 
which he now occupies vvas then the roving ground 
of deer, wild turkeys and other game, and the howl 
of the wolf often struck terror into his childish 
heart. In common with the sons of pioneer far- 
mers, he vvas early made acquainted with the vari- 
ous employments of frontier life, and continued 
under the parental roof until reaching his majority. 
Then starting out for himself he worked at $15 per 
month, and saving his earnings, was four years later 
in a condition to purchase a tract of timber land, 
which is now included in his present farm. Even 
after this he continued working by the month for a 



•► B ,^ : 



i 



-U 



■^» ^ ll <• 



HILLSDALK COUiNTV. 



451) 



time, but devoted a p;iit of each \-''ar to clcai-iiig 
llis own land. 

Sir. Tuttle tlnis niananed for llic space of four 
j-esirs. and tlien bejian operating' a sawmill on shares. 
This venture proved fairly successful, and three 
years later he was enabled to settle on his own [jrop- 
erty and to it devote iiis whole time and attention. 
As the countr}' became settled up, better prices 
were obtained for produce of all kind.s, and the 
prospects of all the settlers brightened, while the 
log cabins were slowly but surely giving place to 
modern buildings. Our subject was in nowise be- 
hind his neighbors in making improvements, and 
his beautiful farm is now the object of admiration 
by all who pass it. Among the other important 
events of his life was his marriage, which occurred 
on the 16th of August, l.S,59. vvith one of the most 
estimable young ladies of Wright Township, Miss 
Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and Caroline (Daniels) 
Br3'ant. Mrs. Tuttle was bt)rn in Wright Town- 
ship, Ma3' 23, 1839, and a more extended notice of 
her parents will be found in the sketch of Ira N. 
Bryant, published elsewhere in this work. Her 
childhood and youth were spent under the home 
roof, .and of her union with our subject there is one 
child, a son Byron. He w.is born Aug. 27. 1860, 
and married Miss Emma Camp, of Wright Town- 
ship. They have three children — Mary, Henry and 
Lely — and live on a farm in Wright Township, it 
being the old honieste.ad of his grandfather. In 
politics Mr. Tuttle is a Democrat. 

EDWARD C. BRKWSTER. former Supervisor 
of Wright Township, and one of its most ca- 
■ pable business men and popular citizens, is the 

central figure of a very interesting history, the 
main |)oints of which we submit as follows : A native 
of Steuben County, N. Y., he was born near the 
town of Ilanimondsport, Jan. ho, 1834, and is the 
son of William Brewster, a native of Middletown, 
Conn. 1 1 is fii-st ancestor in America was Elder 
William Brewster, who came over in the " May- 
flower" in 1620, and was one of the leiiding spirits 
in Plymouth Colony. 

William Brewster became prominent in the his- 



i' 



tory of that period. The line of descent of the 
Brewster family is as follows: Levi Brewster was 
the next pnigeuitor of this branch of the family, 
and there fcjllowed him in succession. William, Sr. ; 
William,, Jr. ; Elisha, Sr. ; and Capt. Elislia Brewster. 
Jr., the latter of whom was the paternal gr.and- 
father of the subject of this sketch. Capt. Brewster 
w,as the owner and commander of a vessel which was 
lost at sea with all on board. His son William, the 
father of onr subject, was very young at the time of 
this melancholy occurrence, and when nine years of 
age was bound out to learn the trade of carpenter 
and joiner. Pos.sessing much natural genius, he 
became a skilled workman, and after reaching his 
m.ajority repaired to the city of Charleston, 8. C. 
where he worked one year. Upon his return home 
he set out for Eaton. Madison Co., N. Y., where he 
was married, and continued at his trade until the 
outbreak of the War of 1812. He then joined a 
local artiller}' company, which tendered its serv- 
ices to the (iovernnient, and went to Sackett's 
Harbor, where Mr. Brewster served until the con- 
flict was endeil a few months later. Then return- 
ing to Madison County he worked at his trade a 
few years, and in the meantime met with a serious 
loss by a fire, which destroyed property which it 
had taken him years to accumulate. He. however, 
partially recovered his loss, and next took up his 
residence at the new village of Waterloo, which 
h.ad just s|)rung up in Seneca County. The surround- 
ing country was thinly settled, and the family, with 
others, suffered much from ill-health. Mr. Brewster 
pursued his trade there until 1 824, then removed to 
Geneva, and during the several years of his resi- 
dence there put up many private and public l)uild- 
ings, which long remained .as an evidence of his 
taste and skill. 

In 1828 the father of our subject took up his 
residence at Ilammondsport, at the head of Crooked 
Lake, the birthplace of Edward C, and whence he 
removed in 183.') to Buffalo. Here he engaged with 
a firm as foreman, but during the financial crisis of 
1836. which resulted in a general prostration of 
business, the firm suspended, and Mr. Brewster 
found himself without employment. The 3'ear 
following he determined to try his fortunes in the 
new State of Michigan, and made his way to Lena- 



'i 



u 



460 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



wee Coiintj'. settlin.2; fiist in Medina Township. 
He had previously purchased eighty acres of tim- 
ber land in what is now AVright Township, and 
which constitutes the present lioinestead of our sub- 
ject. 

The eliler Brewster now tet himself to the estab- 
lishment of a home in the wilderness, choppinfj' 
away the tiees and preparing llie soil for cultiva- 
tion. In 1841 he erected the first frame house in 
the township, within which he [ilaced his family, 
and which roof, with various alterations and im- 
provements, continued the home of the parents 
until their death. William Urewstcr departed this 
life on the 31st of IMarcli, 18G8. mourned b}' the 
entire community as a good and honest man who 
had performed his part nobly in life. He had mar- 
ried, in earl}' manhood. Miss Anna Palmer, liie wed- 
ding taking place on the 8th of November, 1812. 
Tlie mother of our subject was skilled, not only in 
all housewifely duties, but in spinning and weaving, 
and for years manufactured the greater portion of 
the cloth from which the garments of the family 
were made. 8he survived her husband over 
seven j'ears. her death taking place at the old home- 
stead, on the 22(1 of May, 1 875, when she was in 
the eighty-fifth year of her age. 

The parental household of our subject included 
eleven children, namely: Mary A., Oliver C, Har- 
riet, Margaret. William W., Frederick H., Eliza .J., 
Frances H., George IL, Laura and Edward C; 
three of these died in infancy. Only four survived 
their parents, namely: Mrs. Mary A. Judd, of 
South Hadley, Mass.; William W., who is now 
deceased; George, a resident of Hudson, Lena- 
wee County, and Edward C, of our sketch. Fred- 
erick H. died at Canton, China, where he had been 
sent in the interests of the American Board of 
Foreign Missions. 

The subject of this biography was three years of 
age when he came to Michigan with his parents, 
and although more tliaii fifty years have elapsed 
since his father's family settled among the timber 
in Wright Township, he distinctly remembers the 
time when deer, wolves and wild turkeys were 
plentiful. His first lessons were conducted in the 
pioneer school, carried on in a log shanty with a 
shake roof. It stood at the four corners, near the 

4> 



present site of Prattville. The chimney was built 
outside with dirt and sticks, and a fireplace ex- 
tended nearly across one end of the structure. The 
seats and benches were made by splitting a log. into 
which wooden pins were driven, and boards served 
the pupils for a writing-desk. These school privi- 
leges ended early, for as soon as the boy was large 
enough to be of service he began to assist in clear- 
ing the land, and in the various other employments 
of farm life. He continued with his parents until 
they no more needed his filial offices, and it is 
hardly necessary to say that the old homestead 
with its associations is of far more than money 
value to him. 

Mr. Brewster, in 1872, visited his birthplace in 
New York Slate, spending a few months in a most 
l)Ieasant manner. In 1884 he removed to Hudson 
Township, where he lived thiee years, and then 
returned to the (arm. This embraces 159 acres of 
land under a good state of cultivation, with sub- 
stantial frame buildings. Mr. Brewster was first 
married, on the 10th of March, 1858, to Miss Sarah 
Coman, who was born in Wright Township, March 
10, 1837. and became his bride on her twenty-first 
birthday. Her parents were Curtis and Diana L. 
Coman, natives of New York, and early pioneers of 
Hillsdale County. The former is deceased, and the 
latter still lives on the old homestead. Mrs. Sarah 
Brewster departed this life at the homestead in 
Wright Township, on the 20th of July, 1871. Of 
this marriage there is only one child living, Helen 
E., who is now the wife of Addis Johnson, a well- 
to-do farmer of Medina Township, Lenawee County. 
Anan J., born Jan. 2. 1859, died July 2, 1871; 
George C, born Ai)ril 3, 1863, died June 9, 1871 ; 
and William F., born March 10, 1869, died Sept. 
30, 1870. 

On the 19th of February, 1874, Mr. Brewster 
contracted a second marri.age, with Mrs. Marietta 
(Smith) Briggs, who was born in Romulus, Seneca 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1847. She was first married 
in December, 1866, to James Briggs, a native of 
Fairfield, this State, who spent his entire life there. 
Her parents were Coe B. and Fanny (ILagainan) 
Smith, of whom mention is maiie in the sketch of J. 
R. Emens, elsewhere in this volume. Of her first 
marriage there was one child, a daughter, now 

■► 



u 



HILLSDALB COUNTY. 



461 



deceaserl. Of her union with our subject there 
liitve 1)6611 born; ])wigiit K., March IG, 1870; Maiy 
D., Feb. 3. 1881, an<l Archie VV., .Inly 4. 1 88;5. 

Mr. Brewster east his first Presideiiti.-i! vote for 
John C. Fremont, in 18.0(), atthe time of the organi- 
zation of the Republican party, whose principles he 
has ni)lu;l(l now for over thirty years. lie has been 
quite prominent in township affairs, filling various 
otlices of trust, and was Supervisor five terms. 
Three terms lie officiated as Clerk, the same length 
of time ,'is Treasurer, and two terms as School 
Inspector. He and his excellent wife are members 
in good standing of the Congregational Church, at 
Prattville. 



E 



t 



iBENEZER B. FOOTE, one of the honored 
old pioneers of Litchfield Township, has now 
/lirr^ spanned his fourscore and three years, and 
by a life of industry and sobriety has surrounded 
himself with modern comforts in a good home and 
is enjoying the ownership of a fine farm which is 
the source of a handsome income aunuilly. He is 
one of those men who has never been afraid to put 
his shoulder to the wheel, whether the result was to 
be for his own benefit or that of his community. 
By the latter he is regarded with more than ordi- 
nary respect and confidence, and with his estimable 
wife has a home which is frequented by hosts of 
friends who delight to do them honor. 

Mr. Foote was born in the early part of tin; pres- 
ent century, Feb. 1, 1805, in RIendon Township, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., and amid the scenes of his first 
recollections are the district schools where he began 
and completed his book education. When a youth 
of si.Nteen years he began serving an apprenlice- 
.ship at carding and cloth-dressing, and when thirty- 
one years of age was married to Miss Mary Skidmore, 
with whom he has traveled the journey of life for 
a period of fifty-two years. 

The parents of our subject, Charles and Sarah 
(Day) Foote, were natives of Mass.achnsetts, and 
the former in early manhood carried a musket in 
the War of 1812. They made their home first near 
Ctilchester, Mass.. where the father carried on farm- 
ing. The mother died in Monroe County, N. Y., 
in 1812, at the .age of forty-five years. Charles 



Foote survived his wife many years, and until 1826, 
and vvas gathered to his fathers at the ripe old age 
of eighty-six. Ills last da^'s were spent in Mendon 
Township, Monroe Co., N. Y. 

Elienezer Foote was the youngest of his parents' 
twelve children, and is the only survivor. His 
brother Charles died in Michigan at the age of 
one hundred and two years and seven months. Mrs. 
Mary (Skidmore) Foote, the wife of our subject, 
was born in Fairfield County, Conn., May 29, 1813, 
and is the daughter of Nehemiah and Anna (Ferris) 
Skidmore, who were also natives of Connecticut, 
the father born in Fairfield County and the mother 
in Newton. They settled in the latter place after 
their marri.age, but left New England in 183.3, tak- 
ing up their abode in Monroe County', N. Y., 
where the father followed his tr.ade of carpenter 
and joiner ten years. They then came to this State, 
settling in Litchfield Township in the fall of 1845, 
where the father died three years later, in 1848, at 
the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother in 
1853, at the same age. Mr. anil Mrs. Skidmore 
were the parents of three children, two sons and 
one daughter. The youngest died when twenty- 
four years old; the otiier now lives in Illinois. 

Mrs. Foote was twenty years of age when she re- 
moved with her parents to Monroe County, N. Y. 
Of her marriage with our subject there have been 
born three cbihlren, the eldest of whom, Maria A., 
is the wife of Charles C. Warren, general agent for 
the West of the United States Electric Light Com- 
pany, and now a resident of Chicago; they have 
one child, a son. tialbert B. Charles B. marrie^( 
Miss Nellie Brewer, and is engaged in mining in 
Washington Territory; Emma M. is the wife of Rich- 
ard Morrison, who is engaged in the manufacture 
of electric light machines, and expects to locate in 
Newark. N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Foote lived in Gen- 
esee Count}'. N. Y., eight j'ears after their mar- 
riage, .and in 1844 came to this State, locating in 
Litchfield Township on the 21st of April. This 
property Mr. Foote had secured before coming to 
this section, it having lieen purchased for his brother. 
The estate novv embraces 223 acres of land in a 
highly productive condition. The buildings are 
among the best in the township. 

Mr. Foote was an old-line Whig until the or- 

— •► 



462 



HILL.SUALE COUNTY. 




gaiiizntion (if tlie RcpiiMic nn pnitj', since which 
time he has iinifoinijy i-iipi'Oilefl liie jiriiiciples of 
the latter. He has sciverl as Justice of the Peace, 
and lield tlie school offices of his townsiiip. Mrs. 
Foote is a veiy excellent lady, liright and intelli- 
gent, and allhoiioh seventy-five years of aoe, is re- 
markably energetic, pursuing tlie same old habits 
of iiidnstry which made her the true and useful 
helpmate of her husband during the struggles of 
their earlier years together. 81ie is of amiable dis- 
position, genial and comjianionable, and enjoys 
a good joke as much as a maiden of sixteen. The 
cliildren of this family aie filling their positions 
as useful and lumoied membei-s of society, and 
reflect great credit upon their training. To the 
old pioneers of Hillsdale County too much credit 
cannot be given for the courage and persistence 
with which they laboied, building up homes from 
the wilderness, and providing for the future wel- 
fare of their children and the community at large. 
Their names and their deeds will be held in grate- 
ful remembrance long after they have been gath- 
ered to their fathers, and among these none oc- 
cupy a more honored or prominent place in their 
immediate circle than E^benezer and Mary (Skid- 
more) Foote. 

_», .o*o-(g^,A^..o<K>.. -V— 



•^ BRAHAM FRJSBIE. The neat little f.arra 
(Rs£J]i of this highly respected resident of Litch- 
field Township is pleasantly located on sec- 
(^f tion 2'J, and comprises eighty acres of land 

v\hich, through a course of careful cultivation, has 
been brought to a fine condition and is the source of 
a comfortable income. The buildings, although 
not elegant, are neat and convenient, and fulfil the 
requirements of ordinary countiy life, from which 
may be extracted much enjoyment, and the simple 
pleasures of which are so conducive to health, both 
of body and mind. 

]\Ir. Frisbie is a very intelligent man, a gentle- 
man of sterling qualities, whose manliness is ap- 
parent at once to all who know him. He is the 
offspring of a good family, his parents beiuffStephen 
and Sally (Wiley) Frisbie, who were natives of Ver- 
mont, and on the father's side, of English ancestry. 

<■ 



They left the Green Mountain State eaily in life, 
becoming ^^ith thcii' paients residents of Kew York 
State, and upon reaching mature jears were married 
at Richmond. Ontario County, where they con- 
tinued until making their way to the young State 
of Michigan, in 1837. Stephen Frisbie followed 
farming all his life, and upon coming West settled 
in Litchfield Township, this county, where he lived 
and labored until 1 806. then jjassed awa3- at the 
age of sixty-three years. The mother had died 
twenty years before, her death taking jilace in 
1845. when she was forty-three years old. Their 
family consisted of four sons, two of whom died 
in early life. Stejihen, .Ir.. was also a resident of 
JNHchigan, and died in Oakland County, Sept. 13, 
1887. at the age of fifty-nine years. 

Abraham Frisbie was born in Richmond, Ontario 
Co., N. 1.. Sept. 5, 1820, and was a lad of ten 
years when he migrated to Southern Michigan with 
his parents, llie journey of those days was per- 
foimed in a manner dcddedly different from that 
of the jiresent. Our travelers then made their way 
to Buffalo via the Erie Canal, and thence by a lake 
vessel to Toledo, where the father purchased a team 
of oxen, and by this slow means of locomotion 
landed in Litchfield Townshij). June 4. 1837. Our 
subject remembeis man}' of the incidents of that 
journey, and the after trials and hardships of pio- 
neer life. 

Young Frisbie after eight years of life in Michi- 
gan returned to his native State and remained four 
years, in the meantime being married, Nov. 29, 
1848, to Miss Marietta Richardson, who was born 
in Ontario County. N. Y., April 30. 1830. This lady 
was the daughter of William and Eunice (Winch) 
Richardson, and shortly after her marriage became 
insiine and was removed to the asylum at Kala- 
mazoo. After twenty jears of fruitless treatment 
she was declared incurable, and Mr. Frisbie, who 
had omitted no duty in connection with the care 
and comfort of his unfortunate wife, and who had 
borne with great patience and fortitude this deep 
affliction, was persuaded to obtain a legal separa- 
tion. 

Our subject is an own cousin of John L. Frisbie, 
United States Consul to France, and of whom a 
sketch will be found elsewhere in this work. Until 



■► y ^> 



.t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



463 



the spring of 1888 his home was presided over by 
various parties who rented liis farm. On tiie 22d of 
March, tliis year, he contracted a second marriage, 
with Miss MjM'a Ingraham, who was born in 
Litchrielil Township, .lul^' :i. 1845, and is the 
daughter of C^rus and Abigail Ingraham, who are 
natives of New Yorii and are now residents of this 
State. 

Mr. Frisbie, in the fall of 1849, purchased his 
present farm, wiiicli comprises eighty acres of 
good land, fifty of which is cleared and which 
makes an admirable home. He gives most of 
his attention to his farming interests, having little 
to do with political matters, but uniformly votes 
the Repnl)lican ticket, having identified himself 
with this party since its organization, and voted for 
John C. Fremont in 1856. During the progress of 
the late war he enlisted as a Union soldier, in a 
company of shar|)sliooters, comprising the "iTth 
Michigan Volunteers, and served until the year fol- 
lowing, a perio<l of eighteen months. He met the 
enemy at Petersburg, and along the Welden Rail- 
road, and at the close of the war received his hon- 
orable discharge at Detroit. He is a member in 
good standing of the G. A. R., at Litchfield, and 
also of the Free- Will Baptist Church. 



— •-•— ^.»\/\*- 



ENRY C. LANGDON, a leading business 
jj mm of Adams Township, and President of 
the North Ad.ams Bank, has been closely 
identified with the interests of the people of 
this section for the i)a8t twelve years. His integrity 
and excellent business cai)acities have placed him 
in an enviable position, and in addition to being 
the owner of a fine pro|)erty, he also enjoys in a 
marked degree the confidence and esteem of the 
people around him. 

Our subject is a native of this State, and was 
born near the city of Adrian, Feb. 17, 185;». His 
native town w.as then but an unpretentious village, 
although it had already given indications of its 
future importance. Jabez and Harriet (Kunpp) 
Langdon, the parents of our subject, were natives 
of New York, and are now hoth deceased. Henry 
C. jinrsued his first lessons in the public schools of 



his native town, then entered the High School at 
Hillsdale, and w.is finally graduated from the com- 
mercial college. The next important step was his 
marriage, on the 7th of February, 1879, to Miss 
Elma, daughter of Caleb and Sarah Jane (Siver) 
Houghtaling, who were natives respectively of 
Albany and Onondaga Counties, N. Y. Mr. 
Houghtaling, during the late war, enlisted in the 
40th New York Infantry, and was first wounded in 
the battle at Spottsylvauia. Later, at the battle of 
uhe Wilderness, he was capturerl by the rebels, and 
died three days afterward, leaving a widow and two 
children. These latter, at the time of the enlist- 
ment of Mr. H., had taken up their rejiilence with 
Mr. and Mrs. Seth Hall, of Cicero, N. Y., Mrs. Hull 
being a cousin of Mr. Houghtaling. After the 
death of the father, the mother and children con- 
tinued with Mrs. Hall, and the mother died there in 
1873. Adella, the elder sister of Mrs. Langdon, is 
the wife of Adelhert Line, a merchant of Ithaca, 
Gratiot County. 

Mrs. Langdon was born Feb. 3, 1858, in Madi- 
son County, N. Y, and, like her husband, is well 
educated, having completed her studies at Weeds- 
port, N. Y., after going through the High School at 
North Adams. Of her union with our subject 
there have been born two children — Reuben Hall 
and Nellie Adella. Mr. Langdon, politically, sup- 
l)orts the Republican party, and is a member of the 
Village Board of North Adams. Soon after his 
marriage he purchased a half interest in the hard- 
ware store of C. S. Yauger, the business of which 
for five years has been conducted under the firm 
name of Langdon it Yauger. He then purch.ased 
the interest of his partner, becoming sole owner. 
The family residence is pleasantly located in the 
northern part of the town, and woulii be at once sin- 
gled out ns the abode of taste and refinement, and 
where is <lispensed abundant hospitalitv to a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 



^ felLLIAM HICKS, the proprietor of a snug 

AaJ// f'lnn on section 32. in Allen Township, is 

W^ taking good care of his sixty acres of fertile 

land, upon which ho his erected good buildings, 

and where he is c.anying on .agriculture after the 



n 



<»^^f^Mi- 



464 



HILLSDALE CUIUNI V, 



most approved mcUiofls. He is of staiic-li English 
ancestry, by biitli also an Englishman, having begun 
life at East Koifolk, the Queen's dominions, on tlie 
:i6th of August, 1827. 

Mr. Hicks spent his bojliood and youth upon 
his native soil, but upon reaching his majority 
resolved to seek liis fortune* on the other side of 
the Atlantic. Accordingly, bidding adieu to the 
friends of his childhood, he cn)barked on board a 
vessel at London, and after a safe voyage lauded in 
Kew York City. Thence he migrated to the vicin- 
ity of P^ast Bloomfield. Ontario Co., N. Y., where 
he remained for a jjcriod of seven years, engaged 
as a farm hand. 'Ihere also he was married to 
INliss Mary Hallock, who was also a native of East 
Norfolk, in England, and was born Sept. 4. 1827. 

Our subject and his wife continued residents of 
Ontario County, N. Y.,some time after their mar- 
riage, and then making their way to Southern Michi- 
gan, look up their residence in Allen Township, 
where their nine children were born. Three of 
these died in infancy. The six surviving are Will- 
iam, .Jr., Emily, David, Thomas, George and 
Elizabeth A. These are residents mostly of this 
county. William is carrying on farming near Benton 
Harbor; Emily is the wife of Spencer Calkins, of 
Stanley; David is a resident of Allen Township; 
'Ihomas is carrying on farming in Heading Town- 
ship; George is engaged in farming, also near Benton 
Harbor; Elizabeth is the wife of Benton Benge, of 
Allen Townshi]). 

Mr. Hicks, upon becoming a naturalized citizen, 
became a member of the Democratic party, of 
which he has remained a steadfast adherent. His 
home is the abode of peace and plenty, and he 
enjoys in a marked degree the respect of his 



neighbors. 



-^^^W- 



jjj ing agriculturists of Wo 
^ f^ ship, and worthy citizens 




^1^, HILAN'DER HEWETT. Among the lead- 

oodbridge Town- 
s of this count}', 
the subject of this sketch holds an hon- 
orable position. He is a native of the Empire 
State, born in Ontario County, Aug. 12, 1838. His 
father, Asa Hewett, who was born in Saratoga 
County. N. Y., Aug. 11, 1/91, was reared in his 



native count}', and was there married. Feb. 9, 1S15, 
to Miss Laney Pixley, who was born April 3, 1793, 
in Berkshire County, Mass., being probably of En- 
glish ancestry. In 1 8.T 4 the father of our subject 
removed with his family to INIichigan, and settled 
in Woodbridge Township, where he remained until 
his death, which occurred .Sei)t. 14, 1800. Al- 
though chicfl}' engaged in farming, he had learned 
the stonemason's trade, and worked at it a good 
deal alter coming to this .State. His eilucational 
advantages were limited, but he acquired a fair 
education, and. having a most wonderful memory, 
retained all that he learned. He was a close stu- 
dent of the Bible, and could quote any passage 
accurately; in religious matters he took great inter- 
est, and was an esteemed member of the Bajjtist 
Church. In politics he was in his early years a 
Whig, but joined the Republican party when it was 
organized, and was ever after a firm supporter of 
its principles. His good wife, the mother of our 
.subject, survived him many years, dying July 21, 
1874. She was also a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church, and led a true Christian life. To 
her and her husljand were born ten children, of 
whom the following is the record: AVilliam P.. now 
a resident of Chicago, is a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, and also a fine stair builder; Alexander is a 
farmer in Allen Township; Calvin is a farmer in 
Kew York; Lydia M.. who married Otis Wheaton, 
is now dead; Eli is a farmer in N'ew York; Bnid- 
ley is dead; Alonzo and Peter live in Cambria; 
Philander; Benjamin died in childhood. 

The subject of this sketch was bred to the occu- 
pation of a farmer, and has followed it the greater 
part of his life; but he is a man of versatile genius, 
and possesses much mechanical talent, and after he 
came to iMicliigan, and settled in Woodbridge Town- 
ship in 1854, he turned his attention to the carpen- 
ter's trade, and, although he had never served an 
apprenticeship, his ready use of tools soon made 
him proficient in this business, and since then he has 
erected several dwelling-houses, assisted in the con- 
struction of three churches, and built barns innum- 
erable. 

His success as a workman having become estab- 
lished, and he being thus assured of a good income, 
Mr. Hewitt took unto himself a wife, being united in 

•^ 



1 ' 

I 



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a 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



465 



^'1 



marriage, Oct. 18, 1862, to Miss Isabelle Jenkins. 
She was horn in Jackson County, Ohio, Feh. 13, 
1845, heing a daughter of Josiaii and Cliarlotte 
(Ewing) Jenkins, natives of Ohio, born respect- 
ively, Nov. 17, 1812, and Nov. 1, 1822. Mr. Jen- 
kins was a farmer by occupation, and removed with 
his family in 1850, to Michigan, and purchased 
200 acres of land in Woodbridge Township, wliich 
he improved. He was a very well-developed man, 
being of fine phj'sique, and very strong and ro- 
bust, was energetic, industrious, and very ingenious. 
When he was in liis prime, liarvesters and other 
machinery for gathering grain and getting in crops, 
had not been invented, and he was considered one 
of the smartest grain cradlers in the vicinit}'. He 
was very fond of hunting, and kept the family 
larder well supplied witli game of all kinds, and to 
liis ingenuity were tiie meml)ers of his houseiiold 
indebted for their shoes, whicii were niannfactured 
by him. In politics he was a strong Republican. 
In religion he was an esteemed membei' of the 
Church of the United Brethren, in which he held 
many of the most important offices. Mrs. Jenkins, 
who was also a faithful meml)er of the same church, 
is still living in this township. To her.ind her lius- 
l)and had been born cloven children, (»f whom the 
following is the record : Martha Jane married James 
Fitzsimmons; Mary married Hiram Culler; Isa- 
belle; Nancy married Willis Gavett; Isaac married 
Cora Mosher; Enoch married Mary Salmon; Jose- 
phus married Louisa Howell, and lives in Kansas; 
Susan, now Mrs. William Joiinson, lives in Petos- 
key, Mich.; Freeman married Aggy Moore, and 
lives in Kansas; William married Elizabeth Wal- 
lace; Ulysses married Ada McClellen, and lives in 
this township. 

To our subject and his wife have been born two 
children, of whom the elder, Orson L., married 
Alwilda Osterhout, the ceremony being solemnized 
April 26, 1885. Thej'ounger, Bertie A., died Oct. 
10, 1871, when three years and eleven months 
oi(K Mr. Hewett owns a valuable f;irm of eighty' 
acres, which he has well improved, and has under 
an advanced state of cultivation. On it he has 
three miles of tile drain, and has erected a good 
hon.se, and ample barns and otliei' farm buildings, 
all of which arc a credit to the township, and a 



speaking evidence of the skill, industry, and thrifty 
management of the owner. In local affairs our 
subject takes an earnest interest, and has held 
many of the prominent offices of the township, serv- 
ing always with faithfulness and ability. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hewett are genial, social peo- 
ple, and much esteemed in the community for their 
high morals and strict integrity. In religion they 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and both teachers in the Sunday-school. In politics 
our subject affiliates with the Republican party. 



'if) ACOB HURSH,a general farmer residing on 
I the State line adjoining Wright Township, 
^.^ [ is one of the representative agriculturists of 
(^^jjj/ Hillsdale County, and a gentleman well and 
favorably known throughout its borders. He was 
born in Washington County, Pa., May 10, 1826, 
while his father, Jacob liursh, was born in Ger- 
many, and was, as far as is known, the only one of 
his father's familj' who ever came to America. He 
married in Pennsylvania and resided there until 
1828, then removed to Carroll County, Ohio, where 
his death occurred about 1832. The mother of our 
subject, whose maiden name w.as Mary Harsh, was 
born in Washington Count}', Pa.,. and was also of 
German ancestry. Upon the death of her husband 
she was left with the care of three children, whom 
she kept together until they were able to earn a liv- 
ing for themselves, evincing that courage and forti- 
tude which were characteristics of the pioneer 
women equally with their husbands. She spent her 
last years among her children, and departed this 
life leaving the world better for her having lived. 
Of the three children born to the parents of our 
subject, Christiana. Mrs. Barnard, resides in Ash- 
land County, Ohio, while John lives in Stark 
County in the same State. Jjicob Hursh was but 
six }-ears old when his father died, and lie remained 
under the care of his mother during the ne.\t four 
3-ears, after which he went to live with a man 
named Peter Hewitt, in Carroll County. Upon at- 
taining the seventeenth 3'ear of his age he started 
out with $40 in his pocket to eng.Hge in life's strug- 
gle for himself. He was variously occupied, work- 



■•► 



t 



466 



'X. 



HILLSDALE COU^'TY. 



ing by the monlli for the next four .years, aiul upon 
attaining his majority he went to livje with his sis- 
ter, whose husban(i was sicl< at the time. After 
the deatii of his brotlier-in-iaw Jacob Hursh took 
charge of the farm and operated it until one year 
after his marriage, after which he went to Defiance 
County and jjurchased 111 acres of land, fifteen of 
which were improved and contained a log cabin. 
With that energy and promptness which are prime 
characteristics of the Hursh familj' oui- subject set 
about the improvement of his purchase, and by the 
time of his removal in lh(5o he had cleared a large 
tract of land, and otherwise made material improve- 
ments. In that year he sold out and took up his 
residence on the faini which he has since owned 
and occupied. This property consists of eighty 
acres of land, fiftj' in Wright Township, this 
county, and the remainder in Jlill Creek Township, 
Williams Co.. Ohio. At the time of purchase there 
was a small frame house and a frame barn upon 
the place, but Mr. Hursh has since added to the 
barn, while the house has given jjlace to a beauti- 
ful and commodious frame structure. Altogether 
Mr. Hursh has a pleasant home as the fruits of his 
labor and industry, and can look forward to spend- 
ing the remainder of his days in the midst of those 
enjoyments and surrounded by kind friends, as his 
well-spent life merits. 

The subject of this biography has been married 
four limes, his union with his present wife occur- 
ring March 14, 1878. Mrs. Hursh, who in her 
giilliood was Miss May John, was born in Madison 
Township. Richland Co., Ohio. Her great-grand- 
father, Hugh John, was born in Wales and came to 
America wlien twelve years of age, settling in Penn- 
sylvania, where he grew to manhood, married, and 
snentmostof his life, dying in Philadelphia. His son, 
Thomas John, the grandfather of Mrs. Hursh, was 
born in Pennsylvania, and was there reared to man- 
hood and married. After marriage he removed to 
Ohio, and purchased a tract of timber land near the 
present city of Mansfield, Richland County, and 
was among the very earliest settlers of that jjlace ; 
he improved a farm and resided there until his 
death. The father of Mrs. Hursh was born in Jef- 
ferson County, Ohio, and resided there until 1847, 
when he removed to Huron County .ind operated 



on rented land for some time. He then bought a 
farm, upon which he lived until 1865, when he 
removed to Williams County, which became his 
home for three years. He then came to Wright 
Township, this county, where he now resides, sjiend- 
ing his declining years amidst the care and love of 
his children. His wife, whose niaidm name was 
Ruth Foglesong. was the fiist female child born in 
Mansfield. Ohio, where her parents were early set- 
tlers. .*~he died at the home of Mrs. Huish, in 
June, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Hursh have one child, 
a daughter, whom they named Edie R. 

Mr. Hursh was first married, in September. 1 850, 
to Miss Susannah Carver, a native of Pennsylvania, 
but she died about ten years later. Of this mar- 
riage three children survive — John, George and 
Melissa J. The second marriage of our subject 
took place in 1862, this time to Miss Emeline, 
daughter of Elijah Davis, but she died in 1870, 
leaving two children — Frank and Hattie. His third 
marriage took place in 1871, with JMary, daughter 
of Mrs. Eleanor Davis, one of the first settlers of 
Wright Township. She died Jan. 4, 1876, leaving 
to her husband two children, a son. Pearl J., and a 
daughter, Ella M. Mr. and Mrs. Hursh are mem- 
bers of the United Brethren Church, while in poli- 
tics Mr. Hursh is a Democrat. 

RANKLIN NICHOLSON, a gentleman 
^, in the prime of life, and now pleasanll3' 
located on a snug farm of forty acres in 
Piltsford Township, came to Southern Michigan 
with his parents wlicn a child four years of age. 
He was born in Erie County, Pa., Jan. 14, 1843, 
and is the son of George Nicholson, a native of 
Pennsylvania, who learned the trade of blacksmith 
when a young man and carried on the business in 
Erie County until 1847. That year he determined 
to change his location, and coming to this State set- 
tled first in Liberty Township, Jackson Count}', 
where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. 

Only a part of the land purchased at this time b}' 
the father of our subject had been cleared, aud 
tliere were no buildings. Mr. Nicholson put up a 
log house and stal)le, and as years rolled by effected 




■•► 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



467 , , 



ninny improvements, Iniilding up a good home, 
where he resided unlil his death, in 18U0. Tiic 
m.iiden name of hJs wife was Cynthia J^ocks. a 
native of Pennsylvania Slie survived her luisband 
a number of years, dying also on tlie farm in Jacli- 
son County, in 1M(J8. The parental lumseliold in- 
cluded six children, four of whom are now living, 
and residents of JMichigan and Oliio. 

The subject of our sketch acquired his education 
in the district schools of Jackson Count}', and made 
himself useful around the homestead unlil a jouth 
of eighteen jears. He then worked out by the 
monlh until the spring of 1^G4, when he entered 
the employ' of the Government during the progress 
of the late war. and was engaged in repairing rail- 
road bridges in Alabama and Tennessee. He was 
thus occupied two months, then returned home and 
enlisted in Company G, 30th Michigan Infantry, in 
which he served until the close of the war, receiv- 
ing his discharge with his regiment on the 17th of 
June, 1865. 

Upon his return from the arm}', Mr. Nicholson 
located two miles east of Hillsdale, where he oper- 
ated a farm on shares live years. At the expiration 
of this time he purchased tlie farm which he now 
owns and occupies on section 29, in Pittsford 
Township. Upon this he has been constantly mak- 
ing improvements, having the greater part of the 
land under cultivation, and a good set of buildings 
upon it. He has very little to do with political 
affairs, but giA'es his support to the Democratic 
party. 

The marriage of Franklin A. Nicholson and Miss 
iMary J. Klioades was celebrated at the home of the 
bride in Liberty Township, Jackson Co., Mich., Dec. 
3, 1865. Mrs. Nicholson was born in Liberty 
Township, July 28, 1843, and is the daughter of 
Samuel and Harriet (Foster) Hhoades, both natives 
of Northamptonshire, England. The paternal grand- 
father of Mrs. Nicholson, Thomas Rhoades by name, 
was also of English birth and parentiige, and contin- 
ued in his native countj- until after his marriage and 
the birth of children. He then emigrated to America 
with his family, and after a brief stay in New York 
City came to Southern Michigan, and located 
among the jjioneers of Jackson Coutit}'. lie pur- 
cha.scd land in Liberty Township, put up a log 



house first, which later was succeeded by a frame 
I'esidcnce, and added the other improvements natural 
to the growth and development of the countr}'. 
There he spent his last da3-s. The maiden name of 
his wife was Mary Barrett. Grandmother Khoades 
also died at the liomestead in Jackson County. 

Samuel Rhoades w'as but a child when he emi- 
grated to America with his parents, and was reared 
to manhood in Jackson Count}', this State. There 
he met and married Miss Foster, who was also a 
native of England, and the daughter of Joshua and 
Jane (Savage) Foster. After marriage the young 
people settled upon a tract of wild land in Liberty 
Township, where the father imi)roved a good farm, 
upon which he conliuued until his death, in 1872. 
He lived to see the country transformed from a 
wilderness into finely cultivated fields and pros- 
perous villages, and identified himself fully with 
the interests of the American peo|)le. The wife 
and mother preceded her husband to the silent land 
twenty-six years, her death taking place in 1846. 
They were the parents of three children, two of 
whom are living and residents of Hillsdale County. 



O 



J, i- 



=F^ 



JOHN F. KING, a retired farmer with ample 
means, and now a resident of the city of 
Hillsdale, is one of the solid men of the 
county, and has for the p.ast twenty-one 
years been closely identified with its progress and 
prosperity. Like many of the men about him. who 
have assisted so materially in the development of 
the resources of Southern Michigan, he is a native of 
the Empire State, and was born in the town of 
New Lebanon, Albany County, Aug. 29, 1830. 

Lutlier King, the father of our subject, was a 
native of the same place as his son, and was born 
Nov. 8, 1806. The iwternal grandfather, Amos 
King, was a native of the vicinity of Boston, Mass., 
and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
being present at the battle of Bunker Hill, and one 
of the regiment who later were mainly instrumental 
in the surrender of the British General, Burgoyne. 
His grandson, Jolin F., has a relic which he pre- 
serves with grcmt care, in the shape of a Conti- 






-I 



-4^ 

468 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



neiital note of $6, which.was received by his lionored 
grandfather as part payment for his services in that 
conflict. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Miss Emeline Campbell, and was also born in New 
Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y., April 27, 1809, 
Her father, John Campbell, a native of New Y'ork, 
was of pure Scotch ancestry. The families of 
King and Campbell crossed the Atlantic, it is 
believed, in the sixteenth century, the former set- 
tling in Massachusetts, and the latter in Connecti- 
cut, near Stonington. The family of Luther King 
consisted of two children, a daughter and son; 
Elizabeth, the wife of Norman Kent, of this county, 
and John F., of our sketch. 

Our subject continued a resident of his native 
count}^ until twenty years of age, and then removed 
with his parents to Niagara County, where he com- 
pleted the rudiments of a practical education, and 
where he lived until 18G7. He was first married, 
in 1855, to Miss Sarah Knowles, who died one year 
later, leaving no children. His second marriage, 
which took place in Niagara County, N. Y., in 
1858, was with Miss Roxana Post, of Wilson, 
Niagara County, and of this union there were born 
two daughters — EnimaF. and Hattie E. The for- 
mer married Russell S. Peterson, and is now in 
Hillsdale County; Ilattie is the wife of Everett L. 
Ranney, and lives in Allen Township, this county. 

Mr. King left the Empire State in the fall of 
18G7, and located in Illinois one year, and coming 
to this county, settled on a farm in Hillsdale 
Township, where he carried on agriculture success- 
fully for the following thirteen years. In 1880 he 
decided to retire from active labor, and moved 
into the southern part of the city, where he has a fine 
home and has since livetl. lie still retains owner- 
ship of his farm, which is operated by Mr. Dodge. 
He has been prominent in the affairs of Hillsdale 
Township since the time of coming here, serving as 
Justice of the Peace, School Trustee, and a member 
of the Boar(i of Water Commissioners. Politi- 
cally, he was in early life a Jeffersonian Democrat, 
but has been a Republican since the organization 
of that party, in 18o(). 

Luther King and his estimable wife were married 
in Lebanon, N. Y.. in 1829. and are slill living. 



making their home in Hillsdale. They have thus 
traveled the journey of life together for a period of 
fifty-nine years, and although very aged are in fnll 
possession of their faculties and the enjoyment of 
fair health. They have three grandchildren and 
four great-grandchildren. The wife of our subject 
was born in Lower Canada, of American parents, 
and is the daughter of Orange S. and Lucy Post 
Her mother died when she was but an infant. 

Few men have watched with greater interest and 
satisfaction the development of Hillsdale County 
th.an John F. King, and he has been no unimpor- 
tant factor in bringing it to its present position. 
To all the enterprises having for their object the 
welfare, morally and financially, of the community, 
he h.as been a liberal and cheerful supporter. He 
was instrumental in the organization of the Savings 
Bank, in which he has been a stockholder and 
Director from the beginning, and possessing a good 
fund of general information and a knowledge of 
common law, has been called upon to administer 
upon several large estates, settling them uj) in a 
satisfactory manner to all concerned. 



^Y]0HN E. HOUTZ. Among the many prosper- 
ous agriculturists and representative citizens 
of Hillsdale County, who commenced life 
without any means, and b3' untiring industry 
and judicious economy have become the owners of 
fine farms, no one is more deserving of credit than 
the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this 
sketch. He is a native of Medina County, Ohio, 
born Dec. 5, 1832. His parents, John and Susan 
(Hoover) Houtz, were natives respectively of Ohio 
and Maryland, his father being of Anglo-German 
ancestry, and his mother of German origin. They 
were among the original settlers of Medina County, 
Ohio, where they bravely endured all the discom- 
forts and privations incidental to pioneer life in a 
new countr}'. Mrs. Houtz, the mother of our sub- 
ject, died some years ago, but the father is still liv- 
ing in his native Slate, at the ripe old age of 
eighty-one years, much respected for the honorable 
part he has alvva}S taken in the advancement and 
welfare of his townshi|i. In religion he is a devout 



^ 



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IllLLSDALE COUNTY. 



469 



1 ' 



nicinlier of the Methodist Episcopal Clniioli, hav- 
ing lived the life of an earnest Christian. To him 
and his wife were born six children, of whom four 
are now living, namely: William, Wesley ; Loretta, 
wife of Frank Zerold ; and John I"^. 

The latter, who is the subject of this sketch, was 
reared on a farm in his native county, and became 
earlj^ inured to the hardships of life in a countiy 
where the land must of necessity' be cleared and 
made ready for cultivation ere it contributed to 
the support of its owner. He received but a rudi- 
mentary education from the schools of the period, 
but learned readily from observation, and has tiius 
acquired a good fund of practical knowledge, which 
has enabled him to successfully pursue his chosen 
occupation through life. After becoming thor- 
oughly familiar with the details of farming, and 
well prepared to comfortably support a wife, Mr. 
Houlz was united in marriage to Miss Frances 
.Secchrist, who has toiled unweariedly, and assisted 
her husband in all his labors, and to her he owes 
much of his prosperity, her patience, energy and 
cheerfulness, having encouraged and stimulated his 
efforts. Their union was solemnized .luly !), 1854, 
ami of their wedlock twelve children have been 
born, of whom eight are now living: Alvin, Jacob; 
Ida, wife of Harry McLain; Fllie, Erstin R. ; Ella, 
wife of Adam Beaver; Charles Otis ar.d Worthy. 
The names of those deceased are: Marietta, Cora, 
Edna and Homer. 

In ISIIO our subject removed with his family to 
Hillsdale County, and bought the farm on section 
3, of Camden 'J'ownship, where he has since resided. 
It consists of seventy-six acres of ar.able land, which 
he has well improved, and made one of the most 
productive in this locality. Mr. Houtz is a self- 
made man in the best sense implied by the term, 
and has carved his own fortune by hard labor, per- 
severance and sound judgment! He believes that 
the world owes every man a living, but that each 
creditor must look out for his own share. His part 
he has gained by energetic industiy. and the pleas- 
ure and satisfaction derived from the results (jf his 
labor have amjily rejuiid him for his many years of 
toil. When n(.)t at work on his own f;uin our sub- 
ject has engaged in anj- honorable emi)loymcnt by 
which he could turn an honest pcnnv, and has dur- 



ing his life split more rails than would fence a tract 
of 160 aci'es of land, divided into 10-acre lots, and 
has chopped immense quantities of wood. He 
ranks high as an intelligent, enterprising citizen of 
Camden Township, and has always supported every 
scheme for advancing its interests, being generous 
and public spirited. For four years he served his 
community efficiently as Constable, and has often 
been solicited to fill other responsible township 
offices, but has steadily refused, preferring the 
tranquilit}' of the home circle. Mr. Houtz is a 
member of the Grange, and as a highly esteemed 
resident of Hillsdale County, who has won the con- 
fidence and respect of all with whom he has come 
in contact, it gives us pleasure to place a brief 
sketch of his life in this Bioohapiihai, Alisum. 



.pj»,USSELL D. MILLER, an old and reliable 
IW^ resident of Mosherville, was born in Mar- 




cellus, Onond.agaCo., N. Y., April 24. 1820, 
and continued a resident of the Empire 
State until a young man twenty years of age. Here 
he had been reared to farm pursuits, and acquired 
a common-school education. At this time, becoming 
anxious for a change of location and occupation, 
he made his way to Nortliern Pennsylvania, and in 
McKean County engaged in farming, milling and 
blacksmilhing, combined. 

Mr. Miller also in that section of country took 
unto himself a wife and helpmate from among the 
maidens of McKean County, namely. Miss Maria 
Wright, to whom he was wedded on the 3d of July, 
1842. Jlrs. Miller w-as horn in the town of Eldred, 
Oct. 18, 1821. They lived in McKean County for 
a period of twenty-two years, during which time 
they became the parents of five children. Our 
subject then disposing of his interests in the Key- 
stone State, came to this county, locating first in 
Allen Township, and about two years later chang- 
ing his residence to Mosherville, where he followed 
his trade of blacksmith nearly seventeen years, an<l 
until failing health caused him to retire. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller are recorded 
as follows: Horatio E. is occupied at farming; 
Theoris O. died in Mosherville wlien tliiilv-fuur 



■*► 



-4^ 
470 



■•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



years old ; Rensler W., Sall^' M. anri Bioii R. are 
living in Ilillsflale County. Mr. Miller has held the 
office of Justice of the Peace for tlie past tiiree 
years, and is Republican in politics. His estimable 
wife is a member in good standing of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. They occupy a snug home 
in the village, where they have many friends. 



^ DWIN TANNER is a prominent and suc- 

Ecessful farmer of Woodbridge Township, 
owning a good farm on section 17, where he 
has made his home since 1874. He is a native of 
England, born in Wiltshire, Feb. 10, 1838, and is 
a son of Tiiomas and Elizabeth (Chesterman) Tan- 
ner, also natives of England, and of pure P^nglish 
blood. The father was born in 1810, and the 
mother in 1812. The former is a farmer by occu- 
pation, and for many 3'ears was engaged as a day 
lal)orer in liis native country. In 1854 he emigrated 
to the Linited States with his family, and locating 
in Ohio, rented land there, and made quite a suc- 
cess of his farming ventures. lie is still living 
there at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, 
respected by all for iiis sterling wortli. His com- 
panion and helper passed beyond in June, 1882. 
Of their union seven children were born, two of 
whom died in infancy; the family record is as fol- 
lows: Alfred married Sophronia Wells; Edwin; 
William married Miss Lydia Hudson; Emma mar- 
ried David Palmer; Richard married Miss Margaret 
Ringler, who is now dead; Henry married Miss 
Mary Unger. 

Our subject received but a limited education in 
his native land, and when he was a lad of sixteen 
years he accompanied his parents to this country. 
While living in Ohio he met and made the ac- 
quaintance of Mrs. Ruth R. Newton, to whom he 
was united in marriage Sept. 24, 18G2. She is a 
native of Ohio, of English extraction, and was born 
in 1835. She is a lady of intelligence and refine- 
ment, and received a good education in the com- 
mon schools. She had been previously married to 
George Newton, and by that union had one son, Dr. 
H. D. Newton, a fine dentist in ^'.alparaiso, Ind., 
where he has charge of two offices, and enjoys a large 
practice. He was educated at Mt. Union, Ohio. 

-^* — 



After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tanner made their 
home in Ohio for some years, where he by his 
energy, industry, and the shrewd management of 
his affairs, accumulated some property. In 1874 
he moved with his family to Michigan, having re- 
solved to try his chosen occupation on the rich and 
fertile soil ©f Hillsdale County. He first purchased 
eight acres of land in Woodbridge Township, to 
which he soon .after added twenty' acres, and still 
later purchased forty -four and three-fourths acres 
of land, and now has one of the finest and best 
tilled farms in tiiis neighborhood. lie has erected 
a fine dwelling-house, and a barn which is undoubt- 
edly the best in the township; in dimensions it is 
40x60 feet, with 2(»-feet posts. 

To our subject and his wife liave been born three 
children — Nellie I., Don A. and George A. Nelly 
married A. AV. Bennett, a shoe merchant in Cam- 
bria; Don married Miss Ida McClellen ; he is pros- 
perousl3' engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner 
have one grandchild, Donald B. They have given 
their children a fair education in the public schools. 

Mr. Tanner is thoroughly upright and manly 
in his daily walk in life and in all his inter- 
course with others. He is one of the main pillars 
of the church of the United Brothers in Christ, 
whose religion he embraced in 1880, and with his 
good wife, who is also a valued member of that 
church, is an active worker in the fold, and influen- 
tial in the councils of his brethren. He is a mem- 
ber of the quarterly conference ; has been Class 
Leader for several years, and is Sund.aj'-school 
Superintendent. In politics Mr. Tanner is an ardent 
Prohibitionist. 



f^ DAVARD IIUGGETT, deceased, was one of 
[^ the brave pioneers who came to Michigan 
^ ' — ^ in the early days of its settlement, and la- 
bored unceasingly to develop its resources, and 
unfold its v.ast possibilities as a great agricultural 
and business State. He was a native of England, 
born in 1807, having been a son of Richard and 
Maiy Huggett, both lifelong residents of that 
country. He was reared and educated in his 
native land, but not Lieing satisfied with his future 



^ 



I 



<^ 



•» II ^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



471 



prospects in the Queen's dominion, he emigrated to 
America in bis twenlj'-first year, and located in 
New York State. He was an industrious 3'oung 
man, of good habits, and after becoming satisfied 
that he could comfortnbl3' support a wife, he was 
married to a most estimable J'oung ladj', who 
shared with cheerfulness the privations and bard- 
ships of his after life, their union having been cele- 
brated Oct. 26, 1832. Her maiden name was 
Mar3' A. Mantell. and she was also born in Old F^n- 
gland, the date of her birlh being June 25, 1813. 
Ilcr parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Mantell, emi- 
grated to America in 1828, and settled in Geneva, 
N. Y. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Huggett a 
large family of children was born, of whom the fol- 
lowing are now living: Edward resides in Camden 
Township; John B. lives in Hillsdale County; 
Charlotte E. is the wife of Theodore liloomer, of 
Ionia, Mich.; Mary L. ; Hannah J. is the wife of 
George Houghty. of Camden Township. 

In 183G our subject, desiring to try his fortunes 
in a more recently settled part of the countrj^ than 
the Empire State, joined tlie west-bound throng 
that was taking advantage of the nominal prices 
of huid in Michigan, and moved with his family 
to Wa^ne County, where hcreniaiued twelve _venrs. 
Not being quite suited with his situation there, ho 
then removed to Hillsdale County, and bought the 
farm now owned and occupied bj' his widow in 
Camden Township. His homestead then contained 
eighty acres of land, to which he afterward added 
bj' further purchase twentj' acres more, so that at 
his death he owned 1(10 acres (jf land which he had 
improved and brought to a high state of culti- 
vation. When it came into his possession it was 
in its primitive wildness, and Mr. Huggett had to 
cut down trees to make room for the erection of 
the humble frame house which was the first abode 
in this township of himself and family. He labored 
in season and out, the first few years alter com- 
ing here, h.aving the assistance of his wife and their 
children, who were reared to habits of industry, 
and as time passed on, prosperity smiled on their 
efforts, the forests gave way to fields of grain, tiie 
first frame house w.as supplanted l).y a more com- 
modious dwelling, and good farm buildings were 
erected. His success corresponded with the labor, 



skill and good judgment he expended in the man- 
agement of his agricultural interests, and he was 
amply repaid for all his work. He took an .active 
part in advancing the interests of Camden Town- 
ship, and to his enterprise and ability is a part of 
its present prosperity due. In his death, which oc- 
curred July 2, 1885, Hillsdale Countj' lost one of 
its most worthy citizens, and his township a val- 
uable, efficient counselor, and a man of noble 
worth and Christian virtue, who had lived an hon- 
est, upright life, winning the resjject and esteem of 
all and the enmity of none. In his family he was 
a kind and loving husband, a devoted and affec- 
tionate father, whose tender care will ever be re- 
membered, and whose memorj' will be reverently 
cherished. 

The widow of our subject is still living on the 
old homestead, where for so many years she has 
faithfully labored, devoting her life to her husband 
and children. She is universally beloved and es- 
teemed bj' the manj' friends she has gathered 
around her. She is a most^ excellent housewife, 
and by her judicious management of the domestic 
affairs of her household, contributed not a little to 
her husband's prosperity. Her daughter Mary- 
lives with her, to cheer and comfort her declining 
3'ears; she is a ladj' of great amiability and high 
character, and is an esteemed member of the Ad- 
ventists' Church. 



^^f LBERT J. HODGES, a farmer engaged in 
'©/Oil his independent calling on section 23 of 
Scipio Township, is .a native of New York, 
born in Jlonroe County. April 1, 1849. 
He is a son of the late Ezra J. and Louisa (Irons) 
Hodges. His father was born in Webster, Monroe 
Co., N. Y., in 1827. He was reared and married 
in his native State, and established his first home in 
Monroe County. The lady whom he chose to pre- 
side over that home and share his life with him was 
born in Michigan. He was a farmer by occupation, 
and pursued that calling in New York until 1854, 
when be removed with his family to Hillsdale 
County, this State, and settled in Scipio Township. 
He was an energetic, wide-awake man, of great de- 



■<^ 



-4^ 

472 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



cision of chnracter, and after coining to this county 
became a potent agent in establisliing its prosper- 
ity. He was a strong Republican from tlie organi- 
zation of the party until his death, and took an 
active part in county conventions, being regarded 
as a wise and safe counselor by his fellow-citizens. 
He was often honored by election to the highest 
offices in the township, and for many years was 
prominent in the administration of public affairs, 
serving as .Supervisor four terms, as Township 
Clerk several yeai's, and for a long time filled the 
office of Justice of tiie Peace. He was conspicu- 
ously identified with the Hillsdale County and 
Scipio Granges, and was instrumental in organizing 
many of the subordinate granges of the county. Me 
was also a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and Past Master of the Laf.ayette Lodge, F. & A. 
M., and after his death, wliich occurred in Scipio 
Township, Feb. 18, 1887, in accordance with his 
wishes the Masons attended his funeral in a body 
and assisted in the ceremonies. His body vvas laid 
to rest in the cemetery near the home where be had 
lived for so many years. His death will long be 
mourned by his family and the community, where 
he was respected and esteemed as a kind, indulgent 
husband and father, a good citizen, and an upright 
man. His worthy wife and the four children who 
had been born to them survive. The record of the 
latter is as follows: Albert.!.; Frank A. is married, 
and lives in Parma, Mich. ; Emma L. is the wife of 
Lewis Parkhurst, of Cambria Township; George W. 
lives in Scipio Township. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on his 
father's farm in Scipio, being but five years old 
when his parents removed to this county, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of this 
place. He has followed in the footsteps of his hon- 
ored father, and has always been engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 160 
acres, which is pleasantly located in a fertile and 
productive region, and in its management he has 
met with much success. 

Mr. Hodges was married in .Tonesville. Oct. 8, 
1872, to Miss Sally M., daughter of Russell D. and 
Maria (Wright) Miller, both natives of McKean 
County. Pa. They left their native State in 18G4, 
and coming to Michigan, have since been residents 



of Hillsdale County, their present home being in 
Moslierville, Seipio Township. They are the par- 
ents of five children, namely : Horatio E., Orsavilla 
T., Rensselaer W., Sally N. and Bion V. Mrs. 
Hodges, the fourth child in order of birth, was born 
in Eldred, McKeau Co., Pa., Dec. 4, 1853. Of 
her union with our subject two children have been 
born — Emma M. and M.abel E. 

Mr. Hodges is a genial, upright man, and is 
worthily filling his place in his townsliip as a valued 
memljer of societ}'. He is much interested in the 
welfare of liis community, vvhere he has filled many 
of the minor offices, and where he is now holding 
the office of Justice of the Peace. Both he and his 
wife are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. In politics he is a strong Repub- 
lican. 

^ IfelLSON P. UPWOOD. The parents of this 
\rJ// gentleman were married in Ontario County, 
W^ N. Y., Oct. 2.5. 1842, and two years later 
set out for the young State of Michigan, locating in 
Wheatland Township, this county, where the father 
purchased fortj' acres of wild land. Upon it was a 
log house, into which they removed, and thus inau- 
gurated the homestead which is now ranked among 
the finest in this part of the county. The father 
cleared his first purchase without outside assistance, 
and later added 120 acres. In due time the little 
household included three children, all of whom are 
yet living and residents of this county. Of these 
Wilson P. was the eldest. 

Our subject was born in Wheatland Township, 
Dec. 15, 1846, and is the son of John and Emeline 
(Dillon) Upwood, the former of whom was born in 
Statfordshire, England, Oct. 4, 1817, and died at 
his home in Wheatland Township, Jan. 15, 1888. 
The mother, a native of Ontario County, N. Y., 
was born Jan. 6, 1821, and died in September, 1876. 
The paternal grandparents of our subject, William 
and Mary Upwood, were also natives of Stafford- 
shire, England, whence they emigrated to America 
in the year 1830, and spent their last days in this 
township, dying at the ages respectively of eighty 
and eighty-eight years old. The maternal grand- 
parents, Benjamin and Christina Dillon, were natives 



♦ B^j *: 



n 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



473 



of IS't'W York State, -niicie theformiT spent his en- 
lire life. After the death of her husband. Grand- 
mother Dillon joined her daughter in this county, 
and resided with her during her lifetime. She was 
eighty-two years old at the time of her death. 

Wilson P. Upwood continued his services on the 
parental lioniestead until nearly thiily-six j'ears of 
age, and was then married, on the Uth of March, 
liSH2, to Miss Ella Young, then a resident of Lon- 
don, Canada. Mrs. Upwood was horn in London. 
Canada, Aug. IG, 1860, and is the daughter of Abel 
and Marj' (Wood) Young, the foiraer a native also 
of the Dominion, and the latter of Ontario County, 
N. Y. Mr. Young was born near the cily of Ham- 
ilton, Province of Ontario, and removed to New 
York State when a young man, but after his 
marriage returned to Canada, where he is still living, 
and is now retired from active business. He for- 
merly conducted a hotel and also carried on the 
livery business. Mrs. Young was born in Ontario 
County, N. Y., and died in Canada at the age of 
twenty-eight years. She was the mother of five 
children, four of whom are living, of whom Mrs. 
Upwood is the eldest. The next daughter, Carrie, 
continues at home with her father; William is mar- 
ried and a resident of California; Marj' is the wife 
of Henry Lock wood, engaged in the cigar trade at 
Morenci, this State, and the- mother of one daughter. 
Mr. and Mrs. Upwood both acquired their edu- 
cation in the district school, and our subject, with his 
father, engaged quite extensively as a stock-raiser, 
of whidi the latter was a pioneer in the l)usiness in 
tiiis county. Their first lierils of animals were 
driven overland to Toledo, and tlience sliipped 
eastward to New York City. The farm of our sub- 
ject is now the tramping ground of high-grade 
horses and cattle, besides sheep, and for twenty-one 
years he has handled poultry of all kinds, fiiuling a 
ready m:irket at Boston, Mass. The improvements 
upon the homestead were largely effected by John 
Upwood, who was a man of much force of charac- 
ter, industrious and persevering, and seldom aban- 
doned any project which he had made up bis mind 
to carr}' forward. Upon becoming a naturalized 
American citizen, he identified himself with the 
Whig party, but when tiiat was merged into the 
Republican, espoused its principles, in which he 



thoroughly trained his son and to which the latter 
remains as lo3'al as his sire. Our. subject in 1887 
was elected to represent Wheatland Township in 
the County Board of Supervisors, and discharged 
the duties of his position with the tact and good 
judgment which are one of his distinguishing char- 
acteristics. 

Amanda A., the eldest sister of our subject, was 
born Nov. 2, 1854, in Wheatland Township, and is 
now the wife of L. E. Casey, a well-to do farmer of 
Wheatland Township; they were married Nov. 
22, 1881, and are the parents of two bo3's. The 
other sister, Frances J., was born June 27, 1857, and 
was m.arried, Nov. 23, 1 886, to Frederick E. Stewart, 
of Hudson Township, Lenawee County. 



^ ^^ ^ 

r=^UGENE KHiS is pleasantly located on sec- 
tion 10, Cambria Township, where, on a 
^ well-improved farm of eighty acres, two 



and a half miles east of Reading, he is carrying on 
business as a general farmer. He also makes a 
specialty of horse-raising, to which he has gis'en 
much attention, and has achieved re.iiarkable suc- 
cess in this direction. He is a lover of the equine 
race, and by the exercise of good judgment in buy- 
ing and breeding, there may be found in his stables 
some of the finest specimens of horseflesh that this 
country can produce. 

Believing that whatever is worth doing is worth 
doing well, Mr. Rice has aimed to secure the best 
blood in tiie iiigliest grades of registered stock, and 
lie now has the well-known Bell K., aged four years, 
a sister of the famous Bell F., tlie fastest mare ever 
bred in Michigan, and whose offspring will almost 
certainly increase their fame. May Bell was sired 
by De Sola, of Hillsdale, No. 2211, and is a half- 
brother of Maud S. May Bell's dam, the Lady 
Brown well, is also owned by Mr. Kies, and is now 
raising a promisiug colt, Algreto; this is the fifth 
colt the offspring of Lady Brown well, and they have 
all given entire s.atisfaction as promising young 
roadsters. Another of the group is Bell Star, 
by JLister Lode, No. 595, who is now raising 
a colt called Alto, looked upon as one of the most 
promising colts in the State, and is so pronounced 



^' 



474 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



I 



by competent horsemen. Althongb Mr. Kies be- 
gan to make a specialty of horso-breeding only 
about a half-dozen years ago. he has succeeded in a 
remarkable manner, as the above record shows. 
His farm, which is known as the Excelsior horse 
farm, has been owned and operated by him for 
seven years, and is supplied with suitable buildings, 
well arranged for the health and comfort of the 
animals. Mr. Kies formerly resided in Mo.scow 
Township, in this county, where he was the owner 
of a farm. 

The subject of this sketch was born in JIoscow 
Township, March 28, 1848, while his father, Fran- 
cis Kies, was a native of New York .State, and came 
to Michigan with his father, Stephen Kies, who was 
one of the earliest settlers on Moscow Plains. 
Stephen Kies .secured a large property when the 
county was .still in its infancy, and after struggling 
with all the trials and |)rivations incident to pio- 
neer life, having to do his marketing in Adrian, his 
labors met with a just recompense, and he died at 
a good old age on his well-improved farm on Mos- 
cow Plains. Francis Kies chose for his p.irtner in 
life Miss Estiier Barmore, and has been successfully 
engaged in agricultural operations for man}' years; 
they both still survive at a good old age. 

Our subject is the eldest of a family of six chil- 
dren, who grew up around the parental hearth, ail 
of whom are yet living, and all married with the 
exception of one. Eugene received a liberal edu- 
cation in Moscow Township and subsequently at 
North Adams, and was re;ired at home until he bad 
attained his majority. He then took up the burden 
of life for himself, and on the 9th of February, 
1876, in Cambria Township, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Frances Oj'er, who was born in 
Cattaraugus County. N. Y., Feb. 25, 1855, and is 
the only daughter of John an<i Harriet (Manley) 
Oyer, also natives of the Empire State. Mr. Oyer 
was born in Herkimer County, but about the time 
of his marriage located in Cattaraugus County, and 
tliere accumulated a large property, a part of which 
he devoted to the support of a dairy. After the 
birth of four children, of whom only Blrs. Kies 
survives, the parents disposed of their interests in 
their native State, and coming to Michigan in 1865, 
1 f resided two years in Montcalm County. They 



then came to Cambria Township and purchased 
eighty acres of land, upon which Mr. Oyer spent 
the remainder of iiis days, his death occurring Feb. 
10, 1885. In politics he stood identilied with the 
Republican party, and was a man of energy and 
good judgment. Wliile the family were yet living 
in Montcalm County, the mother of Mrs. Kies died 
while still in middle life; she belonged to the 
church of the Adventists. Mr. Oyer was a second 
time married, to Mrs. F^lizabeth (MansBeld) Pearce, 
a native of Maine; she still survives, and resides 
with her children in South America. Mrs. Kies 
was reared and educated chiefly in this township, 
and bore to her husljand three children, all of 
whom, however, died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kies occupy a good social position 
in their community, and are of a genial and kindl}' 
disposition, taking an active interest in the affairs 
of tlie township. In politics Mr. Kies is a Repub- 
lican 

Vt OHN GRAY, of the firm of Gray & Berry, 
hardware merchants of Montgomery, Cam- 
den Township, is numbered among the most 
IJl^J^ enterprising and intelligent business men of 
Hillsdale County, of which he is a native-born citi- 
zen. He is a son of Yorick and Freelove (Murray) 
Gr.ay, natives of New York State. They were 
among the first pioneers of Hillsdale County and 
located in Cambria Township, of which thej' were 
for many year's respected residents. The mother 
is now deceased, and the father is spending bis de- 
clining years in retirement in Hillsdale. 

The subject of this sketch w.as born in Cambria 
Township, June 15, 1847, and here grew to man- 
hood. He was finely educated in the public schools 
and in the Business College at Hillsdale, from 
which excellent institution of learning he was grad- 
uated under President C. P. Griffin. He was reared 
to the life of a farmer, and in 1871 went further 
west to locate in LaSalle County, 111., where be 
actively pursued that calling for three years. He 
then returned to Hillsd.ale County, and has been a 
resident here since. He had a decided predilection 
for business, tor which liis education eminently 
fitted him, and he established himself in his present 





/T^/^-l^ 



I 



<^ 




HILLSOALK COUNTY. 



477 



business in Montgomery in 1HH4, and conducted 
it with various partners until the year 1HS7, when 
he formed a partnership with .Mr. Berry, under tlie 
firm name of (irey it iieriy. They carry a hirge 
stock of hardware, agricultural implements, bug- 
gies, carts, etc.. and are in iwssession of a large and 
constantly increasing trade, which brings them in a 
good income. 

Mr. Gray was united in nifirriagc to Miss Altie 
C. Lathrop. April 17, 1870, and to her devotion is 
ho greatly indebted for their pleasant and attractive 
home. 1 hree children have been born to them, of 
whom but one is now living, .1. .\rtliur. 

As an earnest and energetic man. possessing fine 
business tact and undoubted integrity of character, 
our subject has exercised a marked influence on 
the public affairs of his native township, and has 
honorably served his fellow-citizens in some of the 
respo:}sil)le offices within their gift. He has been 
one of the Directors of the School Board, and has 
been Treasurer of Camden Township for two terms. 
In politics he is a firm supporter of the |)rinciples 
of the Republican party. Mr. Gray is a prominent 
member of the I. O. O. F., and is Secretary' of that 
organization. 



« WILLIAM L. AVOLCOTT. ahigiily respected 
\jjj// t-itizen of .lonesville, has led an active, use- 
's^ ful life, and for many years has been a 
minister iu the United Brethren Church. In con- 
nection with his ministerial labors he has also been 
actively engaged in agricultural jjursnits. He is a 
native of New York, born in Leroy. Genesee County, 
Oct. 13. 1818. His parents were William and Su- 
san (Ford ham) Wolcott, natives respectively of 
Dutchess County, N. Y.. and Vermont. After 
marri.age they settled in Lcroy, Genesee Co., N. Y., 
removed from there' to Chautauqua County, N. Y., 
and thence to Sandusky County, Ohio. There Mr. 
Wolcott was engaged in his occupation of farmer, 
remaining a resi<h'nL of the town in whicli he settled 
until his deatii. in 1.S47. His widow surviveil him 
man}- years, her death not occurring until ls7y. 
They were honest, industrious, frugal people, well 



meriting the respect in which they were held. They 
were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and 
four daughters. 

Our subject was the fifth child born to his par- 
ents. His early life was spent on a farm, where he 
gained from his father a practical knowledge of 
farming, tliat enal)lod him in after j'ears to carry 
on that pursuit with great success. His education 
was gained partly iu the district sch(jol and com- 
pleted by a thorough course of study at Westfield 
Academy, N. Y., although he did not graduate from 
that institution, nor did he ever attend college. 
He was a thoughtful, careful student, and since 
leaving school has laid up a good store of knowl- 
edge, and is better informed than many a coUege- 
brefl man. He was seventeen years of age when 
his parents moved to Sanilusky County, Ohio, and 
there he taught school until he was twenty-four 
years old, when he felt that he had a still higher 
calling; he had been for three or four years study- 
ing for the ministry, and at that age began to preach 
from the pulpit of the United Brethren Church. aurl 
continued in that profession, while at the same time 
carrying on farming as long as he continued to re- 
side in Ohio. In 1847 Mr. Wolcott removed to 
Hillsdale County and settled in Scipio Townsliii), 
where he purchased a farm which he cultivated, 
and at the same time occupied the pulpit occasion- 
ally for many years. In the fall of 1873 our sub- 
ject came to .lonesville, where he has since made 
his home. 

Mr. Wolcott has been twice married. The maiden 
name of his first wife, to whom he was united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony in Fremont. Ohio, 
Aug. 19, 1838, was Sarah Storms. She was a daugh- 
ter of Isaac and Ma'lha (Hilton) Storms, who were 
probably natives of New York; he died in San- 
dusky County, Ohio, and she in Hardin County, 
Iowa. They had a famdy of eight children, of 
whom Mrs. Wolcott was the sixth. She was born 
in Reilfieid, Oswego Co., NY., Nov. 19, 1820. Her 
union with our subject was blessed by the l)irth of 
five children, whose record is as follows: Myron 
H.. born in Sandusky County. Ohio. Sept. 30, 1839; 
David A., born in Sandusky County. Aug. 1. 1842; 
Adelaide and Jane, who died in infancy; Nettie, 
born in Hillsdale County*, Feb. 4, 1859; she is 



f 



-4•- 

478 



HILLSDALE COUNTY 



i' 



the n-ife of Charles W. Jordan, wlio was born in 
Fayette Townshii). Hillsflale Comity. May 25. 1857. 
and is the son of ,]olin W. Jordan; they have three 
children — Earl W.. Henry L. and Charles R. My- 
ron married Miss Phebe E. Jones, who was born in 
Litchfield Townshiii, Hillsdale County. March 2, 
1842, and is a daughter of William R. Jones: they 
have h.ad four children, namely: Leroy ; Willie, 
who died at the age of two years; Merton, and a 
' child who died in infancy. David married Miss 
Helen Cleveland, a native of the State of ^ew 
York, born March 1, 1«44. and a daughter of Je- 
rome Cleveland ; they have two cliildren — Alice A. 
and Verne C. 

Mrs. Wolcott, the first wife of our subject, a 
woman in every way worthy of the respect .and 
honor in whicii she was held, departed this life in 
Scipio Township, Dec. 9, 1864. Mr. Wolcott was 
married to his |iresent wife in Scipio Township, 
April 9. 1865. She has been to him an amiable 
and devoted wife and companion. Her parents 
were Dr. Noah and Rachel (Inman) Jennings, na- 
tives respectively of Connecticut and Philadelphia, 
Fa. The Doctor and his wife settled in Fremont, 
Ohio, after their marriage, where she died. He 
afterward removed to Jonesville, which remained 
his home until his death. They had six daughters 
and one son. Mrs. Wolcott was the third child in 
order of birth, and was born in Scott Township, 
Sandusky Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1839. Her union 
with our subject has been blessed by the birth of 
two chilrlren : Willie L.. who died at the age of 
ten months, and Coia Maud, born March 17, 1H71. 
While our subject was in the ministry his un- 
doubted piety, earnestness and learning, made him 
a power in the pulpit, and he was the means of do- 
ing much good in his beloved work. He is inde- 
pendent in his religious views, and takes the New 
Testament as his guide. He has always taken a 
deep" interest in public affairs and has held several 
offices. Before the late Civil War he was a mem- 
ber of the old State Militia, of Ohio, and was com- 
missioned to be Captain, a position which he held 
for several years. While a resident of that State 
he was elected to the position of Clerk of Madison 
Township, and since coming to Hillsdale his fellow- 
citizens have recognized his ability and integrity 

4* 




of character bj' making him an incumbent of some 
of the ofHces within their gift; he has sei'ved as 
Coroner for Hillsdale County for a long term of 
years, was Inspector of Schools in Scipio Township, 
and was formerly Justice of the Peace. In politics 
in the early years of his life he was a Whig, but he 
afterward became an ardent supporter of the Re- 
publican party. His life career has been an exceed- 
inglj' honorable one, and as a man and a citizen he 
is above reproach. 

We take great jjleasure in presenting the portrait 
of this esteemed gentleman. He has long been 
identified with the county, and has made many 
friends and few enemies during his residence here of 
over forty years. 

ORAC'E HENRY has for many yeais very 
successfully engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits in Reading Township, and is the owner 
j} of one of the fine farms for which this lo- 
cality is celebrated. He was born in the State of 
New York. Onondaga County, Jan. 13, 1829. His 
father, Robert Henry, was for several years actively 
engaged in the mannf.acture of wagons in that State. 
In 1833 he migrated to Ohio with his family, and 
locating in Medina County, made his home there 
the remaining years of his life, engaged in farm- 
ing. His death occurred in 1863. at the age of 
eighty-six years. He was regarded by his fellow- 
citizens as a just, honest and enterprising man, and 
a worthy citizen. In politics he w.as a AVhig. and 
later a Republican, on the formation of that parly, 
ever after remaining a firm adherent. He had been 
twice married. His first marriage was to a Miss 
Gardner, who at her death left five sons and a 
daughter. His second marri.age was to Mrs. Al- 
mira Schauten. »ee Clark, who was born, reared, and 
twice married in New York State, and lived there 
until her removal with her husband and their son, 
our subject. She ever after resided in Ohio, and 
died at the advanced age of eighty-six, March 15, 
1887. 

Our subject was the second child born to his 
mother by her second marriage. He was four 
years of age when his parents took him to Ohio, 



-L. 



HILLSUALK COUMY. 



479 



and there tlie reraaining years of his Ijoylioofl were 
passed. He received a go(jd training from his ex- 
cellent parents in princii)les of honesty and indnstry, 
from wliich he has never <leparte<l. He remained 
at home with his father and motiier until he attained 
his majority. He adopted his present calling even 
before that age, and was quite prosperously engaged 
in it for a time in the county where lie had been 
reared, in the town of Montville, where his youth 
was passed. In l><50, being then in the very prime 
of early manhood, full of life, vigor and ambition, 
he determined to come to Michigan, where he 
thought he could pursue farming at a better ad- 
vantage. After his arrival here he purchased forty 
acres of lan<l, in a wild, uncultivated condition, 
which forms a part of his present farm. In Jan- 
uary, 1852. he married, in Allen Township, Mary 
A. Shipman, daughter of Harlow and Lucinda 
(Johnson) Shipman. and immediately after mar- 
riage they located on his land, where they have 
mutually- aided each other in l)uilding u[) one of the 
most comfortable homes in the neighborhood. It 
required many years of downright hard labor for 
Mr. Henry to put his farm in its present high state 
of cultivation and improvement, but his persistence 
and energy have won for him complete success in 
his life work, anil he has been enabled to increase 
the area of his farm to ninety acres by further pur- 
chase, and has adorned his place with a fine and 
conveniently arranged set of buildings. He has 
paid considerable attention to raising cattle, and 
has his farm well stocked. 

Mrs. Henry's mother is an honored member of 
their household, and although she is advanced in 
years, being seventy-three years old, and her 
physical health is somewhat impaired, mentally she 
retains her faculties to a womlerful degree. Her 
husband was accidentally killed, Nov. 15, 1870, 
being then a middle-aged man, b}' falling from a 
load of wood and breaking his neck, death ensuing 
instantaneously. He at that time also made his home 
with Mr. and Mrs. Henry. Both he and his wife 
were reared in the State of New York, where they 
subsequently married, and in the year 1838 sought 
a new home in the young State of JHchigan. After 
staying six months in Ypsiianti, they moved to 
Allen Township, and were thus among the early 



settlers of Hillsdale County. They lived there 
many years before making their home with our sub- 
ject. 

Mrs. Henry was born in Cohocton. Steuben 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 2G, 1832, and came to Michigan 
with her parents when about six years of age. 
She was reared and educated in Allen Township. 
To her and her liusbaiid have been born two chil- 
dren: Vincent, wiio died at the iige of four years, 
and Arthur V. Tiie latter married Emma Rising, 
and is still living on the old homestead, assisting in 
its management. He is an enterprising young 
farmer, and owns thirty acres of well-improved 
land. Having no daughters of their own Mr. 
Henry and wife have been foster-parents to Mary 
P., who was born and educated here, and is now an 
intelligent young lady. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members in good stand- 
ing of the Free Baptist Church; they are ever 
foremost in ever3' good work, and tlieir generous, 
open-hearted dispositi<jiis have eiideareil them to 
many, by whom they are reg^arded as true friends 
and kind neigiibors. Mr. llLMiry and his son are 
strong Republicans in their political views. 



"^t^'-^ts^ 



•tfiit .*^#;tf.« 



OHN C. OSBORN, a representative farmer of 
I Hillsdale County, is located on section 23, 



Hillsdale Township, where, in addition to 



V^&J) what is included in the term general farm- 
ing, he devotes special attention to stock-raising, in 
which industry, as indeed in all his ventures, he 
has been successful. The subject of this notice 
w;is born in Adrian, Lenawee County, Oct. 4, 1836, 
and is the son of James and Abigail (Crane) Os- 
born, natives respectively of Dutchess County, N. 
\'., and Elizabethtown. N. J. The father wjis born 
in 1812, and died in Adrian, Lenawee County, April 
14. 1883. He was a farmer by occupation, and in 
religion was a supporter of the Universalist Church. 
He was a man in whom the strength of char.acter 
and sterling qualities which appear to have been 
hereditar3' among the settlers of the Empire State 
were not lost, and brought his life work .as an agri- 
culturist to a successful issue, leaving to his de- 
scendants a competency. The mother of our sub- 



i' 



•P ^ U ■ ^ * 



"► m<* ~ 



■» II 4» 



480 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



jeet was born In 1 822, and died in 18.56. She was 
a member in good standing of the Baptist Church, 
and alil_v seconded her husliand's efforts in provid- 
ing for the wants and e(hKnliiin of liieir family of 
nine children. 

John C. Osborn was the seconil child in order of 
birth in tlie parental family, and while being reared 
to farm pursuits, received the rndimentsof an edu- 
cation in the district school, which he afterward 
matei-ially broadened by an attendance of three 
winters at the High School in Tecumseh. Free 
fri>m the cares and anxieties attending a more 
stimulating life, he grew up to a rugged manhood, 
and passed his life uneventfully until 1M60. when 
he resolved to go out into the world and engage in 
the battle of life for himself. Accordingly he em- 
barked for San Francisco, going by way of the Isth- 
mus of Panama, and reaching Sacramento in safet}', 
he engaged in farm labor for Ur. IManlove, with 
whon) he remained thus employed six months. He 
then proceeded to Lake Tahoe. where he spent one 
month engaged in baling hay, and then removed to 
Virginia City, Nev. At the end of two months he 
returned to Sacramento, and engaged on a farm in 
sowing wheat, and subsequently in teaming on the 
Sierra Nevadas. While on the Pacific Coast, the 
appeal for troops to aid in defense of the Union 
was heard throughout the land, and young Osborn, 
inspired by the patriotic feelings which characterized 
his ancestors, was not slow in lesiiondingto the call. 
Oct. IS. 1.S62, he enlisted in Comjiany D, ad Cali- 
fornia Regulars, and engaged in drill in Sacramento, 
after which he was sent overland to Salt Lake with 
a view to ])rotecting emigration, and the mails in 
transfer. He remained there eighteen months, and 
was then ordered to Denver, Col., where he did 
provost duty six months, at the expiration of which 
time he was mustered out of the service, and re- 
turned to his home in 1805. He inirchased eighty 
acres of land, and resumed the work of his early 
life. 

Having now reached a condition of life in which 
he could safel}' assume the responsibilities of a 
famil}-, and finding that it is not good for man to 
be alone, Mr. Osborn took unto himself a wife 
in the person of Mrs. Marj- (Clemens) Kna])p, who 
is a native of New York, and was born in 1837. Of 

4« 



her union with Mr. Knapp there was born one 
child, Pliebe A., who became the wife of Cyrenus 
H. White, Aug. 18, 1x74. Mr. Knapp enlisted in 
the Union army, and lost his life in the service of 
his ct)untry. INIr. and Mrs. AVhite have been blessed 
by the birth of four children: Charles R., who died 
at the age of two months; Lulu B., Mary E. and 
Ethel M. Mr. Osborn and wife were married Sept. 
5, 1867. 

The extensive travels of our subject, and the con- 
siderable experience thus acquired, together with his 
close habits of obseivation. have combined to make 
him a well-informed, practical man, while his ster- 
ling qualities place him high in the esteem and con- 
fidence of his fellow-townsmen, who in testimony of 
their appreciation of his interest in the public wel- 
fare, have appointed him to the various ofiices 
within their gift. Politicallj-, he is a straight Repub- 
lican, and loses no opportunity of emphasizing his 
views by supporting his party at the polls. Socially, 
he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Tecumseh Lodge 
No. 14. Mr. Osboi'n is not a member of any 
chuich organization, but his wife is identified with 
the Baptist Church, and is a woman of strong char- 
acter and amiable disposition. 



f^^ TEPHEN W. ELLIS is a well-known and 
^^^ highly honored citizen of Hillsdale County, 
^[J_Jf} who resides in the townshij) of Allen, where 
he is numbered among the leading farmers. 
He comes of sturdy New England stock, and his 
paternal grandfather, William H. Ellis, w.as a Cap- 
tain in the Continental army during the Revolu- 
tionary War, and did brave and gallant service for 
his country in that memorable struggle. His son 
Fisher, father of our subject, was born in Connecti- 
cut. He married Lucy White, who was a native 
of New York, and they spent their entire wedded 
life in that State. To them were born five chil- 
dren, of whom Stephen, of this sketch, was the 
30ungest. 

Our subject w.as born in Verona, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., Aug. 20, 1809. He was reared on a farm, 
and received from his worth}- parents a good prac- 
tical training in the duties of life. In 1837 he 



•4^ 



I 



HILLSDALK COUMTV. 



481 



came to !\Iichi<i;.aii, and setllefl in Alien Townsliip, 
Ilillsilale County', and was thus a pioneer of this 
l<Hrt of Michigan. After residing here Ave years, 
in 1842 he retnrned to Caiiandaigua, Ontario Co., 
N. Y., where he afterward lived for many years, 
actively and profitably engaged as a carpenter, 
which trade he had learned when quite a young 
man. In April, l.sGl, Mr. Ellis decided to become 
once again a resident of Michigan, and returned to 
Allen Township, where he has ever since made his 
liome. For the first few 3'ears after settling here 
he was employed at his trade of carpenter, but in 
1865 he abandoned that calling, and has ever since 
devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. 
He owns a valuable farm of 120 acres on section 
14, which for fertility and productiveness ranks 
with the best farms in the township. It is carefully 
managed, is under good tillage, and he has made 
many valuable improvements, among which may 
be noted a neat and commodious set of buildings. 
In these years of toil Mr. Ellis, aided bj' his good 
wife, has gained a competency, so that in the retire- 
ment of his pleasant home, in the companionship 
of his amiable wife and daughter, he can pass his 
declining years free from care. He is now nearly 
blind, but does not otherwise suffer greatly from 
the infirmities of his advancing years. 

Our subject has been twice married. lie was 
first married in Canandaigua, N. Y.. Dec. 20, 1834, 
to Miss Fanny Bray, who was a sister of Mrs. Good- 
win Howard, of Allen. By that union three sons 
were born to him, namely: John F., Walter S. and 
Byron C. John died in Hillsdale, Mich., in 1880, 
when forty-four years old; Waller died when three 
years of age; Byron is a resident of Allen Town- 
ship. The first wife of our subject, who had been 
to him a faithful and loving companion, di'itarted 
this life March 19, 18o;j. at their home in C;inan- 
daigua, N. Y. Mr.Ellis' second marriage took place 
in that town, Nov. 21», 18o4, at which time he wns 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss 
Esther Depew, daughter of Moses and Polly (Craw- 
ford) Depew.and a relative of the celebrated Hon. 
Chauncey Depew. Her parents were natives of 
Sussex County, N. Y., and after marriage they 
made their home near Canandaigua, N. Y., being 
.■imong the early settlers of that county, and they 



continued to reside there till death. Fifteen chil- 
dren were born t(j them, fourteen of whom lived 
to maturit}', and the youngest of that number was 
over forty-five years old before there was a death 
in the family. Mrs. Ellis was the thirteenth child 
in order of l)irtli of that family, and was born 
in Canandaigua, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1823. She is a 
woman of more than orilinary capability, is a nota- 
ble housewife, has ever been to her husband a true 
friend and a wise counselor, and a tender, judi- 
cious mother to their children. Of her union with 
our subject two children have been born — Fannie 
E. and Sue A. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis gave to their 
children an excellent education and a careful train- 
ing to fit them for whatsover station in life they 
might be called upon to fill. Fannie is the wife of 
J. Charles Whitney; Sue A. is an accomplished 
young hilly, who is successfully following the pro- 
fession of teacher, and miikes her home with her 
parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Churcli, of which he has been 
Trustee, and has held olher church offices. In poli- 
tics he is a sound Republican. Our subject has 
always taken a praiseworthy interest in the welfare 
of his township. 

— 3»^ 



^^ HARLES G. PALMER. While all honor is 
ii i~, due to the worthy pioneers who left their 
^^^/ homes of culture and refinement iu the older 
States or countries, and coming to Southern .Michi- 
gan endured all the trials and privations incident to 
pioneer life, we must not forget those who worthily 
bear the mantles of their honored sires. With our 
more progressive spirit and the greater demands 
made upon us by society', it requires perhaps .as 
much tact .and good judgment to worthily fill our 
places In this society as it did in those earlier days, 
when the wants of the people were few and simple, 
and were therefore more easily satisfied. Upon sec- 
tion 9, Ransom Township, resides one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Hillsdale County, standing as 
it were a connecting link between the pioneer fsi- 
thers, whose pl.-ices around tlie family health are in 



i 



482 



:L. 



HILL.SDALE COUNTY. 



many cases vacant, and thc-ir descenrlants who were 
born after nature had in a measure yielded to the 
ax of tlie sturdy husbandman. 

Mr. Palmer was born in Ridgeway Township, 
Lenawee County, on the 10th of Novemher, 1833, 
and is descended fmin rugged Ivew England ances- 
try. His grandfather, Nathaniel Palmer, was born 
in New England and migrated to New York, where 
he was an early settler in Wayne County, which he 
made his residence until his decease. The father 
of our subject, Fenner Palmer, was born in Gran- 
ville, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 6. 1799, and was 
there reareil to farm pursuits. In 1824 herenioved 
ti> Wayne County, and inheiiting fifty acresofland 
from his father, he resided there until 1832. He 
then started for the Territory of Michigan, follow- 
ing the usual route by canal and lake to Detroit, 
where he was met by a brother who had preceded 
him to Michigan, and was a resident of Lenawee 
County. They journeyed across the country in a 
wagon drawn by an ox-team, and upon their ar- 
rival in Lenawee County Mi. Palmer entered eighty 
acres of Government land in Ridgeway Township, 
and erected a log house in the midst of the wilder- 
ness, two miles from any other human habitation. 
It was the usual crude apology for a residence, with 
split shakes to cover the roof, ami an open fireplace 
from which the smoke escajjcd through a mammoth 
chimney made of earth and sticks. In this log 
house our subject first saw the light, and here the 
parents reared their family of little ones to habits 
of frugality and industry. By the light of the roar- 
ing tire, required to keep out the hyperborean blasts, 
which whistled around the chinks of their cabin 
home, the true pioneer wife and mother spun the 
wool and flax and made all the clotliing fur her 
large family. 

Fenner Palmer cleared quite a good farm and- 
erected suitable buildings, but in 1846 he sold the 
homestead, wiiii its log cabin, anfl came to Hillsdale 
County, where he purchased 160 acres of land on 
section 9, Ransom Township. At the time of pur- 
chase ten acres of this land were cleared, and in that 
autumn he sowed it with wheat. In the same fall 
he erected a log house, into which he removed with 
his family in .Innuary, 1847. He resided there till 
I860, having at that time, after another experience 

<■ 



of pioneer life, improved a good farm, and he then 
sold out and removed to Lenawee County, upon 
an improved farm which he jjurchased in Jlacon 
Township. After a residence there of a few years, 
he removed to Hudson, and there lived a retired 
life until his decease, which occurred Aug. 9, 1885. 
He took part in the trouble in the early history of 
this section, known as the Toledo War. He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which he had been united in fellowship and good 
works for more than half a century, and was a man 
whom to know was to respect. The mother of our 
subject, whose maiden name was Julia Ann God- 
dard, still survives, and lives with her son in Hud- 
son. 

The |)arental family of our sul)ject included eight 
children, of whom Charles G. was the third in order 
of birth; all lived to mature }-ears. Charles G. was 
the first of the children born in Michigan, and was 
thirteen years of age when he came to Hillsdale 
County. He remembers well when deer, wolves, 
wild turkeys and smaller game, were still plentiful 
in both Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, and the 
red man still lingered in the former count}'. He 
attended the pioneer schools taught in the old log 
school-house, whose benches were made of split logs 
with wooden pins for legs, and the other furniture 
was equally primitive. He continued to live with 
his parents until 1865, and then settled upon the 
farm he now owns and occupies in Ransom Town- 
ship. This farm is pleasantly located and well 
adapted for the cultivation of the products of this 
latitude. It is supplied with superior buildings, 
securing comfort for both man and beast, and pro- 
viding for the storage of the farm pioducts.. 

Our subject w.as united in marriage, Dec. 9, 1865, 
with Miss Lucinda Halsted, who was born in Rome 
Township. Lenawee County, March 22, 1845, and 
is the daughter of Jacob W. Halsted, who w.as born 
in the State of New York, Jan. 9, 1817. Her 
grandfatlver, John Halsted, was also a native of the 
Empire State, and coming to Michigan settled in 
Rome Township, where he w.as among the early 
settlers. He bought a tract of timber land and 
improved a farm, upon which he resided until his 
death. The father of Mrs. Palmer was quiteyoung 
when he came to Michigan with his |)arents, and 



1 r 




t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



483 



grew to manhood in Rome Township, assisting in 
tiic duties of tiie farm. He w:is then married, Feb. 
19, 1840, to Miss .Jean Periiiiis, vvho was Ijorn in 
York State, July 16, 1819, and died in liomeTown- 
siiip, M.ay 8, 1851. Mrs. Palmer vv.as quite young 
when her mother died, and she was reared by her 
stepmother until the age of thirteen, when she went 
to live with an uncle, with whom she resided until 
her marriage. Upon his marriage John IIalste<l re- 
ceived a portion of the old homestead, and erected 
thereon a log house in which Mrs. Palmer was born. 
Her father continued to reside in Rome Township 
until his decease in 1835, when still a young man. 
In polities Mr. Palmer was originally a Repub- 
lican, and remaineil in the ranks of the party until 
1 876, since which time he has been independent. 



*~"*~^" 



^ ftjILLIAM R. DITMARS, M. D. Dr. Dit- 
\jjj/j mars is a ph3'sician and surgeon of North 
WW Adams, and deserves credit for the posi- 
tion he has won, not onl^- for his pn^fessional abil- 
ity, but in having the confidence of the people 
whom he serves. Though yet only young in years, 
he enjoys a large and increasing patronage, and has 
been very successful in his professional career. As 
a physician he is patient, constant and sympathetic, 
yet, in the hour of extremity, he is cool, calm and 
courageous, thus inspiring the sick and distressed 
with feelings of safe conduct tlirough the scenes of 
impending dangers. Amid all his toil he still finds 
time for the study of his profession, keeping him- 
self abreast with all the practical details and im- 
portant discoveries in the healing art. Such a 
mind as his, stored as it is with the fruits of close 
study and experience, and the genial disposition 
and temperament which it is his fortune to possess, 
can yield only the results which legitimately flow 
from such qualities. 

The parents of our subject, William V. and Cath- 
erine A. (Petty) Ditmars, were natives of New 
Germantown, N. J. They were married in that 
State, after which they removed to New York, 
then to Lenawee County, Mich., where he bought 
a farm, and eng.aged in agricultural pursuits. In 
early life he had learned the trade of a tailor, which 



occupation he followed in the Eastern States, and 
from which he managed to save sufficient means to 
give him a start in life in this State. He had im- 
proved a farm and erected buildings suitable for 
the successful prosecution of his calling, when he 
was called upon to make his final removal, joining 
the ever-incre.asing majority in 1865, when fifty- 
five years olil; tlie mother departed this life in 
1876, at sixty-five years of age. 

The parental family of our subject included four 
children — William R. and tlin^e daughters. William 
R. was born on the 1st of April, 1846, in Hudson 
Township, Lenawee County, and his early days 
were passed upon the farm, attending in the mean- 
time the district school in the neighborhood. He 
early acquired a taste for study, and was ambitious 
to receive a good education. His wish was grati- 
fied bj' obtaining entrance to the Hudson High 
School, which course he completed in 1865. On 
the 4th of Jul}', 1S66, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Ellen M., daughter of Harve}' and Rachel 
M. (Terwilliger) Higley, who were early settlers of 
Lenawee County, and are well .acquainted with its 
pioneer history. They afterwood removed to this 
county, where the father still resides in Ransom 
Township, at the .age of seventy-two years; the 
mother passed away in 1852, at the age of thirty- 
two. Their union resulted in the birth of three 
children, one son and two daughters, of whom Mrs. 
Ditmars was the second in order of birth, and was 
born June 25, 1847, in Ransom Township, Hills- 
dale Count}'. During her early childhood she was 
taken to New York, where she enjoyed the excel- 
lent educational facilities of that State, and laid the 
foundation for a good education. At the age of 
twelve she returned to this county, and subse- 
quently took a course at Hillsdale College, where 
she completed her education. 

Dr. and Mrs. Ditmars are the parents of two chil- 
dren: Josephine E., who is the wife of Frederick 
I. Williams, and resides in Adams Township; and 
William H., who resides at home with his parents, 
and is pursuing his studies in school. In the spring 
of 1868 the subject of our sketch began the study 
of medicine with Drs. A. F. Whelan, L. A. Brewer, 
and C. C. Johnson, of Hillsdale, graduating from 
the medical department of the University of Michi- 



t 



-4^ 



484 



-u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



gan in the class of '72. He tlieii located at North 
Adams, where he has since cnjo3Cfl a practice unsur- 
passed hy that of any jihysician in Hillsdale County. 
Dr. Ditniars is a charter member of the Southern 
Michigan Medical Association, which was organ- 
ized in 1H73, and was President of this body in 
1884. He is a member of the State Jludical Asso- 
ciation, and is also a member of the American As- 
sociation, and was in attendance as the delegate of 
thatbodj- for the Southern Michigan Medical Asso- 
ciation, in 1877. An educated man himself. Dr. 
Ditmars, as may be supposed, interests himself to 
bring within reach of the rising generation the very 
best educational facilities of the age, and was a 
member of the Boaid of Education until his in- 
creasing practice demanded his undivided attention. 
]n politics he is a Republican, and was President 
of the village election in the spring of 1884, serv- 
ing one year, after which he was re-elected m 1886. 
He has been Trustee of the village since its incor- 
l)C)ration, and is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, being from 1881 to 18.'S5 Master of Adams 
Lodge No. 189. ]Mrs. Ditmars is an active member 
in good standing of the Congregational Church, 
and is an exemplar}' lady in all that the term im- 
plies. 




J I OHN A. VJNCETT, a very enterprising and 
I industrious farmer, owns a good slice of land 
on section 10, in Litchfield Township, to 
' which he came in the spring of 1875. He 
has always signalized himself as a progressive and 
liberal-minded citizen, closely identifying himself 
with the interests of his adopted counl)y, he hav- 
ing been born in Sussex, England, June 22, 1831. 

Anthony and Caroline (Shoesmith) Vincett, the 
parents of our subject, were also natives of Sussex, 
where the father was employed as a butcher. He 
emigrated with his little familj' to America in 184.5, 
and purchased a farm in Onondaga County, N. Y. 
He lived, however, only about five years thereafter, 
his death taking place in 1850, when he was fifty- 
five years old. The mother kejit the property in 
her possession until 1870, and is still living, mak- 



ing her home with lier daughter Elizabeth, in Onon- 
daga County, N. Y.. and having nowanived at thd 
advanced age of eighty-five years. 

The parental househohl of our subject included 
five sons and three daughters, and .lohn A. was the 
eldest boy. He was a lad of fourteen years when 
he left his native huul, where he received the 
principal part of his education. He attended school 
two terms in New Yoik State, and continued under 
the parental roof until about 1860. Then, having 
in view the e.'*tablisliment of a home of his own, he 
was married to JNIiss .Julia Underbill, who was born 
in Madison County, N. Y.. Aug. 27, 1835, and was 
the youngest child of Jonathan and Jerusha (Bush- 
nell) Undeihill, who were natives of Connecticut; 
the Bushnells traced their ancestiy back to England. 
The Bushnell family was first represented in Amer- 
ica by three brothers who crossed the Atlantic 
during the Colonial days. They probably assisted 
in bringing about the independence of the Colonists, 
and settled in New England. Their descendants 
later drifted into the Empire State. Jonathan 
Underbill s[)ent his entire life engaged in fanning 
pursuits, and rested from his earthly labors many 
years ago. The mother survived her husband, and 
spent her last days at the home of her daughter, in 
New Y'ork State, passing away when seventy-eight 
years old. 

Mrs. Vincett had three sisters and two brothers, 
all of whom are living. She continued under the 
home roof until her marriage, and by her union 
with our subject is the mother of six children, 
namely: William A., at home; Carrie, who died 
when two and one-half years old; Louisa, who died 
at the age of six years; Edward A., at home, and 
two children who flied unnamed. The two sons of 
our subject and his wife, all the childien left them 
in their declining years, are the assistants of their 
father in his farming operations. The latter is still 
in the prime of life, however, and is able to labor 
with much of his old-time vigor and ambition. 

The Vincett homestead proper includes i 15 acres, 
and our subject also owns forty acres separate from 
the farm, but in the same neighborhood. The neat 
and substantial dwelling is flanked by a good barn, 
and all other necessary out-buildings, which are 
kept in good repair and constantly in a slate of 



-^ 



I 



-4»- 



hillsdalh; county. 



485 



r 



improvement. Contiguous to these is a fine iii)ple 
orchaid, niiile trees < f tiie choicer fruits yieUl in 
their senson tlie fruit which constitutes the luxury 
of the hoiiseiiold. Everytliiu"; about the premises 
wears tlie air of comfort and plenty, the whole 
forming a pleasing picture of quiet country life. 

Our suliject cast liis first Presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln in 18G(), and is a stanch supporter 
of Itepuhlican principles. Both he and his estim- 
able wife are members in good standing of the 
Congregational Church, of Litchfield. 

Ji! OIIN TIMMS. successfully engaged iu gen- 
I eral farming at his pleasant homestead on 
|i section 2'J, Ailams 'lownship. was born in 
}j Oxfordshire, England, Feb. 23, 1829, being 

the third child born to his parents. John and Ann 
(Capel) 'I'imms. They were natives of England, 
where they were reared and married. They came 
to America in 1.S32, arriving in New York July 
7. They remained in that .state four years and 
then came to Wheatland Township, and purchased 
Government land in 1836. Two years later the 
fatherdied in his pioneer home, leaving a widow with 
six children.. .She continued to live in that township, 
making iier home with her son William until her 
death, which occurred in 1884, at the advanced age 
of ninety-one years. To her and her husband had 
been born eight children, seven of whom were born 
in England, two dying there when quite young, and 
the youngest child was born in America. 

The subject of liiis skctcii w.as but three 3'ears 
old when his i)arents emigrated to the L'nitcd SUites, 
and seven years old when he came to Michigan. He 
received a common-school education, attending 
s<;hool until seventeen years olil. The death of his 
father occurring when he was nine years of age, 
the family had to l)e somewhat separated, and 
John lived with Mr. Goff from the time he was 
twelve until he was fifteen years of age, and 
after that worked out by the month. In 1851, 
in company with William Patrick and Leander 
llalleck. he started for California, .sailing from New 
York Novemlicr l,(jn the steamer "Hrother Jona- 
than." After crossing the Isthmus of Panama he 



h 



took passage on board of the steamer "Kim," which 
was defective and came near sinking, so that the 
passengers had to stay in Panama two weeks, and 
some f>f them were stricken with the Panama fever 
and died. The remainder boarded the next steamer 
bound for California and reached San Francisco 
December 20. From there our subject proceeded 
through .Sacramento to the mining districts, where he 
remained fifteen years. That time he considers the 
most successful era of his life. He was fortunate 
from his first arrival in the Golden State, being 
prospered in his mining ventures, and becoming a 
shareholder in the famous Automatic, Timbuctoo, 
and other mines. Having been from home a long 
time Mr. Timnis returned to Wheatland in 1866, 
and m.-ide a visit of six months, during which 
time he bought eighty acres of land in the town- 
ship. Then returning to California he soon after 
disposed of his mining property, realizing ^5,000 
in the operation. The following year he spent on 
his farm in Wheatland, then moved to Hillsdale, 
where he engaged in the boot and shoe business 
with his brother Caleb, under the firm name of 
Timms <fe Co. In the fall of 1876 our subject dis- 
posed of his mercantile business, anil bought the 
farm where he now resides, which consists of 100 
acres of arable land, located in one of the most pro- 
ductive regions of the count}'. The excellent con- 
dition of the land and the neat and substantial 
buildings attest to the thrift and good management 
of the owner. 

Mr. Timnis was married, in 1868, to Miss Maggie, 
daughter of Paulus and Marj- Irving, natives re- 
spectively of Scotland and Cnniberianil Count}', 
England. They were married in the latter country, 
and resided there until 1847, when they emigrated 
to America. They came directly to Michigan, 
purchiising a farm in Adams Township, but subse- 
quently' moved to Hillsdale, where they are now 
living at the ages of seventy-four and sixty-nine 
j'ears. Mr. Irving has been very successful since 
coming to this country, and acquired a competenc}' 
in attending to his business of farmer and veterin- 
.ary surgeon, being now the owner of three differ- 
ent estates in Hillsdale. He is well and favorably 
known all over the ••ounty, his business bringing 
him in contact with many pet>pk'. To him and his 



-♦- 



486 



,t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



wife have been horn five children, of whom Mrs. 
Timms, the first born in this countr}', was the third 
child in order of birth. She is a native of this 
county, born in Adams Township, Sept. 3, 1848. 
She received her elementary' education in the dis- 
trict schools of the township, and afterward at- 
tended Hillsdale College, where she was fitted for 
the duties of a teacher, and prior to her marrriage 
with our subject taught school one term. To her 
and her husband have been born two children — 
Pearl F. and Irving W. The former was a pupil of 
the High School at Hillsdale, being a member of 
the class of '88. 

Mr. and Mrs. Timms are people of intelligence 
and refinement, and hold a high social position in 
the community, wiiere they have many warm 
friends. Mrs. Timms and her daughter are de- 
voted members of the Episcopal Church. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Timms is a strong Republican, and firmly 
supports the measures of that party. 



-« -HH-<s^:j:^>jjf-K+-«». 

lEORGE D. WALKER. Numbered among 
■, the farmers of Hillsdale County, who are 
__J actively engaged in maintaining its agricult- 
ural interests, is the subject of this sketch, who 
is industriousl3' pursuing his calling on section 15, 
of Scipio Township. He is a native-born citizen 
of this State. Palmyra, Lenawee Count}', having 
been his birthplace, and Aug. 17, 1848, the date of 
his birth. His parents, Joel and Arethusa Walker, 
were natives of New England, his father having 
been born in Dummerston, Windham Co., Vt., 
Sept. 9, 1810, and his mother in Greenfield, Mass., 
Feb. 1, 1818. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walker left their 
New England home, and coming to Michigan, set- 
tled in Palmyra, Lenawee County, being among its 
earliest settlers, and for many 3'ears were respected 
residents of that county. Mr. Walker, who was a 
man of intelligence and a sound education, spent a 
part of his life in teaching, and was the first male 
instructor ever employed in Adrian. In 1865 he 
removed with his family to Hillsdale County and 
located in Scipio Township, where he and his wife 
made their home during the remainder of their 



lives, Mrs. Walker dying Feb. 21, 1877, and Mr. 
Walker July 9, 1881. They were people of true 
worth and left many warm friends, both in Scipio 
and in their former home in Lenawee County. They 
were the parents of five children, of whom the 
following is the record : Emily G., who married M. 
L. Dickinson, died in June, 1883, in Angola, Ind. ; 
Frederick N. died in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, July 9, 
1884; Harriet H. is married and lives in Iowa; 
George D.; Esther E. is the wife of James Lamb, 
of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. 

The subject of our sketch passed his boyhood in 
his native county and received a substantial edu- 
cation in its public schools, and when he became 
old enough to select an occupation he decided on 
that of a farmer as being most congenial to his 
tastes. He is now the possessor of a large and vain- 
able farm of 240 acres of productive land, on which 
are good improvements, including a convenient 
set of farm buildings, and he has the necessar}' ap- 
pliances for carrying on his work. 

The union of our subject with Miss Lihbie Root 
was solemnized in Hudson, Lenawee County, Oct. 
6, 1869. She was horn in Scipio Township, May 
29, 1849, being a daugliter of Hiram and Sarah 
(Whited) Root (for parental history see sketch of 
Hiram Root). She is a pleasant, capable woman, 
who has proved herself a good wife and a loving 
mother to the two children, Ralph L. and Ray, 
who have been born to her and her husband. Mr. 
Walker is a well-informed man, and takes an intelli- 
gent interest in public and political affairs, but is 
bound to no party, being independent in his views, 
and in casting his ballot gives expression to his 
opinion of the worth of the men or the measures to 
be voted for. 



i^H^ 



MRS. SARAH A. WOOLSEY, widow of the 
late John F. Woolsey, of Scipio Township, 
and now past her threescore years, is a 
very intelligent and popular l.ady, and now 
occupies a pleasant home on section 1 1 . The dwell- 
ing, although plain, is comfortable, and the buildings 
adjacent are particuhuly noticeable, especially the 
barn, which is a fine modern structure and admirably 



n 



-4•- 



HILLSOALK COUNTS. 



487 



adapted for the shelter of slock and the storage of 
grain. The ninin points in the history of Mrs. AVool- 
sey are as folhiws: 

The subject of this sJcetch was born in Perrinton 
Townshii). Monroe Co.. N. Y.. Feb. II, 1K22. Her 
parents, Lemuel and Susannah (Stout) Woolsey, 
were also natives of tlie Empire State, and spent 
their entire lives there. Their children consisted 
of three daughters only, of whom Sarah A. vvas the 
youngest, and was but one 3'ear old when she was 
deprived of the faithful and aflfcction.ate care of 
her mother. She continued in her native town- 
ship, and was reared to womanhood by her pater- 
nal grandparents, continuing with them nntil her 
marriage, which occurred in Perrinton Township on 
the 9lh of June, 1844. 

John F. Woolsey, the husband of our subject, 
was born in Delaware County. N. Y., April 5, 1821, 
and was the son of Richard and Susannah (Halsted) 
Woolsey, who spent their last years and died in 
Halavia, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. John F. AVoolsey 
after their marriage continued residents of Monroe 
County, where Mr. W. carried on farming until the 
spring of 18.54. That year. resolve<l upon a change 
of location, he came with his family to this State, 
settling first in Hanover, Jackson County, where 
the}- lived upon a farm for a period of twenty 
years. Then selling out Mr. Woolsey purchased 
140 acres in Scipit> Township, where he labored un- 
til the last illness, which termin.ated in his death 
Feb. 18, 1881. Since the death of her husband 
Mrs. Woolsey has personally superintended the op- 
erations of the farm and sought to carr}' out the 
plans which he had inaugurated. In this she has 
been remarkably successful, so that the property 
each year is increasing in value anri beauty. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey there were born six 
chililren, the record of whom is as follows: Adna 
M. is married and a resident of Dakota; George 
W. is farming in Osceola County, this StAte; Au- 
gustus H. died Oct. 27, 1858, when sixteen months 
old; Frederick is a resident of Antrim County; 
liosadied when fourteen years old ; Sarah S. became 
the wife of Volney Moreiiouse, and died at her 
home in Scipio Townsiiip, Sept. 20. 1 !S7!), leaving 
one child, a son, named Zina R. A little grand- 
daugliter of Mrs. Woolsey, and to whom she was 

<» 



greatly attached, was bitten by a dog last August, 
from the effects of which she suffered an agonizing 
death. Oct. 2, 1887. Mrs. Woolsey, in 1836, iden- 
tified herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of Mosherville, of which she has since been a val- 
ued and consistent member. 



J¥/ ACOB J. DEAL is one of the representative 
I business men of Jonesville, where he is ex- 
I tensively engaged in the manufacture of 
^_^ carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc. His father 
was Peter Deal, who died when our subject was 
about three years old, and his mother was Elizabeth 
Stahl prior to her marriage. But little can be 
learned of his parents, l)ut it is supposed they were 
natives of Pennsylvania. They had a family of 
four sons, of whom Jacob J. was the third. He 
was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1827. 
The early 3-eais of his life were spent on a farm, 
and at the age of seventeen l^e was apprenticed to 
learn the blacksmith's trade in Fa^-ette Township. 
Seneca Co., Js. Y. After completing his three- 
years term of apprenticeship, he went to Canoga, 
N. Y., where he was employed at his trade for one 
year. Shortly afterward he made a trip to the 
West, and was absent about two months, when he 
returned and resumed his former occupation. He 
continued his residence in his native State until he 
came to Michigan in the year 1854, and settled in 
Clinton, Lenawee County, where he remained for 
three years. He removed fioni that town to Stur- 
gis; and thence in the fall of 1856 came to Jones- 
ville, which has since been his home. Before 
coming to Michigan he began the manufacture of 
carriages in a small way, in connection with his 
regular business. After locating in Jonesville he 
carried on general blacksmithing. manufacturing a 
small number of lumber and heavy wagons. In 
the year 1865 he began to manufacture carriages 
on a more extensive scale; he bought the lot upon 
which his present buildings stand and erected the 
shops which he has since occupied, witii but a single 
exception. Frmn a small beginning. Mr. Deal's 
patronage has constantly increased, until .at the 
present time he has to employ a force of about 



• ^^ m ^ « 



-I 



488 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



=4 



thirty-six men in the different branches of his busi- 
ness to supi>ly the demand. Daring the 3-ear 1887 
he turned out about 1 ,"200 carts, 300 wagons and 
carriages, and between 300 and 400 sleighs, all of 
which were first class in every detail. His trade 
extends over quite a large territory, far beyond the 
limits of the .State ; his transactions are always 
characterized by the strictest honesty, and he has 
attained a wide reputation for tiie superior work- 
manship and finish which are displayed in his car- 
riages, wagons, and otiier vehicles. 

The marriage of Mr. Deal with Miss Elizabeth 
Holman, daughter of Daniel F. and Catherine 
(Frantz) Ho! man, took place in Syracuse, N. Y., 
Oct. 23. 1849. She was Itorn in Canoga, Seneca 
Co., N. Y., June 29, 182G. Mr. Ilolman was a 
miller by occupation, and was also engaged in tlie 
mercantile business. To him and his wife were 
born nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Deal have one 
son, George V., who resides in Jonesville. and is 
actively engaged with his father in promoting the 
interests of their constantly growing enterprise. 

Our subject has been influential in public affairs, 
and has held the office of Township Trustee for 
several years and also that of Councilman, and is 
a prominent member of the Republican party. He 
and his vvife occupy a fine social position, and in 
the business which he has established he has con- 
tributed in no small degree to the growth and pros- 
perity of Jonesville. 



->. ^^ ^- 

:X^ IkILLIAM HUGHES. As an enterprising, 
\rJ// intelligent and influential citizen of Hills- 
W^ c'^le County, and one prominently identi- 
fied with its agricultural interests, it aflfords us great 
pleasure to place a brief sketch of the life of our 
subject before the readers of this biographical 
work. He is a native of Canada, born in Kings- 
ton, Province of Ontario, Feb. 19, 1823. His 
parents, Lawrence and Frances Hughes, were na- 
tives of Ireland. They emigrated to America, but 
Mr. Hughes being of a roving disposition, they did 
not settle permanently in any place, but tried their 
kick in many towns, finally establishing a home in 
Monroe County, N. Y., where the death of Mr. 



Hughes occurred about 1840. His widow survived 
him and passed her declining years in Allen Town- 
shii), dying Sept. 23, 18G2. 

William Hughes, of whom we write, was the el<l- 
est of three children born to his parents. He was 
an energetic, industrious lad, and tired of changing 
places of residence so often, determined when a 
mere boy, that as soon as fortune should favor him, 
he would have a home of his own, and, though 
it be ever so humble, he could then sit under his 
own vine and fig tree. Therefore, in the fall of 
1842, ere he had reached man's estate, our subject 
joined the rolling tide of emigration which was 
pushing its way to the young State of Michigan, 
and coming to Hillsdale County, he bought eighty 
acres of land in Allen Township. The land was in 
its primitive wildness, but Mr. Hughes, with char- 
acteristic vigor and spirit, set to wurk with hearty 
good will to convert it into a productive farm. He 
labored persistently for a few years, when, having 
sufficient means to enable him to fulfill his long 
cherished dream of building up a home, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Sally Ransom, of Branch 
County, April 19, 1848. Her parents, John H. 
and Ilnldah (Spalding) Ransom, were natives of 
New York State. They left their early home in 
1846, and coming to Branch Countj', this State, 
spent their remaining years there. They were the 
parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Hughes was 
the second in order of birth, and she was born in 
Onondaga County, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1829. 

Of the union of our subject and his wife four 
children have been born, two of whcun are deceased, 
Charles and Charles W., both dying when quite 
young. The remaining two are Lawrence and Eli. 
The former is an enterprising farmer of Allen Town- 
ship. The latter, who is a physician, married Jo- 
sephine, an adopted daughter of Dr. Everett, of 
Hillsdale. 

The farm of our subject is one of the pleasant 
features of the landscape of Hillsdale County, sit- 
uated, as it is, in one of the most fertile regions of 
this grand agricultural country. To his original 
purchase of eighty acres Mr. Hughes has since 
added, until he now owns 120 acres of valuable 
land, 100 acres of which are in a high state of cultiva- 
tion. On it he has erected a spacious brick dwell- 



-•»■ 



T 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



489 , V 



in<r. a fine barn, and other (int-lniilf1in<js, which are 
second to none in point of tastefnl arohitecture in 
the connty. All of his acquirements are the result 
of well-directed lalior, excellent nianasfement, and 
a thoroufih understanding of the details of farm- 
ing. In all of his efforts he has had the assistance 
of a devoted wife and helpmate, who has toiled un- 
ceasingly in the interests of her husband's work, 
and to her aid, counsels and encouragement, Mr. 
Hughes gives a large share of credit for his pres- 
ent prosperit3'. Our subject can well be cited as a 
representative farmer of Hillsdale County, and dur- 
ing his residence in Allen Township he has won 
the esteem and respect of his fellow-townsmen by 
his unflinching integrity, high personal character, 
and true manliness. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hughes 
are worthy and consistent members ot the Presby- 
terian Church, and in politics Mr. Hughes is a sound 
Republican, aiul earnestly su|)|)orts the principles 
of that party. 

ILLIAM H. PALMKR. The father of the 
subject of this sketch was one of the first 
to venture into the wilderness of Ransom 
Township. At that time, a period of over fifty 
years ago, this section of the country was a wilder- 
ness, where Indians still lingered and where wild 
game of all kinds roamed unrestrained and without 
fear of man. Deer and wild turkeys were plentiful, 
and the wolves frequently made night hideous with 
their howling. It took a brave man to settle down 
in the midst of such surroundings, where the foot 
of one of his kind seldom ventured, and from the 
timber land to begin the im|)roveinent of a farm 
and the establishment of a homestead. Of this char- 
acter, however, was Alexander Palmer, and after 
years of labor and struggle, he lived to sec a tract of 
country transformed from its first wild condition to 
the abode of a highly civilized and prosjwrous [leople. 
The many incidents of a long and useful career could 
scarcely be named within the limits of a brief biog- 
raphy. Suffice it to say, that he lived to be honored 
among his fellow-citizens, and that his name is helil 
in grateful remembrance. 

The subject of this sketch was born at the home- 



W 



stead which he now occupies in Ransom Township, 
on the iOlh of August, 18;i9. The name of his 
father we have already mentioned, and he was a 
native of New York. The mother, Mrs. Luccba 
(Hathaway) Palmer, was born in New York, and 
coming to the Territory of Michigan with her 
husband, proved his must efficient and faithful 
companion, and passed from earth at the old home- 
stead in Ransom Township, at the .age of thirty- 
three years. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John 
C. Palmer, was one of the earliest settlers of 
Lenawee County, this State, having located there 
previous to the Toledo War. He improved a large 
farm in Ridgeway Township, that count}', where he 
spent the remainder of his life, attaining to a ripe 
old age. His son Alexander, who vvas but a boy 
when they made the journey westward from the 
Empire State, developed into manhood in Ridgeway 
Township, assisting in clearing the land and bring- 
ing the soil to a productive condition. There also 
he was married, and in the year 1H:3() came with 
his little family to this county in search of a loca- 
tion. He explored the southern portion of it, and 
finally selected the tract of land in Ransom Town- 
ship which eventually' became a valuable and 
desirable farm. He entered the land from the 
Government, and .at once commenced operations 
upon it, the removal hither being made through the 
pathless wililerness, with a 3'oke of oxen and a 
wagon. The onl^' evidence of civilization was a 
faint trail maiked by blazed trees. In the log cabin 
which had sheltered the little family for a nnmber 
of years, their son William 11., the subject of this 
sketch, was born. 

The little dwelling in the wilderness was con- 
structed in the rudest manner, with a roof of shakes 
and a puncheon Hoor. The chimnej' was built 
outside of dirt and sticks. The elder Palmer worked 
incessantly, and .as soon as his boys were old enough 
to be of use, they .also were inducted into the 
secrets of primitive .agriculture. In due time the 
greater part of the eighty acres was cleared, and 
the family occupied it until the breaking out of the 
late Rebellion. The farm was then sold, and Mr. 
Palmer i)urchased other land on section 4, in the 
same township. The declining years of his life 



h 



-4^ 

490 



^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



I ' t will 



were spent in ease and comfort, and he passed away 
on the 9th of June, 1878. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Miss Luceba Hathaway, daughter of Sidney and 
Nancj' Hathawaj', who were among the earliest 
pioneers of Lenawee County. She passed away 
many years before the decease of her husband, 
dying in Ransom Township, in 1851. The first 
meeting held for the purpose of discussing town- 
ship organization was under the hospitable roof 
of Alexander Palmer. It was first decided to 
give it the name of Rowland, but it was subsequently 
changed to Ransom. At the first town meeting 
called, Mr. Palmer was elected Collector, and for 
years afterward held various offices of trust and 
responsibility. 

To Alexander Palmer and his estimable wife there 
were born nine children, eight of whom lived to 
years of maturity. Of these William H. was the 
third in order of birth. He, in common with his 
brothers and sisters, pursued his early studies in the 
primitive log school-house, with slab benches for 
seats and puncheon floor. When twelve years of 
age he went to Ridgeway, where he made his home 
with his uncle, John C. Palmer, with whom he lived 
until November, 1861. He then returned to Ran- 
som, and made his preparations to enter the armj' 
as a Union soldier, enlisting in Company G, 1st 
Michigan Light Artillery, in which he served until 
the 28th of Januarj-, 1865. 

Our subject, while following the fortunes of war, 
participated in man3' of the important battles of 
that struggle, being present at the siege of Vicks- 
burg, the battle of Cumberland Gap, in the fray at 
Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, 
and followed the rebel General, Morgan, for a period 
of twenty-nine days in Kentucky and Ohio. On 
the 3d of May, 1863, while fighting the rebels at 
Ft. Gibson, he was wounded and taken prisoner, 
but piroled on the field. He was subsequently at 
the battle of Jackson, Miss., at the siege and cap- 
ture of Mobile, and met the enemy in various 
minor engagements and skirmishes. His wound 
left no permanent injury, and he returned home 
with the boys at the expiration of his term of 
enlistment, in very good condition physically, and 
with an experience from which he would not will- 



ingly part. The privations and hardships, the 
wearisome inarches, the monotony of cimp life, the 
dangers and hairbreadth escapes, form a history 
which is that of thousands of others, and which re- 
mains largely among the unwritten records of the 
past. 

Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. 
Palmer returned to his old tramping ground in this 
county, and purchased the tract of land upon which 
he now resides. During the j'cars which have 
followed its condition has been greatly changed, 
it being when he took it but a tract of timber 
valued at 111 per acre. He has cleared the greater 
part and added to it, until he now has a fine estate, 
embracing fifty-five acres of land, with excellent 
buildings. His farm machinery and live stock will 
compare favorablj' with that of his neighbors. He 
has planted fruit trees and shrubbery, and spent 
hundreds of dollars, with years of labor, having the 
one purpose in view, that of building up a home- 
stead which would be a credit to himself and an 
honor to his children. 

The lady who has been the faithful companion 
and helpmate of our subject for a period of nearly 
twenty-five years, and to whom he was married 
Sept. 4. 1 863, was .Miss Alice M. Hart, who was 
born in Lorain County, Ohio, April 8, 1846. Her 
parents, Samuel and Emily Hart, were natives of 
Vermont and Ohio resijcctively, and are now resi- 
dents of Ransom. A full sketch of them will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. To our subject 
and his estimable wife there were born six children, 
of whom but four are living, namely: Perry, Cora, 
Budd and Jessie. Hattie and Delbert were killed 
at Ransom, by the explosion of a steam-boiler in a 
sawmill. Mr. Palmer and his wife both received 
serious injuries at the same time, which nearly cost 
them their lives. These children were aged four 
and six years respectively, Hattie having been born 
March 9, 1861, and Delbert June 20, 1868. 

Mr. Palmer cast his first Presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, in the fall of 1860, and has 
always been a warm supporter of the Republican 
party. He gives little time to political matters, 
finding his mind and his hands fully employed in 
looking after his home interests. He has always 
been prudent and economical, and purchased his 

•>. 






-L. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■» H 4* 



491 




first land with money Vhich he saved while in the 
nrmy. He has carefully avoided placing himself 
under olilijintitms to an^' man. making it a rule to 
live within his income and to do without the things 
for which he had not the money to pay. 



\f7 ORENZO BENSON is prosperously engaged 
in farming on section lU. Mofcow Township. 
He has been a resident of this township for 
over fifty years, coming here with his father, an old 
pioneer, in the spring of 1834. At that time the 
surrounding countrj- was in a very wild state, but 
seven years having elajised since the first white 
settlement had been made for permanent improve- 
ment in Hillsdale County, and, indeed, so far as 
is known, in the whole State of Michigan west of 
Tecumseh, Lenawee County. The county had been 
created by the Legislative Comicil of the Territory 
a few 3'ears previously', but had not been organized, 
and for judicial aud legislative purposes formed a 
part of Lenawee County, and was known as the 
township of Vance. Hence our subject has wit- 
nessed in these years the steady development, not 
only of the township where he lives, but of the 
entire county, and the State of Michigan from a 
struggling Territory to a powerful commonwealth. 
Mr. Benson is the son of William and Fanny 
(Cook) Benson, natives of Otsego County, N. Y. 
His father was of mingled Scotch and Dutch ances- 
try, and his mother was of English descent. After 
their marriage they settled in the township of 
Springfield, in their native county, and there our 
subject was born April 9, 1818. being one of .six 
children, four sons and two daughters. In the spring 
of 1834 the parents of Mr. Benson migrated from 
the State of their birth to the then Territory of 
Michigan, to found a new home for themselves and 
their children amid the wild scenes of a sparsely 
settled country, and thus became early settlers of 
Hillsdale County. !Mr. Benson bought eighty acres 
of Government land in Scipio, and purchased of a 
man 295 acres in Moscow Township, where he 
located, and for manj' j-ears was a useful and v.alued 
citizen, doing his full share in developing the agri- 
cultural interests of the townshii), and suffering with 
the other brave pioneers the hardships encountered 



in building up the county. He improved a good 
farm and built up a CDmfortable home. In his death 
in 18G1, at the age of sixty-six, an honest, industri- 
ous and steadfast member of the community was 
removed from its midst. His wife, who had been 
to him a wise and ready hel|)er, and w,as greatly 
respected in their neighborhood, survived him until 
November, 1868, having rounded out a life of 
seventy-two years. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native 
town, receiving there the advantages of an educa- 
tion in its common schools. He was a vigorous, 
manly lad, and when at the age of seventeen he 
accompanied his parents to Michigan, he was of 
great assistance to his father in clearing the land and 
preparing it for cultivation. In 1843 he established 
a home for himself, choosing to share it with him 
and preside over it. Miss Harriet Smith, of Saratoga 
County, N. Y. After a few years of pleasant 
wedded life, the wife died in the year 1849, at the 
age of twent3'-nine years, leaving two children — 
George and Hatlic. George now has charge of the 
old homestead; he married . Miss Mar}' Culver, 
and they have four children — Hattie, Maud, Lena 
and William. Mr. Benson's daughter, Hattie, is 
now the wife of Chester Cushnian, of Pulaski; 
they have one child, Frank. 

The maiden name of our subject's present wife 
was Miss Helen A. Faxon; she is a dau;5hter of 
Francis and Betsy (Crowell) Faxon, natives respect- 
ively of New Hampshire and New York. After 
marriage they settled in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. 
Y'., and there all their children, with the excej)- 
tion of the youngest, four boys and five girls, 
were born. In October, 1835, they removed to 
Jlichigan, and settled in Clinton County, where they 
died, the father in 1 862, at the age of seventy- -seven, 
having been born in 1785; and the mother died in 
1863, at the age of sixty-two. Mrs. Benson was 
born April 6, 1826. and was eleven 3'ears old when 
she came to Michig.in with her parents. Here her 
education was conducted in the district schools and 
in a select school at Grand Rapids, where her good 
scholarship was noted, and subsequently she was 
engaged in teaching for three summers. Of her 
marriage one child h.as been born, Lottie F., now 
the wife of Frank Sackette, of Moscow Township. 



*r 



492 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



Mr. Benson has successfully cleared and iraiiroved 
a fine farun of 134 acres, and has erected a com- 
modious dwelling and a good set of farm Iniildings. 
His son, an enterprising and progressive farmer, 
now manages his farm for him and relieves him of 
man}' cares. 

Mr. Benson is an intelligent, well-informed man, 
and Hives to keep posted on National and local affairs 
of importance. A few years ago he made quite an 
extensive trip through Southern Ohio, Tennessee and 
Kentucky, visiting the princii)al cities, Cincinnati, 
Knoxville, Louisville, etc., and other points of in- 
terest. He enjoyed his journey very much, and 
being a keen observer gained a good idea of the 
country, and a valuable fund of information. He 
has always had at heart the best interests of his 
adopted State, in which the most eventful years of 
his life have been spent, and has done what he could 
to develop its interests. He has taken a promi- 
nent part in educational matters in tliis townshi|), 
serving as a school officer fur many yeas. In poli- 
tics he is a firm Repuhlican, has stood by the party 
since its organization, casting a vote for its first 
candidate. Gen. John C. Fremont. 



-./w -veajei2/(«MS^| 



J/g?^WfS?r»\~-i 




^,,. H. ENGLISH, editor and proprietor of the 
((^^Oi Reading Telephone, assumed charge of this 
ll journal in 1886, and through his judicious 
management it is becoming one of the in- 
dispensable institutions of the western part of this 
county. The paper is a forty-eight-column quarto, 
and during the last few years has enjo^'ed a steady 
,and increasing patronage. Its history is that of 
nearly every newspaper, except that it is among the 
notable instances of those which have survived the 
critical period of their existence and are liound to 
succeed. Mr. English is a practical printer of 
twenty years' standing, having in his younger years 
been the apprentice of H. B. Rowlson, of the Hills- 
dale Standard, where he learned the business in all 
its details. 

Before completing his apprenticeship, however, 
the war being in progress, young English left the 
case, at the age of nineteen years, and on the 18th 
of February. 1864, joined Company K, 4th Michi- 



gan Infantry, under Capt. C. B. Van Valor, of Hills- 
dale, and the regiment was assigned to the .oth 
Corps. Army of the Potomac, which was mostly 
commanded l3y Gen. Warren until the battle of 
Five Forks. After the surrender of the armies of 
Lee and .lohnston the regiment was sent southwest 
to the Gulf and Texas. Before this, however, he 
had met the enemy in the battles of the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Five Forks, and other 
engagements, and the 5th Corps to which he lie- 
longed had the honor of receiving the arms of Gen. 
Lee upon the occasion of his surrender at Appo- 
mattox. 

During his army life young English acquitted 
himself in a most creditable manner, being promoted 
to the position of Sergeant. He had been very 
anxious to enter the service upon tlie lireaking out 
of the war. and had several times made the effort, 
but on account of his youth could not be accepted. 
Even when he did enlist he was rejected by the 
recruiting officer, and twice afterward l>y the mus- 
tering officer. His perseverance, however, finally 
gained him his point, and he takes great satisfaction 
in the reflection that he was enabled to do so. 

At the close of the war Mr. English returned to 
Hillsdale, and completed his trade in the office of 
the Standard. Believing that an experience in 
other cities woulil be beneficial he traveled about 
in true printer style, and secured employment at 
various times in some of the best offices in the State, 
becoming .acquainted with the different methods of 
doing business and gaining much useful informa- 
tion. Upon finally returning to Hillsdale lie had 
for twelve years the general management of tlie 
mechanical department of the Standard, which 
jiroved to lilin an invaluable experience, and he 
earned the reputation of being one of the most 
skilled workmen of the craft. 

The Telephone was the first newspaper Mr. En- 
glish had control of, and the manner in which he 
has succeeded in his difficult undertaking is suffi- 
cient indication of his business and literary ability. 
Politicall}-, it is independent, and Mr. English is a 
man who is fearless in the expression of his views, 
and one who maintains his principles with all the 
natural strength of his character. 

Cayuga Count3^ N. Y., was the early tramping 

•^ 



f 



,t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY'. 



493 



grouml of our sul)ject. ami where his birth took 
place .Inly 1. IHtt. His fathL-r. Setli Kiiy;lish, was 
a native of Vermont, and the son of an ol<l Revo- 
lutionary soldier, wlio fonijht under Col. Ethan 
Allen, of historic fame. iSeth Knglish was reared to 
manhood in tlie Green Mountain State, and was the 
offspring of Xew England ancestry, who had crossed 
the Atlantic jjrohahly during the Colonial days, and 
who were widely and favorably known in that re- 
gion. The father of our subject was l)red to farm- 
ing pursuits, which he followed all his life. He 
migrated to New York State when a young man, 
and was there married to Miss Mary Glass, who 
was of Holland-Dutch descent, and of noble parent- 
age, as the records show. 

A few years after their marri.age, Seth English 
and his vvife left the Empire State with their little 
family, and settled in Southern Michigan some 
time during the forties. They made their home in 
Hillsdale, where the mother died a few years later, 
about 1848, when twenty-eight years old. Her re- 
mains were laid to rest in Hillsdale Cemetery. The 
father was subsequently married to Aliss Adeline 
Bailey, sister of Washington Bailey, of Reading, and 
a sketch of whom appears on another page in this 
volume. The father of our subject after the out- 
break of the war enlisted in the Union army in the 
same regiment with his son, Amos H., and they 
fought side by side together. On the 20tliof June, 
1864, the father was mortally wounded by a gun- 
shot from the enemy at the camp near Petersl)urg, 
ill Virginia. 

The marriage of A. H. Finglish and Miss Martha 
Clark was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Ailams Township, April 18, 1869. Mrs. English 
was born in Algansee, Branch County, March 17, 
l«n2, but was reared and educated in Adams Town- 
ship, to which her parents, William and Elizabeth 
(Frenchl Clark, subsequently removed, and where 
they are now living. The father is seventy-four 
years of age and the mother sixty-six. They were 
natives respectively of New York and Connecticut, 
and married at the home of the bride in the latter 
State. They came to Michigan about 1849. Mr. 
and Mrs. English began the journej- of life together 
in Hillsdale, and of their union there have been born 
two children — Jennie L. and Lulu J., both at home. 



The former assists her father in his office work, 
being a young lady of more than ordinary' intel- 
ligence and excellent business eap.acities. The 
younger was graduated from the High School at 
Reading. 

Our subject and his family occupy a snug home 
on Silver street in the city, ami in religious belief 
are Universalists. Mr. English as an ex-soldier 
identified himself with the G. A. R.. and is a char- 
ter member of C. J. Dickinson Post, at Hillsdale, 
and Past Commander of Phil .Sheridan Post No. 4, 
in Reading. He also belongs to Lodge No. 17, L 
O. O. F., ill Hills<lale, and Treadway Eiicainpnient 
at the same place. In this he has taken all the de- 
grees and passed all the Chairs of the Subordinate 
Lodge. As a business man, he is considered a 
representative citizen of his township, and socially, 
is the center of a large circle of warm friends. 



'i^m- 



m 



<if?OSHUA DILLON, an extensive and well- 
to-do farmer of Wriglit Township, is pro- 
prietor of 210 acres of valuable land on 
/ section 4, all in one body, highly cultivated, 
and chiefly devoted to the raising of grain and 
stock. Of this he took possession in the spring of 
1863. In addition to the careful cultivation of 
the soil, fencing and drainage, he has erected a 
substantial set of frame buildings, and supplied 
himself with all the machinery necessary for the 
prosecution of agriculture in a first-cl.iss manner. 
In his business transactions he has been straightfor- 
ward and [irompt, and in his dealings with his 
neighbors his course has been such as to commend 
him to them as an honest man and a good citizen. 
He has contributed his full quota to the develop- 
ment of Hillsdale County, and in assisting to bring 
it to its present enviable condition among the com- 
munities of the Great West. 

Our subject, a native of the Flrapire SUate, was 
born near the town of Farmington, OnUirio County, 
on the 13th of M.ay. 18.57. His father, Moses 
Dillon, was a native of the same county, and his 
paternal grandfather, John Dillon, one of its earliest 
settlers, is believed to have been born in New Jer- 
sev. The latter, upon removing from his native 



i 



■► 11 ^^ 



^ 



-► MM* 



494 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



State, piirohased a tract of land in Orleans County, 
N. Y.. whence he removed later to the vicinity of 
Farmington. where he improved a farm and spent 
the remainder of his life. 

Moses Dillon was reared and married in his na- 
tive county, continuing there until about 1857. Then 
selling out, he started for Southern Michigan, and 
purchasing a farm in Pittsford Township, this county, 
here spent the remaindei- of his days. His wife in 
her girlhood was Miss Martha Peru, also a native of 
Ontario County. N. Y.. and who, like her husband, 
died at the homestead in this county. They were 
the parents of eleven children, all of whom are liv- 
ing, married, and settled in comfortable homes of 
their own. 

Joshua Dillon, our subject, was reared on the 
farm in his native county, and educated in the dis- 
trict school. He commenced at an early age to 
assist in the various employments of rural life, and 
after he was thirteen 3'ears old had to depend upon 
himself for his living. At that time he left home 
and commenced working by the month, receiving 
at first $5 besides his board. As his usefulness in- 
creased, his wages were raised, until he was able to 
earn $14 per month. He labored in this manner 
until after his marriage. Three jears later he pur- 
chased thirty acres of land in his native township, 
twent3' of which were improved and the balance in 
timber. There were no buildings, but he put up a 
good house, cleared some of the land, occupied it 
three or four years, then sold out, and commenced 
working by the month again. Two years later he 
purchased seventy acres near Manchester, in the 
same county, most of which was improved, and 
with very good buildings. There he resided with 
his family until the spring of 1862, when he sold 
out once more, and the year following came to this 
State. 

The lady who has been the close companion and 
helpmate of our subject for a period of nearly forty 
years was before her marriage Miss Ann E. Aldrich, 
a native of the same town as her husband, and born 
Dee. 2, 1830. They were married at the home of 
the bride, in Farmington, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1849, 
and commenced life together in the modest home 
we have already spoken of. The parents of Mrs. 
Dillon were Nathan and Elizabeth E. (Estlow) 



•►HH^- 



Aldrich, natives also of Ontario County, N. Y., the 
father born Feb. 18, 1797. and the mother in Janu- 
ary, 1795. Her paternal grandfather, Nathan Al- 
drich, Sr., was born in 1762, and one of the first 
settlers of Farmington. He was a man of great 
energy and perseverance, and .accumulated a large 
property, assisting all his children to good homes. 
He died at his homestead in Farmington Township. 
Nathan Aldrich, Jr., was reared, married, and spent 
his entire life iu his native county, dying on the 
farm which his father had built up from the wilder- 
ness. Like the latter he wiis thrifty and successful 
in life, and added to the lands his sire had left him, 
iissisting also his children to settle in life, and 
happy in seeing them with good homes of their 
own. He was a stanch Whig, politically, and served 
as Justice of the Peace many years. After the 
labors of a long an<l well-spent life he passed away 
on the 18th of IVIay, 1865. The mother departed 
this life in 1853. twelve years before the decease of 
her husband, at the homestead in Farmington. 

To our sul)ject and his wife there were born five 
children: Rosetta J. is the wife of Mason Bryant, a 
farmer of Pittsford Township; Nathan married 
Miss Eliza Seeley, and is farming in AVright Town- 
ship; Elizabeth is the wife of J. Gordon Brownell, 
a farmer of Hudson Township, Lenawee County ; 
Delia M. married Dr. S. B. .Sabin, and they reside 
in Pittsford; Albert E. is unm.arried, and lives at 
home with his parents. Mr. Dillon was reared in 
those principles, politically, which have made hira 
one of the most reliable adherents of the Repub- 
lican party. He has. however, comparatively little 
to do with politics, being raostlj' absorbed in his 
farming operations. 



D 



OBERT J. BERRY, a skillful and successful 
'ti^} breeder of road horses, and having a fine 
(1Q\1 half-mile speeding track within the limits 
w^of Reading Village, seems specially adapted 
to his calling, in which be takes pride and aims to 
excel. He is the owner of the famous Jack Baker, 
well known in this region for his 2 :40 pace, and 
who comes of fine Hamblelonian stock. He is also 
the owner of Bessie B., who trots almost at a natural 



■•► 






-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



495 i L j 



gait her mile in three minutes. an<l <jives promise of 
much greater speed witli a little training. Mr. 
Berry has also other nt)terl animals, anrl in company 
with his father, Thomas Berry, is building up for 
himself .an enviable reputation in connection with 
the training and devehjpinent of horses, to which 
he has given his close attention for the last six 
years. He is Secretary of the park at Reading, 
and has the general management and oversight of 
the business there, which comprises annually two 
daj-s' racing, and which is both a .source of profit 
and amusement. 

The subject of our sketch is a n.ative of Reading 
Township, liaving been born at the farm of his 
fatlier on section 22, Aug. 31, 18.56. The j'oungest 
son of Thomas Berry, written of elsewhere in this 
work, he was reared at home and educated in the 
village schools. He inherited from his father his love 
of horses, and when a lad nine years of age was 
speeding animals upon the track for his father. He 
has thus chosen the calling to which he is best 
adapted, and much is expected of him in the future. 
Upon reaching manhood he was married in Cambria 
Township, Feb. 17, I87S, to Miss Esther Whitney, 
who was born there April 25, 1854. 

Mrs. Berry is the daughter of Wells and Demis 
(Holmes) Whitne}-, who were natives of New York 
State, and after their marriage in Geneva, lived 
there one j^ear. then came to Michigan, and located, 
in 1845, on a new farm in Reading Township. 
The place is now known as the Abbott farm. It 
comprises a large tr.act of land, and after making 
some improvements Mr. Whitney traded for an 
improved farm in Cambria Township, where he 
made his home until his death, April 18, 1887. 
He was then sixt3'-three years old. The mother of 
Mrs. Berry died in Cambria in December, 1859. 
Her father subsequently married Miss Emeline 
Shaddock, who survives him and is living in Hills- 
dale. Mr. Whitney was a prominent man in his 
community, a Republican in politics, and held nearly 
all the local offices. In religious mutters he be- 
longed to the Free- Will Baptist Church, with which 
his first wife, the mother of Mrs. Berry, was 
connected. Mrs. B. was well reared and educated, 
completing her studiesat the Hillsdale Union School, 
and employed hei-self as a teacher .<»ome time before 



her marriage, mostly in the district schools of this 
county. Our subject, politically, is a solid Demo- 
crat, and with his estimal)le wife is a favorite in 
the social circles, while their pleasant home i.s a 
hospitable resort for their many friends and ac- 
quaintances. 



-^^»- 



ylLLIAM BEER, one of the thrifty farmers 
of Reading Township, owns and occupies 
a well-cultivated tract of lanil comprising 
122 acres, on section 11. It yields in abundance 
the choicest crops of Southern Michigan, while the 
residence and other substantial farm buildings indi- 
cate the enterprise and industry of the proprietor. 

Mr. Beer \\as been in possessi<jn of this property 
since the spring of 1880. havino; migrated to this 
part of the State from .St. .Joseph County. Ind. In 
Penn Township, near South Bend, was his birth- 
place, and he first opened his eyes to the iight Aug. 
2.5, 1844. His father, William Beer, Sr., a native 
of Erie County, Pa., removed from his boyhood 
home to Indiana in 1832, and thence to St. Joseph 
County, of which he was one of the earliest pioneers. 
He settle<l in the wilderness of Penn Townstiip, 
where he was married to Miss Isabel Rogers, 
and the parents, by their united efforts, labored in 
common through privation and discouragement, 
but finally received their reward in the comforts of 
a home, which became noticeable in the community 
on account of its cheerful aspect and open hospi- 
tality. 

The mother of our subject was born near London- 
derr}', Ireland, where she was reared to womanhood, 
and came with her parents to the United States. 
After a brief sojourn in New York, they took up 
their residence in Indiana, which remained the 
residence of both her and her husband until life for 
them was over. The father met his death acci- 
dentally, in September. 1877, being shot by a gun in 
the hands of a neighbor. The mother had passed 
away seven years before, in the spring of IH70. 
Both were active members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Cliurch,and William Beer, Sr., w.as, politically, 
a solid Democrat. 

The subject of this sketch was the second child 



T 



496 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



in H faini]3' of tlnce pfins and ore daughter, of -nliom 
llinl^ielf ctnfl one sister are the fmly survivors. The 
latter, Jlay J. Boner, is a resident of Michigan. 
William. .Ir.. «as reared and edncated in his native 
township, and theie uiairi((l Miss Mary E. Shene- 
field, who was horn in Coliinihiana County, Oliio, 
Sept. 18. 1>'M). Her i)arents, John and Anna 
(Slough) Shenefield, were natives of Pennsylvani.i. 
The mother died in middle life, about If^GT. and 
the fatliei- subsequently married Miss Esther Hawley. 
They are both living. Mr. Shenefield being now 
past his threescore years. 

Mrs. Beer continued at home with her father until 
her marriage. Of her union with our subject there 
have been born six children, four of whom are 
living, namely: Alvina. Bertha A., Emma and 
William E. '1 hey are all .-it home. Mr. Beer was 
reared b}^ his father in Democratic principles, to 
which he still loyally adheres. 

—^ .o*o.-@JA~^s25)-.o*o <,— 

is^i LONZO KIES occupies an lionorable posi- 
ij^Qi tion in the records of Moscow Township 
it as one of its pioneers. Coming here in 
the fresh vigor of early manhood, by his 
unceasing industry he contributed in a great degree 
to the development of the resources and the growth 
of this township, which was the tiiird in Hillsdale 
County' to become the home of the white man. The 
long years of toil that have intervened since his 
settlement here fift^'-five j'ears ago have brought to 
him due reward, and he is now the fortunate pos- 
sessor of a pleasant home, a fine farm, with a com- 
modious dwelling, substantial barns, and other build- 
ings. Moscow Township, including that portion of 
the country embraced in range 2 west of the principal 
meridian, was set off from the township of Vance — 
which included the entire county of Hillsdale— on 
the 17th of March, 1835. Since that time it has 
been divided into seveial separate townships, and 
Moscow Township, No. 5 south, the northernmost 
one of the range in the county, being the earliest 
settled, very ap[)ropriately retained the name which 
was given to it bj' our subject and Messrs. Black- 
mar and Miller. 

Mr. Kies comes of good Scotch ancestry, his 



"«••■ 



great-grandfather Kies coming from Scotland. 
While on the way hither with his wife, they met 
with a .serious adventure which almost cost them 
their lives, and came near putting an end to their 
project of establishing a home and founding a 
family on American soil. The vessel in which they 
sailed from their native land was wrecked, but Mr. 
Kies. with great courage and endurance, swam five 
miles to shore with his wife jon his back. They 
were early settlers in this country, and from them 
was descended Jogi'i)h Kies, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, who took an active part in the Revolutionary 
War, and was a citizen of Massachusetts. His son 
Stephen was born and reared in that State, and 
there married Betsy Totter, who was born in 
Buckland, Mass. They settled in Cayuga Countj', 
N. Y., and there reared six children, of whom our 
subject is the elder of the two now surviving. In 
1833 Mr. Stephen Kies with his wife and children 
left their old home in the State of New Y''ork, and 
migrated to the Territory of Michigan. They 
came by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, whence 
they embarked on the steamer " Ilenr^- Clay," and 
crossed Lake Erie to Huron, Ohio, where the father 
bought a wagon and a team of oxen, and the fam- 
ily braved the dangers of the wilderness and the 
dread Black Swamp that the^- had to pass through 
before reaching their destination. After traveling 
slowly for some time in a northerly and westerly 
direction, they finally ariived in Hillsdale County, 
and settled in the place subsequently known as the 
township of Moscow. There the father improved 
a farm, and built uj) a home, in which he and his 
wife passed the remainder of their days of activity, 
although their closing years were spent in the dwell- 
ing of their son, our subject, the father dyii\g in 
1863, at the age of seventy- two, and the mother 
living to the great age of ninety-five years, dying 
in 1882. Thej' were held in universal respect, anfl 
the father was a man of sterling ability, was well 
educated, and accumulated considerable property 
l)y the successful management of his farm. 

Alonzo Kies of this sketch was born on the old 
homestead of his parents in Venice, then called 
Simplionions Township. Caj'uga Co., N. Y., Sept. 
30, 1809. His school privileges were very limited, 
but his father being a man of good education our 



^ 






t 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■•►i-^ 



497 



subject was, doubtless, better eclucated than most 
of the farmers' lads In that neighborhood. He 
grew to manhood in the pl.-ice of his birth, receiv- 
ing from his father a careful, practical training in 
farming, and later serving a regular apprenticeship 
as a cabinet-maker. He was twenty-three years of 
.age when he accompanied his father to Michigan. 
He had already been married a year, having mar- 
ried Miss Sally Taylor in 1832. She was a daughter 
of Luke and Elizabeth T.aylor, of Massachusetts. 
Our subject took up land from the Government 
on section 19, Moscow Township, and still has in 
bis possession a letter patent to eighty acres of 
Government land, signed by President Andrew 
Jackson. He also has deeds of two other tracts of 
land, containing eighty acres each. With the rest- 
less activity and ambition characteristic of a strong 
and energetic young man. he immediately set 
about preparing a home for his wife and growing 
family. Even before the erection of his first house 
a son was born to himself and wife, who w.as the 
first boy born in Moscow Township, and to him 
they gave the name of DeWitt Clinton, in honor of 
DeWitt Clinton, a former Governor of New York. 
They had but one other child, who died in infancy. 
DeWitt C. is now a prosperous farmer, residing 
with his wife and one child in a pleasant home 
in this township. The first winter after Mr. Kies' 
settlement here, the season of 1833-34, was a 
lovely one, remarkable for its mildness, birds were 
very plentiful, and spring, with its blossoms and 
verdure, o|)ened very early. This was very fortun- 
ate for the early settlers, who could bear tiie hard- 
ship of settlement in that wild country mucii better, 
and were enabled to clear their land more rapidly. 
Our subject has been very prosperous in his labors 
to improve his land, and now has his farm in a 
One state of cultivation. The primitive buildings 
that he first erected for his use have given way to 
more substantial structures, and he is well supplied 
with various implements and machinery that make 
the labors of the farmer so much easier than when 
he began his career as an agriculturist nearly sixty 
years ago. 

The worthy wife of our subject, who at a youth- 
ful age had joined iinnds with him to walk the 
path of life, and h:i<l for so many years been his 



helper and solace in times of hardship and sorrow, 
lived to share with him the prusperity that she had 
helped to achieve, her life closing in 1878, at llie 
age of seventy-two years. 

Mr. Kies has been a very influential citizen, and 
taken an active part in the control of township 
affairs, having held with great credit the offices of 
Director, Collector, Assessor and Constable. He is 
a man of upright character and strict integrity, 
and possesses the confidence of his fellowmen to 
a marked degree. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, being one of the oldest members of 
Fayette Lodge No. 5. In politics he is independ- 
ent, and at the polls votes for principles, and men 
of principle, to carry out needed reform s. He 
voted for the constitution on the organization of 
the State. Religiously, lie is a firm Spiritualist, 
having great comforf and enjoyment in his belief. 



■fllAMES HOXIE. Prom,inent among the thrifty 
farmers of Cambria Township, the subject of 
this sketch is pleasantly located on section 
IG, on a homestead comprising 100 acres of 
land, of which he took possession in 1869. He 
came to Michigan during its territorial days, in 
1836. in the fall of which year he located in Wheat- 
land Township, and from which he removed in 1869 
to the farm which he now occupies. 

A native of Allegany County, N. Y., our subject 
was born May 7, 1823, at a modest country home 
in Almira Township, the property of his parents, 
Leonard B. and Clarinda (Taylor) Hoxie, also na- 
tives of the Empire State, and the former of whom 
spent his entire life at agricultural pursuit-s. The 
paternal grandfather spent his life in Cayuga 
County, where he died at an advanced age. He 
had been twice married, and Leonard B. was a son 
of the first wife. The latter upon reaching manhood 
married a maiden of his own county, Miss Clarinda 
Taylor, a daughter of one of the pioneer settlers 
of that region, and whose father spent the most of 
his life in Cayuga County. 

After his marriage Leonard B. Hoxie went over 
into the Dominion of Can.ada, settling in Oxford 
County. IVovincc of Ontario, in 1832, taking up a 




i 



-•► 






498 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



tract of land in Norwich Township. Not being 
satisfied witii the result of tiiis experiment, he four 
years later, equipped with a covered wagon and 
two yoke of oxen, and accompanied by his family, 
came overland to Southern Michigan. Wiiile the 
family were passing tlirougli tiie embryo citj' of De- 
troit, the j'oungest child, a boy of five or six years, 
wandered away and was lost, and the journey 
was suspended for several days to search for him. 
He was finally brought to their camping place by a 
stranger, who, without awaiting any thanks or offer- 
ing any explanation, rode away as if he had only 
done that which was his dut3'. 

The familj', now immensely relieved from anxiety 
and suspense, resumed their journey and pitched 
their tent on section 4, in Wheatland Township, 
where they lived several yeai's, and thence removed 
into Somerset Township, in which their last days 
were spent. The mother passed away two years 
before the decease of her husband, when seventy- 
two years of age. The faihi r died in 1873. when 
nearly" eighty-one. He was a Quaker in religious 
belief, while his estimable wife clunj; tenaciously to 
the doctrines of the Baptist Church, .lames, our 
subject, vvas the eldest of their three sons and two 
daughters, of whom all the sons and one of the 
daughters are still living, married and settled in 
comfortable homes of their own. 

Mr. Hoxie. in 1854, with the natural desire of a 
■worthy young man to establish a honie and domestic 
ties, vvas united in marriage with Miss Saiah AIc- 
Cnll, who was boin in New York, in the vicinity of 
Oak Orchard Creek. Her father was of Scotch 
birth and parentage, while her mother was of Kn- 
glish ancestry. Mrs. Sarah Hoxie died while still 
a young woman, in Wheatland Township, leaving 
no children. Her mother is still living there, hav- 
ing now arriverl at the advanced age of about ninety 
years. The father died in New York State. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married on the 4th of December, 18.56, was in her 
girlhood Miss Almira P. Barnes, and w.as born Dec. 
3, 1822. She was ttie third daughter of Ira and 
Klizabelh (Dewey) Barnes, who were natives re- 
spectively of New York and Massachusetts. They 
were married in New York State, whence thej' re- 
moved first to Portage County, Ohio, and after the 



birth of two children took up their residence in 
Medina County, that State. In the fall of 1843, 
deciding upon a reuK^val to the farther West, they 
came to Wheatland Township, this county, and 
spent their last d.ays at the home of their daughter, 
Mrs. Hoxie, where the fathei' died at the age of 
seventy-five years, and the mother when eighty- 
seven. 

Miss Barnes spent her childhood and j'outh with 
her parents, and after coming to this county was 
married to .John Comstoek, who was also a native 
of New Yolk State, and was brought by his par- 
ents to IVHchigan when a young child. After his 
marriage he took possession of a tract of land in 
AVheatland Township, where his death took place in 
1853. He left three children, all of whom are now 
deceased. 

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hoxie was Capt. 
John Barnes, a sea captain during his early life and 
later one of the pioneers of Michigan Territory. 
He held the commission of Colonel in the War of 
1812, and roumled up an active and energetic life 
after he had reached his f(jurscore years. His son 
Ira also carried a musket as a private at the same 
time that his father was in command of a regi- 
ment. 

'J'o Mr. and I\Jrs. Hoxie there has been born one 
child only, a daughter Adelaide, who married Will- 
iam Donnelley, of Seneca County, and lives on the 
homestead; they have one child, a daughter, Jessie 
P. The H(jxie farm embr.aces 100 acres of land, 
with a good set (if frame buildings, and everything 
jjrovided for the comfort of the f.amily. Our sub- 
ject, politically, uniformly votes the Republican 
ticket, and stands well amons; his neighbors. 



1^ RS. JEMIMA (WRIGHT) HARRIS has for 
/« \\\ man}' long years been a resident of Wright 
ll 1« Township, occupying one of its most com- 
€ fortable homesteads, which was inaugurated 

by her late husband, AVilliam Harris, a gentleman 
of American birth and parentage, and who departed 
this life on the 24th of October, 1879. He cast 
his lot with the pioneers of Southern Michigan at 



-•^^l-M* 



t 



■•» ^ H 40 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



499 



an early date, and was making good headwaj' to- 
ward huikling up a model homestead, when he w,as 
stricken down before he had completed half his 
plans. 

Mrs. Harris was born on the other side of the At- 
lantic, in the townof Boston, Lincolnshire, England, 
Dec. 27, 1827. Her father, Thomas Wright, a na- 
tive of the same, spent his earlier years upon his 
native soil, and upon reaching manhood served an 
apprenticeship as a carpenter and cabinet-maker. 
After ni.irriage he developed into a contractor and 
builder, and continueil a resident of Boston until 
in November, 1829. Then, not being satisfied with 
his condition or his prospects, he determined to 
emigrate to America, and with his wife and five 
children embarked at Liverpool on a sailing-vessel, 
and at the end of a six weeks' voyage landed In 
New York City. After a brief stay in the metropo- 
lis they proceeded to Tompkins County, N. Y., 
where the father rented a farm and where they lived 
six years. 

Mr. Wright in 1835 left the Empire State for 
Summit County, Ohio, and purchased a farm near 
the ttiwn of Springfield, where lie spent the remain- 
der of his days. The mother, whose maiden name was 
Lucy Kirkman. survived her husband a few years, 
and died at the home of a daughter in Akron, Ohio. 
The seven children of the parental household in- 
cluded five sons and two daughters, six of whom 
lived to mature years. The eldest living. George, 
is a resident of Akron ; James died there about 1 876 ; 
Josiah (1st) died in infancy; Josiah (2d) is a resi- 
dent of Mexico. Mo.; Jemima, of our sketch, was 
the next in order of birth; Thomas occupies the old 
homestead in Summit Cjiinty, Ohio; Lucy is the 
wife of Andrew Jackson, of Akron. 

Mrs. Harris was but two years of .age when her 
parents emigrated to America, and was eight years 
old when the}' removed from New 1 ork State to 
Ohio. She acquired a common-school education, 
became familiar with all useful household duties, 
and being more than ordinarily intelligent, com- 
menced teaching in the district schools at the age of 
sixteen years. She continued, however, to make 
her home with her parents until her marriage with 
William Harris, which occurred on the IGth of Feb- 
ruary, 18-18. Mr. Harris an 1 his bride commenced 



life together in the town of Cuyahoga Falls, in Sum- 
mit County, Oiiio, where they remained until 185.5. 
In the spring of that year thej' made their way to 
this county, and Mr. H. purchased the land which 
has since been transformed into a valuable home- 
stead. Of this there were but ten acres cleared 
when they took possession, and a small slianty stood 
on the place, which had to be repaired before its 
occupancy by the family. .Mr. Harris was a very 
resolute and industrious man, and took pride in the 
building up of his homestead anil adding the con- 
veniences and comforts which are so necessary to the 
happiness of a family. The large evergreen trees 
now standing in front of and towering above the 
house, were planted by him and his estimable wife, 
the latter of whom h.as been permitted to see them 
grow from small twigs to their present majestic pro- 
portions. 

William Harris was born in Bloomsburg, Pa., 
March 2o, 1823. His father, Andrew Harris, it is 
supposed was also a native of the Keystone State, 
where he carried on farming during his younger 
years, and later removed to Summit County, Ohio, 
where he was among the pioneer settlers. He pur- 
chased a tract of timber land, from which he 
cleared away the forest and inii)rovcd a good farm, 
where his l.'ist days were spent. His wife was Miss 
Elizabeth Drej'her, a native of his own State, who 
also died in Ohio. Their son William was little 
more than a child when his |)arents left Pennsyl- 
vania, and like his father before him he spent most 
of ills life in farming pursuits. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Harris there wore born three 
children: Lucy is the wife of Jay Goble. a farmer 
of P^mmet County, this State; Olin and Watson 
are married, and both carrj-ingon farming in Wright 
Township, this county. William B. Wright, a 
nepliew of Mrs. Harris, has m.ade his Ixmie with her 
since a little lad tinee years of age. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harris identified themselves with the Methodist 
Episeoi)al Church many years ago, the former con- 
tinuing a regular attendant until his death, and the 
latter still retaining her connection therewitli. Mrs. 
H. has been reared from a child in the doctrines of 
this denomination, her honored father haviu" been 
a great worker both in the church and Sunday- 
school, and was Superintendent of the latter for a 



500 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



period of over fortj' yenrs. He vvfis a grent favor- 
ite with eiiildren anil possessed in a reniarkal)le de- 
gree the faculty of attracting their attention and 
interesting them in the subject so dear to his own 



heart. 



<>-^>S^-*gi^^*-<5«f-. 



eLARENCE A. BENTLEY. This gentle- 
man, who is nearing the sunny side of forty, 
is numbered among the leading farmers of 
Moscow Township, his iiome being pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 22. Here he rents 160 acres of 
land, upon which he has labored to the best ad- 
vantage, leaving no foot of it to run to waste, and 
developing in the wisest manner the rich resources 
of the soil. Taking a cheerful and sensible view 
of life, he gives much thought to his home sur- 
roundings, believing it a religious duty to make it 
the most attractive spot in the world for his children, 
and the friends whom he has gathered around him. 
Energetic and industrious, he has an excellent start 
in life, and forms no unimportant factor in the in- 
dustrial and business interests of his community. 

Our subject is the third child of (leorge W. and 
Jane (Parker) Bentley, who, at the time of his birth, 
June 22, 1856, were residents of .Siielby, Orleans 
Co., N. Y. His early educational advantages were 
extremely limited, his father being a farmer in 
moderate circumstances, and young Clarence began 
following the plow as soon as he was old enough to 
manage it. and from the time he was nine years 
of age was occupied in the various employments 
around the homestead, without intermission, ex- 
cepting the few winter months spent in school. He 
was a little lad of seven years when the family 
came to Michigan, and when a youth of seventeen 
started out for himself to work by the month. He 
was thus occupied eight years, and until his mar- 
riage. That early experience, although having its 
drawbacks, doubtless bred within him the self-reli- 
ance and independence of character which proved 
the secret of his success. 

The parents of our subject were natives of York 
State, where thej' were reared, married, and lived 
until 1861. At tlie breaking out of the Rebellion, 
which changed the plans and purposes of many 
men, both young and middle-aged, the father con- 



sidered it his duty to proffer his services in assisting 
to maintain the UnioTi. He accordingly enlisted in 
the 18Lh New Y'ork Battery, and went to the front 
with his''omrades. The mother, coming to Michigan 
with her father ani1 children, was seized with fatal 
illness, and died on tiie ;30th of December, 1863, 
her husband not being present to receive her last 
words. He served in tlie army until the expiration 
of his three-years term of enlistment, and after re- 
ceiving his discharge, joined his children, who had 
been in ciiarge of their maternal grandfather in 
Somerset Township. George W. Bentley was mai- 
ried the secc)nd time, in 1868, to Miss Mary Ann 
Miller, and is still living in (Somerset Township. 
By his two marriages he became the father of six 
sons and four daughters. 

Mr. Bentley, our subject, who had ccmtinued a 
resident of Somerset Township until 1879, was on 
October 17 f)f that year united in marriage to 
Miss .lessie Carney, daughter of Benjamin and 
Densey (Taylor) Carney, and they began life to- 
gether in a modest home in Moscow Township. 
For three yeais folk)vving our subject rented the 
farm of Mr. Kies, in Moscow Township, and greatly 
improved this piece of property by his thorough 
cultivation of the soil and the excellent care exer- 
cised over it. From there he moved to the farm 
of Mrs. Randolph, in Somerset Township, where he 
continued four years, making of tliis also a success. 
In the spring of 1887 he took charge of the farm 
of Benjamin Fr.anklin, in Moscow Township. This 
comprises a quarter-section of land, and Mr. Bent- 
ley is now giving considerable attention to the 
breeding of hogs and siieep, having now a fine 
flock of sixty-five head. He also keeps liigh-grade 
Durham cattle, with thoroughbred Poland-China 
swine. As an apiarist he is also a success, having 
thirty swarms of puie Italian bees, and in the care 
and keeping of these, requiring so much t.act and 
discretion, he certainly' exhibits unusual adaptation 
to this industry. 

'I'he parents of Mrs. Bentley came of excellent 
ancestry, the father being the son of a substantial 
Pennsylvania farmer, and the mother the daughter 
of one of the pioneers of Ohio, who. at the time of 
her birth, was a resident of Ashtabula County. 
They came to the West early in life, and after their 



■1 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



501 



It 
I 



marriage settled in Somersec Township, this county, 
where they still resiiie. Tl)eir family comprised 
two sons and six daughters, and seven of the 
children lived to mature years. All these are 
now living, and residents mt)stly of Michigan. Mrs. 
Bentlej' was the third child of the family, and was 
born in Somerset Township, April 2, 1857. Her 
education was conducted in the common school, 
and she continued a member of iier father's house- 
hold until her marriage. 

Mr. and Mis. Bentley are the proud parents of 
four bright children, namely: Zelpha E., Charles 
A., Georgiana and Howard J. The eldest is seven 
years of age and the youngest two. Mr. Bentley 
has a keen sense of the first duty of a father, which 
is to give his children the best advantages in his 
power. His intention is to leave to them a legacy 
which cannot be taken away from them, namely, a 
thorough education, by which they may become 
titled for the duties of life and their battle with the 
world. He cast his first Presidential vote for R. B. 
Hayes, and continues a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles. 

RS. PHEBE MILLER, whose ple.asant and 
kindly face h.as been familiar to the people 
of Litchfield Township for a period of more 
than fifty years, still occupies the home- 
stead where she settled with her husband about 
1837. Possessed of sterling qualities, and a genial 
and lovable disposition, she has been enabled to 
extract much comfort from life, maintaining that 
even in the wilderness .she enjoyed its labors in the 
hope of future good. Jlrs. Miller has been aprivi- 
ledged witness of the remarkable changes which 
have passed like a panorama before the eyes of the 
pioneers of .Southern Michigan, and is one of those 
who have taken a lively interest in the growth and 
prosperity of Hillsdale County. The old home- 
stead, which is pleasantly located on section 8, was 
transformed from the wilderness, and is now one of 
the landmarks of a bygone time, and which it is 
hoped will be perpetuated for generations to come. 
The subject of this sketch is the daughter of 
Rln>del|)luis and Phebe (Andrues) Mann, the father 

■^m 




born in Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., and the mother 
in .Steuben C<jnnty, N. Y. After marriage the par- 
ents settled >at Ballston, in the Pjmpire State, where 
they spent the remainder of their lives, and died re- 
spected by all who knew them, the father in 1827, 
at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother sur- 
viving her husband a period of twenty-four years, 
in April, 18,il, aged seventy-two. She was the sec- 
ond wife of Rhodelphus Mann, he having been first 
n)arried to Lydia Ilorton, by whom he became the 
father of eight children. The mother was a widow 
at the time of her union with Mr. Mann, her first 
husband having been Thomas .Sprague, and the issue 
of that marriage was six children. 

To Rhodelphus and Phebc Mann there were born 
four children, of whom the first, Phebe, died in in- 
fancy, aiid .Mrs. Miller was the second child; Joel 
married Miss Harriett Abell. and became the father 
of seven children, all of whom are now deceased; 
John died when four years of .age. Phebe, our sub- 
ject, was born in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,.Sept. 
12, 181.5, and passed her girlhood at the parental 
homestead in that county. .'She was twelve years 
of age at the time of her father's death, and was 
married when twenty years old to Mr. William H. 
Miller, the wedding taking pl.ace at her home in 
New York, Sept. 29, 1835. William H. Miller was 
the sixth child of his parents, Elisha and Julia Miller, 
whose family included seven children. He was born 
in Saratoga County. N. Y., Dec. 1, 180G, was reared 
upon a farm, and acquired a common-school edu- 
cation. After his marriage he settled with his 
young wife upon a farm in Saratoga County, but 
the year following they determined upon a change 
of location, and in October, 1837, made their way 
to the young .State of Michigan, locating at once in 
Litchfield Township, this county, where Mr. Miller 
spent the balance of his da^'s, and where his aged 
partner is still living. Mr. Miller departed this life 
March 29, 1880, at the age of seventy-four 3-ears. He 
was a verj' industrious and enterprising man, pros- 
perous in his farming and business transactions, .and 
left a good homestead, embracing IGO acres of 
fertile land, and comfortable farm buildings. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Miller there were born three 
children — Rhodelphus JI., Elisha, and one who died 
in infancy. The first mentioned w.as born in .Sara- 




■► II <* 



-► ^B < • 



502 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



toga Count3% N. Y.. July 4, 1836. He married 
Miss Esther Wilkinson, and is now numbered among 
the pi'osperous farmers of Litchfield Township, hav- 
ing a good home and being the father of two chil- 
dren — William H. and Phebe. Elisha, the younger 
son, has charge of the homestead, and constitutes 
the main support of his aged mother. Mrs. Miller 
is a strong temperance woman, and a devout mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, at Homer. 



<| IV^ILLIAM HARTLEY. Bacon says, "Some 
\/sJ// '"^" ^'^ born great, some achieve great- 
VTXP ness, and others have greatness thrust upon 
them." To the second of these classes belongs the 
gentleman whose name stands at the head of this 
sketch, and whose life affords a fine illustration of 
what may be accomplished by a man with deter- 
mination of purpose, good judgment, honesty and 
frugality. Although starting out in life without 
the advantages of wealth or influential friends, to 
which many of this day owe so much, he has carved 
out for himself a desirable niche in the temple of 
society. Not only has he surrounded himself with 
a good share of creature comforts, but he has kept 
abreast intellectually of this progressive age, while 
he has ever respected the rights of others in his pub- 
lic and private relations. He is eminently a self- 
made man, well informed and intelligent, and in the 
midst of a bright and genial family is prepared to 
spend his declining years in the enjoj'meut of those 
blessings which he has so richly earned. 

The subject of this biography was born in Count3' 
Kilkenny, Ireland, Jan. 1, 1833, and is the son of 
Edmund and Mary (Kennedy) Hartlej', both na- 
tives of the same county as their son, where they 
spent their entire lives. Of their family three sons 
besides our subject came to America: Philip lives 
in Fairport, N. Y. ; James in Medina Township, 
Lenawee County, this State, and Edmund in Fair- 
port, N. Y. When nineteen years of age, young 
Hartley set sail for America, embarking at New 
Ross, Wexford County, Ma3' 31, 1851, and laniled 
at Quebec, Canada, on the 2d of July following. 
He at once set out across the country for Fairport, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., where he joined his Ijrotliers 



with but a few cents remaining after his journey. 
His only capital with which to commence life in a 
strange country was good health, a stout heart and 
willing hands. He was of good habits, however, 
industrious and economical, and saving all he could 
of his earnings, he had been in Fairport but a short 
time when he found employment on a railroad. 

Being at that time not full}' grown, j'oung Hart- 
ley found himself unable to stand that laborious 
work, and consequently after a few da3's he aban- 
doned it, and returned to farm life. He resumed 
work at $8 per month, but after a short time he 
hired out b}' the 3'ear at $10.5 for the term. He re- 
mained a resident of New York State until 1865, 
and then started for Michigan. Stopping at Hud- 
son, Lenawee County, he found employment with 
J. M. Osborn, on a farm adjoining the village, and 
carefully hoarding his savings as he did in New 
York State, he was able in a short time after com- 
ing here to purchase ninety-seven acres of land in 
Kent County. He never resided upon it, however, 
but soon exchanged it fur fifteen acres of land join- 
ing Hudson Village. He still continued at service 
in the vicinity until 1857, when he exchanged his 
little farm for the place he now owns and occupies. 
It was heavily timbered at tiie time, and he con- 
tinued to reside in Hudson until the autumn of 
1860, when he settled on his land, and has resided 
there continuously ever since. He has added to 
his original purchase until he now owns 120 acres, 
ninety of which are cleared and under a thorough 
state of cultivation. He has erected convenient 
and commodious farm buildings, and planted an 
orchard, besides providing himself with those ap- 
pliances which reduce the manual labor of the 
modern agriculturist to a minimum. 

Mr. Hartley was united in marriage, in 1857, with 
Miss Elizabeth Connor, wlio was born in County 
Louth, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1836, and their union has 
been blessed by the birth of ten children, as follows: 
Edmund P., Feb. 10, 1858; James W., Sept. 15, 
1861; Francis A., June 15, 1864; Clarence M., 
Nov. 8, 1866; Mary E., Feb. 14,1869; Thomas S., 
June 12, 1871 ; Joseph S., April 22, 1874; John A. 
and George A., twins, July 25, 1876, and Philip L., 
March 24, 1882. 

Mr. Hartley's parents. James and Elizabeth (Raf- 



■^•- 



l^ 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



503 



fertj') Connor, were natives of Ireland, and there 
spent tlieir entire lives, dying when their daughter 
Klizalicth was but an infant. She came to America 
with her brother Patrick, and first settled in Pater- 
son, N. J., whence slie came to Michigan in Decem- 
ber, 1 8o5. Her brother Patrick and two sisters 
were the only members of the family besides herself 
who tried their fortunes in the New World. Pat- 
rick lives in Wright Township; Bridget became the 
wife of John Marvin, and died in Wright Township, 
and Alice is the wife of Thomas Meredith, also a 
resident of the latter township. 

Upon becoming a citizen of this country Mr. 
Hartley attached himself to the Democratic party, in 
whose ranks he has since remained. 




(|7 ntAM PIXLEY is an enterprising and re- 
spected citizen of Wright 'J'ownship, where 
^ he is actively engaged in farming on section 
12. In the summer of 1H;J3 a stalwart, 
sturdj' man. acconipaniefl liy a bright, active lad. 
might have been seen wending his way on foot 
through the forests of Michigan, from the little city 
of Detroit to the small hamlet of Adiian. This 
was Calvin Pixley, who soon after became the first 
settler in the township of Medina, Lenawee County, 
and his son. our subject. They had started on the 
23d of August from their old home in New York, 
and had traveled via canal and lake to Detroit, and 
were then on their wa^', as we have said, to Adrian, 
where ihey had ai)pointed to meet the remaining 
members of the family, who had traveled all the 
way to that point with teams in company with 
other f.imilies, who were, like themselves, seeking 
new homes in the untried wilderness of Southern 
Michigan, and the^' all arrived at tiie appointed 
meeting-place on the same day. the 27th of Sep- 
tember. Leaving his family in Adrian, Mr. Pi.xley 
started in search of a suitable location, and finally 
selected a tract of eighty acres of land in what is 
now .Medina Township, Lenawee County, and as 
we have before said, he became the first settler, the 
ax of that stout-hearted pioneer being the first to 
ring out through those forest solitudes. Our sub- 
ject was then a hoy of ten years, and doubtless 



rendered his father much assistance in his labors, 
and as he was here in the very early days of the 
settlement of this part of the country, when the 
primeval forests had not in any perceptible degree 
given w.ay before the advancement of the coming 
civilization, he has been a witness of the marvelous 
progress of .Southern Michigan, and its develop- 
ment into a fertile and productive region. He 
remembers well when deer, wild turkeys, bears and 
wolves were plent}-, and the original dwellers of 
the forest had not left their old haunts, the Indian 
children having been his pl.aymates. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe 
County, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1823. His father was born 
in Greene County, N. Y., July 29, 1801. and w.as 
but a boy when his parents moved to Allegany 
County, and there lived about six years, and then 
went to Monroe County. He there met and mar- 
ried Jenett Lucas, who was born in Saratoga 
County, and they became the parents of twelve 
children, nine of whom are living. He leased a 
tract of heavily timbered land for ninety-nine 
years, and built a log house, the same in which our 
subject was born, and .actively commenced tiie im- 
provement of his land. He cleared abou'^ twenty 
acres and lived there until 1829, and then sold his 
improvements and bought two acres of land near 
by, and engaged in the cooper's trade there for two 
years. He then disposed of his i)roperty and moved 
to Orleans County, where he worked at his trade 
for two 3'ears. and then determined to cast in his 
lot with a sm.iU band of his neighbors and come to 
the Territory of Michigan, lie had made arrange- 
ments with a friend who lent him money enough to 
pay for his land in consideration of Mr. Pixley's 
clearing ten acres of his land for him, and after 
entering his land in the office at Monroe, he re- 
turned to his chosen location, and actively prepared 
to build a shelter for his family. This was the first 
dwelling erected in Medina Township, and was 
built on section l,on the land which he w.as to clear 
for his neighbor; it w.as the typical pioneer habita- 
tion, a log cabin with mud and slick chimney, and 
puncheon floor. Mr. Pi.xley cleared the ten acres 
whicli he had contracted to do the firet year, and 
then built a log house on his own land on section 
12, this being the second house erected in Medina 




L , 504 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 






Township, and he moved into it during Christmas 
week of the year 1834. Two years later he traded 
for another tract of land on the same section, on 
which he resided for one year, when he traded it 
for 160 acres on the northeast quarter of section 
14, Wright Township. He resided here for a few 
years, and then returned to Medina, but spent 
his closing years with our subject. For man}' years 
he took an active and honorable part in the admin- 
istr.ation of public affairs, and held some of the 
highest offices within the gift of his fellow-towns- 
men. 

Hiram Pixlej' of this sketch shared the pioneer 
life of his parents, and remained a resident of this 
township until 1851. He inherited in a marked 
degree those traits of industry, enterpiise and 
sound integrity that had made his parents useful 
and honored citizens. He was ambitious to see 
more of the world, and to seek his fortune outside 
of the circumscribed limits of his adopted State, 
and accordingly took a trip to the Pacific Coast. He 
commenced that eventful journey by a long stage 
ride to Ft. Wayne, Ind., thence proceeded by canal 
to Terre Haute, Ind., and from there on foot to St. 
Louis, from there by the Missouri River to St. 
Joseph, Mo. He spent the winter there, and in the 
spring of 1852 bought five yoke of oxen, and with 
others started on the 6th of May to cross the plains. 
There were sixty wagons in line, and they were 
over five months traveling the weary distance over 
the plains and mountains to their destination, finally 
arriving October 18 at the present site of the city 
of Portland, Ore. Our subject bought 160 acres 
of land in Siskiyou County, C'al. It was thought 
at the time that the land was in Oregon, but when 
the boundary line was defined it was found to be 
on the California side. He at once commenced to 
improve a farm, and lived there nine years, exten- 
sively engaged in mining in Oregon, and in 1864 
went to Idaho, where he was engaged in the same 
occupation for awhile. He then resumed farming 
and stock-raising, and was very prosperously em- 
ployed in those pursuits until 1881, vvhen he decided 
to return to his old home in Wright Township, 
where he has since lived on the farm that he has 
owned since 1848. He still retains his farm in 
California, and is well off in this world's goods, 



which he has accumulated by unceasing industry 
and well-directed enterprise. 

Mr. Pixley was united in marriage, Feb. 7, 1859, 
to Mrs. Phebe .7. (Griffith) Downer, widow of John 
Downer, and daughter of Abner and Mary E. (Fer- 
guson) Griffith, natives of New York State. Her 
grandfather, Samuel Griffith, was born in Wales, 
and spent his last years in Indiana. The father of 
Mrs. Pixley moved from Saratoga, N. Y., to Orleans 
County, then to Cayuga County, and from there to 
Lorain County. In 1834 he started West with his 
family and an ox-team. Michigan Territory being 
their destination. He located in Seneca Township, 
becoming one of the first settlers of that township. 
He bought land on section 7, and improved a farm, 
which some years later he sold and moved to Me- 
dina, where he and his wife closed their earthly 
careers. 

Mr. Pixley is a patriotic and public-spirited citi- 
zen, using his influence to promote the best inter- 
ests of the township. In politics in his early years 
he affiliated with the Democratic party, l)ut since 
the breaking out of the war lias been a stanch Re- 
publican. He is a well-informed man of excellent 
character, and with his amiable wife occupies an 
honorable position among the members of this com- 
munity. 

OHN Mcdonough, of Jefferson Township, 
came from County Clare, Ireland, in 1849, 
when but an infant, his birth having taken 
place Feb. 24, 1848. His parents, Thomas 
and Mary (Dwyre) McDonough, were natives of 
the same county as their son, and early settlers of 
Jefferson Township, this county. Upon landing at 
Quebec, Canada, after an ocean voyage of eight 
weeks, they took up their residence first in Monroe 
County, N. Y., where the father followed farming, 
and also worked at his trade of stonemason. In 
1865 they left the Empire State, and coming to 
this county, settled upon the land which is now oc- 
cupied 1)3' their son, our sul)jeet. 

The parents of our subject are still living in Jef- 
ferson Township. He was their only child, and 
was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, 
being confirmed at the age of seventeen. Of that 



*t 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



church tlie father is .n dcvdtcfl mcnilicr, niirl jxilitic- 
all_y, is stronjrly Democratic. Tiie pntcrnal jirancl- 
father, John McDonough, Sr., came to America 
about lf<52, and shortly after took up his residence 
in Jefferson Township, this county, and became 
quite prominent in local affairs. He lived to the 
advanced age of one hundred and three years, and 
his remains were laid to rest in the Catholic Ceme- 
tery, at Hillsdale. 

Our subject continued under the home roof 
until about twentj-lwo years of age. and eraploj'ed 
himself at farming before his marriage, and upon 
the occurrence of this event, Feb. 9, 1875, he had 
a snug little sum of money with which to begin the 
establishment of a home. The lady of his choice, 
Miss Jane Whalen, was born in Lenawee County, 
this State, Way 27, 1849, and is the daughter of 
James and Mary (Jennings) Whalen, who were na- 
tives of Ireland. They are now living in Hudson, 
Lenawee Count3'. 

The farm of our subject, of which he became 
owner in 1879, consists of 106f acres, which he 
has brought to a good state of cultivation, and 
upon which he has erected a good set of farm build- 
ings, and is gradually adding to the beauty and 
value of his property. To Mr. and Mrs. McDon- 
ough there were born seven children, one of whom 
died in infancy. The surviving are Mar3% Tiiomas, 
Ellen, Jennie, Katie and John. They have been 
sent to school regularlj', and their father, who 
thoroughly believes in education, is giving them 
the best advantages in his power. As a self-made 
man, a straightforward and worth}' citizen, Mr. 
McDonougli takes rank with an}' in his township. 



505 i| 



I 



iiii'WjJ.' jc-i 1*".; jiS" 



/^ ASSIUS M. C. ANDRUS is a dealer in coal 
(|(^L and wood, lime and cement, in the beautiful 
^^^ city of Hillsdale, in this county. Air. Andrus 
was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in Macedon 
Center, on Christmas Day, 1844, and is the son of 
Chailes M. L. Andrus, wlio was also a native of that 
State, where he was born in Saratoga County, near 
the celebrated Saratoga Springs, Aug. 16, 1808. 

^ 



The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Miss Leah, daughter of Herbert and Lydia Mal- 
lory, and was born in Macedon, N. Y., in 1818. 
Their marriage took place in 1836, and ten years 
later they started on a journey to the West, and 
first stopped at Moscow Plains, Mich. He finally 
settled on a farm in the adjoining couTit}' of Somer- 
set, and there passed the remainder of his days in 
agricultural pursuits, his death occurring on the 
19lh of August, 1883. Three years after their re- 
moval to this State, he sustained an irreparable loss 
in the death of his wife, who was called to her re- 
ward in July, 1849. 

The parental family of our subject included five 
children, of whom two lived to maturity, while the 
others died in infancy. The sister of our subject 
is the wife of I). A. Fowle, of Moscow Township. 
Cassius M. C. Andrus was the third child in 
order of birth, and was about two years old when 
his parents removed to this count}'. Here liis 
youth was spent, alternating between his labors on 
the farm and attending the common schools of the 
neighborhood, in which, by diligent study, he se- 
cured a goo<l educalitui, and engaged in the pro- 
fession of a school teacher. He remained under 
the parental roof until 1871, when he embarked in 
the dry-goods business in Jerome, Somerset Town- 
ship, and was thus successfully engaged for a pe- 
riod of six years. At the end of this time he sold 
out his liusiness, and returned to the farm where he 
continued until 1885. He owned a farm, adjoining 
that of his father, and was also engaged in its culti- 
vation. In 1885 Mr. Andrus renu)ved to the city 
of Hillsdale, and one year later lie engaged in his 
present business. He was also possessor of a 
scholarship in Hillsdale College. 

Mr. Andrus was united in marriage, Dec. 18, 
1867, with Miss Eliza Martin, of Moscow Town- 
ship, this county, daughter of F. J. Martin, Esq.. 
who was formerly a resident of New York. Mr. 
and Mrs. Andrus are the |)arents of three daugh- 
ters, as follows: Edith M. and Dora B., both 
attending college, and Leah Maude. Mr. Andrus 
has served as Superintendent of Schools for the 
township of Somerset, and in politics is found in 
the ranks of the Republican party, though he is 
a temperance man from principle, and is in sym- 



M^ 



506 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



pathy with prohibition principles. He and his es- 
timable wife are members in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Andrus 
was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for some 
years. 

jj^^ AMUEL B. KERR. One of the finest farms 
^^^ in Hillsdale County is the property of this 
!i\/_li) gentleman, and comprises the northeast 
quarter of section 3 in Somerset Township. 
It was built up by the industry and perseverance 
of a self-made man, who began his business career 
as a farm laborer, working out by the month, and 
who earned every dollar of the capital with which 
he has since operated to such good advantage. He 
came to this county in the spring of 18G3, moving 
with his family into a small frame house, which in 
1876 gave place to the handsome and commodious 
residence which they occupy now, and which with 
its elegant finishings, is truly a delight to the eye. 
It is surrounded by tastefully laid out grounds, and 
adj.acent is a fine orchard with the smaller fruit 
trees, besides the barns and out-buildings admira- 
bly adapted to the shelter of stock and the storage 
of grain. During the twenty-five years of his resi- 
dence among the people of this section, Mr. Ken- 
has fully established himself in their esteem and 
confidence, and has in all respects proved a valued 
addition to the community. 

Our subject was horn in Orange County. N. Y., 
Jan. G, 1 833, and is the son of Robert C. and Cor- 
linda (Miller) Kerr. The father, born Jan. 6, 
1806, was a native of the same county, where he 
continued a resident until in June, 1837. Then 
with his family he started for the West, making his 
way laboriously to the young State of Michigan, 
via the Hudson River, the Erie Canal and the lakes 
to Detroit, and from there overland by team to 
Jackson County, bringing all the goods he could 
pack upon a wagon, together with his wife and four 
children. He located in Liberty Township on sec- 
tion 15, taking up eighty acres of Government land, 
and in due time purchased 160 acres more, this 
comprising a fine body of land which lie occupied 
until 1844. He then sold forty acres and moved 
onto another farm, eighty rods west. Upon the 



first he had kept a public house, but on the latter 
spent the last years of his life, dying on the 8th 
of October, 1864, leaving a wife and eight children. 
He was an old Andrew Jackson Democrat, and hold 
the various local offices of his township, serving as 
Treasurer thirteen years, besides being Clerk and 
Highway Commissioner. He was a warm supporter 
of the various enterprises calculated to benefit the 
community, activel3' interested in the establishment 
and maintenance of schools, and a man to whom 
the people first applied in their efforts for the edu- 
cation of their children, and bringing about the 
moral and social projects which would be for the 
best good of all concerned. 

Robert C. Kerr in early life had followed shoe- 
making, and by this means made monej' to pay for 
his first purchase of land. Ever active and indus- 
trious, he had no patience with the idler, and 
whether on the farm, in the hotel, or at the shoe- 
maker's bench, uniformly set an exami)le of thrift 
and economy. The children of the parental house- 
hold were given a good education, and one sun. 
who was deaf and dumb, after pursuing a thorough 
course of study at Flint, Mich., was sent to Europe 
for the purpose of finishing his studies in painting. 
All of the eight children are living, and the broth- 
ers, with one exception, are engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. The sisters, with one exception, became 
the wives of farmers; one married a physician. 
One brother, Marcus, developed artistic taste in a 
marked degree, and has now one of the prominent 
studios in the cit3- of St. Louis, Mo. 

The mother of our subject, also a native of 
Orange County, N. Y., was born Aug. 10, 1805, 
and surviving her husband over ten years, died 
at the home of her daughter in Blackmar on 
the 26th of January, 1875. She was finely educated, 
and assisted her children greatly in their studies. 
Both parents were church-going people, attending 
during the later years of their lives the Universalist 
Church, at Liberty. 

Samuel B. Kerr remained a member of the pa- 
rental household until 1851, being then a youth of 
eighteen years. In the meantime he carried the 
mail from Spring Arbor to tlie Junction for a 
period of seven years. In the spring of this year 
he left home, and for five years thereafter worked 



^ 



!. 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



507 



■A 






out Iiy the inoiitli. On the otli of July, I800, lie 
was uiiite<l in marriage with Miss Catherine Tur- 
ney, who was born Sept. 7, 18;3.'), in New York, 
and is the daughter of Thomas .ind Mary (MeWill- 
i.iiiis) Turney, of wiiom mention is made in the 
sketch of Harvey M. Turney, elsewhere in this 
volume. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr after their marriage 
settled in .Jackson County, where they lived until 
1863, and then our subject purchased and took 
possession of the land which lie now occupies. The 
little household in due time embraced five cliililren : 
DeWitt R., born April 12. IMoO. married Miss 
Eva Dunn, <lau<ihter of Simeon Dunn, of whom a 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and is the 
father of two boys; Frank was born Dec. 19, 1863, 
and is deceased; Gertrude was born Jan. 22, I860; 
she attended the High School at Hillsdale one year, 
and has taught several terms. Edna M. was born 
Oct. 22, 1868, and completed her studies in the 
school at -Somerset Center; she was married, May 
23, 1888, to pAigene Wetherwax. One child, born 
Aug. 28, 1873, died in infancy. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Robert 
Kerr by name, was a native of Ireland, and cross- 
ing the Atlantic early in life settled in New York, 
where his death took place. He had married a 
Miss Crawford, a lady of Scotch birth and parent- 
age. The maternal grandparents were John and 
Anoscha Van Curen, natives of Germany, who also 
died in the Empire State. 

Mr. Kerr cast his first Presidential vote for James 
Buchanan, and has since supported the principles 
of the Democratic party. He is a strong temper- 
ance advocate, but believes in regulating this vexed 
question by high license. Socially, he is a member 
of Masonic Lodge No. 109, at Libert}', Jackson 
County, with which he has been identified since 
1868, and has held nearly every office in the lodge. 



AVID BECKHARDT, a leading grocer of 
)) Hillsdale, and also dealing extensively in 
seeds and other farming produce, is trans- 
acting a large commission business, and 
forms no unimportant f.ictor of the business ele- 
ment of the city. Of German birth and ancestry. 




he possesses the sturdy honesty and energy of his 
race, and is one of the m.any men who have assisted 
so greatly in the building up of the communities of 
the Great West. 

Our subject first o|iene(l his eyes to the light in 
the city of Hamburg, on the 9th of November, 1819. 
His parents, Ludwig and Eva (Simons) Beckhardt. 
were also natives of Germany, and si)ent their last 
years in Hamburg. Their family consisted of five 
children, who, in accordance with the laws and cus- 
toms of the country, were placed in school at an 
earl}' age, and continued there until fourteen years 
old. David, in common with his brothers and sis- 
ters, thus acquired a practical education, and upon 
leaving school began to make himself useful at 
different kinds of employment. He finally left 
Germany in May, 1840. and then making his way to 
Havre, France, boarded a sailing-vessel bound for 
the United States. After a tedi<jus voyage of fifty- 
three days, the vessel arrived in New York Harbor, 
and young Beckhardt took up his residence in the 
metropolis, employing himself at whatever he could 
find to do. Eight months later he repaired to the 
city of Albany, where he worked two years at pork- 
packing for the munificent salary of $8 per month. 
His next removal was to Buffalo, vvhere he started 
in business on his own account, but gave this up a 
few months later, and set up in the grocery trade 
at Lodi, N. Y. 

At this place our subject met his fate in the per- 
son of Miss Adeline M. F'arnesworth, tt) whom he 
was united in marriage on the 5th of February, 
1845. Mrs. Beckhardt was born at Lodi, N. Y., 
April 12, 1827. and her parents were natives of 
New Hampshire. They spent the latter part of 
their lives in the Empire State. Mr. Beckhardtand 
his young wife now moved to Buffalo, and Mr. B. 
purchased a stock of dry-goods and notions, and 
continued there in trade until the spring of 1850. 
Hitherto he had not made the progress he could 
have wished financially, and now resolved to seek 
his fortunes in a more western country. Southern 
Michigan was at that time attracting the attention 
of manj' of the young and enterprising men of the 
Empire State, and he accordingl}' repaired hither. 
His objective point was the embryo city of Hills- 
dale, where he took up his residence, and was so 



<•- 



508 



'• ^m - 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



favored by fortune, that here he has since remained. 
He first made a specialty of selling hats, caps, and 
other wear for gentlemen, but three years later 
drifted into the grocery and produce business. To 
this he has proved himself especially adapted, and 
is now in the enjoyment of a handsome income. 

The home of Mr. Beckhardt is pleasantly located 
in the southern part of the city, and the household 
circle has been brightened by the birth of nine chil- 
dren, of whom six are living, namely: Edward T., 
Louis F., George, Louisa. Alice and Lilly. 

Mr. Beckhardt votes with the party of reform 
and progress, and socially, is a member in good 
standing of the Masonic fraternity. 



»ri^< 



^STTvH^ 



psrs^ 



^^^EORGE F. ANDERSON. One of the most 
if i^w7 interesting periods in the life of this gen- 
^^^4 tleman, now a resident farmer of Litchfield 
Township, was during his connection with the 
Union army, in which he made a fine record as a 
soldier. The remembrance of this is the source of 
extreme satisfaction to him in that he was per- 
mitted to emphasize his patriotic sentiments and 
assist in the preservation of one of the best gov- 
ernments which the sun ever shone upon. F'irst a 
memlier of Company F, 11th Michigan Light Ar- 
tillery, he was later transferred to Company K, 
nth Michigan Cavalry. He was all through the 
Kentucky campaign, assisted in driving the raider 
Morgan from the soil of Southern Ohio, and trav- 
eled through the States of Indiana and Pennsyl- 
vania, during which time he received the commis- 
sion of Second Lieutenant, with which rank he was 
mustered out. Aside from sustaining an injury by 
the falling of his horse, he returned home un- 
harmed, although unable to labor for some time 
afterward. In 18G4 he was Provost Marshal of 
the Ninth Congressional District of Kentucky. 

The early tramping ground of our subject was 
in the town of Scipio, Cayuga Co , N. Y.. where 
his birth took place Dec. 25, 1836. His par- 
ents, Alfred and Mary (VVormen) Anderson, were 
natives respectively of New York and Pennsyl- 
vania, the latter born in the city of Philadelphia. 
His paternal grandfather served as a soldier in the 



War of 1812, and was with Andrew Jackson at 
New Orleans. 

The parents of our subject after their marriage 
settle<l in Cayuga County, N. Y., whence, in 1842, 
they removed to Ontario County, and from there 
to Monroe County, locating twelve miles from 
the city of Rochester. The father purchased a 
farm, and tliere spent the remainder of his days, 
dying in 1850, at the age of fifty years. After 
his death the mother and children moved back 
to Ontario County, N. Y., where the mother still 
lives in Farmington, and is now arrived at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-nine years. 

The six sons and three daughters of the parental 
family are still living. Of these George F., our 
subject, was the second son and third child. He 
was five years of age upon the first removal to 
Ontario County, and after the death of his father 
worked out summers and attended school in the 
winter. The subsequent loss of property sent out 
all the children from home to look out for them- 
selves. George F., when a boy fifteen or sixteen, 
came about 1852 to this State, where he was first 
employed on a farm, and then engaged in putting 
up lightning rods. His time was thus occupied 
until the outbreak of the Reliellion. In the early 
part of 1863, while at home on a furlough, lie was 
married, in Litchfield Township, Fel)ruar3' 15, to 
Miss Roxana Cohoon, who was born in .Jones ville, 
this count}-, Feb. 7. 1844. 

The young people began life together at a com- 
fortable little home in Litchfield Township, and in 
due time became the parents of nine children, the 
eldest of whom, Frankie, is the wife of E. E. Rich- 
ardson, of Litchfield Township, and the mother of 
one child, a son Roy; Eddie is farming in Kansas; 
the others — Frederick D., Harry, Louie, P^lora, 
Abbie, Walter and Otto — are at home with their 
father. The mother died at her home in Litchfield 
Township, Dec. 29. 1884. She was a lady of many 
estimable qualities, a devoted wife and mother, and 
was greatly mourned by her family and a large cir- 
cle of friends. She was the daughter of Chancy 
and Ellen (Vanderwater) Cohoon, who were natives 
of New York, and came to Michigan in 1840. Her 
paternal grandfather died ,at his home in Adams 
Township in 1.S85, when ninety -seven j'ears of age. 



-•►-■- 




/ 



-4*- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



all 







The father aiul mother are still living;, makinu; tlieir 
home ill Adrian, the former sixty-four years of 
age. Their famil3' consisted of two sons and three 
dau<Thters. Roxmia liein^f the second cliild. She 
was nineteen years old at the time of her marriajfe. 
The farm of our subject comprises 131f acres 
on section 10, 110 acres of wliicli he purchased 
with the residence in 1 is70. having since added to 
lis real estate. Politically, it is hardly necessary 
to s.ay he belongs to the llepublican [)arty. and was 
one of the charter members of Stewart Post No. 
2di). G. A. R., at LitcliSeld, officiating at present 
.as Sergeant Major. As a farmer he has succeeded 
fairly' well, being enabled to provide a comfort- 
able home for his children, and his filrm property 
is equal to a snug bank account, and better, as it 
cannot be carried off to Canada by an auscond- 
ing cashier. 

AMUKL AUGUSTUS HASKKLL. Occu- 
pying H prominent position among the weal- 
thy and substantial citizens of Hillsdale 
Count}', and foremost among its agricult- 
urists, stands the subject of this commemorative 
notice. He is a native of New England, born in 
New Hampshire, Nov. 18, 1833, being a son of 
John B. and Lucy Sylvana Haskell, both natives of 
the Granite State (for parental history see sketch 
of John B. H.askell). 

Samuel was the eldest of the family of seven 
children born to his parents. When he was eight 
years old. his father despairing of making the rocky 
hills of his niitive State yield sufficient sustenance 
for himself and family, removed to Onondaga 
County, N. Y. He was then in straightened cir- 
cumstiinces, having but $10 that he could rightly 
call his <jwn, and was not only obliged to labor 
assiduously himself, but also required the assist- 
ance of every member of the family who was old 
enough to he of use. Our subject, therefore, who 
had attended school two terms while in New Hamp- 
shire, was obliged to limit his education to such 
knowledge as could be acquired during the winter 
term of school. His father was very successful in 
his agricultural pursuits, and when our subject was 
eighteen years old he was able to leave home and 



commence to earn his own living by working as a 
farm laborer. Being an industrious young man, 
of exceptionally good habits, he had saved sufficient 
money in the course of two years to pay his ex- 
penses to California, where he desired to try his luck 
in mining. Accompanied by two chums, Jacob 
Hogan and George Chandler, he sailed from New 
York on the '-North Star." Crossing the Isthmus of 
Panama, they took the steamer "-Sonora" at Aspin- 
pinvvall, and arrived safely at San Francisco June 
IG. They continued their journey through the 
Sacramento Valley to Shasta, then proceeded on 
foot, with tlieir blankets strapped on their shoulders, 
to Weaverville. thence to Canyon Creek, where they 
began their mining operations. In speaking of 
that era of his life. Mr. Haskell says: "My trip to 
California was rich in experience, and rewarded by 
a fair remuneration, vvlijch might have been a good 
deal larger had I staid longer." In the fall of 
1857 he returned by the same route to New York, 
stopping on the way at Havana and a few days at 
New York Cit}', visiting the places of celebrity in 
each, and arrived home November 18, the tweiitj'- 
tiftli anniversary of his birthday. The following 
spring he came to this county and settled in Adams 
Township, on a portion of the farm he now owns 
on section 5. 

Mr. Haskell, in the summer of the year. 1858 
took for a wife Miss Julia, the daughter of Peter 
Sprawles, well known as a pioneer of Hillsdale 
County. She proved herself a faithful wife and a 
true helpmate to her husl)and, and a tender and de- 
voted mother to her children. Her death, which 
occurred in 1882. when she wjis only forty-one 
years of age, was truly mourned by all who knew 
her. Of her union with our subject seven children 
had been horn, namely: Oliver, Orville, Haltie, 
Emma, Lucy. Jennie and John. Oliver was mar- 
ried to Ellen Tiffany, of North Adams, now de- 
ceased ; they had two children — Albert and Clyde E. 
Orville, in the livery business in North Adams, 
niarrieil Tilla HamiiKjnd, and they have two chil- 
dren — George and Julia; Hittieis.the wife of Sam- 
uel Kennedy, of Fayette, Hillsdale County, and 
they have three children- Augusta, .Myrtieand Cora; 
Emma is the wife of E. E. Smith; thej' are resi- 
dents of Hammond, Ind., and have one child, 



lu, } r 



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512 



'^ *>^m <• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Vincent; Lucy is the wife of George Dunn, a 
farmer of Wheatland 'J'ownsliip, and the}' iiave two 
children — Jay and Ray; Jennie lives with her sister 
Lucy; John resides at hoir.e and is attending school. 
Mr. Haskell was again married, taking for his sec- 
and wife Mrs. Anna Spoore. daughter of Jerry 
Reynolds, .of >*^cipio Township, this county, and 
widow of the late Daniel Spoore, of the same 
place, bj' whom she had two children — Walter and 
Eva. Her father reni(jved from New York to this 
State, and became one of the original settlers of 
Scipio. He had two children, the wife of our sub- 
ject, the elder, having been born in Scipio in 1847- 
Mr. Haskell lived on the farm which he first 
owned in Adams Township, three years, then sold 
it and moved onto a tract of eighty acres given to 
his wife by her father, which he improved and 
worked, building a barn, planting an orchard, and 
clearing a part of it. After living there three years 
he sold the same for |;l,800, and again settled on 
his first farm, buying it back foi' $2,500. He also 
purchased 102 acres of the Rogers farm, adjoining 
his, and has since added another forty acres, which 
increases the acieage of his farm to 192 acres. He 
is, perhaps, one of the most successful farmers of 
Adrian Township, having his land under a high 
state of cultivation, with fine buildings, and all the 
modern appurtenances for carrying on his occupa- 
tion in the most approved manner. His spacious 
two-story dwelling of brick, erected in 1875, with 
the neatly laid out grounds surrounding it, is an 
ornament to the locality', being one of the finest in 
the county. Ke has two basement barns, which 
are models of rural architecture, and second to 
none in this part of the State. One of them, 
40x87 feet, built in the year 1880, is tenanted 
by his stock. Besides his homestead, our subject 
has two farms, to which he devotes much time and 
attention, one of eightj'-four acres, known as the 
Hard farm, and one of flftj'-six acres, which was 
formerly a portion of the estate of Peter Sprawles. 
Our subject is one of the solid Republicans of tlie 
county, and a firm supporter of the principles ad- 
vocated by that party. He is a wide-awake, ener- 
getic man, of great enterprise and business tact, 
and has the confidence and esteem of the entire 
community in which he resides. 



\f RA N. BRYANT, a leading farmer, and one of 
the most extensive land -owners of Hillsdale 
County, and a resident of Pittsford Township, 
is a native of this State. He was born in the town- 
ship of Wright, June 6, 1840, and is descended from 
good New England stock. His father, Nathaniel 
Bryant, one of the earliest settlers of Wright 1 own- 
shipTwas born in Massachusetts, May 13, 1810, and 
his father, also named Nathaniel, was, so far as 
known, a native of that old New England State, 
but in the jear 181 7 he removed with his family 
to Vermont, and settled at Irasburg, where he 
bought a farm and spent the remainder of his life. 
The maiden name of his wife was Mary Elizabeth 
Priest. The father of our subject grew to a vigor- 
ous manhood in the fresh air of the Green Mount- 
ain State, and at the age of twent3'-one went forth 
to seek a home in the West. He came to the 
Territory of Michigan, and first settled in the town- 
ship of Raisin, Lenawee County, that being in the 
very early days of its settlement. He bought a 
tract of land there and occupied it until 1837, 
when he came to Hillsdale Countj'.and as a pioneer 
of Wright Township, became an important factor 
in its development. He bought 160 acres of heav- 
ily timbered land, and his first work was to build a 
log house in order that lie might have shelter for 
his family. This dwelling was covered with shakes, 
and he had to go twenty miles to the nearest saw- 
mill to procure boards for the floor. When he had 
completed the house he actively entered upon the 
task of cutting away the forest trees that he might 
have land to till, and during his residence there of 
twenty-eight years he improved a very good farm. 
His entire stock at first consisted of one cow and a 
pair of oxen, and with the latter he did all of his 
farm work and marketing for some years. RoUin 
was the nearest milling point for some time, and it 
used to take three days to make around trip. Jlr. 
Bryant was very fond of hunting, and brought 
down many a deer, wild tnrkej' or other wild ani- 
mal that then haunted the forest, by his unerring 
aim, and thus kept the familj- larder supplied with 
game. Mr. Bryant lived in that township until 
1865, when he exchanged that farm for the one 
whicii his widow now occupies, and was a valued 
resident of this community until his death, Aug. 



*f 



-^*- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



513 



? 



31, 1881. Those New Eiij^lriiid traits of character, 
cool courage, lianliliood. eiiersry ami keen foresight, 
wliich were prominent in him, gave him an assured 
jiosition among his feilowmen and led him to suc- 
cess. In politics he was a Arm supporter of the 
Republican party. His faithful comijanion and help- 
mate still survives. Her maiden name was Caroline 
Daniels, and she was born April 28, 1818, in Wayne, 
Steuben Co., N. Y. Her father, Israel Daniels, 
was born in Connecticut, of which State his father, 
Asa Daniels, a farmer, was, it is supposed, a lifelong 
resident. Mrs. Bryant's father grew to manhood 
in his native State, and then went to the State of 
New York, where he married Mar}' Carey, a native 
of Vermont, and a daughter of Philip and Patience 
(Richardson) Carey. In 1835 Mr. and Mrs. Dan- 
iels left their home in New York, and sought the 
forests of the Territory of Michigan to l)uild up 
anew a home for themselves and children on Gov- 
ernment land, which Mr. Daniels had previously 
entered in the township of Adams. They came by 
way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to 
Detroit, where a team was hired to take the family 
and household goods to Lenawee County. The 
family stopped a few months in Clinton, and, in 
the meantime the father erected a log cabin on his 
land, and the family afterward moved into it. Mr. 
Daniels cleared quite a tract of land, and erected a 
setof frame buildings. He died there in September, 
1870, and his wife, who continued to reside on the 
old homestead, died there in 1874. Mrs. Bryant 
has been the mother of thirteen children, of whom 
ten are living, and the following is their record: 
Mary married Andrew Tuttle, of Wright Town- 
ship; Amanda married Irvin Miner, and they live 
in Osceola County. Mich.; Ira N.; Emma married 
John Miner, and they live in Osseo, this county; 
Mason lives in Pittsford Township; Ellen married 
George Britton, and they live in Hudson; John 
lives ill Pittsford: Hattie married Ozen Keith, and 
they live in Jefferson Township; Maria married 
Brunello Wescott, and they live in Caro, Mich.; 
Ada married Hiram Kenyon, and they live in Pitts- 
ford. 

Ira N. Bryant, of this sketch, w.as educated in the 
schools of his native township, and remained there 
with his parents, assisting in the labors of the farm, 



until 1862. In that year, on llie 6th of August, 
he enlisted in Company F, I8th Michigan Infantrj', 
and nobly went to the front to assist in the preserv- 
ation of this great Union, lie did good service 
for his country in the battles of Athens, Decatur, 
and many minor engagements During the last two 
years he was detached for duty at the headquarters 
of Gen. R. S. Granger, and after the close of 
the war he received his honorable discharge with 
the rest of his regiment at Nashville, Tenn.. in July, 
1865, and was mustered out of service at Jackson, 
Mich., the following August. 

After his return from the South Mr. Bryant 
bought forty acres of land, and with that small 
tract cori)mence<l his successful career as a farmer, 
and by enterprise, persistent labor and wise man- 
agement, he has been enabled to greatly increase 
his landed estate, until now it forms one of the 
largest and most valuable farms in this locality. 
His homestead contains 120 .acres, on which he has 
substantial buildings; he has twenty acres on section 
28, of Pittsford Township, and sixty-two acres on 
section 15; he also owns the Robert Laird farm of 
240 acres, 202 acres of it being in Jefferson Town- 
ship, and the remainder in Pittsford Township. 

To his wife, who has been his encourager and 
sympathizer in his work, Mr. Bryant was married 
July 31, 1870. She was formerly Miss Cynthia L. 
Howland, and was born in the township of Ransom, 
March 3, 1 849. They have a very attr.acti ve home, 
which is rendered pleasant to their large circle of 
friends by the warm welcome and iiospitable treat- 
ment which is assured to them from the hands of 
the host and hostess the moment they step beneath 
its roof. Of their marriage twochildren have been 
born — Milton G. and Norton N. 

Mrs. Bryant's father, Gilbert Howland, was a son 
of Jonathan Howland, and was born in Ontario 
County, N. Y.. Oct. 24,1814. His father was a 
native of Massachusetts, and there married Mary 
Sprague. a native of the same State. Subsequently 
thej' settled on a farm in New York, which Mr. 
Howland afterward exchanged for land near Adrian, 
Mich., where he spent his closing years, dying April 
11, 1871, his wife departing this life Sept. 28, 1849. 
The father of Mrs. Bryant was reared in his native 
place, Manchester, and there married, in 1837, Miss 



-t 



•► 1 1"^ 




514 



HILLSDALE COUiNTV. 



Zippoiah Johnson, who was born in that town, Sejjt. 
6, 1812. ]n 1843 they came to Michigan, and set- 
tled in Ransom Town.siiip on land wiiich he iiad 
bought from the Government in 1835. He erected 
a loj; house on iiis land, but after living there a few 
years returned to his native State on account of 
his wife's heallli. In two years thej- again came 
back to this State and settled on their faim in Ran- 
som, where they have since continued to reside. 
Mr. Howland has developed his land into a fine 
farm, and lias erected good frame buildings. In 
))olilics Mr. Bryant is a Republican. 

I^OBERT D. HI BEARD, dealer in lumber, 
\l^ lath and shingles, and manufacturer of 
/43 MU, doors, sash, blinds and moldings, at Hills- 
^i^ dale, forms no nnin])ortant factor among 
its industrial interests. A native of Ca3nga County, 
K. Y., he was bom March 1, 1837, and is the son 
of Robert and Vesta (Chamberlain) Hibbard, who 
were natives of the same State, both born in 
Dutchess County. They settled in Cayuga County 
after their marriage, whence they subsequently re- 
moved to Wayne County, and from there to Michi- 
gan, in 1866. Here they located in Cambria 
Township, this county, where the mother died in 
June. 1886, and the father the yeai- following. 

Robert Hilibaid was known as anupiighlman 
and worthy citizen, and nearly all his life was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, lie provided 
comfortably for his family, which included five 
children, four of whom lived to mature years, and of 
whom Robert D., of our sketch, is the eldest. '1 he 
boyhood and youth of the latter were spent in 
Wayne County, N. Y., where he pursued his first 
studies in the distiict seliool. and later entered the 
college at Marion, N. Y. Being fond of his books, 
bright and observant, he made the most of his op- 
i;oitiinitiis. and (fiie Uith laiilj equipped for the 
battle of life. 

Young Hibbard upon having school served an 
apprenticeship to the trade of ear])enter and joiner 
in Wayne County. N. Y., nheie he resided until 
1864, being then twenty-seven years of age. and a 
few months mairitd. He now set out for the State 



of Michigan, bringing with him his young wife, their 
wedding having been celebrated before leaving the 
Empire .State, in January of that 3 ear. The lady 
of his choice was Miss Josephine Jones, of Wayne 
County, daughter of Joseph Jones, Esq., a native 
of that county, and a faimer by occupation. Our 
subject upon coming to this county located in 
Cambria Township, where he continued his occupa- 
tion of carpenter and jt iner for a period of eleven 
years. He had now acquired ample experience 
regarding the lumber business, in which he em- 
barked in 1875, setting up his shops near the corner 
of Union and Railroad streets. Commencing in a 
manner suited to his means and capacities he, by a 
course of fair dealing and promptness in meeting 
his obligations, soon found himself gaining a foot- 
hold and in possession of a fine patronage from the 
most responsible citizens of the county. 

The Hibbard Manufactoiy is now equipped 
with the mcist modern and approved machinery, 
including a steam engine of twenty-five-horse 
power. and all the other necessary appliances requi- 
site to the dressing of lumber in the best style, 
and suitable to the requirements of a progressive 
community. Our subject and bis wife have no 
children. They occupy a comfortable and attract- 
ive home on Vine street, which is frequented by a 
large number of the best residents of the city, whom 
they numl)er among their intimate friends and 
acquaintances. Mr. Hibbard, politically, although 
meddling very little with public affairs, uniformly 
su]iports Republican ])rinciplcs. and socially, belongs 
to Hillsdale Lodge No. 17, J. O. O. F. 



», ILLIAM PL ALLER, the popular Station 




Agent of the Lake .Shore & Michigan South- 
ern Railroad, at Allen, has discharged with 
credit the duties of his present position continuously 
since the spring of 1 867. He was born in Burdett, 
Schuyler Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1830. and lived there 
until 1854, completing his education in the Wesleyan 
Seminary and College at Lima. He subsequently 
engaged in teaching until coming first to this county. 
A year afterward he made his way into Wisconsin, 
but after another brief sojourn in Allen Township 



•►HH<»- 



t 



-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



515 



V 



inisraterl, in the s|)rii)g of 1856, across the Missis- 
sippi into Kansas, and occupied iiiniself as a teacher 
in Leavenworth until 1860. 

From Kansas Mr. Aller went to Weston, Platte 
Co., Mo., and was given a Professorship in Pleas- 
ant Ridge College, where he remained three years, 
and in the fall of 1864 returned to this county. 
The spring following he sought his old haunts in 
New York State, and settling down among the 
friends of his3^i)uth engaged in mercantile pursuits 
until the spring of 1867, when he revisited the 
West, and since that time has been a continuous 
resident of Allen Township. 

The parents of our subject. Samuel and Arzela 
(Mathews) Aller, were natives respectively of New 
Jersej' and New York, and their family- included 
four children, three sons and one claughter. 'Ihe 
eldest son, Henry M., came to the West during his 
early manhood, and possessing more than ordinary 
al)ility, after occupying other positions of note was 
chosen State Senator in Kanstis, and in Missouri 
was elected Judge of the Platte Count}' Court. He 
espoused the temperance cause with great ardor, and 
both by his voice and influence was efficient in car- 
rying on the good work. He is now a resident 
of Leavenworth. The second son, Amasa L., is 
engaged in the windmill business at Topeka; Will- 
iam H., our subject, was the third child of the fam- 
ily; Hannah M. is the wife of Nathan Scovell, of 
Newton. 111. 

Samuel Aller departed this life at his home in Bur- 
<lett, N. Y., Sept. 2. 1832. The mother was sub- 
sequently married to William [limro<l, of that |)lace, 
and is still living there. William H. of our sketch 
sought his bride among the maidens of Allen Town- 
ship, this county, being married, March 28, 1858. to 
Miss Eliza H., daughter of Samuel and Elsie (Cronk) 
Perkins, and who was born in Victor, N. Y.. March 
8, 1836. Samuel Perkins was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and died in the place of his birth in middle 
life. The mother subsequently came to this State, 
and died at the home of her son. Frederick Perkins, 
in Ovid, Clinton County, in 1886. 

Mr. and Mrs. Allen occujjy a neat home at the 
intersection of Aller and Prentis streets, and enjoy 
the acquaintance of many friends. Their only child 
and daughter. Zela E., who was born Oct. 22, 

-^m • 



1860. is now the wife of John Jloncn, of Laredo, 
Tex. Our subject and his wife are members in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and Mr. Aller, like his br(jther, hasalso distinguished 
himself as a y.ealous advocate <jf temperance. He 
is liberal-minded and progressive in his ideas, the 
friend of education, and has been greatly interested 
in the prosperity of the Union School at Allen, in 
connection with which he has served as Trustee for a 
period of twelve years. He identified himself with 
the Masonic fraternity in 1864, and is now a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 253, of Allen. 



I NGUS H. ABBOTT. The subject of this 

&£M sketch has built up for himself an excellent 
record among his neighbors in Reading 
^1 Township as a succes.sful general farmer, 
who has since 1882 given special attention to the 
breediyg of tine sheep, having a number of regis- 
tered animals and a flock of about fifty he.ad. His 
farm of ninety-five acres lies on section 17, along 
the borders of J..<>ng Lake, and the soil, under a judi- 
cious process of cultivation, is highly productive, 
■while the lesidenceand farm buildings are eminently 
creditable to the proprietor. 

Mr. Abbott acquired ownership of the propertj' 
in 1877. The land had been secured l)y his father 
in the pioneer days, and by the latter eliminated 
from the wilderness into a productive farm. Angus 
U. is the second son and third child of his parents, 
H. K. and Olive (Grinnell) Abbott, whose family 
included six children, and a sketch of whom will be 
found elsewhere in this work. He was fitted for 
the duties of life by a good practical education in 
the schools of his home district and one term at the 
Hillsdale College, and in early youth attained a 
thorough knowledge of farm pursuits. Upon reach- 
ing manhood he was first maiTied, in Reading Town- 
ship, to Miss Rilla Archer, who was born on her 
father's homestead here, in March, 1855. She died 
also at her father's home, in February, 1877. The 
latter, Milan Archer, was a native of New York, 
and is now in Reading Township. Of this marriage 
there was born one child, a daughter Genie, who is 
now at home. 

Oursiibject contracted asecond marriage, in Cam- 



h 



u 



516 



HILLSDALt: COUNTY. 



bria Township. Marcli 11), 1879, with Mi?? Wary 
Hosmer, daughter of AVilliani Ilosiner. She was 
born March 30, 1 846, and remained with her parents 
until her marriage, acquiring a good education. 
She is now the mother of one son. William H., who 
was born Dec. 24, 1880. Our subject and his es- 
timable wife are attendants of the Free-Will Bap- 
tist Church, of West Reading, and Mr. Abbott, 
politically, is a solid Republican. He has, however, 
very little to do with public affairs, giving his at- 
tention mostly to his farm and his family. 

J; AMES H. BAS8ETT. occupying a good posi- 
tion among the people of Jefferson Town- 
ship, and a good farm on section 12, is a 
' native of the same State from which have 
emanated so many of the successful men of South- 
ern Michigan, namely, New York, he having been 
born in Lewis County, Dec. 27. 1835. James T. 
and Eunice (Clark) Bassett, his parents, were of 
Dutch descent, from Holland, but were born in 
New Y'ork State, and moved to Lenawee County, 
Mich., when their son, James H., was a little lad 
three years of age. 

The father of our subject upon coming to Michi- 
gan purchased land in Dover Township, Lenawee 
County, which he subsequently traded for land in 
Jefferson Township, this county, and a part of 
which, about sixty acres, our subject still owns. 
The elder Bassett, being a man of industry and in' 
telligence, tilled the various local offices, although 
a Democrat in the midst vf a Republican majority. 
He possessed much force of character, and was a 
member in good standing of the Free-Will Baptist 
Church, in which he olflciated as a Deacon a num- 
ber of years. He departed this life at his home in 
Hillsdale County, Feb. 7, 1885, the mother having 
died over forty years ago. 

The subject of our sketch received a common- 
school education, and assisted his father, the latter 
belno- in poor health, until about the twenty -third 
year of his age. Some time before reaching his thir- 
tieth year he was married, Jan. J 2, 1865, to Miss 
Susan Ouiealey, who was born Feb. 7, 1845, and is 
adaughterof William and Julia (Loughede) Omea- 



ley, who were natives of Ireland and Scotland, and 
are now deceased, Mr, Bassett and his wife started 
out without any capital, but by a course of frugality 
and industry in a few j'ears moved upon their own 
farm of 160 acres, in Gratiot County, and a part of 
which our subject still owns. They lived there a 
period of twentj* years until 1887, when they came 
to Jefferson Townshi]), this county, to the farm 
which the^' now occupy. 

Mr. Bassett has here, as before, labored indus- 
triously, bringing about manj' improvements, and 
with bis family is surrounded 1)3' all the comforts 
of life. They have four children living, and one 
deceased, '1 heir eldest son, Frank, was born Sept. 
11, 1866; Ellen, Aug. 5, 1869; William, J.an. 24, 
1875; Minnie, Dec. 5, 1878, am) Olive M.aude, 
March 10, 1884, Mr. Bassett, like his father be- 
fore him. is a stanch Democrat, politically, but has 
steadily declined becoming an office-seeker. He 
gives his attention principally to his own affairs, 
and is respected in i)roportion by his neighbors. 



"■u\,-<i2££;©^J~^^^»-^-a^ZraTr>v-- 



ARED B. HOWE, undertaker, junior mem- 
ber of the firm of Donaghy & Howe, has his 
headquarters on Howell street, in the city 
of Hillsdale, and has spent nearly all his 
lite in this county, having been born in Ransom 
Townshii), Seijt, 26, 1 844. His parents, Joel and 
Lucy (Ashley) Howe, were born and reared in 
Ontario County, N. Y.; they were married in this 
county, Jan. 1, 1843, and located on a farm in 
Ransom Township. The father took up a tract of 
partially cultivated land, where the parents spent 
the remaining brief years of their lives, dyingabout 
twelve months apart, and leaving their son, Jared 
B,, an orphan when a little lad eight years of age. 

After the death of his parents our subject took 
up his abode with Nelson Ashley, but later was 
taken into the home of H. W. Bates, with whom he 
contiuued for a perioil of seven years. The lim- 
ited education which he secured was conducted in 
the district school, and he entered upon his busi- 
ness career with C. W. Ferris, a dry-goods merchant 
of Hillsdale, whore he became familiar with the 
general methods of business men. His next posi- 



•^ M ■^* 



-U 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



517 



tiou was with W. W. Donaghy, an undertaker of 
Hillsdale, with wh<jra lie learned this business in 
all its details. 

In 1879 Mr. Howe became the partner of his 
employer, and they have since operated harmoni- 
ously together. He has also officiated as watchman 
in wiiat was the Second National Bank, but is now 
the Waldron Bank, for the past sixteen years, dur- 
ing which time he has been absent from his post of 
duty only nine nights. He is prominently con- 
nected with the I. O. O. F., being a member of 
Hillsdale Lodge No. 17. in whi(;h he has held all 
the offices and passed all the Chairs. He repre- 
sented the Grand Lodge of the State at Lansing in 
1873. He also holds a high position with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, with which he has been connected 
for the past sixteen years, being a Chapter mem- 
ber, a Knight Templar, ami having attained to the 
Consistory. Politically, he uniformly votes the 
Democratic ticket, but has never had a weakness 
for office. 

The firm of Donaghy & Howe occupy tastefully 
fitted up rooms, and have a complete outfit of 
horses and carriages, together with all the other 
requisites for carrying on their business in a man- 
ner satisfactory to the community, They are 
prompt and reliable, and stand well among the 
other business firms of the city. 

/p^KORGE BANSILL. In reviewing the career 
III g— - of this venerable and venerated man, the 
^^^J! biographer involuntarily exclaims, " May 
the State of Michigan be blessed with many more 
like him." Of kindly ami generous impulses, more 
than ordinary intelligence, and in some respects, in 
thought and feeling, far ahead of his time, he has 
always been one who has reflected deeply upon the 
ni3'steries of life, and although in possession of a 
comfortable home, has made of filthy lucre a second- 
ary consideration. One of the distinct elements 
of his character is a native love of liberty in all its 
forms. During the times of slavery he was an 
Abolitionist of the most pronounced type, not alone 
in theory, but in action, and willing to make sacri- 
fices for the carrying out of his principles. In the 



old da\'s he was alwa3's ready to leave his harvest 
field, or an^' other pressing work, to go to the 
assistance of the fugitive, fleeing from his oppress- 
ors, and manj' a time assisted the victims of the 
peculiar institution to make their way safely by the 
" underground railroad " to Canada. 

Later, Mr. Bansill, after the em.ancipation ques- 
tion had been settled, turned his attention to the 
growing evils of intemperance, and became a Pro- 
hibitionist, in like proportion that he had been an 
anti-slavery man. These peculiar qualities of his 
character have necessarily given him enlarged views 
of life, making him the friend of progress in all its 
phases, and a worthy representative of the excel- 
lent ancestry from which lie sprang. Of English 
birth and parentage, he first opened his eyes to the 
light among the hills of Derbyshire, on the 6th of 
January, 1808. Of this section of countr}- his par- 
ents, Matthew and Mary (Goungs) Bansill, were 
also natives, and there they spent their entire lives, 
the father dying when fifty-four years old, and the 
mother at the age of seventy. They were devout 
members of the Church of England, and carefullj'^ 
trained their children in its doctrines. These, six 
in number, included three sons and three daughters, 
of whom George was the youngest and is now the 
sole survivor. 

Mr. Bansill when quite young was confirmed in 
the Church of England, and his education was 
acquired in the public schools. At quite an early 
age he was placed at work in a factory where was 
carried on the manufacture of gloves and hosiery, 
and was thus occupied until nineteen years of age. 
Although now provided with but little capital, he 
determined to see something more of the world, 
and began an extensive tour through Ireland, visit- 
ing the city of Dublin, and the larger towns, work- 
ing at his trade as opportunity permitted in order 
to pay his expenses. He wjis accompanied by one 
of his childhood friends, John Hunt by name, who 
was two years his senior. This adventure ended, 
he determined to cross the Atlantic, and in the 
spring of 1827 embarked on a sailing-vessel at 
Liverpool for America. After being tossed about 
on the ocean for a period of nine weeks .and three 
days, he landed in the city of Quebec, Canada, 
with the intention of locating subsequentl3' in 



■I* 



h 



-•► 



518 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Jefferson County. N. Y. Upon liis arrivnl there lie 
was infhiced to go upon a lake steamer, llie '• Brandy- 
wine," of which he was not long afterward appointed 
Captain, and in pinsuanee of his calling plied be- 
tween different points on Lake Ontario for two 
and one-half years. 

The cholera now breaking out. lake navigation 
was suspended for a period of four months. Upon 
its resumption Capt. Bnnsill resumed a similar 
position on the "Plioenix," another vessel of Lake 
Ontario. He was married to Miss Hannah Rlorford, 
(in the 17th of April, 1835, the wedding taking 
place at the home of the bride, in Niagara County. 
N. Y., in which countj' she was born in 181G, and 
was tiie daughter of Garret and Eunice Morford. 
a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this 
volume. Mr. Bansill now decided to settle down 
upon terra firma, and with tiie parents of his young 
wife, made his vvay to the Territory of !\Hchigan, 
overland by wagon through Canada. Upon arriv- 
ing in this counts', he settled in Moscow Township 
and engaged in farming pursuits. Within the 
space of three ^ears he suffered the loss of his wife 
and child. 

My. Bansill, in December, 18.39, contracted a 
second marriage, with Miss Delia M., daughter of 
Levi and Anna Fowler, who were natives of Chau- 
tauqua County, N. Y.. whence the}' emigrated while 
young to Jackson County, this State, and were 
married there in Liberty Township. Mrs. Delia 
Bansill was born Jan. 25, 1816, and by her union 
with our subject became the mother of six children, 
the record of whom is as follows: Jennie, the eldest 
daughter, is the wife of James Clifton, a commercial 
man, and resides at Auburn, Ind.; Mary is the wife 
of William Lewis, of Moscow Village, and the 
mother of two children — May and Forrest; Martha 
and William are twins; the former has charge of her 
father's household, and the latter, a |>rofessor of 
penmanship, is a resident of Mi.ssouri; he married 
Miss Eliza Meade, and they have two children — 
Lena and Archie. Henry married Miss Enieline 
Janes, and is carrying on his father's farm in a 
very successful manner; Edwin wedded Miss Mary 
Clifton, of Ohio, and is occupied in general mer- 
chandising in Bellaire, Antrim County, this Stjite; 
he is the father of one child, a daughter, Linnie. 



Tlie mother of these children died at her home in 
Moscow rownship. on the .Tth of December, 1877, 
at the age of sixtj'-two years. 

The Bansill homestead includes 1 28 acres of good 
land, all of which was cleared by our subject, and 
upon which are liie buildings which he erecte<l when 
a young man. Considering their age they are in a 
fair state of preservation. The prime mover in the 
establishment of this home, which is a familiar spot 
to all the old residents of Moscow Township, has 
numbered over eighty years of a long and worthy 
life, in which, ailhotigli living quietl}' and unosten- 
tatiously, he has exerted a marked influence upon 
those around him, and one which has uniformly 
been for good. 

-^ fe"#- <^ 



\«1 l»ILLIAM S. ALLEN. This gentleman was 
\/iJ/l ""'""§'''' '•o ^^^ Territory of Michigan by 
V7\y his parents when a mere infant, and spent 
his boyhood and youth on the farm which his 
father eliminated from the wilderness of Saline 
Township, Washtenaw County. He became fully ac- 
quainted with the various employments of farm 
and pioneer life, and amid tlie primitive scenes of a 
new settlement imbibed a spirit of self-reliance and 
independence which has served him admirably in 
his later struggle with the world. He is now num- 
bered among the thrifty property owners of Hills- 
dale, and at present is occupying himself as traveling 
salesman for the Bortree ALanufacturing Company, 
at Jackson, Mich. 

The subject of our sketch was born in the town 
of Covington, Genesee Co., N. Y., March 8. 1830, 
and is the son of Arnold Allen, who was a na- 
tive of the same Stiile. The latter was born May 
13, 1794, and was the son of William Allen, Sr., 
who was horn in Connecticut, Sept. 10, 1764; Sally 
Allen, his wife, was also born in the Nutmeg State, 
it is supposed, July 20, 1772, and died March 16, 
1837, in Saline. Washtenaw Count}', 

The mother of William Allen, of our sket'.'h, was 
Lucy Elliott, who was born Jul}' 5, 1797, and was 
the daughter of David Elliott, Esq., who was born 
in Covington, N. Y'., March 31, 1743, and died in 
Madison Countv, that State, Oct. 31, 1829. Mrs. 




-L. 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



519 



LiK-y Allen became tlie mother of six chilrlron — 
tliree sons and three danghteis — all of whom lived 
to j-eai-s of maturity, hut only three of whom now 
survive. They were named respectively: Maria 
S. ; Celia C, deceased; M.ary, Mrs. Card; William 
8., our subject; Charles A. and George W., both 
deceased. 

The parents of our subject removed from Gen- 
esee County, N. Y., to Alichigan in 1M33. making 
the entire trip in wagons, and settling in the woods 
in Washtenaw County. They lived for years after 
the fashion and manner of the pioneers, enduring 
hardships and privations, and laboring industri- 
ously to clear the farm and establish a comfortable 
homestead. In this they succeeded admirabl}', the 
Allen homestead finally attaining the reputation 
of being one of the model farms of that part of 
the Wolverine .State. Here the devoted wife and 
mother closed her e3es upon earthly scenes in the 
spring of 1852, after her son, our subject, had left 
the home roof and established himself at Saline. 
Arnold Allen later removeil from the farm, and 
made his home with his son William S., until his 
de.ath, which occurred in the city of Hillsdale in 
the spring of 1870. 

Our subject completed his education in the schools 
of Saline, from which he was graduated when a youth 
of eighteen years. Soon thereafter he began his 
mercantile experience in the dry-goods store of 
David S. Haywood, of Saline, where he was em- 
ployed as clerk for a number of years. Upon leav- 
ing this place he assumed a similar position with 
the firm of S. M. Holmes & Co., of Detroit, con- 
tinuing there five years. While a resident of Saline 
he was united in marriage, Oct. 28, 1851, with 
Miss Lavilla E., second daughter of Simon Os- 
trander, of Ypsilanti, who was one of the leading 
hardware merchants of that city. Mrs. Allen was 
born in Ithaca, N. Y'., May 28, 1834, and came with 
her parents to Michigan when a girl three years of 
age. In 1858 our subject formed a partnership 
with J. C. Bailey <fe Co.. and established himself at 
Lansing, opening a dry-goods store, the firm name 
being W. 8. Allen & Co., and the partnership con- 
tinued until 18G0, when they sold out and dis- 
solved. 

The year following Mr. Allen, transferring his 



interests to the city of Hillsdale, formed a partner- 
ship with his brother-in-law, Ira B. Card, and under 
the style of Allen &. Card the firm put up a 
two-story brick business house, which, on account 
of the weakness of an adjoining building, fell 
down, and involved nearly a total loss of their 
store, besides causing the death of three persons, 
Mr. an<l Mrs. Dudley and their son, who were 
occupying rooms in the other building. The struc- 
ture was rebuilt in the space of forty days, and a 
new stock of goods put in. The firm enlarged its 
capacities for business by admitting into partner- 
ship Mr. William Russell, and became Allen, Card 
<fe Russell. They operated together two years, when 
our subject disposed of his interest to his partners, 
anri not long afterward Mr. Card retired, selling 
his interest to Mr. Russell. The brothers-in-law, 
Allen and Card, then formed a new partnership, and 
re-eml)arked in the dry-goods trade, which they con- 
tinued three 3'ears, and then, on account of failing 
health, Mr. Allen was obliged to withdraw, and 
sold his interest to Mr. Card. 

Upon the recovery of bis health our subject en- 
gaged as a traveling salesman for the Bortree 
Manufacturing Company, of Jackson, in whose em- 
ploy' he has been for the past thirteen years, on a 
salary of $3,000 per year and expenses. This state- 
ment illustrates sufficiently his business ability and 
his standing with the firm 

Mr. Allen and his interesting little family occupy 
a snug home on Howell street, and enjoy the friend- 
ship and acquaintance of the cultivated people of 
the cit}'. The union of our subject and his wife has 
been blessed by t,he birth of five children: Charles, 
their eldest son, is connected with the Union Stock- 
yards of Chicago; Minnie L. is the wife of Dr. Bion 
Whelan, of Hillsdale: Lizzie L. married C. A. Mal- 
lory, member of the lirm of Mallor}' <fe Son, stock 
dealers, also at the stockyards at Chicago; Ollie, 
who died when two years old; William Bryant, the 
youngest of the family', is pursuing his studies in 
the school at Hillsdale. 

The handsome residence occupied I)y the family 
of our subject w.as put up by him in 188G. and is 
one of the Queen Anne st}'le of architecture, hand- 
somely* finished aii<l furnished, and with its sur- 
roundings formingone of the most attractive homes 






520 



a 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in the city. Besides this property Mr. Alien owns 
three good houses, the rents of which yield him a 
handsome income. He has little time for political 
matters, but is decided in his views, and has an 
an abiding faith in the principles of the Democratic 
party. He was a great admirer of Gen. G. B. Mc- 
Clellan, was a Union Democrat during the war, and 
voted for both Lincoln and Grant. He has availed 
himself of the privileges of the free American citizen 
in matters of suffrage, and at the last Presidential 
election supported Grover Cleveland. He has hosts 
of friends throughout Hillsdale County, and is 
looked upon as one of its most capable and reliable 
business men. 



NOS MOORE, dealer in drugs and medicines 

Eat Litchfield, is a man who has reflected 
honor upon his community, being one of its 
best citizens, straightforward and correct in his 
business methods, and possessing that integrity of 
character which has gained him the esteem and con- 
fidence of a wide circle of friends. He is of an ex- 
cellent family, the history of which has been traced 
through several generations. His forefathers were 
of Kew England ancestry, whence they migrated to 
the Empire State, where his father, John, and his 
mother, Lydia (Todd) Moore, were born in Tomp- 
kins County. They remained tliere until after their 
marriage, and then, in 1 840, came to this State, the 
father purchasing 140 acres of land in Litchfield 
Township. Upon this he lived and labored until 
six or seven years prior to his death, and then took 
up his residence in the village, and retiring from act- 
ive labor, continued there until his death, which 
occurred in Februarj', 1886, when he was eighty- 
one years old. The mother had preceded her hus- 
band to the silent land over twenty years, her death 
taking place at their country home in the fall of 
186.'), at the age of fifty-seven. The ten children 
of the parental liouseluild comprised seven sons and 
three daughters, of whom our subject, with his twin 
brother. Eben. was born Sept. 5, 1837, in Mayville, 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He was brought when an 
infant of two and one-half years to this State, and 
here developed into manhood on a farm, acquiring 



a district-school education, and continuing under 
the home roof until reaching his majority. 

Mr. Moore, now desirous of seeing something of 
the world, set out in 18.59 to cross the plains, join- 
ing a train consisting of four wagons, bound from 
Davenport, Iowa, to Pike's Peak. From there he 
joined his brother Daniel in Sacramento Cit^', in 
September following, for whom he worked six 
months on a farm, and subsequently was a ranch- 
man for two years in California and Nevada. Af- 
terward he made his way to Hope Valley, where he 
labored in the silver and copper mines, and thence 
proceeded to Carson City, eng.igiug there as a 
ranchman. Later he rejoined his brother in Sacra- 
mento, and from there proceeded, via the Isthmus, 
to his boyhood home again, arriving in New York 
City on the 1st of December, 1863. 

Young Moore now purchased an 80-acre farm in 
Hillsdale County, to which he gave his industrious 
attention for the following five years. In the mean- 
time, Nov. 20, 1804, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Nellie Skidniore, who was the daughter of 
Francis and Elizabeth (Warrell) Skidmore, the fa- 
ther a native of Newtown, Fairfield Co., Conn., and 
the mother born in Pittsford, Monroe Co., N. Y. 
After marriage they settled for a time at Pittsford, 
and thence came to this county, and in due time 
were numbered among the farming community of 
Litchfield Township. They now live in Chicago, 
111., the father being sixty-nine years old, and the 
mother sixtj'-five. 

To the parents of Mrs. Moore there were born 
two sons and one daughter, Nellie being the second 
child. She was born in Pittsford, N. Y., Dee. 27, 
1845, and was a young girl upon coming with her 
parents to this State. She completed her studies at 
Hillsdale College, and occupied herself as a teacher 
two or three years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the 
parents of two children, one of whom, Alice, died 
when six years of age; Minnie F. is at home with 
her parents. 

Mr. Moore, in 1867, associated himself in part- 
nership with L. A. Fowler, and established in the 
dr^ -goods business at Litchfield, where he contin- 
ued six years. Then selling out, he purchased the 
drug business of Mr. Skidmore, and has since con- 
ducted a lucrative and steadily increasing tr-ade. 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



521 \ 



Mrs. Moore fleparted this life at her home in Litch- 
field, June 12. 18K1. Not long afterward Mr. 
Moore sold out. and goin^ to Chicago, remained 
for one year in that cit3', whence he returned in 
1883, ])iircliaslng his former business, which he has 
since continued. In political matters he votes for 
principles, not men. He has signalized himself as a 
liberal-minded and progressive citizen, and has 
served on the Board of Education, and been Village 
Treasurer two or three years. 

The i)rcsent wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Dec. 15, 1883, was formerly Miss Phebe 
Conger, daughter of .lacob and Maria (.Johnson) 
Conger, who were also natives of New York Stale. 
They came to Michigan in 1856, and are still living 
at Litchfield, the father being eighty-nine years, 
and the mother eighty-four. Their family of seven 
children consisted of three sons .and four daughters. 
Mrs. Moore was born Dec. 3. 1839, in New York 
State, and after attending Hillsdale College, was 
employed as a teacher one season. She is a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their 
pleasant home is situated on Marshall street, and 
they enjoy the esteem and confidence of hosts of 
friends. 

l(^ RS. DELLA F. ALDRICH. In .all coun- 
tries where men possess gallantry, women 
play an important part in the affairs of life, 
and in this country, to the honor of the 
laws and the customs be it said, women are the 
equal of men in all rights and privileges excepting 
the rigiit to vote and hold ollice, and it is possible 
that these rights would be conferred also if itcf)uld 
be made apparent th.at the majority of the women 
desired it. As it is, their influence as wives, mothers 
and sisters, is all potent, and whenever they have 
essayed to fill positions requiring tact and ability 
the}' have been successful, whether in professions or 
in the callings requiring talent of an executive 
order. Among the many biographical sketches 
found in this Album space is given to none more 
cheerfull}- than to that of the subject of this sketch, 
who is a lad}', although young in years, of high 
attainments, and resides in Jerome Village. 

The subject of this notice was born in Ontario 



-4^ 




County, N. Y., June 2, 1850, and is the daughter 
of Hiram and Frances J. (Bartlett) Graham. Her 
father was a native ot Massachusetts, where he was 
born Oct. 23, 1816, and w.is married Oct. 28, 1836. 
The parents afterward settled in Ontario County, 
N. Y., and rearing a family of five children, re- 
mained there until about twenty years ago, when 
they came to this county and settled in Somerset 
Township, where the father died Jan. 3, 1888. His 
wife was also a native of Massachusetts, and died 
Feb. 28,1869, in Ontario County, N. Y. Their 
family included five children, recorded as follows: 
Melissa A. was born Jan. 14, 1841, and died Aug. 

23, 1842; \Villi.am C. was born July 17, 1843; 
Adelbert H., April 27, 1846; Delia P., our subject, 
and Clarence B., who was born in September, 1858. 
No record of the maternal grandparents of oursub- 
ject has been preserved, but the grandmother died 
at the age of eighty-nine years. 

Delia F. Graham w.as united in marri.age, Sept. 

24, 1868, at her father's residence in New York, 
with Hosea C. Aldrich, brother of Benjamin Al- 
drich, whose sketch, elsewhere' in this work, see for 
family history. Hosea C. Aldrich was born in 
Canandaigua County, N. Y.. Oct. 23, 1836. and was 
the son of Seth Aldrich, who was of VV^elsh ances- 
try, and was born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 
3, 1801. Upon attaining his m.<»jority he removed 
to Canandaigua County, and engaged in the busi- 
ness of a butcher, which he followed until his 
removal to this .St.ate in 1841. LTpon his arrival he 
purchased 480 acres of land in Somerset Township, 
and about 1847 he commenced the manufacture of 
earthenware. He was the first manufacturer of 
drain tile in Southern Michigan, and continued the 
business until 1863, when he sold out to his sons, 
Hosea C. and Benjamin F. 

In 1828 Seth Aldrich was united in marri.age with 
Miss Jane Kempshall, by whom he had two chil- 
dren — Elsie and Jane. Mrs. Aldrich died in 1830, 
and two years later Mr. Aldrich married Miss Mi- 
nerva Doolittle, who bore him three children besitles 
Hosea C. — Willis K., Benjamin F. and Mary C. 
Hosea C. Aldrich passed his life uneventfully, grow- 
ing to a vigorous and reputable manhood, and 
remained with his parents until the call for troo|)S 
in defense of the Union reverberated throughout 



^^►Hh-^ 



-4•- 

522 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the land. Mr. Aldrich seemed to have inherited 
that patriotism which distinguished the early set- 
tlers of New England, among whom were his an- 
cestors, aiid he responded to the appeal, and enlisted 
in the army Aug. 5, 1862. He made for himself a 
good record, distinguished for his courage and good 
qualities, which were noticed by his superiors, and 
he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1X63. 
He took part in several engagements, and experi- 
enced all the hardships of war. He was captured 
at Athens, Ala., on the 24th of September, 1864, 
by Forrest's cavaUy, and robbed of blankets, 
money, watches, etc., and was taken to Cahawba 
and thrown into prison at that place. He has 
■ since written a work entitled "Cahawba Prison, a 
Glimpse of Life in a Rebel Prison," in which he 
vividly describes the trials and privations endured 
by our noble fathers Shd brothers who took their 
lives in their hand, and faced the cannon to save 
their country. Mr. Aldrich was present at the ex- 
plosion and burning of the steamer *• .Sultana" on the 
Mississippi River, by which 1,700 lives were lost. 
The tales he relates of the sufferings on the march 
and in the prison are almost too harrowing and 
revolting to be repeated. 

Mr. Aldrich was mustered out of the service, and 
honorably discharged from the array June 25, 1865, 
and returning to his home resumed business with 
his brother Benjamin F., and was thus engaged for 
some time. He afterward bought out his brother's 
interest, made extensive improvements in the ma- 
chinery, etc., and at the time of his death was one 
of the most extensive manufacturers of drain tile, 
wall and building brick, and flower vases, in the 
State. In 1 883 he settled in Jerome Village, and 
erected a fine residence at a cost of over $4,000, 
but he did not live long to enjoy the comforts he 
had gained as the result of industry and energy, 
being called away to that " house not made with 
hands," April 14, 1887, leaving a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances to mourn their irreparable 
loss. A loving husband, a kind and indulgent par- 
ent, a generous benefactor and a faithful friend, 
besides being a public-spirited man, and a man of 
sterling integrity, his death has made a void which 
it will be difficult to fill. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich was brightened 



by the advent of two children — Ella F. and Louie 
F. Ella F. was born Sept. 24, 1873, and is a 
natural-born genius. At the age of fourteen she 
composed verses on the death of a neighbor's child, 
and upon the occasion of her father's death, which 
much affected her, she composed some beautiful 
verses which were trulj- and absolutely inspired. 
Louie F. was born Aug. 16, 1878, and both children 
will be well educated. Mr. Aldrich belonged to 
the Congregational Church, in which he was a 
worthy and consistent Christian member, squaring 
his walk and conversation by that of the great 
exemplar. Mrs. Aldrich and her two children are 
members of the same church, and adorn their pro- 
fession; she is a member of the Home Missionary 
Society, and is now its Treasurer, while Last year 
she was President of the society. She belongs to 
other ladies' societies, and is active in Sunday- 
school work, and ever ready to contribute of her 
time and substance to all measures inaugurated for 
the good of the community and the elevation of the 
people. 



C|j^^ELSON TURRELL, senior partner of the 
11 111 firm of N. Turrell & Son, is one of the 
;i\ ^/^ wealthiestand most prominent men in Litch- 
field Township. During his career of twenty -eight 
years in Hillsdale County, he has distinguished 
himself as a business man of more than ordinary 
capaliilities, a citizen of the strictest integrity, lib- 
eral-minded and public-spirited, and in consider- 
ation of these qualities has been no unimportant 
factor in the building up of the town of Litchfield 
and vicinity. His home, which is i)leasantly situ- 
ated on West St. Joseph street of the little city, 
forming one of its chief ornaments, is both substantial 
and elegant, and fully in keeping with the character 
of its projector and builder. 

Mr. Turrell is of New F^ngland ancestry, his par- 
ents. David and Anna (Cook) Turrell, having been 
born in Hinesburg. Vt., where his paternal gi-and- 
father, Caleb Turrell, settled upon his retirement 
from the Continental service. As a soldier in the 
Revolutionar}' War his grandfather Turrell was 
present at the battles of Bunker Hill, Trenton, 
Brandywine, and other points where the Colonists 



••► 



■^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^p 



I 



met llie Britisli solfliors and encompassed their de- 
feat. The parents of our subject after their mar- 
riage lived for a time in tiie Green Rlonntain Stall', 
then removed to Susquehanna County, Pa., where 
tlie father engaged in farming and also operated a 
sawmill. He was a business man in the strictest 
sense of the term, enterprising and energetic, and 
accumulated a fine property. From Pennsylvania 
he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in the vicinity of 
which he carried on agriculture and also dealt in 
real estate. 

David Turrell, in 1835, determined to cast his 
lot among the pioneers of Southern Michigan, and 
coming to the West, puichased 500 acres of land 
in Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, where 
he continued to live until his decease, which oc- 
curred in February, 1849, at the age of sixty-seven 
years. The mother survived her husband only 
three years, dying in 1852, at the same age. Their 
family consisted of four sons and four daughters, 
of -whom Kelson, our subject, was the third child. 
He was born in Hinesburg, Vt.. May 13, 1807, and 
acquired a limited education in the common school. 
He was a lad of ten yeais when his parents removed 
to Pennsylvania, where he developed into manhood, 
and when twenty-two years of age was married, 
Oct. 11, 1829, to Miss Emily, daughter of Abel and 
Marilla (Hutchinson) Hawley. 

The parents of Mrs. Turrell were n.atives of Con- 
necticut, as was also her paternal grandfather, 
Joseph Hawlej-, who was prominent in his com- 
munilj- during the Colonial times. From New 
Kngland they also removed to Susquehanna County, 
Pa., where the father, who was a shoemaker, also 
carried on a tannery and gave employment to sev- 
eral men. He died in Brooklyn, Pa., when ayoung 
man of thirty-one years, in 1818. Themothersub- 
seqnentl}- niariied George Brown, and had seven 
children by each of her two marriages. Of the first 
there were three daughters and four sons, and Mrs. 
Ttn-rell was the eldest. She was born Nov. 6, 1810, 
in Cornwall. Litchfield Co., Conn., and was a little 
girl eight years of age when her parents removed to 
Pennsylvania. 

To our subject and his wife there were born 
two children before they went to Ohio, in April, 
1834. In the Buckeye State Mr. T. went into part- 



nership with his father in the farming and real-estate 
business, and they came to ^lichigan together. 
Nelson purchased 1 GO acres in Woodstock Town- 
ship, Lenawee County, and both families suffered 
four months from ague. They also endured, in 
common with the people about them, the hardships 
and privations of pioneer life, when pork was $40 
per barrel, and their nearest mill and depot for pro- 
visions was at Tecumseh, twenty-two miles away. 
By the exercise of great industry and economy 
they nevertheless prospered, and among their bless- 
ings was the birth of nine children, of whom the 
record is as follows: David A. married Miss Mary- 
Sickly, and is engaged in the book busines.sin Som- 
erset; they have one child, Milton F. Horace N. 
is a very successful merchant of Litchfield, and 
his biography appears elsewhere in this work; 
Elvira P. is the wife of S. W. Noyes, a minister of 
the Congregational Church, and stationed at Harvey 
Springs, Emmet County; they have four children — 
Eva, Lucy, Berlon and Jennie. Cynthia A. is at 
home; Alonzo C, after the uutbreak of the Civil 
AVar, enlisted in the Northwestern 24th Rifle Regi- 
ment, of Illinois, being mustered into service in 
August, 1861, and died of pneumonia at Raleigh, 
Mo., Jan. 10, 18(>2, at the age of twent}- years; 
Edgar B. enlisted with the 6lh Michigan Heavy- 
Artillery, being mustered into service in March, 
1864; he was taken ill, and died at New Orleans in 
Noveml)er following, being also twenty^ 3ears old. 
Flora P. is the wife of Casper Sherk. a carpenter of 
Litchfield, and is now the mother of four children 
— Lulie G., Charles G., Frank N. and Lena I. 
Fletcher married Miss Mary Burgett, who is en- 
gaged in the hardware tr.ade in Eaton Rapids; they 
have one son. Charles E. 

Mr. and Mrs. Turrell lived in Lenawee County 
until their children were nearly grown, and then for 
the purpt)se of finishing their education took up 
their residence, in 1861, in the city of Hillsdale. 
Their sons. Horace and Alonzo, attemled Hills'Iale 
College, together with Iheir daughter Cynthia. The 
latter also attended Olivet College at Olivet, Mich., a 
year afterward. Mr. and Mrs. Tunell came to 
Litchfield in November, 1862. Our subject pur- 
chased the house, lot, and stock of goods of Jacob 
Hagerman. and the store of William Walters be- 



_ ■» ■ ^* 



-4*- 



624 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



sides, and carried on business six months, when he 
associated with him in partnersliip his son Hor- 
ace, and they have since operated together very 
successful!}', commanding an extensive patronage 
and accumulating a competency for future years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Turrell, as neighbors and members of 
the community, are valued at their true worth, and 
in the Congregational Church, of which they have 
been members for many years, have been among its 
chief piHars. Indeed it was largely tln-ough the 
influence and liberality of Mr. Turrell that the so- 
ciety was enabled to erect its edifice, which is a fine 
brick structure, and of which Mr. T. furnished one- 
half of the brick, besides his donation of $500 in 
cash. 

Mr. Turrell, politically, affiliated with the Demo- 
crats until the organization of the Republican party. 
He then voted for John C. Fremont, and continued 
a Republican until his warm interest in the success 
of the temperance movement induced him to ally 
himself with the Prohibitionists. As the friend and 
supporter of all worthy public enterprises, he has 
been identified with many of these, and is promi- 
nently connected with the Union Agricultural Asso- 
ciation of the St. Joseph Valley. 



AYETTE NUTTEN, son of one of the earli- 
est pioneers of Moscow Township, is now 
recognized as among its most enterprising 
and successful farmers, where he has 120 acres of 
land under a fine state of cultivation, and embel- 
lished with modern and substantial buildings. His 
father, Jonathan Nutten, was born in Steuben 
County, N. Y., and died at his home in Moscow 
Township on the 3 1st of August, 1884. The mother, 
who in her girlhood was Miss Susan Underwood, 
was also a native of the Empire State, born not 
far from the early home of her husband, and is now 
long since deceased, her death having taken place 
in July, 1861, at the age of forty-eight years. 

The parents of our subject began life together in 
Y^ates County, N. Y., whence they started for the 
young State of Michigan, in .September, 1843. The 
paternal grandfather had previously to this taken 
up a tract of Government land in Moscow Town- 




ship, which after his death was purchased by the 
sou, and which he carried on from 1843 until retir- 
ing from active labor. He was married three 
times, and by his first wife became the father of ten 
children, onl}' four of whom are living, two sons 
and two daughters, who are residents of Michigan. 
His second wife was Mrs. Alzina Hayes, who died 
two months after her marriage. His third wife was 
Miss .Sarah J. Jennings, of Yates County, N. Y. Of 
this latter union there was born one child only, a 
daughter, Eudora Aileen. This lad}' is still living, 
and a sketch of her will be found elsewhere in this 
volume. 

Fayette Nutten was born Dec. 2.5, 1840, in Italy 
Township, Yates Co., N. Y., and was two and one- 
half years of age when brought by his father to 
Michigan. He developed into manhood in Moscow 
Township, acquiring his education in the district 
schools, and continued a member of his father's 
household until a young man twenty-three years of 
age. On the 25th of December, 1863. the anni- 
versary of his birthday, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Rebecca, daughter of Abel and Mary 
(Coryell) Nobles, who were also natives of the 
Empire State. The young people settled in Alle- 
gany County, whence they removed five years 
later to Macon, Lenawee Co., Mich., where the 
father died in 1858 at the age of forty-niue years. 
The mother survived her husband a period of 
twenty-three years, remaining a widow, and passing 
away at the home of our subject in 1881, when 
seventy-seven j'ears old. 

Abel Nobles and his wife were the parents of 
seven children, fonr sons and three d.aughters, of 
whom Mrs. Nutten was the fourth in order of birth. 
She began life on the 14th of February, 1838, and 
enjoyed the advantages of the district schools of 
Lenawee County; she completed her studies in the 
High School at Tecumseh, and taught thereafter 
three terms in Hillsdale Couuty. Her union with 
our subject resulted in the birth of two children: 
Mary Susan became the wife of Alfred C. Haight, a 
well-to-do farmer of Moscow Township; Faille 
Louise is also a graduate of the High School at 
North Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Nutten took to their 
hearts and home two other motherless children, 
John Q. Roode and Blanche Nobles, who both con- 



/ 

t 



>► w ^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



•«► 



525 



tinue to luake tlieir home with their foster-paretxts. 
They also have been well educated, and the former, 
who has tauglit school t\^o terms, one in Moscow, 
and one in Wheatland Township, contemplates tak- 
ing a conrse of instruction at the Ypsilanti Normal 
School. 

Mr. Nutten is the owner of 120 acres of land, 
whicli he has cultivated with fine success, and as a 
business man and a citizen occupies a leading posi- 
tion among his fellow-townsmen. Although a Dem- 
ocrat in belief and principle, he has numbers of 
friends among the Repul)licans, by whom he has 
been elected to various offices while his own party 
was largely in the minority'. lie has been Director 
in his school district for a period of fifteen years, 
served as Assessor six years, held the offices of Jus- 
tice of the Peace and Township Treasurer, and has 
done duty on the petit jury. Mrs. Nutten, a lady 
of many amiable qualities, is the efficient assistant 
of her husband in maintaining the reputation of 
their home as one of the most attractive spots in 
the township, and is also a member in good stand- 
ing of the Baptist Church, at North Adams. 




I 

I 



ON. CHARLES MOSHER, one of the most 
1 prominent men of Scipio Township, was en- 

M'' dowed by nature witli more than ordinary 
^\ capacities, and is one of those who, keep- 
ing their eyes open to what is going on in the 
world around them, and being interested in the 
progressive movements of the age. scarcely fail to 
have an influence in their community. During the 
years of his j'ounger and more active life he min- 
gled considerably with politics, and since the incep- 
tion of the temperance movement has been one of 
its warmest advocates, coming out at the end a de- 
cided Prohibitionist. He has been the encourager 
and supporter of educational institutions and one 
of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
Scipio Township, holding important offices in con- 
nection therewith and officiating as Superintendent 
of the Sunday-school continuously for nearly a 
quarter of a century. 

Our subject is the oflfspring of an excellent old 
<• 



family, being the son of Samuel Mosher. a native of 
Dutchess County, N. Y., who was born Dec. 17, 
1795, and was of a family who were Quakers in 
religious belief, and possessed all the simple and re- 
liable traits of character peculiar to that people. 
Samuel Mosher in early manhood married Miss 
Hannah Green, who was also of Qu.aker parentage, 
and was born in Connecticut, .June G, 1798. After 
marri,age the parents settled first in Chatham, Co- 
lumbia Co., N. Y., where their son Charles was 
born Jan. 2, 1«22, and was the third of their family 
of eleven children. They subsequently removed 
to Cayuga County, taking up their residence in 
Springport. where the father died Dec. 1, 1840. 
The mother afterward came to Michigan, and died 
at the home of our subject in Mosherville, this 
county, Oct. 10, 1854. Seven children of the pa- 
rental family are still living and residents of this 
State. 

Charles Mosher was reared to farming pursuits, 
which he followed in his native State until 1842. 
In the meantime his father, in 1835, had come to 
the Territory of Michigan and entered from the 
Government 800 acres of land in Scipio Township, 
including the ground occupied by the present site 
of Mosherville, and which place was named in 
honor of him. In May, 1842, Charles left his 
home in New York, and joining his father in .Scipio 
Township, engaged in farming on the land which 
the latter had taken up seven 3'ears previously. The 
country w.is then a wilderness, and Charles was 
obliged to cut his way tiiroiigh from Jonesville to 
the present site of Mosherville. 

About 1849 or 1850. in company with his broth- 
ers, Giles and James, under the firm name of G. C. 
(fe J. Mosher, our subject iissistcd in building the 
first flouringand saw mill in Mosherville, which they 
operated together until 1855. and then the firm 
dissolved by the withdrawal of James and Giles. 
Charles Jlosher was a practical miller, and his in- 
terest in these industries continued until 1868, 
when his attention w.as turned to railroading, and 
he was mainly instrumental in locating the Ft. 
Wayne <fe Jackson Railroad through this region. 
Upon disjX)singof his interest in the milling busi- 
ness, he located in the vill.ige of East Mosherville, 
and officiated as Station Agent at that point for a ' 



^ ■ <• 



o26 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






periofl of seven j'ears. In the meantime he also 
dealt extensively in farm profluce, until 1878. 
Two years previously he had established the Moslier 
& Barton fruit farm, in company with L. Barton, 
and they operated together until 1 88(1, when they 
divided their interests and dissolved, Mr. Mosher 
still controls a fruit farm of forty acres at that 
place. 

The public career of our subject began at an 
early age, and soon after reaching his majority. 
He was then elected Justice of the Peace for one 
year, and subsequentl}' held the oflice of Assessor, 
and i-epresented Scipio Township in the County 
Board of Supervisors. In 1863 he was chosen l)y 
the Republicans of this county for their representa- 
tive in the Michigan Legislature, where he served 
one term, was .again elected in 1877, and re-elected 
in 1879. He served on the Committee of Ways 
and Means, and t<;)ok an active part in intro<lucing 
a bill in favor of temperance, which was termed by 
the opposition the Mosher Bill, which declared for 
Prohibition. On account of his decided stand in 
regard to this matter Mr. Mosher lost, while at the 
same time he won, many friends. 

In his career at the State capital, Mr. Mosher 
evinced the same disposition to industry and activ- 
ity which had heretofore ahvays marked his course. 
Among other bills which he introduced was one to 
prohiI)it horse racing and another to put the whole 
liquor tax into the general treasury of the State. 
In 1884 he was the nominee for Congress on the 
Prohibition ticket, and in 188() the candidate for 
this party for Lieutenant Governor. The f.act that 
he was defe.ated on account of his party being in 
the minority does not detract from the merits of 
the high position which he held among the people 
who had known him for so many years. 

Mr. Mosher, before leavmg his native State, w.is 
married ,at Union Springs, Cayuga County, March 
4, 1841, to Miss Polly J. Seaver, who w,as born in 
Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 29, 1824, and 
whose parents, natives of New York, spent their 
last years in Michigan. This union resulted in the 
birth of two children — Samuel and Sarah Jennie. 
The former died in Scipio Township when twent}'- 
flve years of age from the bite of a venomous snake, 
July 6, 1848. The mother had passed away but a 



month before, on the 6th of June. The daughter 
is now living in Mosherville. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married at Hemlock Lake, Livingston Co., N. Y'., 
June 10, 1855, was formerly Miss Alraira M. Stod- 
dard, who w.as born in Richmond. Ontario Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 10, 1823, and who bore him one child, a son. 
Jfihn C. F. The latter married Miss Fanny Waugh, 
of Mosherville, and is occupied at faru)ing in the 
latter pl.ace. Mrs. Mosher is a lady of many es- 
timable qualities, and a member in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Years ago 
Mr. Mosher was in possession of a fine property, but 
losses have in a measure been his portion. He, 
however, has a most comfortable h<jme in the town 
which bears the name of his honored father, and 
which is the resort of manj' and warm friends. 



'i«JE£/®^-* 



.^^^ZraiJJv 



■^ARED E. MOORE, Deputy Sheriff of this 
county, occupies a good position among the 
thrifty farmers of Litchfiehl Township, and 
is the ovvner of 100 .acres of good land on 
section 16. He first looked upon the face of the 
country in this region when a lad nine years of age, 
but did not settle here until ten years later. He 
came, however, in time to be fairly numbered 
among the other early residents, and has contributed 
largely to the growth and development of Litch- 
field Township. 

Our subject, like many of the men about him, 
first opened his eyes to the light in the Empire 
State, and is the son of John and Lydia (Todd) 
Moore, who were also born there, the father in 
Orangeville and the mother in Dry den. The pa- 
ternal grandfather did good service in the Revolu- 
tionary War, being on the staff of Gen. Washington. 
After the independence of the Colonists had been 
established, he took up his abode in New York 
State, where, with his excellent wife, he reared a fine 
family of sons and daughters, and there looked his 
last upon the things of earth, passing away about 
1840. 

John and Lydia Moore after their marriiige set- 
tled on a farm in Chautauqua County, N. Y'., and 



t 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



527 



after the birth of several children, came, in 1840, 
to the young State of Michigan. The father pur- 
ciiaseil 100 acres of land in Litchfield Township, 
and here, with his estimable wife, spent the remain- 
der of his days. The motlier departed hence in 1.SG.5, 
at the age of fifty-live years. John Moore survived 
his wife a period of twenty-one years, his decease 
taking place in 1886, after he had spanned his four- 
score years. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
seven sons and three daughters, of whom Jared E- 
was the eldest son and second child. His birth 
took place at the farm in Chautauqua County, N. 
Y., March 17, 1831. That locality is now called 
the Chautauqua Assembly Grounds, and at that 
time was owned largely by the uncles of our subject, 
and many a free Saturday afternoon the latter 
passed his boyhood among its forests with his gun, 
on the very spot now occupied by the Assemljlj'. 
His parents being in limited circumstances, he com- 
menced working out at an early age, atlemling school 
only two months in the year. When a youth of 
eighteen he left tiie parental roof and starteil out 
in life for himself. The young men of tiiose days 
were not afraid to marry without capital, trusting 
to the good sense and industry of their wives to 
assist them in building up their mutual home. 
Young Moore was accordingly married, Sept. 29, 
1851, in Westfield, N. Y'., to Miss Majesta Martin, 
who was born Oct. 17. 1832, in Orangeville, and 
was the daughter of J(jlin and Elizabeth (Stanton) 
Martin, who emigrated from the Empire State to 
Michigan about 18.53. They settled in the vicinity 
of Amherst, Oakland County, where the father en- 
gaged as a butcher two or three years, and thence 
removed to Saginaw City, where his death took 
place in October, 186.5. when he was fifty-five 
years old. The mother is still living, making her 
home in Detroit, and has now attained the advanced 
age of eighty years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Martin there were born five 
children, one son and four daughters. Of these four 
are living and residents of Michigan. After their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moore, whose wedding took 
place in September, lived in Chautauqua County, 
N. Y., until the April following, when they carae 
to Michigan, and for two j'ears occupied a rented 



farm in Litchfield Township. Upon leaving this 
Mr. INIoore took charge of a hotel in Litchfield, 
where he operated with fair success four years. He 
then traded this property for a farm in Branch 
County, which he occupied for a period of twenty- 
one years. 

In the meantime, during the progress of the late 
war, our subject enlisted as a Union soldier, Sept. 31, 
1864; he enlisted at Kalamazoo, becoming a mem- 
ber of Company' B, 14th Michigan Infantry. His 
regiment was under command of Gen. Sherman, 
witii whom he participated in the famous march to 
the sea, was in all the subsequent eng.agements in 
the Carolinas, including the fight at Goldsboro. and 
was a gratifie<l witness of the surrender of Lee's 
army at Appomattox. Thence he was sent with 
his comrades to Washington, where the troops passed 
before the President in grand review, and sub.'^e- 
quently, after being detailed to Louisville, Ky., 
receiveil his honorable discharge, at Detroit, July 
25, 1805. 

Mr. Moore, after becoming /airly established in 
Branch County, w.as recalled to Litchfield Town- 
shij) to take care of his aged father who was an 
invalid several years prior to his death, and who 
died in 18(SG. Our subject subsequently traded one 
of his farms in the vicinity of Butler, Brancli 
Count}-, for his |>resent propertj' in Litchfield, still 
retaining ownership of the other farm in Branch 
Count}'. He is the father of five children: Ida, 
the eldest, is the wife of Fred McLain, who is carry- 
ing on a meat market at Litchfield, and thej' have 
two children — Maude and Lou Edna; Carrie is the 
wife of William Dean, a blacksmith of Litchfield, 
and they have one child. Mabel; Elizabeth married 
George Erdle, who is oi)erating a sawmill in Litch- 
field ; Arteraus married Miss Belle Mower, and has 
charge of the homestead; Jennie died when about 
ten months old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Litch- 
field, and Mrs. M. belongs to the Relief Corps of the 
G. A. R. Our subject, politic.allj-, is a solid Repub- 
lican, and a charter member of the G. A. R. at 
Litchfield, in which organization he also served as 
Sergeant four years. While a resident of Branch 
County he was usuall}' the incumbent of some 



■n 



528 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



otfice. anfl served as County Treasurer, Assessor, 
Constable, anrl was Deputy Sheriff of Branch County 
in 1884. There are few men who have made 
themselves more useful among their fellow-citizens, 
or who have a cleaner record, than Jared E. Moore. 



38^ 



^p^ ARRET MORFORD, well known and highly 
[II (— -, esteemed in Moscow Township, came to the 
^^j) Territory of Michigan with his parents when 
a lad of fourteen, and a few years thereafter hegan 
his battle with the world, from which he has come 
out with flying colors. A man of liberal views, 
large-hearted and benevolent, eminently domestic 
in his tastes, and thinking more of his home than 
any spot on earth, he has illustrated in his career 
the kindly-hearted and generous father and the 
worthy citizen. As he passes down the sunset hill 
of life he needs nothing further to assure him of 
the esteem and confidence of the people among 
whom he has lived so long, and who have upon 
numerous occasions signified their high regard for 
his character. 

A native of New York State, our subject was 
born on the .'^th of September, 1821. and was the 
sixth child of Garret, Sr., and Eunice (Wood) Mor- 
ford, whose family consisted of six sons and three 
daughters. The parents were natives of the Empire 
State, and after their marriage settled in Allegany 
County. Thence they removed to Monroe, and 
later to Niagara County, .and from the latter emi- 
grated to the Territory of Michigan, in June, 1835. 
The father purchased a tract of Government land 
in Moscow Township, this county, and distinguished 
himself as always being warmly interested in the 
welfare and progress of the people about him. He 
was honored b^' election to the various township 
offices, and after a long and worthy life departed 
hence in the spring of 1869, after having arrived 
at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The 
mother survived her husband a period of eleven 
j-ears, and died at the home of her grandson, Dec. 
2, 1 870, aged eighty-six. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject lived to 
become men and women ; four are now surviving, 
and residents of Michigan. Garret, Jr., was a lad 



^^ 



of eleven years when the familj' came to Michigan, 
and remembers that the journey was made in 
wagons with four horses and one yoke of oxen. 
They came by the way of Canada, crossing the St. 
Lawrence River at Lewiston, and after their arrival 
in this county were subjected to the hardships and 
inconveniences common to pioneer life. The father 
took up a tract of Government land, and the chil- 
dren as soon as old enough assisted their parents 
in the various duties around the homestead. Their 
limited education was conducted in the district 
school, but for two or thiee years after coming to 
Michigan there was not an institution of this kind 
within convenient walking distance. 

Our subject continued under the parental roof 
until 1847, being then twenty-six years of age. In 
the meantime he had been laboring on his own ac- 
count since reaching his majority, and was now in 
a condition to purchase his father's farm, Two 
years later he inst'iiled a bride under the old roof 
tree, having been married, Oct. 7, 1849, to Miss 
Eliza A., daughter of Ebenezer and Sally (Howe) 
Bragg, who were natives of Vermont, and came to 
Michigan in 1836, the year before its admission 
into the Union as a State. Ebenezer Bragg was the 
son of an old Revolutionary hero, who cariied his 
musket during the struggle of the Colonists for 
their independence. When this was assured he 
settled in the Green Mountain State, where hespent 
his last days. 

The parents of Mrs. Morford after their marriage 
settled in New Hampshire, but a few years later 
changed their residence to the vicinity of Clarkson, 
in New York State. Later they removed to Niagara 
County, where they lived until coming to Michi- 
gan. Here Mr. Bragg took up eighty acres of 
Government land in Somerset Township, but only 
lived eight years thereafter, dying in 1844, when 
sixty-three years of age. The mother subsequently 
made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Morford, 
and died in 1868, at the advanced age of eighty- 
two. Their ifamily included six sons and two 
daughters. Mrs. Morford was the youngest, and 
was born in Clarkson, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1831. She 
was but four 3-ears of age when her parents emi- 
grated to Michigan, and received her education in 
the district schools of Somerset Township. She 



•^ 



i 



•► m^^ - 



-^^m- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



529 



was reareil to habits of industry and ecotioiny, and 
amply fitted to become the wife of a good man. 

The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Morford are 
locatetl as follows: Mary M. is the wife of Phin- 
eas \V. Langdon, a well-to-do farmer of Allegan 
County, this State ; Esther J. married J. H. S.ackett, 
who is engaged iu carpentering at .Jonesville; they 
have one cliild, a daugliter Winona. .Joseph E., 
who has charge of the homestead, married Miss S. 
IMilly Langdon, and is the father of two children — 
Bertha Belle and Gertrude. 

The Morford estate includes 100 acres of land, 
which the suliject of our sketch transformed from 
a partially cultivated tract to one of the most 
creilitable homesteads in the northeastern part of 
the county. He has cleared eighty acres of this 
himself, building fences, planting an orchard and 
trees of the finer fruits, cherry, peach and pear. 
The farm stock and machinery' give ample evi- 
dence of the care and forethought exercised in the 
various departments, and the entire estate stands 
as a monument of the industry and perseverance of 
its proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Morford have labored 
together in the building up of their home, making 
it a most pleasant spot where their neighbors and 
friends love to congregate, and which to their chil- 
dren is the dearest place on earth. 

Mr. Morford, in 1860, identified himself with the 
Masonic fraternity, and is at present a member of 
Hamilton Lodge No. 113, at Moscow. Since be- 
coming a voter he has steadily maintained his pref- 
erence for the Democratic party. 



,ICHARD U. FLOYD, a man who has made 
his mark as a farmer, and developed most 
IM>\ estimable qualities as a citizen, intelligent 
TOgjand i)rogressive in his ideas, and favoring 
all the projects for reform and advancement, oc- 
cupies an enviable position among the peo|)le of 
Litchfield Township, which he has called his home 
for the last twenty-two years. He is now in the 
seventy-fifth year of his age, and is the possessor of 
a rich and varied experience, the subjei^t of a his- 
tory which is in its main points as follows: 

Mr. Floyd was born Oct. 1, 181.3, in Vermont. 



<»• 



His father. Richard Floyd, iiad pissi^l away in Feb- 
ruary previously, and his first recollections were of 
his stepfather, .Joseph Fuller, who followed farming, 
and died when our subject was a lad of fourteen 
3'ears. Itichard Floyd, a shoemaker by tra<le, was 
a native of Vermont, where he spent his entire life, 
and died in 1813. The maiden name of the mother 
w.as Mary Upton, who was born in M.assachusetts. 
Of her first marriage there were eight children ; two 
died in infancy, and six lived to mature j'ears, 
of whom Richard U. was the youngest. The 
family about 1819 left the Green Mountain State 
and emigrated to the vicinity of Crown Point, N. 
Y., where our subject completed his education in 
the district school. After the death of his step- 
father he assisted in carrying on the farm, and con- 
tinued at home working with his brothers until 
reaching his majority. Subsequently he worked 
out by the month, and when twent3'-eight years old 
was married to Miss Wealthy Ann Nichols, then 
settled upon a rented farm in that vicinity', continu- 
ing thereafter in the Empire State for a period of 
seven 3e.ars. 

In the meantime our subject had become the 
father of two children, and having experienced 
rather more of the shady side of life than its sun- 
shine, determined now to change his location in the 
hope of bettering his financial condition. Accord- 
ingly, in 1846, he made his wa}' to the promising 
young State of Michigan, settling first in Butler 
Township, Branch County. Of this region he was 
one of the pioneers and settled down in the forest 
when deer, wild turkeys and other game were abun- 
dant. He purchased a quarter-section of land, 
where he labored slowly but surely, bringing the 
soil to a fair state of cultivation, and each year .add- 
ing some improvement to his propert}'. 

Four more children had now been added to the 
household circle, and the record of the six is as fol- 
lows: Richard H., their first-born, died in infancy; 
Harriet It. was first married to Amirew J. Stevens, 
and became the molherof one child, ason, Andrew,!. 
Mr. Stevens died, and she was subsequently married 
to Charles J. Anderson, became the mother of two 
more children, Eugenia F. and Herbert, and died at 
her home in Butler Township. Branch County, in 
1885. Mary U. died in infancy; Miranda E. married 



-i 



9^'-if^^ 



■•► 



530 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




Charles A. Ford, whohns charge of the homestead, 
and they are the parents of two children- — Richard 
C. and INIyrtle Helen; John Chailes, at present Pre- 
siding Elder of Big Rapids district of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, was graduated with honors 
from Michigan .State Universitj'. and is a highly 
intelligent and efficient minister; he married Miss 
Myrtle Haynes, of Litchfield. Wealthy A. died in 
infancy. U'he mother of these childien departed 
this life at her home in Litchfield Township. March 
22, 1880. when sixty-four years of age. 

Mr. Floyd left Branch County in 18GC, selling 
out his quarter-section of land there, and purchased 
his present farm of 119 acres on section 9, in Litch- 
field Township. Here he has operated with his 
wonted intelligence, building up a good home, and 
each year adding something to the value of his 
])roperty. He has been a Republican in politics 
since the organization of the part^', and was one of 
the first men to vote this ticket in the ^tate of Michi- 
gan, casting his ballot for John C. Fremont, in 
1856. He is a warm advocate of temperance prin- 
ciples, and like his estimable wife is a member in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
at Litchfield. Hehasalwajs taken a lively interest 
in township affairs although no office-seeker, but 
served as School Assessor six or seven years. 



ir-^' OBERTHILL. Prominent among the sturd}' 
|L;^ tillers of the soil who are reaiiing rich re- 
wards for their arduous toils in early life, 
"X^and are now enabled to spend their declin- 
ing years in ease and comfort, stands the subject of 
this biographical notice. He is a native of the 
Empire State, born in Essex County, Dec. 19, 1808. 
His father, John Hill, married Miss Deborah Barnes, 
and tbej' made for themselves a home on the banks 
of Lake Champlain, in the countj' where our sub- 
ject was afterward born. Their married life, which 
conmienced most auspiciously, was not of long 
duration, for Mr. Hill, who enlisted in the fjervice 
of his country in the War of 1812, died in the hos- 
pital while yet in the prime of life. He had been 
a hard-working man, who, though he earned a good 
living for his family, had not accumulated much 



^*" 



property, and the widow, with her two sons. Robert 
and George, was left comparatively poor. Mrs. 
Hill afterward married again, and removed in 1815 
to Monroe County, N. Y.. where her death oc- 
curred in 1874, in the eighty -ninth 3'ear of her 
age. 

Robert Hill, of our sketch, was reared in his 
native county, and at an early age was obliged to 
earn his own living, consequently had but little 
time to attend to his studies, but his lack of book 
knowledge doubtless quickened his perceptive fac- 
ulties, and being obliged to learn by observation, 
he acquired a good stock of general information. 
In 1832 he was married to Miss Maria Canning, 
and after living a few 3'ears in their native State, 
they came to Michigan, where our subject entered 
eighty acres of land in Adams Township from the 
Government, the deed of which was signed by Mar- 
tin Van Buren. Mr. Hill was a miller by trade, and 
followed that calling seven years before coming to 
this State, but since that time he has paid more at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. In 1851 Mr. Hill 
was afflicted b}- the death of his wife .at forty-nine 
years of age. She left two children — John C. and 
Sophia. The former is married, and lives in 
Scottville, N. Y.; the latter is the wife of Gordon 
Carlton. 

In 1852 our subject was a second time married, 
taking for a wife Miss Emily, daughter of Richard 
and Anna Fowler, the first inhabitants of Adams 
Township. They came here in November, 1834, 
from Ohio, having moved from Mass.achusetts to 
that State. Their nearest neighbors lived in Jones- 
ville, and Mr. Fowler, who was a very generous 
and hospitable man. lent all assistance possible to 
new-comers, helping them to secure good locations, 
and aiding them in various other ways. His early 
death, which occurred when he was forty -five years 
old, was a great loss to the township. Mrs. Fowler 
survived him many 3'ears, dying in 1876, at the 
advanced age of seventy-six. They were the par- 
ents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Hill was the 
sixth in order of birth. She was born in Perry, 
Geauga Co., Ohio, in 1824, and was but a young 
girl when she came to Michigan with her parents. 
She began her education in the common schools of 
her native State, and after coming to Michigan 



*t 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



531 



was a pupil of the first school in Adams Township. 
It was situated on section 30, near the town line of 
Adams, and wiiat was then Fayette Townsiiip, but 
is now Hillsdale Township, and was known as the 
Fowler School. Her education was further sup- 
plemented by an attendance of three terms at the 
Albion Seminary, after which she engaged in teach- 
ing, and was thus successfully employed for four- 
teen terms prior to her marriage. She has borne 
her husband one child, Grace Adell, who is the wife 
of D. P. Leonard, a prosperous farmer of Missouri; 
they also have one child, Florence. 

Mr. Hill is the owner of 120 acres of land, which 
he has, through his own exertions, been enabled to 
develop from an uncultivated wilderness into a 
rich and productive farm, on which he has erected 
a convenient brick dwelling and has good barns 
and out-buildings. The venerable form of our 
subject is a familar one in Adams Township, where 
he is held in high respect as one of the surviving 
pioneers, who for more than half a century has 
labored for the interests of the township. He has 
been prominently identified with all township im- 
provements, and has filled the otBee of Justice of 
the Peace, besides serving in many minor offices. 
Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Hill are earnest and 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which they have long been communicants, Mr. 
Hill's name having been enrolled among the mem- 
bers fift3'-five years ago. and that of Mrs. Hill ten 
years later. Politically, our subject, who was for- 
merly a Whig, and voted for Gen. Jackson, is 
now independent in his views, and casts his vote 
for the man or measure that he deems will best 
serve the interests of his covintry. 



-~»A.««ac£;®^^ 



>*'§§v51^OT7>^ A/Vr,* 



ki:Vl W. HARRINGTON. Hillsdale County 
has many well-to-do and successful farmers, 
men who started with nothing except their 
own sUmt hearts and strong hands to depend upon, 
and have made a financial success in life. Prominent 
among these is the subject of this sketc'.i, aged and 
highly respected, who occupies a fine brick mansion 
which he has recently built in North Adams. He 
was born in Washington County, N. V., Oct. 23, 



1810. His father, Levi Harrington, Sr., married 
Mary Wood, the daughter of a soldier who was 
killed in the Revt)lutionary War. They were na- 
tives of Connecticut, .and continued to live there 
several years after marriage. From there they re- 
moved to New York, where Mrs. Harrington's 
death occurred in St. Lawrence County. In about 
1847 Mr. Harrington, accompanied by his second 
wife, came to Michigan and settled in Hillsdale 
County, where he died about five years afterward. 
The suljject of this sketch was the seventh child 
of his parents. His boyhood was passed at home, 
assisting his father and attending school. At the 
age of eighteen years he began earning liis own liv- 
ing. He had inherited a goodly amount of energy 
and pluck, and at that time started from home on 
foot for the pinery at French Creek, 200 miles 
away. Arriving there after a tedious journey, he 
secured work at |I0 a month, and proved himself 
so industrious, capable and faithful in the perform- 
ance of his duties, that he was ere long appointed 
foreman, and given higher wages. He continueil 
working for the same man ten years, retaining his 
position as supervisor. He then returned to his na- 
tive State, and was married in Niagara County, in 
1836, to Miss Harriet Chichester. 

After marriage the young couple came to Michi- 
gan and settled in Wheatland Township, being the 
eighth family to locate there. Mr. Harrington was 
much pleased with his new home, and gladly wel- 
comed all new-comers and .assisted them to find 
suitable locations. His kindly greetings, generous 
hospitalit3\ ami the material aid rendered to stran- 
gers, won for him a lasting regard in their hearts. 
His excellent wife heartily co-operated with him in 
all his good works, and her early death, which oc- 
curred in Wheatland, was a sad bereavement to the 
little community, who sincerel3' mourned their loss. 
She left two sons, Enimett and Oscar, the former of 
whom is married and lives in Addison Township. 
In 1844 Mr. Harrington was a second time married, 
taking for his wife Miss Nancy, daughter of John 
and Loviua Barker, natives and lifelong residents 
of New York State. By this union Mr. Harrington 
became the father of two children — Hattie and Eli. 
Hattie is the wife of Joseph Baker, of Adams 
Township; they have one child. Eli, who lives in 



h 



-!* 



-•► 



532 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



»► m ^ 4* 



Wheatland To^Miirliip. mairiifl Jliss ]\Javtha Baker, 
and they have three children — Ida B., Mrytie and 
L. May. 

In 1852, our snbject desiring to experiment in the 
mining regions of California, sailed from New York 
to San Franciseo via Aspinwall and the Isthmus of 
Panama, being two months on the way. He met 
with fair success in the Golden State, but not suffi- 
cient to induce him to remain there permanently, 
consequently, after working two years in the mines, 
he returned by the Nicarauga route to Michigan. 

Having given his son forty acres, Mr. Harrington 
now owns 1 60 acres of valuable land, well improved, 
which he acquired by diligent toil, judicious man- 
asement and strict attention to business. 1 herein 
lies the secret of the great success that has been 
dealt out to him so abundantly that he is now, in 
the evening of life, enabled to enjoy in peace and 
comfort the competence that he has attained, and, 
besides, he has the ))lcasant satisfaction of knowing 
that when he shall be called to join the silent ma- 
jority, he will leave the remaining members of his 
family well provided for. Mr. Harrington is now 
seventy-eight 3 ears old, and retains to a remarka- 
ble degree his physical vigor, having rarely ex- 
perienced a sick da}'. That he may kng continue 
in his usual strong bodily and mental health is the 
wish not only of his kindred, but of his many 
friends in North Adams and vicinil}'. In politics 
our subject is a waim supporter of the principles 
advocated by the Democratic part}'. 



I RS. SARAH .1. NUTTEN, widow of the 
late Jonathan Nutlen, of Moscow Town- 
ship, is in the enjoyment of a fine prop- 
erty located on sec'.ion 26. A lady of 
fine tastes and excellent education, she foims an 
ornament to the social circles of her community, 
where she is an object of high regard, not only on 
account of her mental capacities, but her genuine 
goodness of heart. 

Mrs. Nutten was born in Yates County, N. Y;, 
at the home of her parents in Benton Township, on 
the 16th of February, 1840, and was the fifth of 
six children, three sons and three daughters. Her 




father, James Jennings, was a native of Saratoga 
Conntj-, N. Y., and her mother, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Elizabeth Rector, was a native of Yates 
County, that State. Her paternal grandfather, 
Seth Jennings, was of English birth and ancestrj', 
and came to America with his parents when quite 
young. Her i)arents, after marriage, settled in 
Yates County, wheie they spent the remainder of 
their days. The mother died Feb. 2, 1854. at the 
age of forty-nine years; the father, surviving his 
wife sixteen years, passed to his rest in 1870, aged 
sevent3'-six. 

The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Nutten, four of 
whom are living, are residents mostly of New York 
State. Her girlhood was spent in her native county, 
where she attended fiist the district school, and sub- 
sequently was grailuated fiom Penn Yan Academy. 
Soon afterward she entered upon the career of a 
teacher, which she followed successfully four years 
in Ontario and Yates Counties. On the 17th of 
May, 1866, she vvas united in marriage with Jona- 
than Nutten, the wedding taking place at her home 
in Benton Township. Mr. Nutten was born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., and was the sou of George 
Nutten, a sketch of whom will be found in the 
biograpliy of Fayette Nutten, found elsewhere in 
this volume. He came to Michigan after his first 
marriage, in 1843, and signalized himself .as an up- 
right and praiseworthy citizen. He closed his eyes 
upon the scenes of earth at his home in Moscow 
Township on the 31st of August, 1884. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Nutten there was born one 
child only, a daughter. Eu Dora Aileen, Aug. 17, 
1868. She is now an accomplished young lady of 
rare musical talent and culture, and was for^i time 
a member of the class of '89, Hillsdale College. 
She is now professor of music, piano and voice 
culture, in Rio Grande College, in Ohio. 

By a former marriage Mr. Nutten became the 
father of five children, of whom the record is as 
follows: Agnes, the eldest, is the wife of John H. 
Lynch, of Fayette Township, and the mother of 
one chilfl.a daughter Winnifred ; Fayette, of whom 
a sketch appears elsewhere in this Album, is fai-m- 
ing in Moscow Township, as is also his brother, 
John B. ; Celestia M.. Mrs. Charles H. Morgan, re- 
sides in Hillsdale Township, and is the mother of 




i 



■i> ^ ll 4> 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



533 



4 



four children — Leon, Sarah, Robert and Earl J. 
May, who became the wife of Brewster Kies, died 
in Hillsdale, Nov. 25, 1887. 

In the sumraer of 1874 the family residence, with 
nearly all its contents, was destroyed by fire. Mr. 
Niitten, however, recovered from this disaster as 
quickly as possible, erected another dwelling, and 
the famil3' took possession in the spring following. 
This, with its surroundings, forms one of the most 
attractive homes in Moscow Township. The farm 
comprises 16(1 acres of valuable land, and besides 
the residence there is a good barn and all the other 
buildings necessarj' for the carrying on of agricult- 
ure after the most approved methods. Mrs. Nutten 
is a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, at Moscow, and while a resident 
of Hillsdale Township became identified with the 
W. C. T. U. She is also a member of the Tem|)er- 
ance Alliance at Moscow, and lal)ors as she has 
opportunity for the furtherance of this most im- 
portant work. 

The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Nutten were 
named : Hanna, Thomas W., William W., James, 
Nelson and Jerusha C. They all lived to maturity 
and were married, but Hanna and William W. ai-e 
now deceased. 



/^^ AMU EL HART, proprietor of one of the 
^^^ best farms in Hillsdale County, first opened 
((l£_Jl) his eyes to the liglit among the Vermont 
hills, having been born near the town of 
Weston, Rutland County, on the 1st of March, 1822. 
His father, George Hart, was a native of Lynn- 
field, Mass., and was the son of Capt. Endicott 
Hart, a native of Scotland. The latter followed 
the sea, and was commander of a vessel for some 
years before settling in Massachusetts. After aban- 
doning a sailor's life he retired to a comfortable 
home in Salem, where he spent his last d.aj-s. 

The father of our subject was the eldest son of 
his parents, and was reared to farming pursuits. 
Upon reaching maiihood he purchased the interest 
of his brothers in their father's farm, and vv:is start- 
ing out very fairljf in life when he most unwisely 
placed hissignature to notes for friends, and thus lost 



the farm. He was thus compelled to start anew in 
life, and going into Vermont purchased a small 
tract of land near the town of Mt. Tabor. There 
he resided until 1834, when with his family he 
started overland for Ohio, to which he made the 
entire journey with one pair of horses attached to a 
wagon and another pair to a carriage. After seven- 
teen d.ays' travel he landed in the town of Carlisle, 
Lorain County. He had turned over his Vermont 
land to his eldest son, with whom the mother re- 
mained. 

In 1 855 George Hart left the Buckeye State, and 
coming to this county thereafter made his home with 
our subject until his death, which took place in 
1857. The mother spent her last days at the home 
of her daughter in Pennsylvania, and survived her 
husband a few years. Samuel, our subject, was 
twelve years old when his parents removed to Ohio, 
and subsequently lived with his elder brother until 
twenty years old, when he commenced for himself 
on a rented farm in Lorain Count}'. In 1850 he 
purchased twenty acres and rented additional land 
ui)on which he operated five years. He now sold 
out, and coming to this county purchased his |)res- 
ent farm, taking possession on the 18th of April of 
that same j'ear. The removal was made overland, 
his outfit consisting of five horses, a wagon and 
carriage. But three acres of his purchase were 
cleared, and he took up his residence with his fam- 
ily in a log house. Deer, wild turkeys and other 
game, were plentiful, and whatever else the family 
may have lacked in the way of luxury they were 
always provided with the choicest of wild meats. 

Mr. Hart, in nowise behind the enterprising men 
who located in Hillsdale County during its first 
settlement, slowl}- but surel}' subdued the forestand 
brought his land to a good state of cultivation. 
During the first 3'ears of his residence here the ham- 
let of Hudson, fourteen miles away, furnished the 
most available market, and was reached by driving 
around the swamps. 

Our subject, while a native of Ohio, was married, 
June 29, 1845, when a little past twenty-three years 
of age, to Miss Emily Gier, who was born in Car- 
roll County, that State, .Ian. 6, 1818. Her father, 
John Gier, is believed to have been a native of 
Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Carroll County, 




u 



-•► 



534 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Ohio, during its early settlement. He proceeded 
after the manner of other adventurous men of that 
time, settling amidst the timber, and in due time 
clearing a farm. Later he took up his residence in 
the town of Russia, Lorain Countj-, and fiom there 
came to Hillsdale, in 1854, settling in Ransom 
Township. Here he spent his last days at the home 
of his son, but only lived until 1856. He had mar- 
ried, in early manhood. Miss Mary Bender, who was 
born in Pennsylvania and died at the home of her 
daugliter, in Ashland County, Oiiio, a few years 
after the decease of her husband. 

The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Hart are re- 
corded as follows: Their eldest son, Richard, is 
married and a resident of Ransom Township; El- 
mira M. is the wife of Nathan Halleck, a resident of 
Quiney, Branch County ; Alice M. married W. H. 
Palmer, a sketch of whom will be found on 
another page in this work ; George W. is engaged in 
the lumber business near East Bonrdman, Kalkaska 
County; Julia A. is the wife of Franklin Hoover, 
of Ransom Township; Alfred F. and Albert F., 
twins, one married, are residents respectively of 
Alma, this St.ate, and Ransom Township. The for- 
mer was graduated frou) the Northwestern College 
at Kvanston, 111., and is a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church; the latter is carrying on agri- 
cultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are members 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in which our subject has been an active worker, 
officiating as Class-Leader and Superintendent of 
the Sunday -school, and constituting one of its chief 
pillars. 

ANIEL H. MILLS, who is well known 
throughout the northwestern part of this 
countj', has been Postmaster at LitchSeld, 
and Township Clerk nineteen j'ears, and is 
• held in high estimation by the public. He is now 
President of the Village Board, and in the business 
community is a dealer in hardware and farm imple- 
ments, and commands an extensive trade through- 
out this section. 

Our subject is the offspring of an excellent family, 
being the son of John H. and Charlotte (White) 
Mills, who were natives of Rutland County, Yt., of 




Scotch ancestry on the father's side, and on the 
mother's side descended from the English. The 
elder Mills during his early manhood fcmght in the 
War of 1812. After marriage he settled in Elba 
Township, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he carried on 
agriculture until his removal to this State, in 1846, 
where he arrived on the 1st daj- of May. and soon 
afterward settled upon a farm in Litchfield Town- 
ship. Here the parents lived and labored together 
for a i)eriod of nineteen j'ears, and then the mother 
was taken from earth, in December. 1863, when sixty- 
three j-ears of age. John H. Mills survived his 
wife twelve years, his death taking place at the 
homestead, April 9, 1875, when he was eightj'-one 
years old. 

The children of the parental family, nine in num- 
ber, consisted of four sons and five daughters. 
Daniel H., our subject, and the youngest of the 
familj', was born in Elba, Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 
4, 1837. His education was completed in the 
pioneer log school-house of Litchfield Township, 
this county, and he remained upon the farm with 
his parents until a j'outh of seventeen, when he en- 
gaged as a clerk at Litchfield in a store of general 
merchandise. During the progress of the late war 
he enlisted as a Union soldier. Aug. 28, 1864, in 
Battery A, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, being 
mustered into service at Detroit, and was soon 
afterward detailed as Clerk of the companj', and was 
an assistant in the Provost Marshal's office at Chatta- 
nooga. After the close of the war he was mustered 
out at Jackson, and receiving his honorable dis- 
charge, turned his face homeward on the 28th of 
July, 1865. 

Our subject was married in Litchfield, Nov. 20, 
1860, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Orrin and 
Eunice (Dunbar) Mason. Her father was born in 
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and the mother in 
Ohio. Mr. Mason was a blacksmith by trade, at 
which he worked in Lj^sander during his early man- 
hood, and from there came to Michigan in 1863, 
settling at Litchfield, where he now resides, and has 
arrived at the advanced age of eighty-eight j'ears. 
The mother died here in August, 1885, and was 
seventy-seven years old. Their children included 
three sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Mills, 
the third child, was born Nov. 25, 1842, at Lysan- 



• ^m <• 



;- 



hillsdalp: county, 



535 



der, N. Y. She acquired a good education and 
taught si'hool one year before her marriage. Of 
her union with our i-uhjeot tliere were born 
three children — James D., D. II. and Bessie M. 
The eldest child died in infanc3', and the other two 
are attending school, making their home with their 
father. The mother died at her lionie in Litch- 
field, Dec. -28, 1885. 

Jlr. Mills, upon reaching manhood, worked as a 
carpenter until the spring of 1867, when he re- 
ceived the api)ointment of Postmaster, which he 
held until after the incoming of the Democratic ad- 
ministration, retiring in 188G. In 1868 he engaged 
in the drug trade, continuing nine years, and then 
selling out established himself as a hardware mer- 
chant, in 1884. He has built a verj' fine brick 
business house and has a comfortable residence on 
Chicago street. In politics he is a Republican, and 
in religious matters is identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office 
of Steward for a period of twenty-seven years. He 
was elected one of the Trustees in 1H87. Socially, 
he belongs to Franklin Lodge Ko. 40, A. F. & A. 
M., of wliich he has also been Secretary and Treas- 
urer. In the G. A. K. he is Quartermaster at 
Litclifield, wliich post ranks fifth in the State of 
Michigan. He has also been Trca,surer four years 
of the Union Agricultural Society' of St. Joseph 
Valley. 

The career of this gentleman is essentially' that 
of a self-made man, as he was early in life thrown 
upon his own resources, V)egiuning at the foot of 
the ladder in building up his own fortunes. Of 
high principles and strict integrity, he has emi- 
nently a clean record, one of wliich his children will 
never be ashamed. 




ENllY H. MATH IAS, a farmer, amply as- 
sists in sustaining the reputation of Hillsdale 
County as a superior agricultural region, 
and his homestead on section 21 of Camden 
Township, bears substantial evidence of his skill .is 
a tiller of the soil. He is a native of Ohio, having 
been born in Stark Count}', June 19, 1836. His 
paternal ancestors were of German origin, and at 



an early day one branch of the family emigrated 
to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. His 
father, Jacob Mathias, was born in that .State, antl 
married Mary Stambaugh, a native of Ohio, who bore 
him nine children, of whom the following is the 
record: Jesse S. lives in Ainbo^' Township; Julia 
A. is the wife of B. F. Sholt}'. of Williams Count)-, 
Ohio; Susan married J. H. Hickcrson, of Hancock 
Couiitj', Ohio; L^'dia is now Mrs. Wickham, of 
Putnam County, Ohio; Henrj' H. ; Albert C. lives in 
Putnam Count)', Ohio; Jacob F. lives in Fairbury, 
Neb.; Catherine and Mar)' E. arc deceased, the lat- 
ter dying when .six years old. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man's 
estate in his native county, attending the district 
school in his 3outhful days. Being obliged to 
commence life's struggle at an early da)', he chose 
the occupation of farming, and has always devoted 
his time to that profitable business. His first im- 
portant step after attaining his majority toward 
establishing himself as a useful member of society, 
was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hickerson, 
who has heartily co-t)perate<l with him in all his 
labors and has materially aided his i)rogrefs. After 
tlieir marriage, which took place July "23, 1857, 
they settled in Oiiio, where they remained some 
years. In May, 1863, our subject, responsive to 
his country's call for the brave defenders in its 
time of ])eril, enlisted in the 150th Ohio Infantry, 
which was sent to join the Army of the Poto- 
mac, then under the command of Gen. George B. 
McClellan. Mi'. Mathias took an active part in the 
battle of Silver Springs, but was unfortunately 
taken sick with typhoid fever, July 12, and being 
incapacitated for futher .service was honorably dis- 
charged Aug. 26, 1863. 

After he left the army our subject returned to 
Ohio, but soon after decided to transfer liis resi- 
dence to Michigan, and coming to Hillsdale County 
located in Woodbridge Township, where he resided 
until 1883. At that time Mr. Mathias removed to 
Camden Township and bought the farm where he 
now lives. It consists of fifty-three and one-half 
acres of rich and productive land, which he has un- 
der good cultivation, aiul in a condition to repay him 
for his past toil. Commencing life almost without 
a penny, by persevering energy, economy and skill, 




-4^ 

536 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he has steadily worked his way onward and upward 
until he now owns a comfortable home, and by his 
integrity and upright dealing has won what is of 
infinitely more value, the respect and esteem of his 
community. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias seven 
children have been born, of whom five have been 
spared to them, namely: Jacob S., Julia A., Jean- 
ette, Melissa M. and Albert B. The two deceased 
are Nancy and Mary J. 

Mr. Mathias is an enterprising, liberal-minded 
citizen, favoring all plans for the benefit of his 
township. He is a member of the Grange and of 
the G. A. R. Post, at Camden. He is also promi- 
nently identified with the Free-Will Baptist denom- 
ination, being an active and earnest working 
member of the church in Woodbriilge Township. 



Ci I^ILLIAM B. HAWKINS, M. D. One of 
\/iJr ''''^ oldest and best-known physicians of 
^^ Jonesville is Dr. William B. Hawkins, who 
was born in Cornwall, England, Aug. 17, 1819. 
His parents were also natives of Cornwall, where 
his mother died when he was eleven j-ears of age. 
After the death of his wife the father came to 
America, settling at Sandwich, Ontario, Canada, 
where his death occurred some years later. 

Dr. Hawkins was the second in order of birth in 
a family of five children, and in 1830 he accom- 
panied his father to Detroit and thence to Ontario. 
He was educated at Geneva College, New York, 
where lie was graduated, and he then began the 
stud}' of medicine. Upon receiving his diploma 
he began the practice of his profession in Columbia 
County, Pa., and remained thus engaged for six 
j'ears. In 1852 he came to this county and settled 
in Jonesville, and is the oldest practitioner but one 
in the county, where he has lived continuously 
since that time. In 1884. on account of failing 
health, he was obliged to abandon the active duties 
of the profession, and now lives a retired life in 
Jonesville. 

Dr. Hawkins has attended closely to the duties 
of his calling, and has not been a seeker after polit- 
ical preferment. When he came to Jonesville in 



M'i 



1852, he had very little of this world's goods, but 
by his ability and frugality he has accumulated 
a competency, being the owner of a beautiful resi- 
dence and other real estate in Jonesville, besides a 
valuable farm in close proximity to the city. Dr. 
Hawkins is regarded as one of the enterprising and 
public citizens of Jonesville, and has taken an act- 
ive interest in all matters pertaining to the growth 
and prosperity, not only of Jonesville, but of Hills- 
dale County. 



3«*- 



B. DAVIS. Prominent among the respected 
residents, thrift}' and successful farmers of 
^ Southern Michigan, is the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch. He is located on sections 
30 and 31, of Cambria Township, where he owns 
168 acres of excellent land, nearly all of which is 
under the plow. It contains a good set of farm 
buildings, and is provided with the machinery re- 
quired in this progressive age. He came to this 
township in 1884, from Woodbridge, where he had 
lived for five years, during which time he improved 
a farm of 110 acres, after having improved 100 
acres in Camden Township. Mr. Davis came to 
this county in 1864, and located on section 21, 
Camden Township, where he purchased 100 acres of 
land, which he transformed from its native condi- 
tion to a fertile farm. In 1880 he removed to 
Wood bridge. 

The subject of tiiis biography was born in Port- 
age County, Ohio. Sept. 15, 1836, while his father, 
Mathias Davis, was a native of the Keystone State, 
and came of a famous old Pennsylvania family. 
Mathias Davis followed the occupation of a farmer, 
as did most of his ancestors, and was married in 
Mercer County, Pa., to Elizabeth Best. She also 
came of a good famil}'. and was connected with the 
Moshers, who claimed a large disputed estate in En- 
gland. Mrs. Elizabeth Davis was born in Butler 
County, Pa., and after their marriage she and Mr. 
Davis settled in Portage County, Ohio, where thej' 
remained until after the birth of two children, our 
subject and Sarah J., now deceased; thence they re- 
moved to Williams County, in the same State. Here 

m^ 



T 



; 



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-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



537 



I 



tliioe nioie chilrlren were added to the parental 
family — Elte C. Mary L.. now deceased, and Ela. 

The Davis family located in Jifferson Township, 
Williams Co., Ohio, in 1840, when the eonntry 
was hut little developed, but the father improved 
a good farm of 160 acres, and lived to see the 
county become one of the finest sections of the 
State. He was a hard-working, industrious man, 
possessed of great phjsical strength, having the 
reiiutation of being the strongest man in the count}', 
while he could chop more wood than any man with 
whom he ever came in contact. He cleared more 
lanil, jirobably, than any other man in Williams 
County, and always checrfullj- lent a hand in an}- 
undertaking that would benefit his community. In 
politics he was a Democrat. He died Feb. 26, 
l.SKO, when sixty-four years of age. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, who is now in her seventy- 
third year, owns and occupies a home of forty 
acres in Cambria Township, which was a part of the 
original estate, and which will eventually revert 
to it. 

Our subject is the eldest member of the parental 
family, and was reared at the homestead, and edu- 
cated in Jefferson Township, AVilliams Co., Ohio. 
Upon attiining his majority he was united in mar- 
riage, in that county, to Julia A. Dillingham, who 
was born in York Township, Steuben Co., Ind., 
Sept. 4, 183!», and is the third daughter of Bellaand 
Selecta (Butler) Dillingham, both of whom are now 
deceased. The father was a native of York State, 
and was a farmer Ity occupation, which he followed 
all his life. He was a Republican in politics, and 
was a consistent church member. His death oc- 
curred when he was seventj'-six years of age, Sept. 
4, 1 8!S.'), at Clear Lake, Steuben Co., Ind. His wife 
was also born in York State, and, like her husband, 
was reared there until her man iage ; she departed 
this life in Camden Township, June 6, 1882. They 
became the parents of six children, one son and five 
daughters, of whom Mrs. Davis and her sister, Mrs. 
Laura IJabcock, of Camden Township, are the only 
surviving members. 

Mrs. Davis was a little lass of seven years when 
her parents removed to Williiuns County, Ohio, 
where she was reared until her marriage, and edu- 
cated. She was apt and intelligent, and followed 

.<• 



the profession of teaching some time prior to her " 
marriage. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis has 
been brightened by the advent of five children, 
who are named and recorded as follows: LorettaJ. 
became the wife of Norton Master, a farmer of 
Reading Township; Lovina IM. is the wife of Will- 
iam Ewing, and resides on a farm in Woodbridge 
Township; Elmer took to wife Stella Hewitt, and 
is now engaged in farming in Reading Townshi|); 
Alfred M. married Ora Titus, and farms in Cambria 
Township, while Minnie It. is at home with her 
parents. 

In politics Mr. Davis, like his honored father, 
is an uncompromising Democrat. lie has won the 
confidence and good esteem of his fellow-townsmen 
b}- his practical good sense and straightforward, 
business-like methods, and the}- have elected him to 
man}' of the local offices, including those of High- 
way Commissioner and Township Treasurer. 

\f/ EMUEL D. BROWN, whose early home was 
I (?g, among the hills of Hampshire County, 
iilL^ ^ Mass., is now numbered among the solid 
residents of .Somerset Township in the northeastern 
part of this county. He was born April 11, 1805, 
anil has thus more than spanned his fourscore 
years. His parents, Otis and Lydia (Belding) 
Brown, were also of New England birth and parent- 
age, the former born in Worcester, Mass., in 1787. 
He emigrated to Michigan in 18.39, and sjient the 
remainder of his days in this county, dying at the 
age of sixty-four years. The mother passed away 
after the death of her husband, when sixty-eight 
years old. Of their seven children, fire are still 
living, and residents of Michigan. 

The subject of this biography started out for 
himself at the age of twenty years, and purchased 
a piece of land in Niagara County, N. Y. After 
cultivating it twelve years he traded it for 120 acres 
of his present farm, to which he subsequently added 
until it now embraces 180 acres. To lake posses- 
sion of this he made the journey from the Empire 
State with a team of horses, there being no railroad 
west of Adrian. Lemuel D. and his brothers cleared 
a part of the land, then built a house and sent for 



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a 



\i, 538 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



their father and mother, with wliom our subject re- 
mained until his marriage. This important event 
took place on the 11th of October, 1830, at the 
home of the bride, Miss Calista C. Whitmore, in 
Bergen, N. Y. Mrs. Brown was born in Cayuga 
County, N. Y., April 29, 1812, and died at her 
home in Somerset Township, Sept. 1, 1887. She 
was the daughter of Joseph and Maria Whitmore, 
natives of New England, and who died in Cayuga 
County, N. Y. Our subject and his wife became 
the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are 
living, and who are recorded as follows: Oscar D. 
was born Aug. 16, 1831, married Miss Jane Freer, 
and is the father of one daughter; Ursula M. was 
born Sept. 25, 1833, is the wife of Rodney W. 
Choate, and the mother of seven children, two de- 
ceased ; Calista L. was born Jan. 9, 1842, and is 
the wife of Dexter Jones, of Charlotte; they have 
tliree children living, and two deceased. Perry W. 
was born July 20, 1837, and was first married to 
Miss Mary Riitan;his second wife was Helen Ethe- 
ridge, and they have one son living; the three chil- 
dren by his first wife are deceased; Edwin A. was 
born Oct. 17, 1846, and is now married to Miss 
Bettia Suttliff, he continues on the home farm. 
Eleanor V. was born March 17, 1850, and became 
the wife of William Carleton ; they have two chil- 
dren living, and one deceased. Frederick L., born 
Jan. 14, 1852, married Miss Alice Brockway, who 
was born Aug. 26, 1855; they have three sons liv- 
ing and two children deceased. Mrs. Alice Brown 
is the daughter of Elisha and Jane (Worden) 
Brockway, natives respectively of Huron County, 
Ohio, and New York; they are now residents of 
this county. Henrietta died at the age of twenty 
years; Otis died when six j'ears of age, and one 
child died in infancy unnamed. The children of 
Frederick L. Brown are as follows: Lemuel E. was 
born Aug. 28, 1874; of the twin boj'snextin order 
of birth one died on the 6th of October, 1876, and 
the other Jan. 20, 1877; Stanley E. O. was born 
July 21, 1883, and Frederick G., Sept. 23, 1884. 

The male members of the Brown family for gen- 
erations have been largely engaged as mechanics 
and tradesmen, and were widely known throughout 
the Empire State. Otis, the father of our subject, 
was born during the second j-ear of the Revolu- 



tionary War, and the mother four years later. The 
mother's relatives were mostly residents of Hamp- 
shire County, Mass. They were people largely 
imbued with sentiments of patriotism. In the 
times of the Revolution they stood up for their 
country, and during the dark days of the late Civil 
War upheld the LTnion cause. Adherents of the 
old Whig party during its existence, the most of 
them later have been identified with the Repub- 
lican. The principles of the latter, Lemuel D., in 
accordance with his early teachings, has always 
warmly supported. His son Dudley officiated as 
Postmaster during the administration of Presidents 
Grant and Garfield. He has served as Clerk of 
his township, and been otherwise identified with the 
best interests of tlie people around him. For a 
time he engaged in general merchandising in Te- 
cumseh, but his tastes and inclinations are largely 
inclined to agricultural pursuits. 



If? ORACP> BOW, one of the representative 

~ \) citizens of the township of Cambria, and a 
progressive and successful general farmer, 
is now living on section 20 of this town- 
ship, and owns 160 acres of land, part of which is 
on section 29. This fine farm, which is under a 
high state of cultivation, has been brought to its 
present condition by the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. 
Bow, and reflects great credit on their thrift and 
good management. 

Mr. Bow removed from Livingston County, in 
New York, and came to this State in 1840, where 
he took up his residence in Tecuraseh, Lenawee 
County. In June, 1841, he removed to Ypsilanti 
Township, Washtenaw County, and there resided 
for a period of two years. In the spring of 1843 
be made his advent into Hillsdale Countj', and 
took up his residence in Jefferson. He then pur- 
chased 160 acres of land south of Osseo, which he 
made his home for three years, and eflfected con- 
siderable improvements on his purchase. He then 
sold this property, and removing to Pittsford, 
settled on an improved farm, and lived there about 
six j'ears. He subsequently purchased an unbroken 
farm in the same township, which he redeemed 



9» f ^^ : 



1 ' 



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•a^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



539 li 



from a state of nature, and bronglit to a fair de- 
gree of improvement. He ereetcfl buildings adajjted 
to the prosecution of his calling, but iiis wanderings 
were not 3-et over, and he sold all his interests in 
I'ittsford Township, and coming to Cambria Town- 
ship, in 1862, purchased eighty acres of land on 
section 29. He subsequently purchased another 
eighty acres on section 20. wliicli he has ever since 
made his home. He has now brought his farm to 
a high stale of cultivation, yielding in abun<iance 
the products of this latitude, and reflecting credit 
on the character of its owner as an agriculturist. 

The subject of this biogrnphy is a native of 
York Township, Livingston Co., N. Y., and was 
born Alarch 21, 1816. He is the sou of Charles 
Bow, a 1 ative of Berkshire County, Mass.. who 
came of an old and respected faniilj' of that State. 
Charles Bow was reared to farm pursuits in his na- 
tive county, and upon reaching manhood was united 
in marriage with Miss Lydia Bills, ^vho was also a 
native of Berkshire Count\-, and could bonst of 
similar ancestry. After their marriage the par- 
ents of our subject began life together in their 
native county, but after the birth of three chil- 
dren thej' removed to Livingston County, and 
settled in York Township, where our subject first 
saw the light, being the first born to his parents 
after their an-ival in the Empire State. The family 
was afterward increased to seven children, four 
sons and three daughters, onl^' two of whom, how- 
ever, are now living. Our subject was reared to 
agricultural pursuits, and was thus engaged on his 
own account quite early in life. He earl^' learned 
to practice those habits of self-denial and economj' 
which count for so much in a struggling pioneer 
colon}'. His mother died in Livingston County, 
N. Y.. about 18;5.i. while still in middle life, and 
his father afterward came to Michigan, and lived 
with his son Albert in Adams Township, in this 
county, until his decease, which took place in 1844, 
when he was fifty years of age. In jwlitics he was 
an inicompromising old-line Whig, and was a public- 
spirited and good citizen all his life. 

Horace Bow was twentj'-three years of age when 
he set foot in this State, and directed his best 
energies toward making for himself a home in his 
adopted land. Here he met and married his pres- 



ent wife, his choice being Miss Cj'nthia Turner, 
who was born in Palmj'ra Township, \V.a3'ne Co.. 
N. Y., March 29, 1828. Their marriage took place 
in Adams Township, Hillsdale County, Dec. 18, 
1845. Mrs. Bow is the daughter of Delonza and 
Orissia (Rush) Turner, natives of the old Baj' State. 
They were married, hovvever, in Palmyra Town- 
ship, AYayi**^ Co., N. Y., whence they had both re- 
moved with their parents when 3-oung. After the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Turner they resided in 
Wayne County, N. Y., until 1836, and then came 
to Michigan, and located in Adams Township, 
where they subsequently became successful farmers. 
The father departed this life about 1848, at the 
early age of fifty years, wliile his wife survived 
him, and died in Hudson, Lenawee County, at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. Wolcott, July 1 1, 1881, 
after almost completing her fourscore years. Mrs. 
Bow was reared in her native township until about 
ten years of age, and received her education in 
Hillsdale Townstiip, this county, where she con- 
tinued to resi<le with her parents until her marri.age. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bow are the parents of three chil- 
dren, who are recorded as follows: Charles took 
to wife W^innie Rush, and they live in Pittsford 
Township, where he is representing the Banner To- 
bacco Compan}', of Detroit; he takes their line 
of goods on the road, and is an energetic and suc- 
cessful traveling man. George married Lilian Noble, 
and lives in Adrian, also representing a large to- 
bacco house of Louisville, Ky.; he is also a suc- 
cessful canv.asser. Klla. an intelligent 3'oung lad}-, 
resides with her parents. 

' Mr. Bow is one of tlie old-time Democrats, and 
is unimpeachable in his principles, while he and his 
faniil}' are worthy and honored members of societj'. 

^^ ALMON K. ADAMS. The beautiful and 

^^^^ valunble homestead of this gentleman is 

l(L/ ))) finely located on sections 13 and 14, in 

Cambria Township, the residence being on 

the former. The land, 100 acres in extent, has been 

brought to a higli stite of cultivation, and the farm 

buildings are tasteful in point of architecture, while 

at the same time they combine utility' with beauty. 



■^^ 



■*► 



540 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Considerable attention lias been given to stock-rais- 
ing, and here may be found some of the finest animals 
in this part of the county, comprising horses, cattle, 
swine and slieep. 

Mr. Adams has been a resident of Hillsdale 
Countjf for a period of thirty-seven j^ears, and has 
been in possession of his present farm twenty-one 
years. During the progress of the late war he was 
drafted into the army, and the expense attendant 
upon securing a substitute involved the sale of his 
propert3' on section 12, whence he afterward re- 
moved to the home which he now occupies. 

The early tramping ground of our subject was 
in Arcada Township, Wayne Co., N. Y., where his 
birth took place Feb. 20, 1828. His father, James 
Adams, of New England ancestry, was born not 
far from the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey, whence 
he emigrated to the Empire State when a young 
man. There, not long afterward, he married Miss 
Marj' Lattimer. who was a native of Connecticut, 
and removed with her parents to Wayne County, 
N. Y., when a j'oung woman. After the birth of 
ten children, James Adams with his family set out 
for the Territory of Michigan, making the journey 
by canal and lake, arriving in Detroit on the 4th 
of July, 1833. Not long afterward he selected his 
location in Wayne County, twenty-two miles from 
the City of Straits, to which he made his way by 
cutting a road through the timber and brush. Here 
he had selected eighty acres of Government land, 
and purcliased 120 acres more of some discour.aged 
settler who had left his claim. A part of this was, 
located in the township of Canton, and eighty acres 
in Van Buren Township. Here the parents spent 
the remainder of their lives, and the labors of the 
father met with their legitimate leward in the 
establishment of a comfortable homestead, where he 
spent his last days, his death taking place on the 9th 
of January, 1859, when sixty-four years old. 

The father of our subject was a man of fine 
constitution and great strength, physically as well 
as mentally. He could cut an acre of timber in 
four days' time, having the logs ready for removal. 
He never evaded any known duty, whether it was 
to be performed by the labor of his hands or carried 
out by the defense of his high moral principles. 
Politically, be was a member of the old Whig party. 



His first wife, the mother of our subject, passed to 
her final rest in 1843, and he was subsequently 
married to. Miss Sally Danes, who survived him 
many years, her death taking place in 1887, when 
she was nearly ninety years old. She and her hus- 
band were both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and people who were held in universal 
respect by their community. 

Salmon K. Adams was the ninth child born to his 
parents, wilii whom he remained, and completed 
his limited education in the district schools of 
Wayne County, this State. On the 3d of September, 
1851, occurred his marriage with Mrs. Martha (Fcl- 
ton) Slocum, who was a native of Ohio, and who 
came to Michigan when a young woman, after her 
first marriage. Mr. Slocum died in Hudson, Lena- 
wee County, leaving by this union one child, Helen 
E., who is a resident of California. Mrs. Martha 
Adams departed this life at her home in Cambria 
Township, Nov. 10, 1873. Of her union with our 
subject there was born one child only, a son 
Charles E., who died in January, 1874, when a 
bright and interesting lad of fourteen years. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Nov. 26, 1874, was formerly Mrs. Helen 
A. (Barclay) Viele, daughter of Rev. Robert and 
Amy (Dobbin) Barclay, who were natives of New 
York State, and the father of English ancestry. 
The mother was the daughter of old Gen. Hugh 
Dobbin, who did good service in the War of 1812. 
Mr. and Mrs. Barclay came to Michigan in 184C, 
and after a year spent in Lenawee County removed 
to Jefferson Township, this count3', where the father 
died in 1854. aged fifty-six years. The mother 
survived until 1881, and died at the home of her 
daughter, Mrs. C. E. Sutton, in Dover Township, 
Lenawee County, at the advanced age of eighty- 
one years. 

Miss Barclay was married in Allen Township, 
this count3% Feb. 14, 18Gl,,to E. S. Viele, a 
native of New York State, who was brought to 
jNIichigan by his parents when a child three j'ears 
of age. They settled in Wheatland Township, 
where he developed into manhood and acquired a 
common-school education. He died at his home 
in Jefferson Township, this county, June 15, 1.S73, 
leaving his wife and two children. Of the latter. 



*t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



541 



Nettie K. is now the wife of George Ilutchings, 
who is faimiiifr in Merricl< County, Neb. The son, 
Frank U., lives in the same eounty as his sister, and 
is carrying on general merchandising. Mr. and 
Mrs. Adams have an adopted child only, whom 
they have named Fred, and who is now twelve 
years of age. They are Universalists leligiously, 
and Mr. Adams, politically, is a eolid Republican. 

->, ^^ ^ 




ARVEY HIGLEY is a native of Hartford, 
Conn., where he was born Sept. 9, 1815, and 
'I\-^ is the son of Levi Higle3-, a native of the 
same .State, and of English ancestry, dating 
b.ack to the earlj' settlers of the Colonies. The pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary 'War, and served under Gen. 
Washington. 

Levi Higley, the father of oursubject, was reared 
and married in Connecticut, and resided there until 
the spring of 1813, when he removed with his wife 
and seven children to Onondaga County, N. Y. The 
journey was made overland by teams, there being at 
that time neither railroads nor canals. lie located 
in the township of Ponipey, Onondaga County, 
upon rented land, which he occupied about twenty 
years, and then removed to Spafiford Township and 
bought a tract of land, upon which he resided en- 
gaged in the improvement of his farm until his 
decease. His wife, whose maiden name was Ilepsi- 
bah Holconib, wasalso an.ative of Connecticut, and 
died on the homestead in Spafford Township. 

The parental f.'injilj- of our subject included ten 
children, of whom Harvey was the sixth in order of 
birth. When four years of age, he was taken by 
his parents to New York State, and there grew to 
manhood, assisting his father on the farm, and ac- 
quiring a common-school education. At sixteen 
years of age he left home to learn the trade of a 
carpenter and joiner, and afterward followed that 
calling the greater part of the time until 1836, ex- 
cepting two years, during which time he had 
charge of the State repairing boat on the Oswego 
Canal. In 1836 he started for the Territory of 
Michigan, via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence 
by the lakes to Detroit, where he worked at his 



trade a few months, after which he came to Mon- 
roe County, and was similarly occupied at Brest, 
near Monroe, for two years. He next engaged 
with tliree others to work on the railroad then be- 
ing constructed from Monroe westward, taking a 
contract to build bridges, etc., and was afterward 
engaged at his trade in Clayton, Lenawee County, 
two years. 

In the meantime Mr. Higley had bought a tract 
of timber land which is included in his present farm, 
and after his two-years residence in Clayton, he 
went upon his farm and made some improvements. 
He however, returned to Claj'ton, and remained 
there until 1817, when he settled upon his farm, and 
has been a continuous resident of Ransom Town- 
ship since that time. He first erected a log house 
in the midst of the wilderness, through which roamed 
deer and wild turkeys, with small game in abun- 
dance, while bears and wolves were still disagree- 
ably plentiful. His farm work at that time w.as 
done with a yoke of oxen, with which also he did 
his milling and marketing for some years, traveling 
in this wa}' twenty-two miles to Rollin, wliere the 
nearest mill was situated, and occupying two days 
in making the round trip. Mr. Higley has con- 
tributed his full share toward the dcveh.pment of 
the natural resources of Southern Michigan, and has 
lived to see a trackless waste transformed intosmil- 
ing fields, over which roam herds of the best 
breeds of domestic animals, while the country is 
dotted with villages, and intercourse is made easy 
and rapid by a network of railways. 

Harvey Higley has been twice married, his first 
marriage occurring in 1846, with Miss Mahala Ter- 
willeger. She died in 18.")3, leaving three children, 
lecorded as follows: Levi H. served in Company H, 
4th .Michigan Infantry, and w.as killed at the battle 
of Fredericksburg; Ellen M. married Dr. William 
R. Ditmars. of North Adams, while Emma A. is 
the wife of Henry Gray, of the same place. For his 
second wife, our subject chose Mrs. A. Esther 
(Avatt) Dewej', who w.as born in Manchester, On- 
tario Co., N. Y., June 27, 1818, while her father, 
John A. Avatt, was born in Ireland, and came to 
America when a 3"0ung man, as a soldier in the 
British army. Soon after the War of 1812 he 
abandoned the English army, and settled on a tract 



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•► l l' M i - 



^i^HK-^ 



542 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of timber land In Manclicster, Ontario County, 
which he improved and developed into a good farm. 
About 1853 he came to Michigan, and spent liis 
last years here witli his children. His wife, wliose 
maiden name was ILarcy Hackett. died in Wright 
Township, when about seventy years of age. Mrs. 
Higley was first married to George Gordon Dewey, 
who was a native of Connecticut, and was the son 
of John and Olive Dewey, pioneers of Ontario 
County, N. Y. George G. Dewey was but four 
years old when his parents removed to Ontario 
County, and there he grew to manhood and mar- 
ried. He purchased a tract of land in Manchester 
Township, upon which he lived, however, but one 
year after marriage. Of Mrs. Higley's first union 
there was born one child, George H. Dewey, who 
served in Company H, 4th Michigan Infantry, dur- 
ing tlie late war. He now lives in Paris, this State, 
engaged in farming. 

Mr. Higley affiliates with the Republican party, 
with which he has been identified since Its organiza- 
tion, and gives to it his support and influence on 
all important occasions. He possesses the energy 
and good judgment which were prominent charac- 
teristics of his New England and English ancestry, 
and though diffident an<l unostentatious, has made 
for himself a good reputation among the citizens of 
Hillsdale County. 

tHOMAS HOWLETT, late of Fayette Town- 
ship, a gentleman of culture and education, 
and prominent in the politics of Southern 
Michigan, was the eldest of the four sons born to 
Charles and Martha (Croft) Howlctt. The father 
was a native of England, whence he emigrated to 
America in his youth, and after his marriage settled 
in Muncie, Pa. There he operated a line of canal 
boats. Earlier in life he had learned the manu- 
facture of glass, and was manager of a glass works. 
The parents both died in Pennsylvania. Besides 
their four sons there were seven daughters in the 
family. Thomas, of our sketch, was born at Lewis 
Lake, which was then in Lj'coming County, Pa., on 
the 1 8th of May, 1 833. He continued a resident 
of ■ his native town until reaching manhood, and 

-♦ 




tlien made his way to Toledo, Ohio, where he first 
engaged in the lumber business, and was subse- 
quently employed by the Government as route 
agent, which position he occupied until after the 
breaking out of the war. Late in the conflict he 
enlisted, Jan. 9, 18G5, and was commissioned Cap- 
tain of Company A, 189th Ohio Militia, serving in 
this capacity until the close of the war, ready to 
enter the field if necessary. Daring this time he 
officiated .-is Provost Marshal of Hnntsville, Ala. 
At one time while on a scouting expedition he was 
severely injured by the falling of his horse upcm 
him in the night time, and from which he never 
fully recovered. 

After the close of the war Mr. Howlett returned 
to Toledo, where he remained during the summer 
of 186G, and in the fall came to JonesviUe, this 
State, and first engaged in the grocery trade. He 
gradually enlarged his operations, and began l)uying 
and shipping produce, in which business he was oc- 
cupied several years. He was appointed Deputy 
Oil Inspector under Gov. Begole in 1883, which 
position he held until his death on the loth of Sep- 
tember of that same year. 

i\Ir. Ilowlett, althougii no office-seeker, was per- 
suaded to become the Democratic candidate for 
Representative in a county largely Republican, and 
as he expected, was defeated, although running 
ahead of his ticket. He was a man warml}^ inter- 
ested in the progress and welfare of his community, 
and was instrumental in organizing the fire depart- 
ment of JonesviUe, assisting greatly in bringing it 
to its present state of efficiency. A gentleman of 
culture and literary tastes, after his return from the 
arm}', he was correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, 
and also traveled in the interests of the Toledo 
Commercial. Warmly interested in politics, he was 
the leader of the Democratic party in this section, 
and advocated its principles with all the natural 
strength of his character. 

Thomas Ilowlett was married at Muncie, Pa., 
Nov. 11, 1857, to Miss Maria S.. daughter of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Fiester) Carson. Mrs. Howlett is a 
native of Muncie, and was born Oct. 22, 1834. 
Her father was a farmer and lumberman of Lycom- 
ing County, Pa., where both parents siient their 
last days. Their family included seven sons and 

•p. 








'^^"^^-7-/ (^\^/^<>^/L^ 





t: 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



a 



545 




eight daughters, of whom Mrs. Howlett was next 
to the j'ouiigest. Of lier marriage with our subject 
there were born two children — William 13. and 
Addie B. On the 1st of April. 1887, Mrs. Howlett 
was commissioned Postmistress of Jonesville, which 
ofHee she still retains. 



ROF. WARREN A. DRAKK. Superintend- 
ent of Schools of Hillsdale County, and 
@ \^ Secretary of the County Board of School 
Examiners, is admirably fitted both by na- 
ture and acquirements for his present position, to 
which he was called in 1887. He has made the 
cause of education a study for over twenty j'ears, 
and commenced his career as an instructor in the 
famous Oberlin Commercial College, of Ohio, with 
which institution he w;is connected for a period of 
five years before coming to Michigan. Soon after 
his arrival in this county, in 1867, he became con- 
nected with the commercial department of Hillsdale 
College, in which institution lie remained for a pe- 
riod of fourteen years, ten years of which he was 
Director of the city schools. In the meantime he 
served as Supervisor of the First and Second Wards, 
and has continuously been the incumbent of re- 
sponsible offices, in connection with the ])ublic 
schools in this part of the State. 

Mr. Drake was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, 
March i), 1843. and is the son of Aaron and Mary 
(Williams) Drake, who were natives of New Jer- 
sej'. They became residents of Ohio about 1820, 
before their marriage, and after uniting their fort- 
unes settled upon a farm in Trumbull County, 
where they lived until the death of the father, who 
passed to iiis long home Aug. 22, 18.55. The pa- 
rental household included eight children, four of 
whom still survive. 

The first fifteen j-ears of the life of our subject 
were spent at the old homeste-ad in Trumbull County, 
where he made good use of his opportunities at the 
district school. At the .ago of sixteen j'ears he en- 
tered Hiram College, taking a three-years course, 
at the expiration of which time he was fitted 
for his dulies as an instructor at Oberlin. Since 
becoming a resident of this count}', in addition to 



"^T^ 



the positions heretofore mentioned, he has repre- 
sented Hillsdale Count}' twice before the State 
Board of Equalization, and in December. 1887, was 
elected President of the State Association of County 
Superintendents and School Examiners. He is also 
a member and Associate Secretary of the State 
Reading Circle Council. 

Mr. Drake hiis been a member of the City Board 
of Education, and most of the time Director of the 
district for the past nine years. He has served for 
the p.ast three years .as President of the Hillsdale 
County Teachers' Association, and also as State In- 
stitute Instructor in other counties of Michigan. 
Before coming to Hillsdale he w.is a member of the 
First Congregational Church, at Oberlin, but is now 
identified witli the Presbyterian Cliureh, at Hills- 
dale, being one of its four Deacons. 

Mr. Drake, May 5, 1870, was united in marriage 
with one of the most accom|)Iished Itidiesof this part 
of the State, Miss Louise, second daughter of Dr. 
John W. Falley. of Hillsdale, and l)orn Feb. II, 
1848. in that city. They occupy a handsome home 
at the intersection of State and Salem streets, which 
is frequented by the refined .and cultivated people 
of the cit}', largely, as m.ay be supposed, of its 
educational element. Prof. Drake is thoroughly 
in love with his vocation, and keeps himself posted 
in regard to the most modern metiiods of instruc- 
tion, from the primary department to the graduat- 
ing class. He is yet in the prime of life and tlie 
midst of his usefulness. A man discharging his 
duties creditably in a most responsible position, and 
one putting forth his best efforts in the cause dear 
to the hearts of every intelligent citizen, there is 
reason to suppose that as liis experience enlarges his 
usefulness will incre.ase in proportion. 



?^^)I•' 




J'~OHNA. SIBBALD, a leading merchant at 
I Jonesville, in this county, is the son of 
I Thomas .and Anne (Dickson) Sibbald. natives 
' of Scotland, whence they emignited to Amer- 
icaTin 1833, and settled in New York City, where 
they lived until 183.S, and then came to Homer, 
Calhoun Co., JNIich. Here they lived only a short 



t 



546 



HLILSDALE COUNTY. 




time, however, nnd then removed to Allen Town- 
ship. Hillsdale County, where the father had pre- 
viously bought a farm. He was a carpenter by 
occupation, and divided his time between his two 
callings in Allen Township until 1840. when he was 
killed by a falling tree. His wife died in Jones- 
ville, Jan. 25. 1885. 

The parental family of our subject consisted of 
three children, two daughters besides our subject- 
Elizabeth A. is the wife of James H. Wade, of Ann 
Arbor, and Mary is the wife of Hamilton Reeve, of 
Brooklyn. N. Y. John A. Sibbald was born in New 
York City, March 29, 1836, and was a child of two 
years when his parents removed to Hillsdale County, 
where he has since spent his life with the exception 
of two years, during whicli he lived with an uncle 
in Albany. N. Y. When twelve years of age his 
mother removed with her faniil3' to Jonesville, 
where Mr. Sibbald has since lived. He received 
his education in the schools of the village, and first 
began to work for himself as a clerk for Col. Hollo- 
way in the Register's office in Hillsdale, where he 
remained four months. He then enteied the em- 
ploy of R. S. Varnum, iu Jonesville, and remained 
with him two years, until 1854, when he engaged 
with Hon. E. O. Grosvenoras clerk in hisstore, and 
also assisted him in the bank until he was admitted 
into partnership, in 1863. in the dry-goods and 
grocery business, in which he has since continued. 
The firm is known as J. A. Sibbald & Co. He is 
also a partner in the Jonesville Creamery, in com- 
pany with S. C. Baker. 

Our subject was first united in marriage, in June, 
1859. with Miss Cynthia M., daughter of Lewis 
Wales. She was born in Hillsdale County, and 
bore to her husband two children — Maggie and 
Lewis W. Maggie is the wife of Charles V. Tur- 
ner, of Trinidad, Col. The mother of these chil- 
dren died in Jonesville, this county, Nov. 27, 1872, 
and our subject was again married, in Ontario, N. 
Y., Oct. 24, 1877. to Martha H.. widow of John 
Boynton. This union resulted in the birth of two 
children: Wilfred T., who died Feb. 20, 187U. and 
Anne, who was born in February, 1886. 

Mr. Sibbald has held several of the offices within 
the gift of his townsmen, including that of Presi- 
dent of the village. He is a member of the order 



of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Sibbald are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, 
and are honest, unostentatious and sincere Chris- 
tians, carrying their profession into their daily walk 
and conversation. 

It is with pleasure that we present the portrait of 
Mr. Sibbald in connection with this brief sketch. 

— v\.~.<ec£/®-^««■^g^,»^^^;3^^„.,,/v~- 
<j|? AMES W. BUTTON, well known thoughout 
I Jonesville and vicinitj-, has been engaged 
^..^ j here in the grocery trade continuously for 
(^^ a period of twenty-two years. He is a son 
of one of the earliest pioneers of Southern Michigan, 
and was born in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. 
Y., Sept. 16.1826. His parents. Jesse and Roxa- 
lana (Harlow) Button, were natives respectively of 
Hartford County, Conn., and Westminster, Vt, the 
father born in 1792 and the mother in 1799. They 
came to Jonesville in 1835, from Tecumseh, Lenawee 
County, this State, to which they had emigrated 
from Genesee. N. Y., in 1830. They lived four 
years in Scipio, since formed into Fayette Town- 
ship, then returufd to Tecumseh, but after a two- 
years residence there, came back to Jonesville and 
spent the remainder of their lives theie, the father 
retired from active labor. The death of the mother 
took place about 1859, and Mr. Button died nine 
years later, in 1868. 

The father of our subject had carried on the busi- 
ness of hotel-keeper in the State of New York, and 
in Tecumseh and Jonesville, Mich. He was widely 
and favorabl3' known to the people of this section. 
Of his mari'iage with Roxalana Harlow there were 
born five children, and James W., our subject, was 
the third in order of birth. The latter came to 
Michigan with his parents, and has since, with the 
exception of four years spent in California, made 
his home in and around the vicinity of Jonesville 
and Tecumseh. He found his wife among the 
maidens of Fayette Township, being married, March 
24, 1850, to Miss Sarah p]., daughter of Alanson 
and Dolly Lockwood. Mrs. Button was born in 
Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., Sept. 8, 1828, and 
came to Southern Michigan with her parents, the 
latter settling in Jonesville and becoming fully 



•^f 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



547 



identified with the people of tiiis section, .tmong 
whom tiicy were held in the highest respect. 

Mr. and Mrs. Button, after their marriage, took 
np their residence in .lonesville, where our subject 
was occupied as a groceryniau until i8.51, then en- 
g.agcd in farming until 18()6, afterward embarking 
in the grocery trade, which he has since followed. 
lie has taken a prominent jjart in township affairs, 
serving as Street Commissioner four years, and oc- 
cupying other offices of trust and responsibility, 
being one 3'ear a member of the City Council. So- 
cially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being 
identified with both Lodge, Chapter and Council, 
and is the only survivor of the charier members of 
the Royal Arch Chapter. Politically, he votes the 
straight Democratic ticket. He has been Villiige 
Treasurer for the last five years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Button there were born four 
children, namely: Helen and Edwin, de<^eased; 
Roselah Maj- and Jesse. The wife and mother de- 
parted this life at their home in . lonesville, July 2, 
1887, and his house has since been presided over 
by his daughter, Roselah Ma}-. Mr. Button is a 
member of Grace Episcopal Church, in which he 
has been Senior AVarden for several 3'ears. His 
wife was likewise a member of the same churcli, 
also their daughter Helen. 






^i^LI VAN VALKENBURGH, a leading resi- 
dent of Hillsdale, and for a period of eleven 
years Postmaster of the vity, retired from 
this office on the incoming of the Democratic ad- 
ministration, in 1881). He came to this county in 
the fall of 1854, as agent for the sale of lands, and 
in the prosecution of his business disposed of a 
large number of town lots in the part of the city 
now known as College Hill. He was thus occupied 
until after the outbreak of the Rebellion, and in 
1 863 received the appointment of Paymaster in the 
army, with headqu.irters at Cincinnati, Ohio. His 
first assignment was to the payment of the brig- 
ade of the 9th Army Corps in the States of Kentucky 
and Tennessee. He was surrounded in Knoxviile 
during the siege, for one month in company with 



other Paymasters, and having about $2,000,000 for 
which tiiey were responsible, and were daily expect- 
ing to be captured by the enemj'. They had de- 
cided, sooner than the money should meet with this 
fate, that it should bo burned. Thej- were finally 
released from their unpleasant, not to saj' dangerous 
predicament, by Gen. Grant, who sent relief from 
Chattanooga. 

Although not a soldier in the field, our subject 
saw considerable of war, being present at the siege 
and capture of Atlanta, and was one of the first to 
make p.ay ment to LTnited States troops in the vicinity 
of that city, during thatstorm3- period. His duties 
permitted him to visit many localities in the South, 
and during his three-3'ears connection with the 
army he gathered an experience with which he 
would not willingly part. His discharge was ef- 
fected in 1866 at Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he 
returned to Hillsdale, and entering into i)artnership 
with Hiram Pierce embarked in tiie boot and shoe 
trade, and was thus occupied for two or three years 
following. At the expiration of this time Mr. Van 
Valkenburgh received the appointment of Secretary 
and Treasurer of the Detroit, Hillsdale & South- 
western Railro.ad, which position he held two years, 
and from which he withdrew in order to assume 
the duties of Postmaster.' His com.niission was 
signed by the lamented Gen. Grant, and npon re- 
tiring from the office in .September. 1886, he carried 
with him the respect and good-will of the entire 
community. 

Mr. Van Valkenburgh is a native of the Empire 
State, having been born in Chatham, Columbia 
County, Feb. 20. 1824. His father, James B. Van 
Valkenburgh, and his paternal grandfather, were 
natives of the same place. The latter was a farmer 
by occupation, and died at the old homestead in 
Chatham, at the advanced age of ninet^'-eightj'ears. 
The great-grandfather of our subject was a sou of 
one of the original Van Valkenburghs, who came 
over from Holland about 1650, and located near 
the subsequent site of Stuyvesant on the Hudson 
River. 

The mother of our subject w.is in her girlhood 
Miss Clarinda Pitts, also a native of New York 
State, and the daughter of Joseph and Betsy (Wi- 
nans) Pitts, one of the pioneer families of Columbia 



^ 



548 



1^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



V 



County. The Pitts family were originally among 
the early settlers of Connecticut, and were of En- 
glish descent. The parents of our subject after 
their marriage settled on a part of the old Van Val- 
kenburgh homestead, in Chatham, and the father, 
on account of having served in the War of 1812 
as Captain of a companj', bore this title until his 
death. He, with his excellent vvife. spent his last 
days in Chatham, his native town. Their nine 
children included six sons and three daughters, five 
of whom lived to mature years. 

Eli Van Valkenburgh was the seventh child of 
the parental famil}', and passed his bojiiood and 
youth in his native county, pursuing his early 
studies in the district school, and later entering Troy 
Confeienee Academ}', at West Poultney, Vt. He 
began his business career as a clerk for his brother 
Loren at Maiden Bridge, with whom he remained 
some years. At the expiration of this time lie 
turned his attention to farming pursuits, but later 
took up his residence in Geneva, N. Y., and chang- 
ing his vocation became editor and proprietor of 
the Geneva Courier. About two years later he re- 
moved to Newark, in Wayne County, and became 
interested in the hardware trade, conducting a 
store there for the space of two years. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject was his marriage, which occurred on 
the 8th of February, 1854, his bride being Miss 
Jane A., daughter of Hon. Esbon Blackman. Soon 
afterward he came with his newly-made wife to 
Southern Michigan, where he has since remained. 
A Republican bj' training and principle, he has 
been quite prominent in public affairs in this sec- 
tion, doing good service for his part}-, officiating as 
Chairman of the Eepublican County Committee, 
and as a delegate to the State and Congressional 
Conventions. Well balanced and of good judg- 
ment, he is a man in whom the people have entire 
confidence, which his record among them has fully 
justified. 

To our subject and his estimable Iad\' there have 
been born seven children, six daughters and one 
son. Arabella is the wife of S. C. Rowlson, of 
Hillsdale; Esbon B. is in Dakota; he was one of 
the celebrated four-oared crew that won the first 
prize at the National Regatta three years in suc- 



■^■ 



cession, and many other prizes; Agnes E. is cashier 
at J. C. Vaughn's seed store at Chicago, 111.; Har- 
riet V. married Edward W. Thompson, of this State; 
Mollj', Jessie W. and Edith P. are residents of Hills- 
dale; Jessie is a graduate of Hillsdale College, and 
Edith, of the Hillsdale High School. 




\|~$;^ EACON SETH ANDERSON, well known 
throughout Wright Township and vicin- 
ity, is a son of one of the earliest settlers 
of Hudson Township, Lenawee County, 
this State, where he located in 1837. He purchased 
a tract of land bordering on Posey Lake, and 
erected a log cabin, in which the subject of this 
sketch was born Aug. 19, 1839. He cleared a part 
of the land, and livid Ihde about three years, and 
then sold out and came to this county, settling on 
section 10, Pittsfoid Township, where he secured 
possession of a tract of timber land, and erected a 
log cabin as before. Here the family resided until 
1852, when the father sold out and started another 
new farm on section 9, where he made his home 
until his death in February, 1862. 

The parents of our subject, James and Lydia 
(Preston) Anderson, were natives of Massachusetts 
and Vermont respectively, the latter a daughter of 
John Preston, and who was first married to a Mr. 
Holden. Mrs. A. survived her husband only a 
year, dying at the homestead in 1863. James 
Anderson left his native town of Blandford, in 
Hampden County, when a young man, making his 
way first to New York State, where he was married, 
and from there emigrating to the Territory of 
Michigan, in 1836. The journej' was made by 
team to Buffalo, and thence by the lake to Toledo, 
where they took cars drawn by horses on a railroad 
from that town to Blissfleld. In the latter place 
they spent the winter, and in the spring following 
located in Hudson Township, as before stated. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, James 
Anderson, Sr., is sujiposed to have been, like his 
son, a native of the Bay State. He was an earl}' 
settler of the State of New York, whence he mi- 
grated subsequently to Michigan, and spent his 
last years in the town of Pittsford. Selh, our 



■•► 



f- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



549 



subject, w.as but an infant when his parents came to 
this county, and settled in the wilderness of Pitts- 
ford Township. The wild beasts of the forest fre- 
quently prowled around their cabin home, and 
Indians had but a short time previously left the 
country. Young Anderson was trained to habits 
of industry, and assisteci his father in clearing the 
farm, continuing under the home roof until his 
marriage. 

This most important event in the life of our sub- 
ject' was celebrated on the 29th of June, 1862. 
The maiden of his choice was Miss Harriet A. Brit- 
ton, who was born in Pittsford Township, this 
countj', .Sept. 5, 1842. Her parents, Richai-d and 
Ellen (Collins) Britton. were natives of Seneca 
County, N. Y., and their household included two 
sons and five daughters. The girls of the family 
predominating, they assisted the fatlier to a great 
extent in his farm work when necessary, and Har- 
riet was especially active and energetic. .She was 
also an apt scholar, and w.as considered fully quali- 
fied to officiate .as te.achjr when eighteen 3'ears of 
age. This occupation she followed for a time, and 
continued under the parental roof until her mar- 
riage. Mr. Britton died in 1875, and the mother 
was subsequently married to Lorenzo Barkraan, 
and is written of elsewhere in this volume. 

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson after their marriage 
settled in Fulton County, Ohio, where our subject 
operated a sawmill two j'ears. He then returned 
to this county, and purchased the land which he 
has since occupied. Five acres only were then 
cleared of the trees, the stumps still remaining. 
His first business was to put up a shelter for his 
family, and the necessity for a moderate amount 
of hard cash compelled him then to seek employ- 
ment, so he resumed work at carpentering, of 
which he had some knowledge, and followed this 
for several 3'ears. In the meantime he carried on 
the clearing and cultiv.ation of his land as rapidly 
Jis possible with outside assistance, and now has the 
land in a good state of cultivation, with substantial 
and convenient farm buildings. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson there were l)orn 
four children, three now living. The eldest daugh- 
ter, L. Luella, is pursuing her studies in Hillsdale 
r College; she has also taught a number of terms in 

<■ 



the county. Oscar J. anil Roy R. continue with 
their parents at home, being now bright and intel- 
ligent boys, aged seventeen and five years respect- 
ivelj'. Politically, Mr. Anderson is a strong 
Republican. He and his family are members of the 
Baptist Church, at Hudson, of which he is Deacon 
and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. 

^=!^EORGE R. TRUMBLE, who is one of the 
llj (--, most prosperous farmers and stock-breeders 
^jji|) of Wheatland Township, is a forcible illus- 
tration of the fruits of industry and resolution. He 
commenced for himself in life at the age of twenty- 
one years without a cent in his pocket, and is now 
the owner of 224 acres of cultivated land, upon 
which he has effected all needed improvements, 
and which ranks among the best homesteads in this 
part of the county. He is a man reliable in his 
business transactions, prompt to meet his obliga- 
tions, and stands first class apong his neighbors. 
He has had his difficulties to contend with, among 
them much illness in his famil}', but h.as been 
fortunate in losing none from the household circle, 
his children .all being preserved to him, and whom 
he has given a good education. 

The early tramping ground of our subject was in 
the town of Half Moon, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where he 
w.as born Aug. 2, 1825. His parents, Ebenczer and 
Eve (Locy) Trumble, were also natives of the 
Empire State, the father born Aug. 11, 1794, and 
the mother in 1792. Ebcnezer Trumble departed 
this life at his home in Wheatland, Oct. 5. 1878. He 
served an apprenticeship at the weaver's trade early 
in life, and about 1827 removed from his county to 
the western part of the State, where he carried on 
farming six or seven years. Not being satisfied 
with the results of his labors, he in 1834, accom- 
panied by his family, made his way to the Territory 
of Michigan, and settled on a tract of Government 
land comprising eighty acres, on section 9, in Wheat- 
land Township, this count}'. 

Ebenezer Trumble, upon pitching his tent in the 
wilderness, put up first a log house for the accom- 
modation of his family, and which thej' occupied 
until 1851, when the old rooftree gave way to a 
■ » 



I 



-^- 



550 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






substantial frame dnelliiig. erected by his son, our 
subject. The father commenced clearing the land 
around him, and in due time had brought the 
greater part to a good state of cultivation. After 
the later residence had been built he sold his farm 
and moved acj-oss the road to another, the build- 
ings of which he put in repair, and where the wife 
and mother died on the 4lh of July, 1862. Mr. 
Trumble some years later, when seventy-two years 
of age. married his second wife. 

Ihe mother of our subject was a good woman in 
the broadest sense of the term, and a consistent 
member of the Free-Will Baptist Church for many 
years. The ten children comprising the household 
circle all grew to mature years, but three only are 
now living. They were named respectively: Mary 
A., who married John Thompson, of New York 
State, before the removal of the family West; Alan- 
son. Leonard, Maria, Sarah J., Gecnge R., Arcena, 
Rhoda A., Jackson and Matilda. George R., of our 
sketch, was the third son and sixth child, and was 
ten years of age when he came to Michigan with 
his parents. His education was acquired in the old- 
fashioned log school-house, and he worked on the 
farm with his father until reaching his majority. 

The young man of those days, in wide contrast 
to the present generation, did not hesitate in the 
establishment of a home of his own before he was 
provided with a competency, for the young women 
were brave and industrious enough to be willing to 
assist their husbands in the building up of the 
homestead. Our subject about this time was there- 
fore united in marriage, March 7, 1851, with Miss 
Susan E. Dunn, who was born in Phelps Township, 
Ontario Co., N. Y^., June 1, lfs3G. Mrs. Trumble 
is the daughter of Thomas and Asenath (Barber) 
Dunn, natives respectively of England and the 
Empire State, the father born in 1794, and the 
mother in 1799. They came to Michigan in the 
spring of 1844, and both died on the 23d day of 
September following, about eight hours apart, and 
were liuried in the same grave at Hillsdale. They 
were the parents of two children only: Mary A., the 
wife of Sheppard Bellamy, of Hillsdale, and Susan 
E., the wife of our subject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Trumble after their marriage be- 
o-an housekeeping in Wheatland Township, on the 



present homestead, and by the practice of the 
closest econom3-,and making it a rule to live within 
their income, were enabled in the course of a few 
years to look forward with hope to the future. 
Their union was blessed bj' the birth of five children : 
Jackson D..the first-born, married Miss Lucy Stock- 
ford, who died, and he then married Mrs. Ellen 
Hudnut, nee Brown; he is carrying on farming in 
Somerset Township. John W. married Ellen Stimp- 
son, and is farming in Wheatland Township; Mary 
A., JNIrs. Edward Lapham. lives in RoUin Township, 
Lenawee Count}', and is the mother of one child, a 
daughter, Laura ; Fanny N. is the wife of George 
B. Sweezey, Principal of the graded school of North 
Adams, and the}' have one child, a daughter, Lucile; 
Tena is pursuing her studies at North Adams. 

Mr. Trumble of late years has given considerable 
attention to the raising of fine stock, and takes 
pride in his efforts to excel. Politically, he is a 
conscientious Democrat, and although not con- 
nected with any church organization, makes it a 
point to follow the precepts of the Golden Rule, 
and to do unto his neighbors as he would have 
them do unto him. 

ffkM ARQULS De LaFAYETTE BLACK. This 
highly intelligent and progressive stock- 
raiser and farmer of Jefferson Township, 
owns and occupies 120 acres of land on 
section 23, and as one of the jjioneers of this county, 
while being the privileged witness of its develop- 
ment and prosperity, has been no unimportant fac- 
tor in assisting to bring to its present condition. 
His father came to Southern Michigan during its 
territorial days, and taking up a half-section of land 
in Jefferson Township, Hillsdale County, labored 
industriously until the illness which terminated in 
his death, Aug. 11, 1842. 

Our subject was born in St. Lawrence County, 
N. Y., Dec. 8, 1823. Harvey and Olive (Powers) 
Black, the parents of our subject, were, it is believed, 
natives of New Y'ork and Connecticut respectively, 
and the Black family were of Scotch descent. Har- 
vey Black was born Feb. 14, 1786, and was reared 
to farm pursuits and followed these his entire life. 




-^•- 



hillsdalp: county. 



551 






He acquired a good common-school education and 
taught vocal music, and was married to his first 
wife in New York State. Thence he removed to 
Huron County, Ohio, in 1825, where he purchased 
160 acres of land, which he occupied a period of 
eleven years. He came to this county in 1836, as 
we have already stated, and when Michigan was a 
Territory. In the meantime both his first and 
second wives had died, the latter being the mother 
of our subject. Of the first marriage there were 
no children. Of the second tiiere were five daugh- 
ters and three sons who all lived to mature years, 
but only one of the daughters is now living. The 
three brothers occnp3' each a portion of the home 
farm, and have lived near each other since the 
death of their father, neither buying nor selling, a 
very remarkable showing in this country of change 
and experiment. 

Marquis De LaFayette Black during his boyhood 
days met with an affliction, physically, which pre- 
vented his attending school, and after reaching his 
twelfth year did not seethe inside of a school-room 
as a student. In spite of this, however, he availed 
himself of the instruction of good books, becoming 
a great reader of history, and keeping himself well 
posted upon the affairs treated of in the weekly 
newspapers. He was enabled to fill satisfactorily 
the office of Constable while a young man, and has 
also been Highway Commissioner three years, and 
a member of the School Board most of the time 
during the last forty years of his life. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Clarissa A. 
Payne was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Lenawee County, July 31, 1853. This lad}' became 
the mother of two children, the elder of whom, Ella 
v., is now the wife of Charles Zeluff, of Monroe 
County, and Albert T. lives in Ellis County, Kan. 
Mrs. Clarissa Black died at her home in Jefferson 
Township, Nov. 17, 1858. Mr. Black contracted 
a second marriage, April 5, 1863, with Miss Eunice 
B. Field, a native of Crawford County, Ohio, and 
who was born Sept. 28, 1839. Mrs. Black is the 
daughter of ISeldon and Lydia (Kctchum) Field, 
natives respectively of Connecticut and New York, 
and now deceased. Of this union there are seven 
•living children: Wealthy A., the eldest, was born 
July 19, 18G4, and is now the wife of John Mills, 

<■ 



of Jefferson Township, and the mother of four chil- 
dren; Ruel DeL. was born Nov. 16, 18G5, is mar- 
ried, has one child, and lives on the home farm; E. 
J. Elmer was born Oct. 21, 1867, and with the 
younger children remains with his parents; Eddie 
Field was born Oct. 22, 1869; Myrtle E., Oct. 13, 
1871; Junia Altai, June 2, 1873, and Samuel J. 
Tilden, Nov. 5, 1876. 

Mr. Black was eighteen years of age at the time 
of his father's death, and commenced at once to do 
for himself. He at first rented forty acres of the 
old homestead, and subsequently purchased eighty 
acres, upon which he has since labored, and brought 
about the improvements which are to-day the ob- 
ject of admiration bj' the passerby. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor, and has since 
been an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. 
In religious matters he belongs to the Protestant 
Methodist Church, while his estimable wife is an 
Adventist. They are greatly respected by their 
neighbors, and their homestead is an ornament to 
the township. 



^ EMUEL A. ALLIS, one of the leading 
ll {@ farmers and stock-breeders of Hillsdale 
jIL^ Township, came to Michigan in 1865, land- 
ino- in this county with his parents on the 13th of 
April, the da}' before the assassination of Abraham 
Lincoln. During the memorable period preceding 
this tragedy, he had twice attempted to enlist .as 
a Union soldier under Gen. Garfield, but on account 
of physical disability w.as notaceepted. His parents, 
after determining upon this county as their stop- 
ping-place, purchased eighty acres of land on section 
28, in Hillsdale Township, where he has since 
operated with most excellent results. He makes 
a specialty of wool growing and the culture of 
whortleberries, fifteen acres of his farm being de- 
voted to this latter industry, and from which each 
year he harvests a plentiful crop of delicious fruit. 
A native of Medina County, Ohio, the subject 
of this biography was born on the 27tli of May, 
1844, and is the son of Lucius and Eliza A. (Sut- 
liff) Allis, who were of New England birth and 
parentiige. and natives respectively of Massachusetts 



u 



552 



:i^h^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and Connecticut. Lucius Allis was born Aug. 29, 
1817, and followed farming all his life, resting from 
his earthly labors at his home in Hillsdale Town- 
ship on the 5th of Maj', 1873. A gentleman of 
limited education, he yet by his own efforts became 
thoroughly well informed, and figured prominently 
in the affairs of his community. He left his native 
State when a jouth of fifteen j-ears, and located 
with his parents in Medina County. Ohio, where he 
lived until coming to this State, in the spring of 
1865. Here he improved a good farm of eight}- 
acres, and w'as prominent in the enterprises tending 
to the general welfare of the people, being a mem- 
ber'^of the Baptist Church for a period of twenty- 
eight years, and all his life long the true frend of 
humanity in whatever clime or place. During the 
slavery .agitation he was one of the pioneers of the 
underground railroad system, and assisted many 
fugitives to freedom. 

Lucius Allis came honestly' by his Abolition 
principles, as his father, Lemuel Allis, Sr., was fully 
imbued with them, and probably exerted himself to 
instill them into the minds of his children. The 
latter gcntlcnian passed his last years in Medina 
County, Ohio, where he died at a ri|)e old age, in 
1855. His wife, the paternal grandmother of our 
subject, had died in 1828. 

Mrs. Eliza A. Allis, the mother of our subject, 
was born July 25, 1819, and is still living, making 
her home in Hillsdale, this county. Although 
quite .iged, she pieserves her mental and physical 
powers in a remarkable degree, and exhibits much 
of her old-time energy and industry. She has been 
a consistent member of the Baptist Church for 
many years, and in all respects the suitable partner 
and helpmate of such a man as her husband. Their 
family consisted of two sons only : Lemuel A., our 
sul)ject, and his brother William J., who is now a 
resident of Hillsdale. 

Lemuel A. Allis in earl^' life became familiar 
with agricultural pursuits, and when twenty-flve 
years of age began the establishment of a home of 
his own, by his marriage with Miss Mary E. Howe, 
which was celebrated on the 30th of December, 
1869, Rev. .J. E. Davis, of the Free- Will Baptist 
Church, officiating. Mrs. Allis was born in Canada, 
Feb. 20, 1853, and is the daughter of Chancy and 



»► i 4> 



Elizabeth (Morse) Howe, and grandniece to the 
famous Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the 
telegraph. Mr. Howe died about 1870. The 
mother subsequently married Hiram H. Farrah, a 
farrrjer of Allen Township, and is still living. Of 
the six children of the first marriage the record is 
as follows: Charles S. married Miss Priscdla Hol- 
brook, and is residing in Allen Township; Lemuel 
S. married Miss A. Purchase, and is residing in 
this county; William married Miss Emma Rush, 
and is occupied at milling in Pittsford Township; 
Margaret J. is the wife of Christopher Lazenby, 
of Allen Township, and George D., who married 
Miss Maggie Ciphors, makes his home in Ransom 
Township. 

Mrs. l\Lary Allis was fairly educated, and is the 
possessor of rare musical talent, having a beautiful 
voice for singing, which is often listened to with 
the greatest pleasure by her man}' friends. She 
is the mother of three children : ina B., Dilla M. 
and Lucius Garfield, the eldest seventeen j'ears of 
age and the youngest six. Mr. Allis, it is hardly 
necessary to say, is a stanch Republican politicall}% 
and has been a memlier of the School Board in his 
township for a period of fourteen years. He has 
also served as .Justice of the Peace for the last ten 
years, and is one of the pillars of the Free-Will 
Baptist Chnrcli, at Bankers .Station, of which his 
wife is also a member. 






LBERT B. BUCK is an enterprising live- 
stock dealer and farmer, who well repre- 
sents those interests in Moscow Township, 
(^' where he resides on section 29. He is a 

native-born citizen of this place, and a fine repre- 
sentative of one of the most highly esteemed of the 
early pioneer families of Hillsdale County, who oc- 
cupies a prominent place in its history, his parents, 
Israel and Jane E. (Green) Buck, being early set- 
tlers of Moscow Township. It is said that the 
"progenitors of the Buck family were English Quak- 
ers, who settled somewhere in New England in 
early Colonial times; but little is known of their 




l^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



553 



T 



history further than that they were a sturdy race of 
people, and were true to the tenets of their relig- 
ions faith." 

Levi Buck, the grandfather of our subject, was 
born in either Massachusetts or Connecticut, April 
•21. 1786. and died .lune 18. 181 fl. in Clinton County. 
N. Y.. where most of his life had been passed. 
He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, a man of 
great capability and industry, and commanded the 
respect of all. The maiden name of his wife, to 
whom he was married Oct. 30, 1805, was Ruth 
Hoag. She was born on Grand Isle, Lake Cham- 
plain. .Tune 28, 1789, .and died in 1816. Their only 
son and child. Israel Buck, the father of our sub- 
ject, w.is born in Peru. Clinton Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 
1807. At the age of nine, his parents died, and he 
was thrown on his own resources, which early de- 
veloped in him a manly, self-reliant character. His 
schooling was limited, but by sheer determination 
he gained what was considered a good education in 
those days. At the .age of seventeen he removed 
to Dutchess County, in the same State, where he met, 
and in the year 1828 married. Miss .Tane E. Green. 
She was a native of that county, and was born 
in the town of Stanford, Aug. .'?, 1 808. After mar- 
riage Mr. Buck bought a small farm in the town of 
Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., where they re- 
mainded until 1835. In the s|)ring of that year 
Jlr. Buck, ambitiously desiring to own a largerand 
more productive farm in a more favored locality, 
determined to avail himself of the cheap and fertile 
lands of the Territory of Michigan, and came to 
Hillsdale Countj', where he purchased a tract of 200 
acres very finely located in Moscow Township, the 
deed of his land being signed by Martin Van 
Buren. After completing his purchase, he returned 
to New York, and in the spring of 1836 came on 
with hisi wife and three children. Then began for 
them the struggles and privations of pioneer life in 
the wihlerness of Michigan, which ended triumph- 
antly for them, and Mr. and Mrs. Buck leniaincd 
respected and honored residents of Hillsdale County, 
in the home thfit they liad built up by their united 
labors, for many years, iiis life in Moscow Township 
covering a period of over half a century. They 
were S|)ared to each otlier and to their man3' friends 
for nearly fifty-four years, she being the first to go, 

<• .^— ^— ^_._^^_. 



her death occurring .Ian. 26, 1 882, at the age of 
seventy-four; he died July 16, 1886, at the age of 
seventy-nine. Mr. Buck was a man of sound judg- 
ment and good business principles; in politics he 
was a strong Republican. To him and his good 
wife were born six children, four sons and two 
•laughters, of whom the following is the record : 
John L., born in Chatham, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1829; 
Emily, born in Chatham, N. Y., July 22, 1832; J. 
Jay, in Chatham, Aug. 14, 1835; Helen, in Mos- 
cow, Jan. 22, 1839; Edmund, in Moscow, June 30, 
1844; Albert B., May 10, 1847. John is a fiirmer 
in Adams Township; he married Emeline Sprowls, 
and they have three children — Jane, Louisa and 
Charlotte Ann. Emily is the wife of the Hon, G. 
C. Wyllis (of whom see sketch), of Moscow Town- 
ship; Hon. J. Jay Buck is a prominent attorney-at- 
law, and Judge of the Supreme Court, residing at 
Emporia, Kan. ; Helen is the wife of George B. 
Hall, of Dakota; Edmund is a merchant of North 
Adams, this State (see sketch). 

Our subject w.as born on the old homestead of his 
parents in Moscow Township. - He received a fine 
education, obtaining the foundation of it at the dis- 
trict school of his native place, and its completion 
at Hillsdale College, where he attended for some 
time, taking a thorough course of stud3-. He was 
reared on a farm, receiving a good practical train- 
ing from his father in the management of it, and 
when he attained manhood he chose to follow agri- 
culture as his life work, having a natural aptitu<le 
for it, and has been pre-eminently successfid. His 
farm contains 170 acres of fine, arable land, in a 
high state of culture, and he h.as constructed ample 
and convenient barns, and has remodeled his house 
so that it is one of the tastiest, most commodious 
and comfortable dwellings in the vicinity. He has 
always paid much attention to raising and feeding 
stock, keeping a fine herd of from fifteen to forty 
cattle, and feeding from 500 to 700 everj' year, 
shipping to Buffalo markets in the sliipping season 
three carloads a week. 

Mr. Buck was married, Nov. 7, 1869, to Miss 
Sarah E. Smith, daughter of Samuel and .Sophronia 
(Huff) Smith, of Moscow, of whom see sketch on 
another page of this Album. She was born in 
Cayuga County, N. Y'., March 14, 1849, and like her 



•^^ri-^ 



554 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




husband, is of Quaker antecedents, and was brought 
up in the doctrines of the Society of Friends. She 
received a good education in the public schools, and 
is a very intelligent and able woman. To her and 
her husband have been born six children, of whom 
the following is the record: Mate, born June 13, 
1871; Levi, March 13, 1»74; Etta, Nov. 3, 1875; 
Lillian. April 20, 1879; Ruth E., June 3, 1883; 
Rena Ethyl, Oct. 8, 1886. 

Mr. and Mrs. Buck occupy a high position in 
social circles in this township, and are widely re- 
spected. Mr. Buck is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. He is liberal and public-spirited, and 
always in favor of local improvements. He has 
served as school oflScer for sixteen years, and by 
his efflcient work has raised the standard of edu- 
cation in Moscow Township, so that its school 
system is excelled by no other town in the county. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. 

^^EORGE L. BANKS. Although he has but 
[|| ^^ recently become a member of the farming 
^^^ community of Hillsdale Count}', Mr. Banks 
has shown himself to be a practical, skillful agri- 
culturist, and is classed with its solid and well-to-do 
citizens. He came to Michigan in the spring of 
1887, and purchased his present place of residence 
in Camden Township, eighty acres of land in Mus- 
kegon County, and some valuable town property' in 
Camden. His farm comprises eighty acres of 
highly productive land, well located in one of the 
most fertile regions of the county, and is well pro- 
vided with substantial buildings and every conveni- 
ence for properly carrying on agriculture. 

Our subject is a native of Lake County, Ohio, 
and was born Oct. 13, 1839. His parents were 
Orin and Olive (Brown) Banks, natives of Scho- 
harie County, N. Y., and the father of mingled 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and the mother of English 
antecedents. They settled in Lake County, Ohio, 
whence they removed in 1845 to LaPorte County, 
Ind. After living there for some years they went 
to Lake County, in the same State, to make their 
home. They were the parents of twelve children, 
nine of whom are living, as follows: Charles, Mor- 



gan, Elisha, Parley, Mary C. (wife of Balser Keith), 
William A., George L., Nathaniel P., Sarah L. (wife 
of William Adams). Orin Banks, the father of our 
subject, was a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., 
and married Miss Olive Brown, a native of the 
same State and county as her husband. After 
their marriage they settled in New York State, and 
remained there until 1836, when they removed to 
Ohio, and remained there until 1845, when they re- 
moved to Indiana and lived there until their death. 
The former died Oct. 21), 1857, and the latter 
Jan. 27, 1887; they were married in 1823. 

George L., the subject of this sketch, was in his 
fourteenth year when his parents removed from 
LaPorte County to Lake County, Ind., and there 
the remaining years of his boyhood were passed. 
He received a very good education in the public 
schools, and in his early manhood, soon after the 
breaking out of the late Civil War, he joined the 
noble men who went forth from his adopted State 
to the defense of our country, enlisting on the 6th 
of June, 1861, in Company C, 15th Indiana In- 
fantry. He took part in the battles of Greenbriar, 
West Va.; Elk Water, Shiloh. Perry ville, Stone 
River, Mission Ridge, and many other engage- 
ments of minor importance. At Mission Ridge he 
was three times wounded, in the head, breast and 
thumb, and for some five weeks was laid up from 
active duty. He is now in receipt of a pension of 
$6 a month on account of his wounds. He 
was honorably discharged from service June 28, 
1864, having faithfully discharged his duties as a 
soldier in camp anil field. He returned to his old 
home in Indiana, and on the 9tli of October, 1864, 
was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Chandler. 
She is of a good old New England family, her par- 
rents, Thomas P. and Betsy Chandler, having been 
natives of that part of the country. Her mother is 
now dead. Mrs. Banks was born in Caledonia 
County, Vt., in August, 1842. She and her hus- 
band are the parents of three children : William N., 
of Montgomery County, Kan., Charles H. and 
Arthur A. 

Our subject has been the "architect of his own 
fortunes," as he has won his way up to his present 
affluent circumstances b}' sheer pluck and persist- 
ent toil. In his eighteenth year he paid his father 

•^ 



t 



: 



-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTi'. 



555 



$100 that lie hail saved fioni his first year's earn- 
ings. In the year 1872 our subject removed 
with Ills family to Montgomery County, Kan., and 
locited in the township of Fawn Creek, where by 
his industry and enterprise he aceuniuhiled quite a 
comfortable property. He became one of the lead- 
ing citizens of that ])lace. and served as Township 
Trustee, discharging the duties of that responsible 
office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his 
fellow-citizens. He also held the office of Justice 
of the Peace for two terms. 

Since his removal to Camden Township Mr. 
Banks has gaiued the confidence and respect of his 
neighbors l>y his frank manners, and straightforward 
and liberal dealings. He occupies an important 
social position as a member of the L O. O. F., and 
Chaplain of Joseph Rice Post No. 282, G. A. R., 
at Camden. In politics he is a Republican. 



J ESSE BACON, essentially a self-made man, 
and one of the leading farmers of Pittsford 
Township, has a tine property located on 
section 30, which he accumulated bj' his own 
unaided efiforts. He came to this section of the 
country in the pioneer days, and his diligent labors, 
with the exercise of prudence and economy, have 
resulted in making him independent financially, 
while he holds a large place in the esteem and con- 
fidence of the people around him. 

A native of Oneida County, N. Y., our subject 
was born near the town of Augusta, on the 17tli of 
May, 1835. His father, Asaph Bacon, was a native 
of Northampton, Mass., to which the [laternal grand- 
father of our subject had removed from his native 
State of Connecticut' in early manhood. Grand- 
father Bacon finally migrated from New England 
to the Empire State, and cast his lot among the 
pioners of Oneida County, where he purchased a 
tract of timber land and built up a good farm; 
there he spent his last ilays. The father of our sub- 
ject was reared in Oneida County, where upon 
reaching his majority he purchased land, but was 
unfortunate, and in addition to losing the land, 
lost also the money which he had paid upon it. It 



was a great trial to him to sec the hard earnings of 
years thus swept away, so he started from home 
one morning soon afterward expecting to make a 
bargain with a man to clear quite a large tract 
of land, a part of which he was to receive in 
compensation. He met the man on the road, 
but failed to make the bargain. He then wrote 
a letter to his family, telling them not to be 
alarmed at his absence, as he was going West to see 
if he could there secure a home for them. He 
started with eighteen cents in his pocket, and made 
his way to the Territory of Wisconsin. The man 
to whom he had given the letter never delivered it 
to his family, and they for a long time mourned 
him as dead. 

The father of our subject in the meantime made 
a claim in Dane County, Wis., which is now said 
to be included in the city of Madison. Times then 
were hard, and after again writing to his family. 
Mr. Bacou concluded to return eastward. He 
worked his way as far as Blissfield, this county, 
where he found employment with the firm of 
Holmes & Wymen, and doing reasonably well, con- 
cluded to remain there, and sent for his family to 
join him. He was soon enabled to purchase eighty 
acres of laud on time, and commenced clearing it, 
when he and all the other members of the family 
were taken ill. Jesse, of our sketch, was then a lad 
ten years of age, and the only one able to do an3'- 
thing for the others. They became short of money 
and provisions, and one morning after the father had 
recovered the mother placed their last meal on the 
table, with nothing to cook for the next one. The 
family, however, sal down and partook, and the 
father, after eating very little, started out, and 
found a day's work. For this he received a bushel 
of corn, which he carried on his back to the mill, 
and returned in the evening with the meal. The 
children since morning had been without anything 
to eat, and began to cry from hunger. The mother 
in the meantime diverted their thoughts as best 
she coulil by giving them little tasks to do, and the 
sight of the father coming in with the bag of meal 
affected them in a manner which can better be 
imagined than described. 

In the spring of 1846 Mr. Bacon commenced 
work on the State road, while his wife employed 



•> ^ m 4 9 



556 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



herself in cooking for a number of the men. Their 
joint earnings gave them quite a start, and. having 
lost the land he first bought. Mr. Bacon purchased 
another tract in Riga Township, and subsequently 
engaged in the manufacture and s.ale of shingles. 
In due time he had improved quite an area of his 
land and built up a comfortable home, where he 
remained until his death, which occurred Nov. 15, 
1857. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Sarah Francisco. She was of French ancestry, 
and a native of New York State. She survived her 
husband a number of years, and died at the home 
of her daughter in Nebraska. Jesse was but a lad 
upon coming to the Territory of Michigan, and to 
this day has a vivid recollection of the hardships 
and difficulties of pioneer life. He relates that at 
one time when he was thirteen years old upon re- 
turning from school he heard the pigs squealing, 
and starting for the pen encountered a bear run- 
ning out of it carrying away a pig. Being much 
frightened, our hero ran to arouse the neighbors, 
ami the bear got the pig. 

Young Bacon continued a member of tlie pa- 
rental household until nearly twenty-three years of 
age, and on the 24th of February, 1858, was mar- 
ried to Miss Christiana Miner, a maiden of his own 
neighborhood, who was a native of Bavaria, Ger- 
many. Her father, Lawrence Miner, was also of 
German birth and parentage, and left an orphan at 
a vei'y early age. He was reared liy his grand- 
parents, married when seventeen years old, and 
continued upon his native soil until 184-1. That 
year he crossed the Atlantic, determined to seek 
ills fortunes in tlie New World, and settled in 
Perrysburg, Ohio, where he lived until 1846. Then 
coming to Michigan, he took up his residence in 
Riga Township, Lenawee County, during its early 
settlement. He was comparatively without means, 
but arranged to purchase a small tract of land, 
where he built a log house. After changing his 
residence three or four times, he made his way to 
this county, and purchased the land which he still 
occupies in Jefferson Township. He built several 
houses while living in Riga Township. During the 
Rebellion he enlisted as a Union soldier in the 4th 
Michigan Infantry, serving from 1864 until the 



close of the war. For injuries received while in 
the service he now enjoys a pension. 

About six years after their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Bacon settled upon their present farm in Pitts- 
ford Township. Our subject has erected a good 
set of frame buildings, has a fair assortment of live 
stock, and all the machinery necessary to carry on 
agriculture after the most approved methods. He 
is a member in good standing of the Christian 
Church, while Mrs. Bacon finds religious consolation 
in the doctrines of the Wesleyan Methodists. Their 
seven children were named respectively: George 
L., Hiram J., Anna Belle, Angle M., Mar3', Charles 
A. and Arthur N. The eldest is thirty years of 
age and the youngest six. George, Hiram and 
Anna Belle arc married, and live in this township. 



->€J«ij2/®^^" 



-^.ajiTj-o.v 



»,., NDREW A. BAXTER, a leading citizen of 
'^ / ll Camden Township, occupies a prominent 

jj lis position among the intelligent farmers and 
stock-raisers of Hillsdale County, who bring 
well disciplined and well educated minds to bear 
upon the great agricultural problems of the daj', 
and his beautiful farm, well stocked with the best 
grades of blooded horses and cattle, with its broad 
and fertile harvest fields, handsome residence, fine 
barns and ample out-buildings, show that he has 
ably coped with these problems, and has met with 
marked success in his chosen career. 

Mr. Baxter was born in Chautauqua County, N. 
Y., July 18, 1840, being a son of John and Ange- 
line Baxter, natives of New York and Pennsyl- 
vania. His father is dead, and his mother is now 
the wife of John M. Stearn, of Camden Township. 
When he was about one j-ear old his parents re- 
moved to Fulton County, Ohio, where he grew to 
manhood. When he was ten j'ears of age, his par- 
ents being poor, he was obliged to begin life's bat- 
tle on his own account, and from that time managed 
not only to take care of himself, but also assisted his 
father and mother. He was a high-spirited, manly 
lad, of more than ordinarj- intelligence and quick- 
ness, and, determining to get a good education, 
with indomitable will and energy overcame every 



n 



-9^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



557 



olistade tliat barred the pathway to his desire. 
After receiving the nuliments of his education in the 
public schools, he attended a High School in Gen- 
esee County. Mich., for three summers, and while 
there worlied with unceasing industry to p.ay for his 
board by shaving shingles, putting up 1,000 in a 
day, 500 in a bunch morning and evening. After 
leaving school he engaged for twenty-five winters 
in the profession of teacher, being thus occupied in 
Fulton and Williams Counties. Ohio, and Genesee 
County, Mich., obtaining high rank as an instructor. 
Shortly after the breaking out of the war, he laid 
aside ail personal aims and ambitions that he might 
go to the assistance of his country in her hour of 
need, enlisting in June, 1861, in Company F, 2d 
Michigan Infantry-, which regiment was attached to 
the Armj- of the Potomac. He took part in many a 
hard -fought battle, and experienced all the bitter 
sufferings and privations of a soldier's life. He 
was present at the first battle of Bull Run, where he 
received a wound, and was also taken with the 
me.asles on the field, whence he was conveyed to 
the regimental hospital, in which he remained some 
six months. In the spring of 1862 his regiment 
went with McClellan's army, and fought in the bat- 
tle of 'Williamsburg, the seven-days fight before 
Richmond, the second battle of Bull Run. and the 
battle of Antietem. At the conclusion of the seven- 
days fight before Richmond, the regiment to which 
our subject belonged, which had n)ustered 900 men, 
had but 150 men left for duty, the remainder being 
killed or wounded. Shortly after the battle of An- 
tietam, owing to exhaustion, Jlr. Baxter was taken 
with typhoid fever, and was confined in the hospital 
until he was discharged convalescent, in Januarj', 
1863. He then came to Michigan, and spent the 
ensuing 3'ear in Lenawee Count}', and there he re- 
enlisted in October, 1864, in Company F, 4th 
Michigan Infantry, which regiment was attached to 
the 4th Army Corps under Gen. Thomas. The regi- 
ment took part in the battle of Decatur, Ala., 
whence it followed Gen. Hood and his array back 
to Nashville. In Februarj-, 1865, our subject was 
promoted for gallantry and efficient service to the 
rank of First Sergeant, and on the 28lh of June, 
1865, he received further deserved promotion to 
the position of Second Lieutenant, still remaining in 




the service after the close of the war until his hon- 
orable discharge on account of disability, April 
19, 1866. 

Our subject retired from the armj' to the duties 
of private life in Williams County, Ohio, where he 
had been married, March 25, 1866, to Mi^s Katie A. 
Todd, daughter of Harvey and Maria (Martin) 
Todd, natives respectively of Ohio and Canada. 
She was born in Putnam Count}-, Ohio, June 7, 
1 844, and when two years old came with her par- 
ents to Monroe Count}', Mich. When she was 
seven 3'ears old. they returned to Ohio and settled 
in Fulton County, where she lived with her parents 
until her marriage. The record of the children 
born of tliis union is as follows: Angeline, born 
April 28, 1867, is the wife of Lee Fletcher, of Cam- 
den Township; Eva M. was born March 14, 1870; 
Minnie E., March 7, 1872; James H., March 15, 
1874. 

After marri.ige Mr. Baxter was engaged in farm- 
ing on rented land in Williams County, Ohio, until 
1870. Having been very prosperous, and accumu- 
lated mone}', he then decided to move into Michi- 
gan and purchase a farm in Hillsdale County, and 
being pleased with the location, fertility of the soil, 
and other natural advantages of Camden Township, 
he bought his present place of residence on section 
33. His farm comprises 120 acres of well-tilled 
land, and be has erected the finest residence and the 
most commodious and conveniently arranged mod- 
ern barns for the accommodation of his stock in the 
county. When he settled here iiis land was cov- 
ered with timber, and it is only by dint of hard 
labor, energy and perseverance, that he has brought 
it into its present fine condition. He is quite ex- 
tensively engaged in raising blooded stock of stand- 
ard breeds, raising fine road and carriage horses, 
and good blooded cattle. 

Mr. Baxter's education and business talents well 
qualify him for civic offices of trust and responsibil- 
ity, and he has ably served as Clerk of Camden 
Township for three years, and as Supervisor of the 
township for three years. He and his wife are re- 
spected, and hold a high social position in this com- 
munity. Mr. Baxter is a member of both the 
Masonic and I. O. O. F. societies, and also belongs 
to the G. A. R., Post No. 282, at Camden. In poli- 



558 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ties he is independent, voting in accordance with 
his convictions rather than at the dictates of any 
party. In all the departments of life he has ,siiown 
himself to be the same upright man. As a son he 
has been dutiful and affectionate; as a husband and 
father, devoted and kind; as a neighlior, friendly 
and true, and as a citizen, public-spirited and pa- 
triotic. 



i^ijl>!DREW BLAlll is a fine representative of 
i 0fQl the able and well-to-to farmers who have 
[l\ been so largely instrumental in develop- 
ing Hillsdale County from the primeval 
forests of Southern Michigan to its present high 
position among its sister counties; with its many 
beautiful farms, thriving towns and busy cities; 
with fine churches and school buildings, commodious 
and handsome dvvellings, and other evidences of 
prosperity, enterprise and wealth, forming conspicu- 
ous features in the landscape where for some time 
after the beginning of this century no such evi- 
dences of an advanced civilization were known. 
Our subject owns a valuable farm in Camden Town- 
ship, which he has managed very successfull_y for 
many years. It comprises eighty acres of land on 
section 8, and ninety-six acres on section 5, and on 
this latter section he lives in his comfortable, well- 
appointed home, surrounded by friends and rela- 
tives who gladly cheer his declining years. 

Mr. Blair is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, 
the date of his birth in that .State having been June 
22, 1816. He is a son of James and Sarah Blair, 
natives of the North of Ireland, who euiigrated to 
America early in the present century and settled 
among the pioneers of Fairfield County, Ohio. 
The father died there Sept. 1,1819. leaving a widow 
and ten children to mourn his premature death in 
the very prime of his manhood. Three of the 
children are now living, namely: Thomas, in Jack- 
son County, Mich.; Nancy, now Mrs. Brown, of 
Iowa, and Audrew, our subject. Shortly after the 
death of the father the family removed to Seneca 
County, Ohio, and there Andrew grew to manhood, 
receiving his education in the early subscription 
schools of Ohio. He early displayed traits of 
energj', capability and self-reliance, and he had 



scarcely attained his majority before he l)egan to 
think of establishing a home, and to the .young lady 
whom he chose to assist him in that undertaking 
he was united in marriage Nov. 2, 1837, in San- 
dusky County. Ohio. She was Sarah A., daughter 
of John and Martha Myers, of that county. 

In 1847 Mr. Blair with his family crossed the 
boundary line between his native State and this, to 
make his home in the future in Hillsdale County, 
and in 1854 he located on his present farm, where 
he has ever since lived. Although nearly two 
decades had then elapsed since the first settlement 
had been made in this township, it had by no means 
wholly emerged from its original wild state; much 
of the forest that had covered the land for centuries 
was still standing, and nearly all of his tract of land 
was heavily timbered, so thai, in the years of hard 
labor that followed his was the pioneer's task to 
clear it, and the life of the pioneer, with all of its 
privations and hardships, was his. But he bravely 
and with unwavering persistence pursued his work, 
sustained and cheered by the s^'mpathy and ready 
aid of his devoted helpmate, and in due time wrested 
a fine farm from the wilderness. 

On the 22d of December, 1887, the amiable wife 
of our subject, to whom he had been wedded in 
life's morning, and who had walked by his side for 
fifty years, sharing his labors, increasing the joj's 
and lessening the sorrows common to all humanity, 
fell into that sleep that knows no waking. She 
was greatly l)eloved by her husband and children, 
in whose interests she had always displayed the 
most unselfish devotion, and her kindness of heart 
and sympathetic manner had also endeared her to a 
Large circle of friends, all of whom feel with the 
bereaved family that her place cannot be filled. 
Her marriage to our subject was blessed by the 
birth of eight children, of whom the following is the 
record : Eveline, the wife of O. L. Wells, of Read- 
ing Township; Charles R. lives in Montgomerj-, 
Camden Township; Wilson S. lives in Camden 
Township; Leroy lives in Ellsworth County, Kan. ; 
Caroline, the wife of Lewis Palmer, of Reading- 
Township; Oscar lives in Reading Townshi)); Tri- 
phena is the wife of Alfred Small, of Camden 
Township; Louis C. lives in Camden Township. 

The reputation of our subject for unswerving 



*^\^^_ 



I 



-4«- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



559 




integrit}', and his well-known abilitj', have marked 
him in the minds of his fellow-townsmen as a man 
well fitted to fill the civie ofliees of this community, 
but he has persistently refused nomination to any 
public position, pi-eferring the quietude of his home 
and fireside. Nevertheless, he has always manifested 
a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted town- 
ship, and by his liberality and j ublic-spiritedness 
has done much toward advancing its prosperity, as 
l)y his labors he has also materially assisted in its 
development. In politics he is independent, voting 
for the men whom he thinks best fitted for office, 
without regaid to the party by whom they are 
nominated. 

ANIEL BARKDOLL. a most genial and 
companionable gentleman and a citizen held 
in the highest esteem by the people of his 
communitj'. occupies a snug home in Pitt- 
ford Township, to which he has given his time and 
attention since taking possession of the land, in 1 856. 
He commenced in a modest manner, occupying at 
first a veiy indifferently constructed frame struc- 
ture, which has since given place to a comfoi-table 
dwelling, and which, with its surroundings, is a very 
attractive spot. 

Our subject was born ten miles east of Hagers- 
town, Md.. .Tuly 15. 1823. His father, George 
IJarkdoll, was a native of the same count3', while his 
grandfather. Peter Barkdoll, was a native of Ger- 
many. The latter crossed the Atlantic when a 
j'oung man, locating in Maryland, where he mar- 
ried, and purchased a farm upon which he lived and 
labored the remainder of his life. His son George 
developed into manhood in his native State, mar- 
ried a maiden, Susan Branstretter, of liis own 
county, and continued there until 18.'57. Then 
selling out he started for tlie West, and upon reach- 
ing Ohio located in Richland County, upon a tract 
of partially cleared land, which he purchased. 

The entire journey from Maryland was made 
overland with four horses and wagons. The family 
brought with them their provisions, and after the 
fashion of the travelers of those days, camped and 
cooked by the wayside. Upon the land wbieh Mr. 
Barkdoll had purchased stood a double log house, 

-<• 



into which the familj' removed, and then com- 
menced the improvement of the new farm. Their 
diligence and economy were in due time rewarded, 
and they found themselves in possession of a com- 
fortable home, in wide contrast to the spot upon 
which the3' had first located. The first log cabin 
after a few years gave place to a subst^mtial brick 
dwelling, under whose roof the parents spent their 
last days in the midst of comfort and plenty. 
George Barkdoll departed this life Aug. 6, 1860, 
mourned by his family and regretted by the com- 
munity', where he had lived an upright life, and 
secured the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. 

The mother of our subject was before her mar- 
riage Miss Susan Branstetter. She also was a native 
of Maryland, and of German ancestrj'. Of her 
marriage with George Barkdoll there were born ten 
children, nine of whom lived to mature years, and 
seven of whom are now surviving. Daniel, of our 
sketch, was the fourth child of the family, and was 
in the fourteenth j"ear of his age when bis parents 
made the journej' from his native State to Ohio. 
Although over fifty years have passed since that 
time, he still distinctly remembers many of the 
incidents of the journey, and the pioneer scenes of 
their after life. His mother w.as expert as a spin- 
ner of wool and flax, and for m.any years did her 
cooking by a fireplace. Daniel assisted his father 
to clear the farm, and upon his marriage, on the 
18th of April, 1844, settled with his bride upon the 
old homestead, and resided there for a period of 
eleven and one-half years. 

Mr. Barkdoll, in 1856, left the Buckeye State, 
and coming to this county purchased the land which 
he now owns and occupies. Twentj' acres of it 
were partiallj' cleared, but there were no buildings. 
Before his removal he had a small house put up, 
16x18 feet in area, which he occupied with his 
famil}" a number of years, and which in 1872 gave 
place to his present dwelling. He now has forty- 
eight acres under good cultivation, and has pro- 
vi<led himself with the necessary machinery for 
carrj'ing on his farm after the most approved 
methods. 

The marriage of Daniel Barkdoll and Miss Sarah 
Keller took place at the liome of the bride in Rich- 
land County. Ohio, April 10, 1844. Mrs. B. was 



-4*- 



560 



HILLSDALE COUiNTY. 



born in Berks County, Pa., Aug. 2, 1824. and is tlie 
daughter of Joel and Klizabeth (Hagemian) Keller, 
tlie former a native of German}' and the latter of 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Keller came to this country 
early in life, and followed the trade of carpenter in 
Pennsylvania until 1830. That year he removed 
to Ricliland County, Ohio, purchased eighty acres 
of partially improved land, .<ind after living upon it 
two years sold out, and purchased a tract of tim- 
ber land in Franlilin Township, that same count}'. 
Upon this latter he I)uilt a substantial hewn log 
house, and hired men to work his land while he 
employed himself at his trade. He lived to a good old 
age, dying at the homestead in Franklin Township, 
in 1873. The mother survived her husband eight 
j-ears, and died at her home in Jlansfleld, Ohio, in 
188L Mr. Barkdoll is a stanch Democrat. Mr. 
B. and wife have never had any children born to 
them, but they have an adopted daughter, Margaret 
Keller Barkdoll. 



• *Tr»-' 




RS. SARAH WILCOX, widow of Foster 
Wilcox, late of Moscovv Township, owns 
and occupies a fine homestead on section 
28, where she has made her home since the 
spring of 1883. A lady of fine intelligence and ex- 
cellent business capacities, she has. since the decease 
of her husband, exercised personal supervision of 
the homestead, and kept it up in a highly creditable 
manner. The estate embraces 189 acres of fertile 
and finely cultivated land, embellished with tasteful 
and substantial buildings, and evidencing on all 
sides the exercise of cultivated tastes and ample 
means. The family is widely and favorahl}' known 
throughout this part of the county, and of the high- 
est respectabilitj'. 

Mrs. Wilson is the youngest child of Reuben and 
Sarah (Allen) Fuller, natives of Onondaga County, 
N. Y., where they continued to live after their mar- 
riage until the removal to Michigan in 1835. The 
father still resides in North Adams, and the mother 
passed away at her home in Adams Township, in 
1872, aged sixt}--eiglit years. They were the par- 
ents of five children. Their daughter Sarah was born 
in Adams Township, this county, June 25, 1843. 



She grew to womanhood under the carefid training 
of her excellent mother, becoming skilled in all 
housewifely duties, and receiving the advantages of 
education in the well conducted common school. 
Five years of her earlier life was spent in the city 
of Kalamazoo. 

On the 4th of July, 1860, the suhject of this 
biography, then a maiden of seventeen, was united in 
marriage with Foster N. Wilcox, the wedding tak- 
ing place in the city of Hillsdale, this county. Foster 
N. Wilcox was born in Adams Township, this 
county, on the 6th of February, 1840, and was the 
son of Henry N. and Orsa (Foster) Wilcox, who 
were natives of Vermont, whence they emigrated to 
Michigan in 1838, settling at once in Adams Town- 
ship. The father passed away in December, 1887; 
the motherstill survives. The early studies of their 
son, Foster N., were conducted in the district school, 
after which he attended the High School in Hills- 
dale, and was eventually graduated from the col- 
lege there. He thereafter taught one term, but 
being fond of agricultural pursuits, soon afterward 
turned his attention to farming, which he subse- 
quently followed the remainder of his life. A man 
of much intelligence and kindly impulses, he became 
prominent in township affairs, and held the office of 
Justice of the Pe.ace for a period of four years. In 
1882 he was elected to represent Moscow Township 
in the County Board of Supervisors, which office he 
held at the time of his death, which took place on 
the 17tli of January, 1884. He was a thorough and 
skillful farmer, successful in his business transac- 
tions, and held in high regard by the communit}'. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox theie were born seven 
children, of whom the record is as follovvs: Lilly 
M., the eldest daughter, became the wife of Abra- 
ham S. Hall, of Moscow Township, and is the mother 
of two children — Birnes and Bertha; EInora E. 
married Chester Williams, a graduate of the Ypsi- 
lanti Normal School, and who is now carrying on 
the homestead ; Mr. Williams is an intelligent and 
well educated gentleman, who takes a warm inter- 
est in the establishment and maintenance of schools, 
and believes in providing every facility for the ad- 
vancement of the rising generation. Willie J., who 
was graduated from the commercial department of 
the Y'psilanti Business College, is engaged as book- 



-t 



•-ir^ 



*i. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



561 



kee[)er in a dry-goofls store in that city, and meet- 
ing with good success. Tlie three 3'ounger ciiildren, 
Ora A., Nellie M. anil Ilcnry, are at home with 
their mother. 

Mrs. Wilcox enjoys the friendship and acquaint- 
ance of the best residents of Moscow Township, and 
may well look with pride ui)on her blooming family 
of prosperous sons and daughters. She has given 
them the best advantages in her power, and they 
are well fitted to take their positions in life as use- 
ful and responsible citizens. Mrs. Wilcox is a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, at North Adams, and takes a warm in- 
terest in the success of the temperance movement, 
being a member of the W. C. T. U. 



o-^t^-^ 



-•tf**!^ 



i^OBERT SALMON, a successful general far- 
jLji'' mer comfortablj' located on sections 1 8 and 
i^% 19 in Reading Township, with his residence 



S^on the former, has a good property and is 
surrounded bj- all the comforts of life. This farm 
includes ninetj'-two and a half acres of thoroughly 
cultivated land, impioved with good buildings, and 
all the other appliances required by tlie progressive 
agriculturist. 

Mr. Salmon purchased his present farm in 1870, at 
a time when it was in a primitive condition, and 
the labor involved in bringing it to its present state 
can be more easily imagined than described. lie 
came from Amboy Township, and has been a resi- 
dent of this county since a little lad of five years 
old. He was born 011 the other side of the Atlantic, 
twelve miles from the city of London, England, 
Sept. 8, 1848, and when eight months old was 
brought to America by his parents, who settled in 
New York State. His father, Charles Salmon, was 
also of English ancestry, and learned the black- 
smith's trade in his 3'outh, serving a regular appren- 
ticeship. He married Miss Annie Thompson in the 
vicinity of the world's metropolis, and their eldest 
child was Robert, the subject of this sketch, and the 
only one born in England. 

The parents of our subject set out for the United 
States in the spring of 1849, locating first in the 



vicinity of Albion. Orleans Co.. N. Y. Thence 
four yeava later they came to Michigan and took 
up their residence in Amboy Township, this county, 
where the father and his brother William secured a 
farm and also carried on blucksinithing. Charles 
Salmon is yet living, and is now fifty-seven years 
old. The mother died at her home in Amboy, in 
March, 1882, when al)out fifty years of age. Tie 
father of our subject improved a good farm, and is 
in comfortable circumstances. 

Mr. Salmon, our sunject, spent his boyhood and 
youth in the manner common to tlie sons of pio- 
neer farmers, assisting in developing a homestead 
from the uncultivated land, and acquiring a good 
education. He was married, Feb. 26, 1872, at the 
home of the bride in Amboy Township, to Miss 
Sarah P. Salmon, who was born in Orleans Countj', 
N. Y., where she was reared and educated. Her 
father, Aaron Salmon, now deceased, was a farmer 
by occupation and a native of England. The 
mother is yet living in Orleans County, and is now 
aged about seventy-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Salmon there have been born two children: Walter 
M., Dee. 27. 1874, and Nellie M.. Oct. 13, 1878. 
Our subject and his wife are members of the Free- 
will Baptist Church, at West Rea<ling. in which Mr. 
Salmon officiates as Deacon. Politically, he is a 
Republican of the first water. 



SKi5tf^<- 



eHARLES A. SHEPARD. The career of the 
present Prosecuting Attorney of Hillsdale 
County, and one which has been highly cred- 
itable to him as a public officer and a citizen, is in 
its main points as follows: A native of Seneca 
Countj', Ohio, he was born April 17, 185(J, and is 
the son of Israel and Nancy (Brown) Shcpard, na- 
tives of Seneca County, N. Y. He came to Michi- 
gan with his parents when a little lad five years of 
age. They settled on a farm in Palmyra, in Lena- 
wee County, but two years later removed first to 
Ransom Township and then to Camden Township, 
in this county, where Charles A. began his studies 
in a select school. As the boy advanced in stature 
and requirements, he entered first the Union School 
at Reading, and subsequently Hillsdale College, 



I 



562 



^ ^M <* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-t 



emploj'ing himself in winter as a teacher in order 
to pay his tuition. He develoi)efl at an early age 
the qualities which later have constituted him a 
prominent and useful man in this community. 

Upon reaching his majority young Shepard, in 
1877, took up his residence in the city of Hillsdale, 
and commenced the studj' of law in the office of 
Dickerman & St. John. In the meantime he acted 
as Turnkey and Deputy .Sherift' under Sheriff George 
W. Bullock, and by this means paid his expenses. 
He was admitted to the bar on the 4th of March, 
1879, and opened his first office in thecitj' of Hills- 
dale, meeting with success from the start. 

Mr. Shepard, in 1882, was admitted as the law 
partner of his brother, B. P. Shepard, and became 
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney under the latter. 
Upon the death of the latter he was appointed by 
Judge Howell Prosecuting Attorney for the unex- 
pired term. He afterward officiated as Circuit 
Court Commissioner four years, and in 1884 was 
elected Prosecuting Attorney for Hillsdale County, 
receiving the largest vote of any candidate on the 
ticket. At the convention, Aug. 28, 1886, he was 
renominated by acclamation. In the spring of 
1886 he was the able assistant of ex-Gov. Austin 
Blair in the prosecution of the Holcomb perjury 
case, und.er a change of venue from Jackson to this 
county, and received much deserved praise. 

During the incumbency of Mr. Shepard in this as 
well as other offices, Hillsdale County has had a 
faithful and efficient conservator of its interests, 
and as a member of the bar he takes rank among its 
best men, although one of its youngest members. 
Politically, he is a strong Republican, and has great 
influence with his party in this section. 



<» IrlLLIAM BISHOP, who is well and favora- 
\jiJ// ^^^' '^"O^'" "-o the people of both Hillsdale 
W^ and Cambria Townships, lives on the line 
between the two, but his property is principally in 
the latter. Here he has 112 acres of good land, the 
larger part in a finely productive condition. He 
has labored to good advantage, and is rated among 
the intelligent and progressive men of this region. 



^- 



Canandaigua Township, Ontario Co., N. Y., con- 
tained the early home of our subject, where his 
birth took place Xov. 2, 1 826. under the modest 
roof of his parents, Stephen and Charlotte (Smith) 
Bishop. Stephen Bishop was a native of Connecti- 
cut, a farmer by occupation, and the son of Jared 
Bishop, who spent his entire life in the Nutmeg 
State. He also followed agriculture, as had his 
forefathers for generations. His son Stephen was 
reared to manhood in his native county, where he 
married the mother of our subject, who was a na- 
tive of the same count}', and of ancestry similar to 
that of her husband. Both families were repre- 
sented in this countiy prior to the Revolutionarj' 
War, in which conflict the maternal grandfather of 
our subject carried his musket, and acquitted him- 
self as a brave and patriotic soldier. 

After the birth of a part of his family .Stephen 
Bishop left New England, and migrated to New 
York State, settling in Ontario County in 1814. 
Locating upon a tract of partially improved land 
in Canandaigua Township, he lived and labored 
until called hence on the 17th of December, 1853, 
when about sixty -eight years old. The wife and 
mother survived until 1879, still continuing her 
residence at the old homestead, and .attained the ripe 
old age of ninety -one years. 

To Stephen and Charlotte Bishop there were born 
four sons and five daughters, eight of whom lived 
to mature years, and four are now surviving, being 
residents of the United States. William grew to 
manhood in his native count}", and when but a 
youth commenced learning the carpenter's trade. 
This, however, was not entirely in accordance with 
his tastes, he preferring agricultural pursuits. In 
1856, while yet unmarried, he made his way to 
Southern Michigan, locating first in the vicinity of 
Reading, on the western line of this county. Here 
he made the acquaintance of one of the most esti- 
mable young ladies of that place. Miss Phebe A. 
Frink, who became his wife Dec. 29, 1869. 

Mrs. Bishop was born in Cambria Township, Oct. 
31, 1839, being the daughter of oue of its earliest 
pioneers, Nathan Frink. who married a Miss Doud, 
who was born near the city of Ithaca, N. Y. Mr. 
Frink was a native of Connecticut, whence he re- 
moved in early life to New York State, and was 



t 



"^•- 



1 



HJLLSDALK COUNTY. 



-•► 



563 n\ 




marrierl in Monroe County. His father. David 
Frink. w.as also of New England birth and parent- 
age, and of excellent okl Quaker slock. lie re- 
moved from Connecticut to New York, and in the 
latter State p.assed aw.ay while middle aged. His 
son Nathan was born in 1802, and removed with 
his father to Ontario County, N. Y., wjiere he was 
reared to manhood, and married Miss Lorinda 
Doud. After the birth of two children, Wealthy 
and Walter, they set out for the Territory of Michi- 
gan, and located in Rollin Township, Lenawee 
Count}', whence they removed a few years later to 
Cambria Mills, this county. Here Mr. Frink oper- 
ated a sawmill for several years, and contributed 
his quota to the development of the countr}' around 
hira. After building up a good record he rested 
from his labors, Nov. 9, 18G7, p.assing away amid 
the regrets of the entire communit}'. Upon the 
organization of the Repulilican party he became a 
cordial supporter of its principles, and in religious 
matters held tenaciously to the Quaker faith of his 
ancestors. 

The mother of Mrs. Bishop h.ad preceded her 
liusband to the silent land, her death taking place 
in January, 186.5, when she was fifty-seven years 
of age, her birth having taken place in 1809. Of 
her marriage with Nathan Frink there had been born 
three sons and five daughters, of whom two sons 
and four daughters are yet living. Phebe A., like 
her brothers and sisters, accpured a common-school 
education, and those habits of industry and econ- 
omy which eminently fitted her for the wife of a 
good and worthy man. Being a lover of books, 
she fitted herself for a teacher, which occupation she 
followed some years before her marriage. Of her 
union with our subject there were born five chil- 
dren, two of whom are deceased. Florence M. was 
educated in tlie schools of Hillsdale Count}', and 
was a teacher in the schools of Hillsdale for some 
time; she is now sojourning in Minnesota. Fannie 
G. is ft graduate from Hillsdale College; Josephine 
is pursuing her studies in the Hillsdale College; 
Carrie E. died when sixteen months old, and Ed- 
ward when an infant of nine months. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bishop after their marriage located 
on a farm in Reading Township, where they lived 
until 1870, and then took possession of their pres- 



ent homestead. Thej' attend the Presliyterian 
Church, with which Mrs. Bishop has been connected 
by membership for a number of j'cars. Mr. Bishop, 
like his father before liiin, is a zealous supporter of 
the Republican party, has represented his township 
in the County Board of Supervisors, and held the 
office of Townsliip Treasurer. 



■€-*■ 




,i MAZIAH BIBBINS, one of the wide-awake 
farmers of Moscow Township, has been a 
resident of Southern Michigan since a little 
boy three and one-half 3'ears of age. Among 
his first recollections was tlie journey from New 
Y^ork State to Michigan, a part of which was made 
on a Lake Erie steamer. His parents upon their 
arrival in the young State of Michigan located in 
Jackson Count}', where our subject enjoyed the 
advantages of a good district school, and being 
bright and observing, made the most of his oppor- 
tunities. He subsequently attended Albion College, 
as well as taking a course in Hillsdale, attending 
the latter college two terms. After leaving school 
he entered upon the profession of a teacher, which 
he followed for a period of thirteen years. During 
the winter terms he not only employed himself 
thus during the day, but also conducted an evening 
school. He was very successful as an instructor, 
and has always taken the warmest interest in the 
establishment and maintenance of institutions of 
learning. 

The parents of our subject, George G. and Han- 
nah (Storm) Bibbins, were natives of New Y'ork 
State, and his paternal grandfather, A. Bibbins, 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The par- 
ents were married in New York State, and settled 
in Genesee County, whence they came first to Michi- 
gan, in 1836, during its territorial days. They met 
the common lot of pioneers, but only remained this 
time until about 1848, then returned to New Y''ork 
State, where they remained four years, and sought 
the West again, this time locating as before, in 
Jackson County, whence not long afterward they 
removed to Coldwater, in Branch County. There 
the father became connected with the niarble works, 
with which he continued until his death, in 1864, 



•♦► 



T 



564 



4i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



when fifty-two years old. The mother spent her 
last days at the home of her son Amaziah. She sur- 
vived her husband alioiit twenty-four years, and 
passed awaj' on the 16th of February, 1888, after 
having reached the advanced age of eiohty-tiiree. 
The parental household included six children, four 
of whom lived to mature years, and two are now 
living. Amaziah was the third child, and was born 
])ec. 22, 1841, in Genesee County, N. Y. After he 
had abandoned teaching, he, in company with Prof. 
P. W. Hill, started out on a concert and conven- 
tion tour through the Northwest, visiting the larger 
cities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. This occupied 
about twelve months, and upon returning to Michi- 
gan he prepared to engage in teaching, having in 
view the establishment of domestic ties aixl a home 
of his own. 

Mr. Bibbiiis while a resident of Moscow had 
made the acquaintance of a most estimable young 
lady, Miss Anna, daughter of Liliius Squires, of 
Moscow, with whom he was united in marriage in 
the spring of 18C4. This lady became the mother 
of four children, namely: Leo, now deceased ; Will- 
iam L., Carlton and George G. Mrs. Anna Bib- 
bins departed this life at her home in Moscow 
Township, Nov. 17, 187o, aged twenty-eight years. 
Their son William recently married iMiss Wyllis, a 
daughter of one of the first families of Moscow 
Township, and is engaged in the hardware trade at 
Moscow ; Carlton and George G. make their home 
with their father, and are attending school. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married April 22, 1875, was Miss Maiy W., daugh- 
ter of Amandar and Harriet (Sceley) Thompson, 
who were natives of New Y'ork State. Mr. Thomp- 
son came to Michigan when a boy, and his wife 
came with her parents also when quite young. They 
weie married in Brooklyn, Jackson County, whence 
after a few years they changed their residence to 
Moscow Village, this county, where the father en- 
gaged in general merchandising, and continued 
until his death, in 1881, at the age of fifty -seven 
years. The mother bad died in middle life, April 
16, 186-1, when forty-three years old. Mrs. Bib- 
bins was the younger of their two children, and 
was born in Moscow, Sept. 15, 1853. She received 
good educational advantages, as befitted the daugh- 



ter of a well-to-do citizen, attending the High 
School at Adrian until failing health compelled her 
to abandon her studies. This lady is the mother of 
one child, a son, Robert A., who was born April 6, 
1876, and is pursuing his studies in the district 
schools. 

Mr. Bibbins after his first maiTiage took up his 
residence in Moscow Village, where he was occupied 
in teaching two or three years, then removed to 
Liberty, where he followed the same emploj'ment 
until be had acquired sufficient capital for profit- 
able investment. Then resolving upon a change of 
occupation, he purchased 104 acres of good land on 
section 2, in IMoscow Township, to which he subse- 
quentl}' added forty acres more, and has since de- 
voted his time and attention to its improvement 
and cultivation. He has remodeled and repaired 
the dwelling, erecte<l a good barn, and added to the 
value of the property in various ways. He has a 
fashion of extracting considerablj enjoyment from 
life, and indulges himself in reading and music, 
which recreation forms a pleasant lenture of his 
home. He uniformly votes the Republican ticket, 
has been Treasurer and Township Clerk, and filled 
the office of School Director for several years. 
Both he and his estimable wife are members in 
goo<l standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 






^f) VERY' BROWN, a worthy citizen of Mos- 
j^fli cow Township, where he owns a good farm 
ti on section 33, which is well stocked with 
(©»/' graded cattle and sheep of a good grade, 

has been a resident of Southern Michigan since 
the early days of its first settlement by the white 
man. When he first came to Michigan it was a Ter- 
ritoiy, and the greater part of it was in a wild state, 
with vast, primeval forests, and almost impassable 
swamps and morasses; the Indians still lurked about 
their old haunts, and savage animals were numer- 
ous. The red men have long since gone from 
their old home, the swamps have been drained, and 
much of the forest h.as yielded to the woodman's 
ax, and they have given place to valuable farms, 
thriving cities, and busy villages. Our subject has 



1 ' 



I 



■^- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



565 



been a witness of ranch of this marvelous progress, 
and by his industry has contributed iiis share to the 
general prosperitj' of his adopted State. 

Mr. Brown was born in Winfield, Heriiinier Co., 
N. Y., Dec. G, 1816, and is a son of Franklin 
and Polly (Morgan) Brown, natives of New York. 
In 1825 the father died at the earl}' age of thirty- 
one, leaving a wife and four children, three boj's 
and one girl, to mourn the loss of a kind husband 
and father. Mrs. Brown afterward became the wife 
of Phineas W. Packard, and four children were 
born to them. 

When our subject was an infant his parents re- 
moved to Niagara County, and he there grew to 
manhood, receiving his education in the common 
schools. He was early thrown on his own resources, 
and being an active, self-reliant, trusty lad, easily 
obtained employment, working out by the month. 
He was very ambitions to have better opportunities 
for achieving independence than he had in his na- 
tive State, and conceived that he could do better 
in the newly settled Territory of Jlichigan. Accord- 
ingly in May, 1833, he made his waj' to Lenawee 
County, and in Blissfield Township found work by 
the job, chopping wood and clearing land. ]n 1834 
he went to Jackson County, where he lived for 
several years, and for fifteen or sixteen years worked 
steadily in the employ of others. During these 
years b}' his industrious and prudent habits he 
saved up quite a sum of money, and became a 
land-owner. He first bought sixty acres of land in 
Spring Arbor, Jackson County, cleared fifty acres 
of it, and then sold it, and purchased a sawmill 
in Concord Township, the same county, which he 
operated vei'V profitably' for three or four j-ears. 
During that time he took a ver}' important step by 
his marriage with Miss Ellen Pease, whereby he 
secured an able helpmate. She was born Veh. 16, 
1820, in Royalton. Niagara Co., N. Y., and was 
the j-ounge.st of eight children, five sons and three 
daughters, born to their parents, George and Julia 
(Joiner) Pease. They were natives of New York 
State, and after marriage settled in Niagara County, 
that State. In 1829 they removed to Jackson 
County, Mich., and in 1836 the father died at the 
age of fifty j'ears; the mother died in 1851 at the 
age of seventy -seven. Mrs. Brown .attended school 



in her native State for two years, and then, coming 
with her parents to Michigan, completed her edu- 
cation in the common schools of this State. She 
subsequently learned the trade of tailoress. and be- 
came very expert at it. Her union with our sub- 
ject has been blessed bj' the birth of five children, 
namely: Frank, Ella, George, Emma and Mary.' 
Frank is at home with his parents; Ella married 
Wilson Houseknecht, and is the mother of four chil- 
dren — Avery, George, Maud and William; George, 
Emma and Mary are deceased. 

After marriage Mr. Brown continued to manage 
his sawmill for two j'ears, and then traded a one- 
half interest in it for 160 acres of land in Moscow 
Township, where he has since been actively engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. He sold thirty acres of 
land, but subsequently bought forty acres more, so 
that he now owns a tract of 171 acres, whose broad 
fields yield rich harvests, and give abundant evi- 
dence of the careful tillage of the owner. He has 
erected a substantial dwelling, convenient barns, 
and other farm buildings. He has paid much atten- 
tion to raising stock, and his graded cattle are 
numbered among the best in the township, as is 
also his fine flock of eighty sheep. Mr. Brown has 
taken a great interest in township affairs, and has 
contributed in no small measure to the prosperity 
of his commnnit}'. He has done a great deal to 
procure good educational advantages for the youth 
of Moscow, having held the position of school 
officer for thirty years. He has long been identi- 
fied with the Masons as a member of the North 
Adams Lodge. In him the Democratic party finds 
a stanch supporter. 



e^8e 



■■T=^> LI L. BOOTH, owner of a good farm on sec- 
Ife] tion 31 in Pittsford Township, where he has 
/ I' — i^ a ple.asant home, replete with all the com- 
forts of life, is, like many of the men around him, 
a native of the Empire State. He was born near 
the town of Iloxbury, in Delaware County, July 
17, 1827, and is the son of Levi and Phebe (Har- 
lej') Booth, natives of Connecticut. 

The father of our subject was born in the town 
of Stafford, Conn., and leaving New England when 

M^ 



-5- 

a 566 



■» II 4* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



i" 



a young man, marie his way to Delaware County, 
N. Y., purchasing a tiact uf lanrl in the timber, 
from which he elearerl a farm and where he spent 
the remainder of his days. The husband survived 
his wife several years and also died on the old 
homestead. E^li L. passed his boyhood and youth 
in the manner common to the sons of pioneer far- 
mers of thatda}', acquiring a common-scliool educa- 
tion in the home district, and as soon as old enough 
making himself useful about the farm. When 
eighteen years old our subject left the parental 
roof, and going to the vicinitj' of Albany, worked 
there one and one-half years for an elder brother. 
His next residence was in Sweden. Monroe County, 
where he continued as a farm laborer until 1854, 
then tiiinking it about time to begin the establish- 
ment of a home for himself and believing that the 
Western countiy offered better facilities for less 
capital, he made his way to this State, and taking up 
his residence in Pittsford Township, operated the 
first year on a tract of rented land. The j'ear fol- 
lowing he purchased that which he now owns and 
occupies. He and his young wife moved into a 
vacant log house near by, and our subject then 
ciinimenccd in earnest tiie felling of the trees, first 
tu make room for a more commodious dwelling, and 
then to prepare the land around it for cultivation. 

Our subject has been a continuous resident upon 
tliat land up to the present time. It is hardly nec- 
essary tt) say he has effected a great change in its 
condition, having now a fine farm with good build- 
ings. He has also a fair assortment of live stock, 
the necessary macliinery for carrying on agricult- 
ure after the most approved methods, and all tlie 
.•i|i[)li:inucs of a modern c<nuitry home. The lady 
to wliom he was first married, JMiss .'samantha Clark, 
was a native of Monroe County, IS'. Y.. and the 
daughter of Lewis Clark, of Vermont, and one of 
the early settlers tf the Empire State. Of this mai- 
riage there were born two daughters — Victorine and 
Hattie. The former is the wife of D. C. Luts, of 
Pittsford, and the latter lives with her sister. The 
mother of these died at her home in Pittsford 
Township, in April, 1867. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Sept. 11, 1867, was Miss Louisa Windle. 
Mrs. Booth was l)orn in Nottinghamshire, England, 



Sept. 13, 1844, and is the daughter of John Win- 
dle, a native of the same place, where he was i"eared 
and married. This latter event took place on the 
8th of August. 1839. Eleven years later the par- 
ents emigrated to America and settled in New- 
fane. Niagara Co., N. Y. In 1857 he came to this 
county, and located in Wright Township, but is 
now a resident of Marshall, this State. The maiden 
name of the mother of Mrs. Booth was Elizalieth 
Corkins, also a native of Nottinghamshire. Her 
death took place in AVright Township, this count}', 
in 1865. 

To Eli L. and Louisa Booth there have been 
born two children: Elnora Maude, Aug. 10, 1871, 
and Ermie Belle, March 18, 1881. Mr. Booth 
votes the straight Republican ticket, and pursues 
the even tenor of his way as a peaceful and law- 
abiding citizen, attending chiefly' to his own con- 
cerns, and contributing his quota toward the 
prosperity of his township. 



* €-^^- 



,,,, T. BUTTS is a thrifty and practical general 
Wll% farmer, who has recently identified himself 
with the agricultural interests of Cambria 
(«» Township, where he is successfully carry- 

ino' on his well-improved farm of fifty-five acres on 
section 28. He does not confine his attention 
exclusively to farming, however, but being a skill- 
ful stonemason, having learned that trade while in 
Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y., his services are often in 
demand in that direction. He is an Englishman by 
birth, having been born in Hadley Castle, Worces- 
tershire, England, Nov. 8, 1846, being a son of 
Matthew and Elizabeth (Palmer) Butts. His par- 
ents, now advanced in life, being seventy-five years 
of age, still reside in Hadley Castle; they are emi- 
nently worthy, respectable people. The father is 
a layman in the Church of England, of which the 
mother is also a devoted member. They had a 
large family of children, twelve of whom are living 
and six are deceased. 

The subject of this sketch is the second son of 
this family, and he was reared and educated in the 
place of his birth. For eighteen . months before 
comino' to America he was in Scotland, where he w,t,s 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



567 



in the service of Maimaduke Maxwell, iu the capac- 
ity of under butler. He subsequently left Dum- 
friesshire in the land of the Scot, having determined 
to make his way to the United States of America, 
where he hoped to better his condition and become 
more independent. Accordingly, with that ambi- 
tious desire in view, he embarked from his native 
England in .January. 1866, and crossing the waters 
to this country, located in Wayne Count}', N. Y. 
There he was first employed on a farm, and after- 
ward acquired a good knowledge of the stonema- 
son's trade, as before related. 

The first year of his life in this country' was a 
very important one to our subject, for it w.is then 
that he wooed and married the estimable lady who 
has ever since been his faithful helper and devoted 
companion, and they united their fortunes Nov. 7, 
1866. The maiden name of his wife was Aphelia 
R. Howell, and she was born in Palmyra, Wayne 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1836. Her parents wei-e Isa.ic 
M. and Susan (Chrj-sler) Howell, both of whom 
are now deceased, having died in Palmyra, N. Y., 
the mother in August, 1883. at the .age of seventy- 
one, and the father, who was a farmer, in 1868. 
Mrs. Butts, of this notice, was the eldest daughter 
and second child of the four children born to her 
parents, there being one son and three daughters in 
the family. She was well educated in the public 
schools, and received a careful domestic training 
from her mother, remaining under the parental roof 
until her marriage. Her wedded life with our sub- 
ject has, indeed, been blessed by the birth of seven 
children, but of these only two are spared to com- 
plete the family circle — All)erton H. and Warren M. 
Five of their loved ones are now quietly sleeping 
their last sleep — George E., Ida, Ada, Mark and 
Eddie. 

The sun comes up, and the sun goes down 

On sorrow, and sin. and .aching. 
And to all the evil that's in the world, 

Thej' will know no waking; 
They are safe, the}* are safe, from all that is sad, 

Safe, and quietly sleeping. 

After marri.agc Mr. and Mrs. Butts made their 
home in the State of New York for a number of 
years, but in 1883 they came with their family to 
this State, and have since been valued residents of 



Cambria Township, where Mr. Butts h.as recently 
purchased his present farm. He is an intelligent, 
honest, hard-working man, and well deserves the 
success that he has attained. He has proved him- 
self a good citizen of his adopted country, and in 
politics is a warm Democrat. Mrs. Butts is a sin- 
cere and earnest Christian, and a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 



I jfelLLIAM E. BURNETT, one of the foremost 
\/sJl/ '"®" ^'^ ^^^ community of Jefferson Town- 
\j/^ ship, owns and occupies a good farm located 
on section 3. He is in the prime of life, a native 
of this State, having been born Oct. 11, 1841, in 
Jackson County. Of that locality his parents, John 
and Judith (Otto) Burnett, were early pioneers, 
coming to Michigan while it was still a Territory. 

The parents of our subject were natives of New 
York and of Dutch ancestry. The father, upon 
coming to Jackson Count}', entered a tract of land 
from the Government and labored upon it until 
1849, when he came to this countj' and rented land 
in Jefferson Township, upon which he operated un- 
til 1854. He then purch.ased a small farm on sec- 
tion 4, where he labored until called hence, in 1864. 
The mother is .also dece.ased. 

The p.arental family of our subject included four 
children, all of whom lived to mature years. James 
F. died at his home in Jones ville. Dee. 6, 1881, 
leaving two daughters and his wife; they reside in 
Jonesville. Chancy V. is a resident of Jonesville, 
where he carries on farming, operates as a stone 
contractor, and is at the head of quite a family of 
children ; William E., our subject, was the third son. 
The only daughter, Mary E., became the wife of 
Orlo Cheever, and died at her home in 1874. leaving 
one daughter, Mrs. Luella Moore. 

Mr. Burnett, our subject, acquired a fair educa- 
tion in the common schools and commenced doing 
for himself when about seventeen years of age. 
Since that time he has made his own waj' unaided, 
working first by the month, then renting land, and 
about 1863 invested his little capital in a house and 
lot in Osseo Village, Jefferson Township. He was 



i 



T* 



1 



568 



4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



married. Dec. 24. 1H6.3, to Miss Emeline, flaugliter 
of Simon and Tiieana (Seely) Duryec. who was 
born in Lt'Tiawee County, tin's State. Oct. .5, 1845. 
Her parents were early settlers of Southern Michi- 
gan, and are now deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burnett commerced tlie journey of 
life together in Osseo. and in 1S65 he purchased 
seventy acres of land where his home now is, it be- 
ing a i)art of the homestead of his wife's people, to 
whicii they had removed when she was a little child 
four years of age. They occupied the old house 
until 1873, when Mr. Burnett i)ut up a substantial 
brick residence, and besides this has now three good 
barns and all tlie other improvements required bj- 
the progressive agriculturist. His next purchase 
was in 1879. and comprised fifty acres, so that his 
farm now embraces 120 acres of good land worth 
about 160 an acre, being located six and one-half 
miles from the city of Hillsdale. 

To our subject and his wile there were born four 
children, one of whom died in infancy, one at the 
age of six, and one when fourteen years old. 
The only one living is a son, Cliarles Ernest, who 
was born Aug. 18, 1869. and vvho is now at home. 
Mr. l^urnett, upon reaching his majoiit}', identified 
himself with the Republican partj', and has been 
very popular among the people of this count}-, 
serving as Deputy Sheriff twelve j-ears and Con- 
stable five years. He has also been a member of 
the School Board twelve years, which he thinks is 
enough to subdue any ordinarj' man. 

Chan(;y Bmxlett, brother of our subject, during 
the late war served in the Union army, first in the 
4th Michigan Infantrj- three months, and then rc- 
enlisteil in the service. He was in the battles 
of the Wilderness and Gettysburg, in both of which 
he was wounded, once in the shoulder by a shell 
which passed through bis blanket and knapsack, and 
the next time in the back of the neck. He was not 
relieved from service until 1866, and on account 
of his wound receives a pension. 

On the southeast corner of the southwest quarter 
of section 3, was recently opened a cemetery by 
a company duly organized under the State law, 
in the year 1886. Of this Mr. Burnett was made 
President, and under his watchful care the burial 
ground receives that attention vvhich all such places 



should, but which, in the country especial!}', are too 
apt to be neglected. Mr. Burnett is distinguished 
for his liberality and the lively interest which he 
takes in ever}' enterprise calculated for the good of 
the people around him. 



■ US. LOUISA HALL, widow of William 
i\ Cicero Hall, late of Moscow Township, 




li came to Michigan with her husband soon 
after her marriage, and located upon the 
farm where she now lives in 1854. The homestead 
is at present under the management of her son-in- 
law, and Mrs. Hall, surrounded by many friends, 
is passing her later years in the enjoj'ment of the 
comfort and ease to which she is justly entitled. 

The daughter of Gilbert and Margaret (Barthalf) 
Post, Mrs. Hall was the youngest of three children, 
and was born in Erie County, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1835. 
Her parents were natives of Orange County, that 
State, but were married in Genesee County, where 
they settled and lived until their daughter Louisa 
was twelve years of age. Then, emigrating to the 
young State of Michigan, the}' located in Fayette 
Township, where the father conducted a hotel four 
miles east of Jonesville two or three years, and 
then on account of continued illness in the family 
went back to his native State. He died there in 
the town of Akron, Erie County, in 1855, at the 
age of sixty-seven years. The mother survived 
her husband over twenty years, spending her last 
days in Akron, and dying in 1880 at the age of 
sixty-six. The brother of Mrs. Hall is living in 
Akron, N. Y., and her sister in this county. 

Remaining with her parents during her chihUiood 
and youth, Mrs. Hall acquired her education in the 
common schools of her native county, and when a 
maiden of eighteen years was married, Dec. 29, 
1853, to William Cicero Hall, the wedding taking 
place at the home of the bride's parents in Akron, 
N. Y. Her husband was the son of Jeremiah and 
Philinda (Crowell) Hall, who were also natives of 
the Empire State, and who after their marriage 
settled in Erie County, where they spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. The mother died in 1870 
when sixty-seven years old. Jeremiah Hall married 



-^•- 



u 



»» ^ ll ^ 



lULLSDALK COUNTY. 



569 



a seconrl time, nnd later sold his farm, and remov- 
ing to the villiige of Aliron there siwnt his last days, 
his death taking i)lace in 1881. when lie was eighty- 
one years old. Of his first marriage there were 
born six children, four sons and two daughters, 
William Cicero being the third child. He also was 
born in Akron, Erie County, Sept. 24, 1832, and 
received a common-school education. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hall set 
out for the State of Micliigan, and after settling in 
Moscow Township, pursuing the theory that "a 
rolling stone gathers no moss," here decided to re- 
main. Mr. Hall was enterprising and industrious, 
and in addition to the cultivation of his land, put 
up a good set of frame buildings, and in due time 
became the possessor of the improved machinery 
necessary for carrying on the farm after the most 
modern and successful methods. He was noted for his 
strict attention to business, but was not too selfish 
to interest himself in the welfare of the people 
about him. and to their repeated solicitations re- 
sponded cheerfully in disciiargiiig the duties of the 
various township otHces and holding otiier positions 
of trust and responsibilitj'. He was a man who in- 
variably made friends, being prompt to meet his 
obligations, and of the strictest intogrit}'. Amid 
the sorrow of his family and the regrets of friends, 
he passed away at the home lie had labored to build 
ui), on tiie tiOth of January, 1887. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of one child 
onl^', a daiigiiter, Cora P., wiio became the wife of 
Herbert Sturdevant, a native of Fairfield, Vt., and 
who is now operating the homestead. They have 
had two children: Hattie L., who died when four- 
teen uiontiis old, and Arthur, a blight iioy of nine 
months. Mrs. Hall is a lady held in great respect 
by her neighbors, and a member in good standing 
of the Metho<list Episcopal Church, of North 
Adams. 

: — rjy i { t-»^^ 

WilLLIAM H. MOUEY, one of the most suc- 
cessful general farmers of the township of 
Reading, and one of the well and favora- 
bly known men of Southern Michigan, now occu- 
pies a |>!easant home on section 3C, consisting of a 
well-improved farm of 240 acres situated only 



■^^ 



about two miles from Reading Village. Mr. Morey 
has resided on this farm for a period of twenty- 
four years, and has managed it with much success. 
In addition to general farming he makes a specialty 
of stock-raising, in which he has been very success- 
ful. His farm is eminently adapted to the growth 
of all the products of this climate, and the buildings 
which go to beautify the home compare favorably 
in all their appointments with those of this class in 
any jjart of the country. 

The subject of this narrative first saw the light 
on his father's old homestead on section 26 of tliis 
township. Sept. 4, 1842. (For parental history see 
sketcii of Chester E. Morey.) He is the eldest of 
a family of four children, three of whom are still 
living, while the other died in infancy. He was 
reared under tiie parental roof and had the guid- 
ance of good and loving parents, with whom he 
remained until he became of age. He received his 
education in the public schools of the township, and 
assisted his father in his agricultural duties. 

Mr. Morey was united in marriage, Oct. 1, 1863, 
in Reading, with Miss Marion E. Hughes, who was 
born Jul}' 29, 1846, in Reading Township, and is the 
eldest child of Charles and JIatilda (Doud) Hughes, 
the former of whom died in Reading, May 8, 188,S, 
when he was sixty-five years old. He was born in 
Rhode Island, but removed to New York when a 
lad of about twelve j'ears, and tiieiice came to 
Michigan while he was yet unmarried. He was an 
early settler in Reading Township, where he mar- 
ried and reared his family, and transformed his 
tract of land into a well-improved farm. Mrs. 
Hughes is yet living with her youngest son, Charles 
W., of Reading Townslii}), and is now about sixty- 
two years of age. In her old age she is much 
afflicted with rheumatic com|)laints, but bears her 
trials witli Christian fortitude and resignation. 

Mrs. Morey enjoyed the advantages of a good 
common-school education, which she utilized bj' 
teaching school for some years prior to her mar- 
riage. She has borne to her husband three chil- 
dren, two of whom died young; the second child, 
Fred E., resides at home, and is engjiged in operat- 
ing tlie large farm belonging to his father. He is 
a young man of great promise, intelligent and of 
strict integrity, and has a Ijright future before him. 




>► 11^ -^ 



-•►- 



570 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Our subject and his family are members of tlie 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and are honored and 
respected members of society, taking an active in- 
terest in all measures inaugurated for the building 
up of their community. Mr. Morey has served as 
a school officer for man^^ years, and takes an active 
interest in the cause of education, believing that it 
is a better lifeguard for a countr3' than a standing 
army. Early in life he identified himself with the 
Republican party, and still gives to it his loyal ad- 
herence. 



^^ 




< I at 1 



ON. J. J. BUCK, attorney-at-law in Emporia, 
Kan., and Judge of tiie Superior Court in 
that State, was born in Moscow Township, 
this county, and spent his boyhood and 
youth under the parental roof. In the biography 
of his brother, Albert B. Buck, will be found a 
sketch of those from whom he drew his origin. 
He left home at the age of eighteen, and became 
a student of Hillsdale College, from which he was 
graduated. He was married to Miss Molly Tiche- 
nor, who was graduated from the same institution, 
where their acquaintance was formed. 

]Mr. Buck first located at Waupon, AV^is., where 
he continued to reside until the outbreak of the 
Rebellion, and then organized a company, of which 
he was made Captain, with the intention of taking 
the field. The illness of his family, however, com- 
pelled him to abandon this project for the time, 
but upon their recovery he enlisted as a private in 
a Wisconsin regiment of cavalry. He was soon 
promoted to the rank of Captain and subsequently 
to that of Colonel. He was with Sherman during 
his march to the sea, under the immediate command 
of Gen. Kilpatrick. He performed his duties as a 
soldier in a brave and faithful manner, continuing 
at his post of duty until the close of the war. 

Capt. Buck was what might be properly called 
a hot-headed Abolitionist, and was also an advo- 
cate of free speech. Upon his retirement from the 
army he began publishing the Clarksville Patriot, 
and was also the author of a treatise entitled "The 
Carpet Bagger," which produced a great sensation 
at the time, and on account of which his life was 



threatened. He never flinched from his convic- 
tions and his sense of duty, however, and it soon 
became evident that he would rather lose his life 
than abandon his principles. The hatred of him in 
time changed to a sentiment of respect, as indicated 
by the fact that he was elected in due time District 
Judge in Tennessee, serving his term with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to his constituents. 

Upon leaving Tennessee Judge Buck settled in 
Emporia, Kan., and there entered upon a successful 
law practice, which steadily increased from the 
beginning, and which is probably not excelled by 
that of anj' attorney in the State. He was elected 
Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Kan- 
sas, and in. this responsible position has acquitted 
himself with great credit. He has a ple.asant home 
in the city of Emporia. His friends comprise the best 
element of the city, and the people generally of 
that section unite in ranking him among their most 
substantial and reliable men. 

,ENJAMIN G. STRONG, M. D., a rising 
young physician and surgeon of Reading, is 
a graduate of the medical department of 
the Michigan University, from which he 
came forth with much honor in 1883. He com- 
menced the regular practice of his profession in 
1884, and practiced alone until 1887, at which time 
Dr. D. AV. Fenton came to Reading and associated 
himself with Dr. Strong, since which time the two 
have operated together successfully, and are now 
in the enjoyment of a flattering patronage. 

Dr. Strong was born under the roof where he 
now resides, Sept. 19, 1860, and where he has made 
his home the greater part of his life. He pursued 
his early studies in the public schools of his native 
town, and before entering regularly upon the study 
of medicine, was employed jis a drug clerk until 
choosing his profession in life. While under the 
home roof he acquired a preparatory knowledge of 
the science of medicine, his father having been a 
successful practitioner of man}' years' experience. 
After leaving the drug-store young Strong entered 
the medical department of the Michigan Univer- 
sit}' at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated 




n 



I* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



571 , , 



ill Fel)uiai-3', 1883, ancl rctuniing to his olfl home 
put (lilt his fiist shingle, Oct. 17, 1884. .Since the 
death of his father. Dr. Asahel B. Strong, the son 
has succeeded in a large measure to the practice of 
the latter. 

The parental history of our subject is as follows': 
Asahel B. Strong was born in Westhampton, Mass., 
Jan. Itj, 1826, and was the son of Asahel Strong, 
.Sr., who came of good vU\ Puritan stock and fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer. The Strong 
family in this country emanated it is believed from 
a single representative, John Strong, who in 1630 
emigrated from Plymouth, England, to the United 
States, and whose descendants have now become a 
large following, being scattered plentifully through- 
out New England and the West. Thej' have been 
uniformly people noted for their enterprise and in- 
dustry, their intellect and education, being found 
among the military, ministerial and educational 
walks of life. They have also been people well-to- 
do, prompt to meet their obligations, and with little 
use for poorhouses or jails. 

When Asahel B. .Strong was but a boy his father 
left New England and migrated to the young .Stiite 
of Ohio, where the son developed into manhood, 
and availed himself of the practical education to 
be obtained in the public schools. He early in life 
made choice of his vocation, the practice of medi- 
cine, and studied for some time under Dr. Cleve- 
land, of Huntsburg, Ohio, a skilled phj-sician and 
surgeon. Later he entered the Medical School at 
Columbus, from which he was graduated with 
honors, Feb. 19, 1849. In May following he turned 
his steps toward the farther west, and coming to 
this county identified himself with the young town- 
ship of Reading, which was then fast settling up, 
but before the village had received its name or 
been started. 

The father of our subject, still an unmarried man, 
put out his shingle and was soon recognized as the 
coming doctor of his town and the country around. 
He was strong and active, fond of athletic sports, 
and could outrun, outjump or throw any in;in in 
this section of the country. When the hamlet of 
Reading began to assume townlike proportions. Dr. 
Strong, Sr., was at once recognized .is its leading 
physician and one of its most proniineut citizens, 



in which light he was regarded until his death. 
One of the rooms of his dwelling was set apart for 
post-office purposes, and w ith the assistance of his 
excellent wife he attended to its duties uniiiterrupt- 
edl}' as Postmaster for several years. Born and 
bred amid the principles of patriotism, upon the 
outbreak of the late war lie was among the first to 
offer his services, enlisting in the 1st Michigan 
Sharpshooters as Assistant Surgeon, and in cora- 
piinj' with Dr. Whelon, of Hillsdale, was pres- 
ent thereafter upon many hard-fought battle-fields, 
and at one time had a hole put through the crown 
of his hat by the enemy's ball. He never evaded 
anj- duty or sought to shelter himself on account 
of his position in the armj', but cheerfully shared 
the fare of the common soldier, and such was his 
disregard of his own personal safetj' and his faithful 
attendance upon his duties that he contracted a mal- 
ady which finally compelled his resign.ation, and 
which was the indirect cause of his death. He re- 
turned from the army bearing little semblance to 
the man with the stout ])hysical frame, capable of 
great endurance, which he had been before that 
trying time. 

After the war Dr. Asahel Strong resumed the 
practice of his profession at Reading, which he con- 
tinued for many years. The mother of our subject, 
who in her girlhood was Miss Cornelia Grinnell, 
then of Jefferson County, N. Y., was born in Ellis- 
burg, Dec. 3, 1824, and became the wife of Dr. 
Asahel Strong on the 24th of April, 18.51, the wed- 
ding being celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Evans Mills, that county. Her father, Ezra Grin- 
nell, in early manhood married Miss Catherine De- 
o-olier, .and both have long since passed away. Mrs. 
Grinnell departed this life April 20, 18C0, in Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y., and the father died at the 
home of his sister, Mrs. Strong, in Reading, Dec. 
11, 1885, at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. 
The maternal grandfather of our subject had been 
a lifelong .agriculturist and a man of more than or- 
dinary intelligence, taking a prominent part in the 
affairs of his community. Both parents were con- 
sistent members of the Presbyterian Church. 

Mrs. Cornelia Strong was well reared by most 
excellent parents, and making good use of her op- 
portunities at school developed into an efficient 




*► ■- 



572 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






teacher, which profession she followed for some 
time before her marriage. She is yet living, and 
although quite well advanced in years, j'et retains 
her mental and physical powers with little less than 
old-time vigor, being ver}' intelligent and active. 
Besides her son, Benjamin G., she has a daughter, 
Carrie M., who is now the wife of Theodore Curtis, 
of the firm of Curtis Bros., extensive furniture manu- 
facturers and dealers, in Reading. 

The subject of tiiis sketch while a resident of 
Indiana was married, Dec. 25, 1884, in the city of 
Indianapolis, to Miss Alice Bartholomew, who was 
also born in Reading Township, this county, Deo. 
23, 1865. When a young girl eleven years of age 
her parents removed to Indianapolis, in which city 
her education was completed. They subsequently 
went still farther east to New York City, where 
the father, W. I. Bartholomew, is successfully en- 
gaged dealing in carriage specialties. Dr. Strong 
and his estimable wife are the parents of one child, 
a girl, Blessing B., born Oct. 2, 1885. They are 
very popular in this part of Hillsdale County and 
prominent iu society'. The Doctor is a member in 
good standing of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, A. F. 
& A. M., at Reading. He is also prominently 
identified with the I. O. O. F., belonging to Sub- 
ordinate and JIncampment lodges at Reading, and 
is a member of the K. of P. As a member of the 
Board of Health he is entrusted with important 
matters, and has been called upon to fill various 
other local offices. 

/>^ILBERT Z. HART, well known throughout 
III (— -, Hillsdale Township and vicinity, came to 
'^^41 Michigan in 1855, and located in this 
county, of which he has since remained a resident. 
His property includes eighty acres in one piece, and 
thirty-eight and one-half acres in another, on sec- 
tion 20. the residence and farm buildings being on 
section 21. He is engaged in general farming, and 
is rated as a steady-going and reliable citizen, who 
is contributing his quota toward the progress and 
welfare of his community. 

Born in Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Oct. 24, 
1823, our subject is the son of Almon and Polly 



(Harmon) Hart, natives of Massachusetts, and the 
grandson of Solomon R. and Mary (Beach) Hart, 
who were born in Berkshire County, that State, and 
became well-known, well-to-do and highly respected 
citizens. To the grandparents there were born 
twelve children, namely: Amanda, Reuben, Tyrus, 
Polly, Almon, Elizabeth, Ann, Alvira, Candace, 
Milan, Alfred and Solomon R. Almon, the father 
of our subject, w.as born Sept. 4, 1797, and died in 
this county on the 9th of March, 1874. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and a member of the Uni- 
versalist Church. A man of high character and 
more than ordinarj" capacities, he was, wherever he 
made his home, a highly respected member of the 
community. He possessed great genius as a me- 
chanic, and without serving any apprenticeship, 
manufactured many handsome and useful articles 
for the convenience of his family, and in this man- 
ner saved hundreds of dollars in connection with 
his buildings. The mother, who survived her hus- 
band about six years, was born May 24, 1 800, and 
died in the home of her son, our subject, on the 
1st of August, 1881. In religious belief she sym- 
pathized with her husband, and in all respects was 
his faithful companion and helpmate. Their seven 
children were named respectively: Alonzo J., Gil- 
bert Z. (our subject), Jerome W., William M., Al- 
vira S., Louisa M. and William T. The latter, 
during the late war, enlisted in Companj' D, 18th 
Michigan Infantr3', and on the 4th of September, 
1862, started with his comrades for the front. At 
the headquarters in Nashville he was injured by a 
mule, and on the 21st of June following died, and 
was brought back to Hillsdale and buried. 

Our subject passed his boyhood and 3'outh learn- 
ing the various details of agriculture at the pa- 
rental homestead, and acquired his education in the 
common school. Just before reaching his twenty- 
fourth birthday he was married, Oct. 19, 1847, to 
Miss Eliza A. Warren, Rev. Page, of the Presbj'- 
terian Church, of Perry. N. Y., officiating. Mrs. 
Hart was born in Livingston County, that State, 
Oct. 14, 1826, and is the daughter of Ira and Ann 
Eliza (Sharpsteen) Warren, natives respectively' of 
Connecticut and New York. Mr. Warren, who 
was born Jan. 11, 1798, carried on farming all his 
life, and rested from his labors at his home at Allen, 



"^^' 



•^•- 



••»» 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



573 



Hillsdale County, this State, on the 7th of Novem- 
lier, 187(1. He was a man who made of life a suc- 
eess and was ever stii vinij for the best it could affi)rd, 
particularly in an intellectual sense. He became 
|>rominent in township affairs, occupied the various 
local offices, and is remembered as a highly valued 
citizen. The parents were married in 1820. The 
mother was born Aug. 6, 1800, in Dutchess Count}', 
N. Y., and passed awaj* some sixteen years before 
the death of her husband, her decease occurring 
Aug. 13. 1860, at her home in Hillsd.-ile. The 
eleven children of the parental household bore the 
names of Almira, Haiuiah .1., Eliza A., Fanny M., 
Samuel S., Harriet, John, Walter, Elizabeth, George 
H. and Slargaret A. George and John served as 
Union soldiers in the late war, the former being in tlie 
18th Michigan Infantry, and John m the 4th Michi- 
gan Battery. The hardships and privations of 
army life resulted tj George in the loss of health, 
from wliich he never recovered. He is now resid- 
ing ill Cambria Townshij). John served three years, 
and although in many a hard-fought battle, re- 
turned home in safetj', and is now living in Emmet 
County, Mich. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
two children: Henry H. was born Sept. 13, 1848, 
in Perrj-, Wyoming Co., N. Y. He received his 
education in the common schools of this county, 
and in the Commercial College at Hillsdale, and on 
the 2oth of September, 1872, was married to Miss 
Jane M. White, Rev. W. H. Pierce, of the Meth- 
odist Church, officiating. Mrs. .lane Hart was born 
in Livingston County, N. 1 .. M.ay 24, 1851, and 
completed her education in the High School of 
Coldwater, this State. Her jjurents, William L. 
and Jane E. (White) White, were also natives of 
the Emi)ire State, the father born April 6, 1813, and 
the mother December 10 of the same year. William 
L. White carrie<l on farming successfully, built up 
a good home in Branch County, and departed hence 
on the 9th of April, 1881. The mother is still liv- 
ing, remains a widow, and makes her home in Ba- 
tavia, Mich. Tlie six children of the household 
circle bore the names of Sarah, Mona G., Jenette 
W., Elizabeth, William L. and J. M. 

Frank L. Hart, the younger son of our subject, 
was born Dec. 29, 1851, and died on the 11th of 



r- 



August, 1855, soon after the arrival of his parents 
in this countj'. The f.-ither, Gilbert Z., and his re- 
maining son. Henry IL, together with the wife of 
the latter, are in sympathy with the doctrines of the 
Universalist Church. Henry H. Hart, like his 
father, is destined to become a man of prominence 
in his community, and has alread}' been the in- 
cumbent of various local offices, among them Treas- 
urer and Township Clerk. Both father and son 
are Republicans. 



3-*-- 



JAMES BEATTIE. Scientists claim that the 
physical features of a country largely in- 
fluence the habits and development of its 
inhabitants. Where the surface is rugged 
and the climate neither too severe nor too enervat- 
ing, and where man has to tojl in order to secure 
the necessaries and comforts of life, there will be 
found the highest t3pes of humanit}', both raentall}' 
and physicall}-. Our subject has descended from 
such ancestry, and was himself born in the "laud of 
the heather" in Aberdeenshire, Aug. 1 1, 1823. He is 
now enjoying in a large measure the esteem and 
confidence of the people of his county, who have 
elected him to the responsible position of Treasurer 
of the count}-. 

The parents of our subject, Walter and Catherine 
(Anderson) Beattie. were natives of the same country 
as their son. and there remained engaged in agri- 
cultural piu'suits until 1830. Being circumscribed 
in their farming operations, with a famil}' growing 
up around them, they determined to seek a field of 
labor which held out more inducements for the 
rising generation. AccordingI}-, in 1830, they bade 
good-by to their home and friends and set sail for 
the New World. LTpon their arrival in this country 
they soon made their way to Ohio, where they set- 
tled in Ricliland County upon a farm, which the 
father improved, and where both parents passed the 
remainder of their da3s. 

James Beattie was one of a family of nine chil- 
dren, three boj'S and six girls, who came to brighten 



574 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the housi'hold of their parents; all liverl to be men 
and women, assisting in the laudable effort to build 
up a home and a position in society, wiiile five of 
them are still living, .lames was the fifth in order 
of birth, and passed his early j-ears in his native 
shire, attending the .parish school, in which he con- 
tinued until lie was thirteen years old, when he as- 
sisted his father on the farm, and also taught school. 
In the summer of 1840 he came to America, land- 
ing at Oswego, N. Y., whence he went to Cleveland, 
Ohio, and from there to his parents in Richland 
Count}'. He taught school in that count}' for some 
time, and then attended the Ashland Academy, 
where he pursued his studies two years, after which 
he resumed his profession and taught four years in 
one district, and then in different districts for 
twent}' quarters. He next engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in Ashland County, which he followed a 
number of years, alternating the work with school 
teaching. 

In the fall of 18()2 Mr. Beattie went to Williams 
County, Ohio, and settling on a farm remained 
there until Ills removal to this county, ten years 
later. Here he settled on a farm in Amboy Town- 
ship, and engaged in farming pursuits, residing 
there until his removal to the city of Hillsdale. He 
seived as Supervisor of Amboy Township eight 
years, and since his residence in Hillsdale he has 
served in different capacities. In the fall of 1886 
he was elected by the Republican party to the of- 
fice of Treasurer of Hillsdale County, assuming his 
duties on the 1st of January of the following year. 
The services he has rendered in this and other offi- 
cial capacities have elevated Mr. Beattie to the high- 
est esteem and confidence of the community in 
which he lives. 

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, 
in 1846, with Miss Susan Bright, a native of Ash- 
land, Ohio, and a daughter of John Bright, Esq. 
Of this union there have been born four children, as 
follows : Thomas H. resides in Ashland County, Ohio ; 
Catherine, in the same place; Elizabeth is the wife 
of Oscar Finnegan, residing in Montpelier, Ohio, 
and Ida is the wife of Augustus Lautermilk, a far- 
mer in Amboy Township. The mother of these 
children was a devoted member of the Christian 
Church, as is also Mr. Beattie. Mrs. Beattie bade 




faiewell to the things of earth and was gathered to 
her fathers, Sept. 8, 1885. 

In politics Mr. Beattie was formerly a Whig, and 
upon the organization of the Republican party he 
naturally identified himself with that organization, 
and has since given it his cordial and able support. 

^. : :§^^m^^^-^ 

lj^^\ RS. ELIZ-4BETH KESSELRING. The 
subject of this biographical sketch, resid- 
ing on section 32 of Moscow Township, is 
the widow of the late Daniel Kesselring. 
She is a woman whose excellence of character, noble- 
ness of purpose, and firm Christian faith, have car- 
ried her steadily onward through all the duties of 
life, though she has oftentimes bowed beneath the 
chastening rod of affliction. She is a native of 
New Jersey, born in Sussex County, Aug. 22, 1831, 
being the daughter of David and Susanna (Coss) 
Faurot, both of whom were born in the same county 
as herself. Her ancestors fought valiantly in the 
service of their country, her great-grandfather 
Faurot having been a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, and was taken prisoner at West Point. N. Y. 
Her grandfather Faurot took an active part in the 
struggle of 1812. 

The parents of Mrs. Kesselring settled at Sandy- 
stone, N. J., and lived there two years after their 
marriage. They then thought to secure a perm.a- 
nent home by moving to Susquehanna County, Pa., 
where the father took up a tract of Government 
land, but he was unfortunate in this venture and 
lost his property through the merchants' claim. In 
1834, in order to retrieve his losses, Mr. Faurot 
moved with his famiU' to Huron County, Oliio. but 
shortly afterward went to Crawford County, in 
the same State, and took up a homestead claim, on 
which he lived for seven years eug.aged in farming. 
Then disposing of his property there he returned 
with his familj' to Huron County and bought a 
farm. Three years later he sold out and purchased 
a farm in Cambria Township, this count}', where he 
remained for fifteen years, very successfully engaged 
in caring for and improving his land. 

In 1861 Mr. Faurot moved to Kent County, this 
State, and for nineteen j^ears made that his home. 



t 



■^•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Then, though long past tlie prime of life, he deter- 
mined to seek a location still farther west, and ac- 
cordingly disposed of his propcrtj' in Michigan and 
went to JS'ehraska. While there he had the mis- 
fortune to lose his third wife. After that sad be- 
reavement lie returned to Hillsdale County, and 
since that time has lived with his daughter, our 
subject. Mr. Faurot is now eighty-four years of 
age; he has led an honorable and useful life, and is 
respected for his many sterling qualities. He has 
been three times married. By his first union four 
children were born, of whom Mrs. Kesselring was 
the eldest. Bj' the marriage with his second wife 
three children were born. 

Mrs. Kesselring of this notice was three years old 
when her parents moved to Pennsylvania, and seven 
j-cars of age when they settled in Ohio, wiiere her 
mother died Feb. 10, 1838. She received her edu- 
cation in the common schools of the Buckeye State, 
and came with her father and his family to Michi- 
gan in 1846. She became acquainted with Mr. 
Kesselring after lier removal to Hillsdale County, 
and was united with him in marriage June 24, 
1850. He was a son of Nicholas Kesselring. who 
was born in Germany, and spent his entire life 
there. The parentsd family consisted of seven chil- 
dren, all sons. Daniel, who became the husband of 
our subject, was born in Bavaria, Dec. 25, 1807; he 
spent his early years in his native country, but after 
attaining manhood emigrated to America, and 
bought land in Michigan before it was admitted 
into the Union as a State. 

Mr. Kesselring became prominently identified 
with the interests of Hillsdale County, and was 
well known throughout the southern part of the 
State. He engaged in the boot and shoe business 
in Jonesville bef<jre the city of Hillsdale was laid 
out. He subsequently farmed for awhile, and then 
bought properly and entered into the boot and 
shoe business in Hillsdale, wliere he met with good 
success. He afterward formed a partnership with 
a Mr. Smith and met with heavy reverses, losing 
quite a portion of his properly, he having been at 
one time the possessor of nearly 400 acres of good 
land. In his death, which occurred May 30, 1869, 
when he was si.\ty-lwo years of age, Hillsdale 
County lost one of its earliest pioneers and a man 



who was devoted to its interests. In politics he 
was a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Kesselring 
were born six children, namely: Charles H., Mary 
E., Edward A. and Milo E., all deceased; Ida L. 
and Myron A. Ida is the wife of Joseph Coon; 
they have five children, namelj' : Frank E., Charles 
J., William S.. Maud E. and Ona E. Myron has 
charge of the homestead. Since the death of her 
husband our subject has lived on her farm, which 
comprises 100 acres of arable land, and its admira- 
ble condition shows for itself the ability with which 
it has been managed. She has erected a good 
house, a convenient barn, and other ample farm 
buildings, and in addition to these valuable im- 
provements has paid off the debt which encumbered 
the property. Mrs. Kesselring is held in deservedly 
high respect in the community for her many good 
qualities. She is an ardent worker in the temper- 
ance cause, and a worthy and consistent member of 
tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, of Moscow Plains. 

LIVER S. BEMENT, an old settler of Cam- 
bria Township, and a successful general 
farmer, located on section 12, secured the 
eight}' acres of land which he now operates about 
the year 1861, and at a time when it was little re- 
moved from its primitive condition. He had just 
been married, and the young people commenced 
life together with small ca|)ital other than their in- 
dustrious hands and courageous hearts, and now, 
as the result of their united efforts, have a good 
farm, a neat and substantial dwelling, and all the 
other comforts of the modern countiy home. 

Mr. Bement, a native of New York State, was 
born April 24, 1833. His father, David Bement, 
was also a native of the Empire State, where he 
married Miss Eliza Bird, and after the birth of two 
chihlren, our subject and his sister Emily, they de- 
cided upon a ch.ange of residence, and making their 
way to this State, which was then in its infancy, 
took up their abode in Lyons Township, Oakland 
County. 

The land of this township au that time had been 
but very slightly cultivated, the homes of the set- 
tlers being few and far between, and David Bement 




576 



■•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



erected the first dwelling in that region. The woods 
abounded with all kinds of wild animals, including 
deer and wolves, and the father, after cultivating 
the soil around his cabin until 1837, left Oakland 
County and came to Allen Township, this county. 
Here also he was cue of the earliest pioneers, being 
obliged to cut his road for a mile to reach their 
home in the woods. 

The father of our subject, however, was a very 
industrious and persevering man, and was not dis- 
mayed by any ordinary ditticulties. lie made a 
little headway each year, and in time opened up a 
good farm in Allen Township, which he subse- 
quently exchanged for property in Cambria Town- 
ship, where both parents spent the remainder of their 
days, living to a ripe old age. The mother had 
been the companion and helpmate of her husband 
in every respect, working hand in hand with him in 
the building up of their fortunes, and her name is 
held in grateful remembrance by her children. Dur- 
ing the early years of his life in Kew York State, 
David Benient had learned the mason's trade, which 
he followed there for some time before his removal 
West. 

Olivers. Bement. our subject, continued a mem- 
ber of the parental household until reaching his 
majority. When the time came for him to estab- 
lish a home of his own, he selected his wife from 
among the maidens of Cambria Township, being 
married, May 18, 1862, to Miss Maria A. Bates, w-ho 
was a native of Perry Township, Geauga Co.. Ohio, 
and was born June 25, 1832. Mrs. Bement came 
with her parents, when but two years of age, to 
this county, they locating in what is now Hillsdale 
Townsiiip. At that time there was not even a hint 
of the flourishing eitj' and county seat in which the 
people of this section now take so much pride, and 
the township itself was thinly settled. Caleb and 
Maria (White) Bates, however, were, like the Be- 
ment family, made of true pioneer stuff, and bravely 
carried out their resolute purpose to build up a 
home in the wilderness. They lived and labored 
on the land which the falhersecured from the Gov- 
ernment until resting from their earthlj' toils. The 
father died at the old homestead, Aug. 10, 1854, 
and the mother April 17, 1861. 

Thirteen children comprised the familj- of the 




parents of Mrs. Bement, of whom she was the tenth 
in order of birth. Of these ten are living and resi- 
dents mostly of the United States. Mrs. B. con- 
tinued under the home roof, assisting in the various 
duties of the household, until her marriage. Of her 
union with our subject there were born two chil- 
dren, a (laughter and son, namely: Emma, the wife 
of William J. C. Keas, a resident of Plainville, 
Rooks Co., Kan., and Willie H., who has not yet 
comi)leted his studies in the district school. 

ASCHAL CHENEY, well known among 

the older residents of Jefferson Township, 

-^— |r has occupied his present farm on section 11 

I \ for a period of thirty years. It comprises 
fifty acres of thoroughly cultivated and productive 
land, with a set of convenient and substantial build- 
ings, and all the other appurtenances of the well- 
to-do modern farmer. As a man and a citizen, Mr. 
Cheney stands high among his neighbors, his career 
having been distinguished by honesty and upright- 
ness, and the endeavor to do by his neighbors as 
he would have them do b}' him. 

The subject of this biography was born in Mon- 
roe County, N. Y., April 4, 1822, and is the son of 
Paschal P. and Abigail (Culver) Chenej', who were 
also natives of the Empire State, the father born in 
the city of Auburn, and the mother" in Cayuga 
Count}. They settled on a farm in Penfleld, Mon- 
roe County, after their marriage, and thence came 
to Michigan about 1858. Mr. Cheney had acquired 
a limited education, being put to hard work as soon 
as old enough, and when a youth of eighteen years 
started out in life for himself, working at $10 per 
month. When twenty-three he was married, Dec. 
25, 1845. to Miss Clarina Hibner, who was also a 
native of Monroe County, and born Feb. 26, 1823. 
Her parents, Allen F. and Annie (King) Hibner, 
were also natives of the Empire State. The}- spent 
their Last years in New York and Michigan. 

Mr. Cheney after his marriage pureiiased twenty 
acres of land of his father-in-law, upon which he 
labored until after the birth of three children. 
Then, not satisfied with the outlook for the future, 
he sold out and came to this county with his family. 






I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Settling in Jefferson Township. lie lived the true 
life uf .1 pioneer, workinjif lon_t>- and Lite, and in due 
time realized the reward of his industry in a com- 
fortalile home and the respect of his neighbors. It 
will thus be seen that he is a selfmade man in the 
truest sense of the term, and is deserving of the 
ease and comfort which accompany his later years. 
lie isa warm advocate of Republican principles, but 
has steadily declined to become an office-seeker. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cheney are re- 
corded as follows: Byron E. was born Dec. 9, 1846, 
and with his family, including a wife and five chil- 
dren, resides in Gratiot County; Lois is the wife of 
Robert L. Nichols, of Jefferson Township, and the 
mother of five children; they are written of else- 
where in this work. Allen A. died shortly after his 
marriage at his home in Jefferson Township. 



^- 



4 



-#^ 



JOSEPH C. BROWN, a native of Greene 
I County, N. Y., came to the West June 1, 
183.5, and is finely located on section 23, in 
Camden Township. His boyhood home was 
near the Catskill Mountains, where his birth took 
pliice July 14, 1820. His father, Collins A., and 
his mother, Milly (Wodsworth) Brown, were na- 
tives of East Haven, Conn., and his ancestors on 
both sides of the house are believed to have been 
of pure English descent. 

Samuel Brown, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was a soldier of higli rank in the Revolu- 
tionary War, serving as aid-de-camp on the staff 
of Gen. Washington. With the Father of his 
Country he participated in many of the battles of 
that memorable struggle, and after the independence 
of the Colonists had been established, retired to 
Greene County. N. Y., where he spent the balance 
of his life, departing hence at the age of ninety 
j'ears. 

Collins A. Brown, the father of our subject, was 
a native of Connecticut, and was born in 1785. 
He became a resident of the Empire State at an 
early age. where he married Miss Mill}' Wodsworth, 
who bore him ten children. Of these six are now 
living and recorded as follows: Abigail, INIrs. In- 
man, is a resident of Wood County, Ohio; Sally is 



••- 



the wife of David Moe, of Wyandot Count}-, Ohio; 
Joseph C, our subject; Rebecca is the wife of J. A. . 
Tharp, of Lucas County, Ohio; Samuel and Austin 
A. reside in Huron County, Ohio. 

Our subject, about 1835-36, came with his par- 
ents to the Territory of Michigan, locating on the 
prairie among the French and Indians, in Monroe 
County. There they lived until laSO, when they 
went back east as far as Huron County, where the 
mother died in 1861. Collins Brown survived his 
wife a period of twentj' -six years, and departed this 
lifs April 9, 1887. He was a member of the Pres- 
bj'terian Church, in which he officiated as Elder for 
a number of years. In early life a Whig, he later 
cordiallj' endorsed Republican principles, and after 
rounding up more than a century of life died at the 
age of one hundred and two years. His career bad 
been one of usefulness and his faculties were pre- 
served in a remarkable degree, he being healthy 
and active, and on his one hundredth birthday sat 
with his descendants to the fifth generation in the 
celebration of his centennial. On that day he had 
his photograph taken with thirty-six of his poster- 
ity, a cop.y of which our subject preserves, it is 
hardly necessary to say, with great care, ,as a 
precious relic. 

Mr. Brown, our subject, passed his boyhood and 
youth under the parental roof, working with his 
father on the farm until after reaching his m.ajority. 
Not long afterward he turned his attention to the 
dressing of lumber, and spent about eighteen j-ears 
operating different sawmills, having built five of 
these in Indiana and Ohio. In that industry he 
was very successful. In 1874 he migrated from 
the Buckeye State to Southern Michigan, and lo- 
cated on his present farm in Camden Township. He 
is also owner of a half-interest in the quarter-sec- 
tion which it comprises, and where he has labored 
with excellent results for the past fourteen years. 
He was early in life taught to depend upon him- 
self, and acquired those habits of industry and self- 
reliance which have brought liini a fair measure of 
success. He never attended school after he \vas 
fifteen j'ears of age. He has, however, by a steady 
course of reading kept himself well infcirmcd upon 
the general topics of the day. and in point of iutel- 
lisence is second to none of the men around him. 



n 



578 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Onr subject, while a resident of Ohio, was mar- 
ried, Dee. 21, 1843, to Miss Rhoda Buj-gess. who 
was born in Cayuga Count}', N. Y., May 0, 1825. 
Her parents, Finson and Euth Burgess, were natives 
of New York; the former spent his last years in 
Pennsylvania, and the latter in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown commenced life together on a farm in Ohio, 
and became the parents of a son, L«aac F., who was 
born April 9, 1845, and died May 9. 1872. He 
was the only child born to them, and was mar- 
ried to Miss 8.Trah A. Henry, in 1865, and to them 
were horn three boys, named Ebin J., Collins A. and 
Finson E. Isaac and his wife always made their 
home with his parents, and his wife and three sons 
still make their home with his father and mother; 
he had a one-half interest in the farm, and they all 
live together as one family. 

Our subject about 1848 identified himself with 
the United Brethren Church, in which he has been 
quite prominent, holding the offices of Class-Leader 
and Steward, and also officiating as Sunday-school 
Superintendent. He has always taken an active in- 
terest in his church and cheerfully contributed to 
its support. Politically, he cast his first Presiden- 
tial vote for James K. Polk, and has since con- 
tinued a firm supporter of Democratic principles. 
While a resident of Hancock County, Ohio, he 
served two terms in Pleasant Township as Justice 
of the Peace. His career has been one of industry 
and usefulness, in which he has been joined by his 
amiable and estimable wife, who has been his faith- 
ful helpmate and companion through all his 
struggles and difficulties, and now enjoys with liim 
the reward of their mutual labors in the possession 
of a comfortable home and the esteem and confi- 
dence of many friends. 



^•^*^t*-^ts^ 



'^5<f»'^5^^ 



W;ASHINGTON WHITNEY, who is prosper- 
ously engaged in the hardware business in 
Cambria, in company with William Divine, 
was for manj' years a prominent and successful far- 
mer of Woodbridge Township, where he owns one 
of the finest farms in that localitj'. He is descended 
from a stanch New England ancestry, who settled 
in that part of that country before the Revolution, 



-<•- 



coming originally from England. He is himself, 
however, a native of New York State, having been 
born in Alabama Township, Genesee County. Jan. 
25, 1827. His father, Isaac Whitney, was a native 
of Ontario County, N. Y., and was a son of Ami 
Whitney, a native of Connecticut, of New England 
parentage, and of English ancestry. His father, 
Jonathan Whitney, was a soldier in the Revolution- 
ary War, taking a patriotic part throughout that 
struggle for American freedom. He married a 
New England lady, who died at an advanced age in 
one of the New England States. He died in Con- 
necticut, where he had been for many years engaged 
in farming, when quite an old man. He was a Whig 
in politics, and was a man of fine constitution and 
great strength of character. His son Ami, grand- 
father of our subject, was born and reared in Con- 
necticut, and there married Anna Amsden. a lady 
of New England birth and ancestry. Shortly after 
marriage they left the old home in New England 
and proceeded to the almost pathless wilds of On- 
tario County, N. Y., and in the township of Seneca 
bravelj' began the struggle which their forefathers 
had undergone, to build up a home in the forest. 
They mutually assisted each other, and applied 
themselves successfully to the task before them, and 
in the end succeeded in clearing and improving a 
good farm, and making a comfortable home. Mr. 
Whitney took an active part in the War of 1812 
as a commissioned officer of the militia volunteers 
of a New York regiment, and after his retirement 
from the army resumed his farming operations, 
which he conducted skillfully and profitably for 
many years. Both himself and his wife passed 
away from the scenes of their labors at a ripe old 
age. They were the parents of thirteen children, 
nine sons and four daughters, most of whom lived 
to maturity. 

Isaac A. Whitney, the father of our subject, was 
the second child born to his parents, and grew to 
maturity in the county of his nativity, receiving a 
substantial education in a graded school. When 
twenty-six years of age he married Miss Jane 
Moore, who was born in Phelps Township, Ontario 
County, and there grew to womanhood. She was 
of mingled Scotch and Irish ancestry, and was a 
daughter of Washington and Susanna (Rice) Moore. 



••► 



t 



-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



— •► 



i 



who were natives and lifelong residents of New 
Yorlv State. Her father took part in the battle of 
Buffalo, and was wounded while defending that city 
from the attempts of the British to destroy it dur- 
ing the War of 1812, and wiis afterward a pensioner 
of the United States. He carried on farming, and 
died in Phelps Township at the age of threescore 
years and ten. He and his wife were highly re- 
spected people, and consistent members of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

After marriage Isaac Whitney and his wife imme- 
diately took up their abode in Alabama Township. 
Genesee Countj', where they built up a comfortable 
home, improved a good farm, and reared a family 
of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all 
but one of whom married, and all except two are 
yet living. Those two died in the arm}', giving up 
their lives for their country. Loren was a member 
of Company F, 18th Michigan Infantry, and was 
the second man in his regiment to die, his death, 
which occurred in November, 18G2, at Lexington, 
K}-., being caused by sickness. Frank, of the loth 
New York Cavalry, died from starvation while a 
prisoner of war at the stockade near Milan, Ga., in 
1864. 

In 1866 the parents of our subject came to this 
county, locating in Litchfield Township, where the 
father died in 1876, at the age of seventy-one. He 
w.is a good business man and a successful farmer, 
and his strictly honorable and upright course 
throughout a long and useful life marked him as a 
man eminently worthy of the respect and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens, which, indeed, he enjoyed to 
a marked degree. He was an honest and sincere 
Christian, a De.acon of the Baptist Church, and in 
politics a faithful adherent of the Republican party. 
His widow lives on the homestead in Litchfield 
with her son Albert. Although eight^'-two years 
old, she is hale and remarkably strong for one of 
her years, and a faithful Christian, belonging to the 
Baptist Church. 

Washington Whitnej', our subject, grew to ma- 
turity in the home of his birth in Alabama Town- 
ship, Genesee Co., N. Y., and was there united in 
marriage with Miss Julia A. Tuttle, June 18, 1858. 
Mrs. Whitney, also a native of Al.abama Township, 
was born April 30, 1839, and is the eldest daughter 



of Aaron and Jemima (Burt) Tuttle, who were na- 
tives of Orange County, N. Y., where they were 
reared and married. Her father was a son of Ed- 
ward Tuttle, a native of Connecticut, who, coming 
to New York in early manhood, was married, in the 
Black River country, to Urania Orvis, who was of 
Welsh descent. After marriage they lived for 
some years in Livingston County, N. Y., locating 
on a new farm very earl^' in the history of that 
section. The parents of Mrs. Whitney located in 
Genesee County, and there their entire married life 
was passed, the mother dying in 1866, at the age 
of fifty years, and the father in 1885, at the age 
of seventy-one. Thej' were honest, hard-working 
people, valued members of the Baptist Church, and 
were greatly respected. In his political views Mr. 
Tuttle was a sound Republican. Mrs. Whitney is 
one of seven children born to her parents. She 
w.as well educated in her native State, and taught 
school for some years before marriage. To her 
and her husband have been born seven children, 
two of whom are deceased, an infant and Alice. 
Those living are: Metta, the wife of Robert Moore, 
Jr.; George B. ; Ida, the wife of Frank Hewitt, all 
occupying farms in Woodbridge Township; and 
Frank and Carrie, who live at home with their 
parents. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Whitney continued 
to live in their native State for two years. They 
then came to Michigan and have since made their 
home in this State. Mr. W. purchased 164 .acres 
of good land in Woodbridge Township. It was in 
a wild state when he came into possession of it, but 
by his energetic and incessant toil he improved it 
into a very valuable farm. 

Shortly after becoming a citizen of Michigan our 
suliject, laying aside all personal considerations, re- 
solved to go to the aid of his country on Southern 
battle-fields. He enlisted, in August, 1862, as a 
member of Company B, 1 1th Michigan Infantry', a 
regiment which was noted for the coolness and 
bravery of its men while under fire, and the efficient 
service rendered bj' them on many a hotly contested 
field. The regiment, inider the command of Col. 
William L. Sloughton, joined the Army of the Cum- 
berland under Gen. Rosecrans, and it also fought 
under Gens. Thomas, Sherman and Grant. Mr. 



■•► 



i 



580 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Whitney took pnit in every engagement in which his 
regiment was involved, from the battle of Chicka- 
manga to the taking of Atlanta. At one time he 
■was captured and held in durance for four months, 
being released on paiole. He served honorably 
until the war closed, receiving his discharge in June, 
] 865. retiring frcin the service with the rank of 
Orderly Sergeant, which title he won for meritorious 
conduct. 

After his return from the South Mr. Whitney 
quietly lesumed his occupation as a farmer in 
Woodbridge Township, and aided bj- his wife gath- 
ered together a competency, bj' which they are now 
enabled to i>ass their days in comparative retire- 
ment from active labor at their pleasant home in 
tlie village of Cambria, to which the3rcamein 1885. 
They occupy a high social position here, their genial 
dispositions and open-hearted liberality making 
them very popular. Mr. Whitney is prominently 
identified with the Republican partj' of this place, 
and is an estumtd member of the G. A. E.,C. J. 
Dickson Post No. 6, at Hillsdale. 



|ENJAM1]N L. DARLING. The property of 
this gentleman lies on section 20 in Allen 
Townshi)), and of which he took possession 
^=^ in the spring of l^!50. It comprises 125 
acres in a good state of cultivation, and the fertile 
fields yield some of the very best crops of Southern 
Michigan. 

Our subject, the sixth child of his parents, was 
born in Pcnfleld. N. Y., April 21, 1818, and is the 
son of John and Eunice (Booth) Darling, who were 
also natives of the Empire State and the father born 
in Orange County. After marriage they lived there 
until making their way to Michigan, in the pioneer 
daj's. They lived in different places until settling 
in Eaton Township, Eaton County, where they 
spent their last da^s. Their family included ten 
children, four sons and six daughters, six of whom 
are living and residents mostly of Michigan. 

Our subject during the earlier years of his life 
was engaged in boating on Lake Erie for two years, 
and on the St. Joseph River and Illinois Canal for 
ten or twelve years. Subsequently he engaged in 




farming, settling in Allen Township, of which he 
has since been a resident. Here, on the 1 4th of De- 
cember, 1849. he was united in mariiage with Miss 
Lovisa, daughter of Josiah and Clarissa (Tompkins) 
Mosher. who were natives of New York State, the 
father boin in Monroe County and the mother in 
Albany County. Mr. and Mrs, Mosher settled after 
their marriage in the first-named county, where the 
mother died June 28, 1841. The father, in 1845, 
came to Michigan, and settling in Allen Township, 
this county, <-arried on farming until his death, 
Julj' 3, 1853. His family included three sons and 
six daughters, Mrs. Darling being the eighth cliild. 
She was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y., Aug. 
1, 1833, and was six years of age at the time of her 
mother's death, and a little girl of twelve when her 
father came to Michigan. She continued with him 
until her marriage, acquiring her education in the 
common schools, and being reared to habits of 
industry and economy. 

Of the children b(jrn to our subject and his wife, 
seven in number, the record is as follows: Ella is 
the wife of James Ransom, of Branch County, Mich. ; 
Benjamin F. is a resident of this State; Purley is 
the wife of Guy Tompkins, of Branch County; 
Wesley is milling in Allen Township; Nelson and 
Marcenus remain with their parents; Ida is the wife 
of Joseph Wortman, of Detroit. Mr. Darling has 
alwaj's been recognized as an honest man and a 
good citizen, respected by his neighbors, and has 
held some of the local offices. He affiliates with 
the Democratic party, while his estimable wife is a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 'I heir children have grown up intel- 
ligent and praiseworthy members of society, well 
fitted to take their position in life as the offspring 
of a family which has borne no unimportant part 
in the building up of the community. 

-»-KH-ijt-®i:^:^)j(^-KH- «- 

jj^ ORTON MEIGS. The property of this 
ll\ gentleman embraces one of the prettiest 
I 111 farms in Reading Township, and comprises 
1(1 sixtj- acres located on section 16. His 

wife owns twenty -five acres on section 17, and the 
whole is under a fine state of cultivation, yielding 






■•► 



t 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



581 



t 



in abundance the richest crops of this section of 
country. The (iwelling and contiguous buildings 
are put up in a modern style of architecture, are neat 
and substantial in appearance, and everything about 
the premises is kept up in first-class style, there 
being no debris lying around to deface its cleanli- 
ness and beautj'. 

Ml". Meigs located on this land in 1844, and since 
that time has given to it his entire attention, which 
fact one can willingly believe in noting its con- 
dition, which is little less than perfection. Like 
many of the men about him, our subject is a native 
of the Kmpire State, having been born in Van 
Buren Township, Onondaga County, March 6, 1822. 
A full history of his family will be found in the 
sketch of Capt. Lucien Meigs, on another page in 
this volume. Morton was the sixth child of his 
father and the second of his mother, the former 
having been twice married. He was reared to 
farm pursuits and acquired his educntion in the 
common schools, being at the same time trained in 
those habits of industry and principles of honor 
which have been the mainspring of his success in 
later life. 

Mr. Meigs continued a resident of his native 
State until a young man twenty-two years old. then 
migrating westward, pitched his tent in the town- 
ship of Reading, this county, and purchased first 
eighty acres of land on section 35. He subsequently 
sold this, after having made some improvements, 
and purcliased the property which he now occupies. 
After making due preparation for the establishment 
of a home, he was married, in Reading Townsiiip, 
Dec. 19, 1850, at the home of the bride, to Miss 
Mary Berry, who was born in Seneca 'J'ownship, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1829. 

After their niarri.age Mr. and Mrs. Meigs settled 
contentedly down upon their land in a mode.st 
dwelling and worked together, having in view a 
mutual object, the building up of a home which 
should serve them as a shelter in their declining 
years. The land, under the wise management of our 
subject, soon began to yield plentifully, and in the 
course of a few years he found himself with tlie 
prospect of a competence, and a farm which wouhl 
compare favorably with those of the enterprising 
men about him. The little household was brightened 

<■ 



by the birth of two children, but they were called 
to raourn the death of one, a little daughter. May, 
who died when three years old. Their only living 
child, a son. Ora L., was born Sept. 1, 1858. He 
has been well educated, having been graduated from 
the Reading High School, and is the able assistant 
of his father on the farm. Mr. Meigs, politically, 
is a solid Democrat, and has been Supervisor and 
Collector of his township. In religious matters he 
is an adherent of the Presbj'terian faith. 

Mrs. Meigs is the daughter of William and 
Mahala (Colwell) Berry, who are both now deceased. 
They were among the pioneer settlers of Reading 
Township, coming to this county as early as 1836, 
from Mauraee, Ohio, to which place they had 
removed from Ontario Countj-, N. Y. William 
Berry was an Englishman by birth and parentage, 
and came with his father, John Berry, to the United 
States when a little lad three years of age. They 
located in Ontario County, N. Y., where John 
Berry spent the remainder of his life, dying there 
ripe in years. He had married, in his native En- 
gland, Miss Jane Gardner, who was also English by 
birth, and who died in Ontario County at an ad- 
vanced age. 

William Berry was reared to manhood in the 
Empire State, where he learned the trade of a 
clothier, which he followed until 1834. In the 
meantime he had been married, and in the year 
mentioned, with his wife and twelve children, six by 
a former marri.age, made his way westward to 
Maumee. Ohio, whence he came a year later to 
this county. He selected land in Reading Town- 
ship, where he struggled and toiled in common 
with the pioneers about him, and was rewarded by 
the acquisition of a comfortable home. Here his 
death took place in 1872, after he had numbered 
hi'* fourscore years. 

The second wife of William Berr3', and the 
mother of Mrs. Meigs, died in early life, after the 
removal to this county, when thirty-nine years old. 
William Berry contracted a third marriage, with 
Mrs. Deborah (Colwell) Hall, the sister of his 
.second wife. She died in Reading Township in 
April, 1887, when seventy years of .age. William 
Berry was reared a Presbyterian, but later, with his 
third wife, identified himself with the Uniterl Breth- 



u 



^i^h-* 



582 



hillsdalp: county. 



ren Cluireh. Giaudfatlier Beny was a man of much 
force of character, and politically, upon becoming 
a naturalized citizen, identified himself with the 
Demociatic jiartj-. Mrs. Meigs was hut a child 
when she came to this county, and acquired her 
education in Reading Township, developing event- 
uall.v into a teacher, which calling she followed 
some time before her marriage. Mr. Meigs is a 
member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., of 
Reading Lodge and Chapter. 






f 



t 



OHN B. HASKELL, farmer, successfully 
engaged in his independent calling on section 
7 of Adams 'Jownship. is of good New 
England origin, having been born in Wilton, 
iTTllsboro Co.. N. H., in 1811. His father, John 
Haskell, married Betsey Bailey, the daughter of a 
soldier of the Revolutionary War, and they settled 
in their native State, in the town of Wilton. After 
remaining there thirty-five years engaged in farm- 
ing, tliey removed to Onondaga County, N. Y., 
where the remainder of their lives was spent, Mr. 
Haskell dying in 1872, in the eighty-fifth year of 
his age. His aged widow survived him until 1875, 
wiien she too passed to the better land, at the 
advanced age of eighty-nine years. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest child 
of the family born to his parents, consisting of two 
sons and two daughters. He was reared on a farm, 
and growing to manhood in his native State, was 
there married to Mrs. Luc^' G. Nutting, who bore 
him seven children, of whom the following is the 
record: Samuel A., Alvira, Betsey S.. George W., 
Caroline, Josephine and Joseph. Samuel A. is a 
farmer in Adams Township; Alviia is the wife of 
Harvey Johnson, and resides in New York State; 
they have three children. Betsey is the wife of 
George W. Parker, of Madison County, and has 
two children; George and Caroline are deceased ; 
Josephine is the wife of George W. Newcomb, 
of Cicero Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and 
they have four children ; Joseph is a mechanic 
in Adams Township; he married Sarah Horzsen- 
fratt, and the}' have three children. 

In 1840 otu' subject, desiring to try farming in 

4' 



a countrj' whose soil was more easy of cultivation, 
and where better results could be produced with 
less labor than among the rocks and hills of his 
native State, moved to New York with his family, 
and made that State his home for many 3'ears. In 
all of his labors he was ably assisted by the 
co-operation of the worthy woman whom he mar- 
ried in his early manhood, and whose death, which 
occurred in 18U!), was a sad loss to him and his 
children. In October of that j'ear Mr. Haskell 
removed to Michigan and purchased his present 
farm of fifty acres. Since becoming the possessor 
of this place he has greatly increased its value by 
numerous improvements and a careful culture of 
the soil. In 1871 he erected his present comfortable 
dwelling, which, with the remodeled barns and 
farm buildings, bespeaks the thrift and judicious 
management of the owner. 

The subject of this sketch was again married 
Aug. 17, 1870, being united to Mrs. Harriet A. 
Miller, daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Benedict) 
Carrier. Her parents were natives of Massachu- 
setts, and after their marriage lived in that State 
and Connecticut until after the birth of their second 
child. They then moved to New York State, 
where the death of Mrs. Carrier occurred in 1838, 
she being then only thirt3'-one years of age. Mr. 
Carrier, who lived to the ripe old age of seventy- 
seven years, died in the same State in 1875. To 
him and his wife had been born six children, of 
whom the wife of our subject, the fifth in order of 
birth, was born in Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y.. Nov. 
25, 1833. Being left motherless at the tender 
.age of five yeais, her girlhood vvas passed among 
strangers, C^ynthia Bartlett having charge of her 
until she was fourteen years of age. She was an 
energetic, capable girl, and at that time began 
earning her own living by working out by the week. 
She has been twice married. Her first husband, to 
whom she w.as wedded April 30. 1851, was Andrew 
J. Miller. He enlisted in the service of his country 
under Colonel, then Captain, March, in Company 
K. 27th Michigan Infantiy. He participated in 
the battles of Nashville, Spottsylvania and Chatta- 
nooga, but, being taken sick at City Point, returned 
home Jan. 18, 18C4. He never regained his health, 
but after lingering some time, died May 2, 1865, 



-•► 



I 



-4»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



583 



leaving his widow without moans to support herself 
and her family of suiall children. She had lost 
none of her old-time energy and spirit, however, 
but willingly devoted herself to her family, hravel}' 
toiling early and late to maintain tiiem comfortal)ly 
and give them a good education. Her efforts were 
amply rewarded, and the three children livingof the 
family of five born to her and her first husband, are 
now comfortably established in homes of their own, 
the following being their record : Mandaine is the 
wife of Charles Brown, and they have four children ; 
Mary E. is the wife of Lyman Bentloy, and they 
have three children; Charles W. lives in Adams 
Township; he has been twice married. The maiden 
name of his first wife was Sophia S. Van Valken- 
burg; the maiden name of his i)resont wife was 
Nellie Stage. Tliey have two children. The mar- 
riage of Mrs. Miller with our subject took place 
in 1870, as previously stated, and of their union 
three children have been born, but only one, Edna 
May, is now living. 

Politicall}-, our subject is a sound Democrat, 
and true to the principles promulgated by that 
party. Mrs. Haskell is a regular attendant of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. These worthy people 
hold an honorable position among their neighbors 
and friends, and have the respsot of the entire 
community. 



HOMAS BERRY is well known throughout 
Reading and vicinity, where for the last 
thirty years he has operated as a breeder 
and trainer of fine horses, and has established tlie 
record for some of the best trotters in the State. To 
this business lie seems naturally adapted, having a 
fine knowledge of the nature and characteristics of 
this noblest of animals, and in their training and 
development is seldom excelled. 

Berry's Park, within the village limits of Read- 
ing, has been the scene of many interesting races, 
and was set aside for this purpose by our subject 
about IHGO. It is now conducted by himself and 
his son, and while the source of considerable profit, 
at the same time furnishes many a pleasant hour 
of recreation for tiie people of this vicinity. Mr. 

4» 



Berry has in his possession the favorite trotter. 
Jack Baker, destined to make an enviable record, 
and who already leads with ease in the 2 :-tO. Betsy 
B., another favorite of Mr. Berry's, although having 
had but little experience, bids fair to obtain promi- 
nence in the near future. There are several other 
promising animals with Mr. Berry, placed under his 
charge for special training. He also owns the 
favorites, Tom Higher, Bay Billy, Robert Bonner, 
Rosa, and a fine stallion which is the admiration of 
all the countr}' around. 

Our subject began his experience in this line of 
business by having his attention attracted to one of 
his own horses, who trotted his mile in three min- 
utes without the least effort, and whose speed was 
heightened by careful training and encouragement. 
This animal unfortunately died when about five 
j'ears old, but not until ho had created within his 
owner a desire to still further experiment in the 
breeding and development of trotting stock, and 
since that time he has given to this most of his 
attention, and with results which would indicate 
that his time has been well spent. 

Our subject is one of the pioneers of Michigan, 
coming here a.« early as 1836, while it was yet a 
Territory. He was then a j'oung man only twenty 
years of age, and not long afterward took up for 
himself and his father 480 acres of Government 
land near Waterloo, Ind. Later he traded his 
property there for that which he now owns in Read- 
ing Township. The family ultimately' traded their 
New York land for 900 acres in Reading Township. 

Robert Berry, the father of our subject, came 
to Michigan in the year 18.38, bringing with him his 
large family of children from Seneca Township, 
Ontario Co., N. Y. They settled on the land in 
Reading Township, first putting up a log house, and 
then began to clear the ground around them and 
prepare the soil for cultivation. Robert Berry lived 
to see the wilderness transformed into a civilized 
community, and himself surrounded by all the com- 
forts of life. He did not live to be aged, however, 
his death taking j^lace in 1848, at the age of sixty- 
four years. He and his sons the first year of their 
residence here cleared forty acres, and put thirty 
acres of it into crops. The father was a man of 
great energy and perseverance, but at the same 



4^M 



584 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



time made life less irksome to his boys by often 
indulging tliem and himself in hunting, of which 
sport he was very fond, and in which he indulged 
as long as he lived. 

The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Nancy Russell, was born in May, 1799, in 
Connecticut, and is still living, making her home 
with her son in Reading Township, and being 
eightj'-nine years old. Thomas, of our sketch, was 
the eldest of seven sons and four daughters, who all 
lived to mature years and were married. The 
youngest one who died was over thirty years of 
age, and two others have since passed away. Thomas 
was born in iSeneca Township, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
June 29, 1816. He grew to manhood under the 
parental roof, and was the first of the familj' to 
make his way to the West. After they were all 
comfortably settled he took to himself a wife and 
helpmate, Miss Mary A. Archer, the wedding being 
celebrated at the home of the bride in Reading 
Township, Oct. 27, 1842. 

Mrs. Mary A. Berry was born in Manchester, 
Ontario Co., N. Y.. Jan. 12, 1824, and is the daugh- 
ter of Gardner and Anna (Warfleld) Archer, who 
were also natives of the Empire State. The father 
is yet living, and is now a resident of Cambria 
Township, this county, having attained to the ad- 
vaced age of ninety years. He was born in Ontario 
County, N. Y., and married a Marylan<l lady, Miss 
Anna Warfield, who died in Hopeful Township, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., at the age of thirtj'-three years, 
when her daughter, Mrs. Berry, was a little girl of 
eleven years. Gardner Archer married his second 
wife before leaving New York State. She accom- 
panied him to the West and died in Reading Town- 
ship, and he was then married to a third wife, who 
is also deceased. 

Mrs. Berry was a young girl fourteen years old 
when her father came to Michigan. She acquired a 
common-school education, and became well fitted 
for the future wife and mother. Of her union with 
our subject there were born five children, two of 
whom, Marion and Anna, are deceased. The former 
was married and left a family of five children. 
Anna died when a little girl of five 3'ears. Three 
sons are living: Spencer married an Indiana lady, 
and is carrying on farming in Reading Township; 



Gardner, like his father, is also skillful in the man- 
agement of horses, but confines his attention princi- 
pally to his farming interests in Reading Township; 
he married Miss Mary Whitney, the sister of Mrs. 
P^sther Berry, the wife of Robert Berry, of whom a 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. 

Thomas Berrj''s present farm of 160 acres, now 
less forty which he gave to his son Spencer, all lies 
within the village limits, and it is hardly necessary 
to say, is valuable. From its location it is finely 
adapted to the business of which Mr. Berry makes 
a specialty, and in which he has been so successful. 
Mr. Berry, politically, is a solid Democrat, and has 
always taken a lively interest in the welfare and 
progress of his township, holding the various minor 
offices, and has been one of the city fathers for 
many years. Religiously, he is a Spiritualist, and 
his estimable wife is a member in good standing of 
the Presbyterian Church. 




EV. RANSOM DUNN. D. D., one of the 
,|>^, founders of Hillsdale College, is of New 
/ii vl\ Engl.and birth and parentage, his early home 
^Q) having been among the hills of Franklin 
County, Vt., where he first opened his eyes to the 
light, near the village of Bakersfield, on the 7th of 
Jul}', 1818. John Dunn, the father of our subject, 
was a native of Massachusetts, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and an active politician. He married Miss 
Abigail Reed, a native of Westminster. Vt., and 
the daughter of Deacon Thomas Reed, a man of 
note throughout that region. John Dunn, the pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, served asasoldier 
in the war of the Revolution, and lost his life at 
the battle of White Plains, N. Y. ; he was also in 
the French and Indian War in 1745. He yielded 
up his life in the struggle for American freedom, and 
his eldest son, who was not quite twenty years of 
age, was killed during the same conflict at the bat- 
tle of Saratoga. 

It will thus be seen that the subject of this biog- 
raphy is the descendant of a valiant race of people, 
and they transmitted their rare traits of character 
in a marked manner to their descendants. Ransom 
Dunn passed his boyhood and youth in iiis native 




-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



585 



coiintv. pursuing his early studies in the common 
schools. Ho was thoughtful and serious beyond 
his years, often leaving his boyish sports to engage 
in the iierusal of an instructive book. He improved 
his opiioilunity of access to the village library, from 
which he gathered a useful store of practical knowl- 
edge, and thus laid the foundation for his future 
laliors and his usefulness. 

In the spring of 1837 Mr. Dunn, our subject, 
then not nineteen years of age, left the hills of the 
(ireen Mountain Stale, and making his way to 
Northern Ohio, spent iu that region a period of six 
years, devoting his time to study and jjreaching. 
Upon his return to New England he for a time 
occupied himself in preaching at Dover and at 
Great Falls, N. H., subsequently migrating to Bos- 
ton, Mass. Thus nine years more of his life were 
spent, and in 1852 he came to Southern Michigan, 
.slopping first at Spring Arbor, where he occupied 
himself the balance of that year teaching. In 1853 
he came to this county, having in view the selection 
of a suitable location for a projected college in this 
region. Being favorably' impressed with the vicinity 
of Hillsdale, the site was soon determined upon and 
arrangements were made for building. On July 4 
of that same year, the corner stone was placed in 
position, and two years later five good buildings 
had been erected, all four stories in height. 

Hillsdale College was opened for the reception of 
students on the 1st of November, 1855. There 
was from the first a good attendance, and the school 
continued to flourish until the winter of 1874, when 
the main building was consumed by fire, which 
calamity involved a heavj- loss. This loss, how- 
ever, was put in process of recovery as ra|)idly as 
possible by the re-erection of the buildings, and the 
school was continued uninterruptedly, having in 
due time an attendance of (iOO students, which num- 
ber it averages annually. 

Rev. 51r. Dunn was elected to the Chair of Men- 
tal and Moral Philosophy, at Spring Arbor, when 
be came to this ^tate, which position he filled in a 
creditable manner until 1803, when he was promoted 
to the Chair of Theolog}', which he still IkjIiIs. He 
has distinguished himself by rare executive ability, 
and in tiie responsible position which he has held 
for so many years has acquitted himself creditably, 



both as a pulpit divine and a member of society. 

Our subject was first married in Ashtabula County', 
Ohio, to Miss Mary E. Allen, who was born in that 
county, and died at her home in Ohio, in 1848, 
leaving three children, now all deceased. Newell, 
the eldest, during the late war. enlisted in the 64th 
Illinois Sharpshooters, which was known as the Yates 
Sharpshooters, and died in the service in 1863, at 
Corinth, Miss. He was a promising youth of rare 
talent, and had been graduated with honors from 
Hillsdale College, in the cbss of '62, leaving his 
Alma Mater for the seat of war. Francis, who was 
also graduated from the same class as his brother, 
served nearly three ^-ears in the army, and subse- 
quently returning to Hillsdale, was elected a Pro- 
fessor of English Literature in the college, which 
position he held at the time of his death, in 1874. 
Cedelia E. died in 1858, when about fourteen years 
of age. 

'Ihe present Mrs. Dunn, to whom our subject was 
married Sept. 1, 1849, was formerly Miss Cyrena 
Emery, of Alford, Me. They became the parents 
of five children: Sarah A., the'eldest daughter liv- 
ing, is the wife of G. A. Slayton, of Nebraska; 
Helen A. married Dr. Gates, of Scranton, Pa.; 
Nettie is National Secretary of the Young Woman's 
Christian Association, in the interests of which 
she travels the greater portion of her time, having 
to visit over 200 societies annually. She is ver}' 
prepossessing personally, and a talented speaker, 
and it is hardly necessary to say is finely educated. 

(« I^ILLIAM W. DONAGHY, the pioneer un- 
\/\ll flertaker of Hillsdale County, came to this 
^^sff section of country in Ai>ril, 1854, with his 
wife and two children, and entered the employ of 
S. P. Purdy, with whom he continued three years. 
In the spring of 1858 he engaged in the furniture 
and undertaking business on his own account, and 
manufactured the first ready-made coffins in this 
county. He also brought the first hearse to the 
county, and thereafter carried on a mixed business 
in furniture and undertaking until 1869. 

In the latter year Mr. Donaghy disposed of his 
furniture business, and gave his attention exclu- 



■*► 



h 



.t- 



-4^ 

586 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



too 

Ai 



sively to undertaking, which he has since conducted, 
and has maintained his position at the head of the 
business in this county. He estimates that he has 
performed this important duty for upward of 3,000 
people, who have been carried to the cemetery and 
placed in the ground under the supervision of his 
establishment during his period of forty years 
in the business. It may be safely said that he is 
not onlj' the pioneer of the business in this countj', 
but thoughout Southern Michigan. He is now 
located on Howell street. No. 114 South, where he 
carries a full stock of everything pertaining to his 
calling, and has the horses, vehicles and employes 
necessary for the proper carrying out of the im- 
portant details connected with sepulture. 

The subject of this biography was born in the 
village of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., Feb. 18, 
1827. His parents were James and Sally (Watkins) 
Donaghy, the latter a native of Columbia County, 
and the daughter of William and Dolly Watliins. 
Grandfather Watkins was born in Wales, whence 
he emigrated when a young man, and after his 
marriage settled in Columbia County, N. Y., where 
he spent the remainder of his life. The parents of 
our subject settled in Chatham, N. Y. James 
Donaghy was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and 
came to America in 1821. From Chatham the 
parents, in 1850, removed to Wayne County, N. Y., 
and three years later made their way to Southern 
Michigan, and spent their last days in the city of 
Hillsdale, the mother dying in December, 1867, 
and the father a year later, in December, 1868. 
The seven children of the parental household in- 
cluded three sons and four daughters, of whom 
only three survive. 

William W. Donaghy was the eldest child of his 
parents, and passed his boyhood and youth in his 
native town, attending the district school, and 
being variously employed until seventeen years 
old. He then went to the city of Troy, on the 
Hudson, wiiere he served an apprenticeship of three 
years at cabinet-making, and then setting out, trav- 
eled around considerably, visiting Albany and New 
York City. In 1851 he was married to Miss Anna 
Keating, of Alban3', and a few months later they 
took up their residence in Wayne County, where 
Mr. Donaghy worked at his tr.ade until the spring 



of 1854. In April of that year he made his 
way to this county, and began the career which 
has been followed up with such excellent results. 

To our subject and his wife there were born 
seven children, of whom five are living, three 
daughters and two sons : Madora A. is the wife of 
J. P. Hallott, of Hillsdale; Estella is the wife of 
Thomas .Jackson, of New York City; Willard W. 
is a traveling salesman ; Grace and J. W. make their 
home with their parents, the latter attending school. 

Mr. Donaghj', politically, votes the Republican 
ticket, and has served as Alderman of the First 
Ward five years, and of the Fourth Ward two 
years. He is a charter member of the Masonic 
Lodge at Hillsdale, in which he has held some 
important offices, and in the success of which he 
takes a lively interest. He owns a handsome home 
on the corner of Endlong and Sharp streets, and 
has an interest in the Hillsdale City Nursery, in 
company with J. P. Hallott, and which commands 
the bulk of the patronage of the people of Hills- 
dale. 

^-^^g^^iiC^ : : - 

UILSON DAY. The name of Day is illus- 
trious in the annals of Hillsdale County as 
W^ having been borne by one of the noblest 
of its early pioneers, a man who bravely encount- 
ered the unknown perils and hardships of life in the 
primeval forests of Southern Michigan that he 
might provide a comfortable home for himself, his 
wife and children, .and in doing so aided in build- 
ing up the town and county, where his memory is 
still cherished. 

As a representative of Samuel Day it gives us 
pleasure to place a sketch of the life of his son Wil- 
son, a farmer residing on section 1 1 of Pittsford 
Township, before his many friends. He is also 
worthy of representation in this work for the part 
he himself has taken in building up and sustaining 
the agricultural interests of this township, of which 
he has been a resident for fifty-four years, having 
been eleven years of age when he came here witii 
his parents, and shared with them the privations 
and trials of those early 3'ears, necessary in order 
to secure a foothold in a newly settled countrj\ 
Mr. Day was born in Chesterfield, Cheshire Co., 



;?- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



587 



N. II.. Jtil.v 5. 1822. and commenced attendance at 
the district sduiol as soon as large enough, and 
also assisted in the farm work. In 1 834 his par- 
ents. Samuel and Lucy (Cutler) Day. decided to 
al)audon tiieir old home among the granite hills of 
their native State, and in the distant Territory 
of IMicliigan begin life anew. Accordingly they 
started with their children on the long and tedious 
journey across the intervening States to their desti- 
nation. Our subject has a vivid recollection of 
many incidents connected with that eventful trip, 
and of the wild state of the country in the first 
years of their settlement here. He relates th.at 
there was no made road from Adrian, nothing but 
a trail through the dense wilderness, and he can 
still picture in his mind the scene on the night of 
their arrival, and his first glimpse of Bean Creek, 
which figures so conspicuousI_y in the history of 
Southern Michigan that it may be termed a classi- 
cal stream. It was a dark night, and tlie tall trees 
towering up on either side of the trail, scarcely dis- 
cernible, served to enhance the gloom, as did the 
occasional sound of some wild animal breaking the 
silence of the wilderness. The creek was nearly full, 
and as thej' came to its banks and could but dimly 
see its waters as they went swirling by, it seemed a 
dangerous undertaking to attempt its passage. 
But a log bridge was soon found and the family 
passed over in safetj\ and made their way to 
the home of Mr. Hiram Kidder, widely known as 
the picmcer of Bean Creek Valley, and although it 
was nearly 11 o'clock at night they met with a 
hearty and warm recei)tion from the hospitable 
host and hostess of that humble log house, and 
were so(ui comfortably sheltered under its roof. 
The Days had brought their own provisions but 
had no coffee, and Mrs. Kidder kindly sujiplied 
them with that beverage from her own small store. 
For further history of the settlement of the Daj' 
family in Pittsford Townsliip see sketch of Wins- 
low II. Day, brother of Wilson, in another part of 
this volume. 

Our subject assisted his father in the task of 
clearing his land, and comijleted his education, be- 
gun in the old school-house in New Hampshire, in 
the pioneer schools of Hillsdale County as soon as 
they were opened. He m.ade his home with his 



parents until his marriage. That eventful day of 
his life was June 11, 18.i0,when. in Albion, Mich., 
he took unto himself as his life companion Miss 
Louisa Sample. She was born in Geneva, N. Y., 
Sept. 21, 1832. reared in Pennsylvania, and came 
to Michigan with her uncle, William Sample. Their 
wedded life has been blessed by the birth of six 
children, five living, whose record is as follows: 
Lucy A. married Devillo Knight, and lives in Jef- 
ferson Township; James C. lives in Jackson County, 
Mich.; Fernando lives in Hudson Township, Lena- 
wee Count}'; William Mortimer lives in Clark 
Countj', Dak.; Chester lives with his parents. Theo- 
dosia A. died at the age of eighteen months. 

After marriage Mr. D.ayand his wife commenced 
life together in the house that they have ever since 
made their home. His farm is near the old home- 
stead, and is land which his father first entered 
from the Government. Our subject commenced 
its clearance and improvement before marri.age, 
and built his present comfortable dwelling, having 
besides other necessary farm liuildings. He has 
forty-five acres of it cleared and under a good state 
of cultivation, and the rest is in fine timber. 

Mrs. D.ay is an esteemed member of the Congre- 
gational Church. In politics our subject was in 
his early days a Whig, but later joined the Repub- 
lican party, and lias ever since been a firm cham- 
pion of its principles. He and his wife are held in 
deep respect by all in the community as trust- 
worthy people, upright and honorable in all the 
relations of life. 



-'^M£^®^S^—^^i 



^i^^ir:rBt>. 




1816. 



ULLIVAN A. NICKKRSON, a pioneer of 
Lenawee County, ftlich., and a settler of 
this county in 1845, was born in Sodus, 
Wayne Co., N. Y., on the 31st of August, 
He comes of that stock of the Empire 
State in which conscience appears to have been as 
hereditary as intelligence, and in which the fine 
accumulative results of the moral struggles during 
many generations of honest lives appear to have 
been transmitted; in which originality of thought, 
good judgment, and practical application, are com- 



^ A ^» 



588 



••► 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



bineii with an ambitious and energetic support of 
action. These qualities, which are characteristic of 
Mr. Nickerson, are thus easily traced. 

Lewis Nickerson, the father of our subject, was 
born near Boston, Mass., while his grandfather was 
Captain of a whaling-vessel, and was lost at sea 
while pursuing his perilous vocation. Lewis Nicker- 
son grew to manhood in his native State, and when 
young went to Mt. Morris, where he resided for 
some time, after which he removed to York State 
and settled in the town of Sodus. He was a shoe- 
maker by trade, but he bought a tract of land con- 
taining a log house, in which our subject afterward 
first saw the light. He worked at his trade in con- 
nection with his agricultural occupations, and re- 
sided there until 1831, when he sold out and came 
to the Territory of Michigan. Tlicy came b3' the 
usual route adopted at that time, via the lake to 
Detroit, and then by means of a yoke of oxen and 
wagon to Lenawee Countj', where Mr. Nickerson 
had entered land in Madison Township two years 
previously. The family removed into a log liouse 
with another family, until Mr. Nickerson could 
build a similar structure on his own place, which 
was of the rudest description, the roof consisting of 
shakes which in the absence of nails were kept in 
place by means of iieavy poles. Here he engaged 
vigorously in his efforts to subdue nature, and 
redeem for those who should come after him a 
farm from the wilderness; but he was stricken 
down in the midst of his usefulness, dying five 
years after his arrival in the township. Tiie maiden 
name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was 
Betse}' Blood, who was born in Vermont, and 
spent her last years at their home in Madison Town- 
ship, lier death occurring in November, 1846. 

The parental household of our subject included 
three children, who are recorded as follows: The 
eldest, Melvina, was born in Madison Township, 
Lenawee County, as was also Ira. Our subject 
was in his sixteenth year when he came to the 
Territory of Michigan with his parents, just at that 
age when he could appreciate the scenes through 
which their journey led them. He well remembers 
the incidents of the journey and the struggles in 
which they engaged to secure for themselves a home 
and the comforts of life. At that lime there were 



but tiiree dwelling-houses in Adrian, and they 
resided in the midst of a forest in its primeval 
grandeur. Deer and wild lurkeys abounded, while 
wolves were also disagreeably plentiful, and occa- 
sionally in their journeys through the woods in the 
vicinity of their dwellings a bear might be en- 
countered, which sometimes paid the settlers a 
nocturnal visit, with a view to securing in the farm- 
yard a ration of poultry. Mr. Nickerson attended 
the pioneer schools of Madison, which were taught 
in the crude log school-houses of the time, and 
obtained a rudimentary education, which, however, 
he has supplemented by an extensive course of 
reading. After his father's death he lived with his 
mother, assisting in the management of the farm 
until her decease. In 18+5 he came to Hillsdale 
Countj', where his father had bought a tr.act of land 
previous to his death, but had not paid for it. and 
Mr. Nickerson worked by the month until he liqui- 
dated the debt. He then built a log house on the 
farm, where he brought his bride and commenced 
housekeeping, and where he has continued to reside 
until the present time. He lias cleared eighty 
acres of the land, and erected thereon a good set 
of frame buildings, so that he is now equipped for 
the successful prosecution of his calling. 

Our subject was united in marriage, in Novem- 
ber, 1845, with Miss Nancj' J. Green, who was 
born in Palmyra, N. Y., on the 20th of March, 1826, 
and is the daughter of James and Ellen (White) 
Green, who were also natives of the Empire State, 
but came to Lenawee County in 1834 and settled 
in Madison. The father bought a tract of timber 
land, and improving the farm made this his resi- 
dence until his death; his wife also died at the 
homestead at that pl.ace. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson 
have been blessed by the birth of four children, 
who are recorded as follows: Caroline is the wife 
of Willis Worden, and lives in Pittsford Township; 
Laura became the wife of R. E. Hollenbeck, and 
resides in Chicago; Ellen is the wife of E. Strong 
and resides in Auburn, Ind., while Florence mar- 
ried O. K. Eastman, and resides in Wheatland 
Township. 

Mr. Nickerson's rugged experience, together with 
the fact that he has never used tobacco in any form, 
and has been the victim of no bad hal)its, has 




-4»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



589 



V 



tended to develop a good constitution, and he 
knows notliing about sickness by experience. Al- 
tliough he lias passed tiie allotted threescore years 
and ten, he is still hale and vigorous, and bids fair 
to see a ripe old age. In politics he early in life 
identified himself with the Democratic party, and 
has seen no reason to change his political views. 




t 



C~ HARLES WATKJN.S. The subject of this 
sketch has been a resident of Hillsdale 
County for a period of over twenty-five 

years. In April, 1853. he settled with his family 
in Allen Township, of which he has since been a 
resident, although retiring from farm life in 1877, 
and taking up his residence in the village where he 
has since lived. His career has been one marked 
by industry, frugality, and good judgment in his 
business transactions, so that he is now owner of a 
snug property and h.ns a comfortable bank account. 
Mr. Watkins is the offspring of an excellent old 
family, for many generations of New England an- 
cestry, his father being Ephrnim Watkins. who was 
born in Berkshire Count}', Mass., in 1788. The 
mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Deborah 
Whitney, was also a native of Berkshire Countj-, 
the Bay State, and born in the town of Goshen, 
Feb. 23, 1794. After marriage the parents settled 
in Ilopewcll. Ontario Co.. N. Y., where the father 
carried on agriculture and also operated as a con- 
tractor on the Erie Canal. He spent the remainder 
ol his life in Hopewell, passing away Nov. 29, 
1843, when in middle life, being about fifty- five 
years of age. The mother subsequently removed 
to Canandnigua, in the same county, where her 
death to<ik i)lace at her home. April 3, 1876. Their 
family inchided three sons and six daughters Of 
these children seven lived to mature years ; three are 
now living, and residents of Michigan and New 
York. 

Charles Watkins was born in Hopewell, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., April 27, 1827. He continued under 
the parental roof until reaching his majtirit^-, learn- 
ing to plow, sow and reap, and acquiring a com- 
mon-school education. He remained a resident of 

4* 



his native townshiii until thirty-six years of age, in 
the meantime being married and having become the 
father of a family. To his first wife. Miss Esther A. 
Smith, he was married in CiorliMm. Ontario Count}', 
in November, 1855. This lady was also of New 
England parentage, and by her union with our sub- 
ject became the mother of two children — Ida M. 
and fisther A. Mrs. Esther A. AVatkins departed 
this life at her home in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. 
Y., in March, 1863, before the removal of her hus- 
band to the West. 

Mr. Watkins, on the 9th of January, 1876, con- 
tracted a second marriage, in Allen Township, this 
county, with Miss Cynthia A. Leffingwell, who was 
born in Hopewell. N. Y., June 8, 1843. Her par- 
ents. Deacon Freeman and Anna (Eslow) Leffing- 
well, were natives respectively of New York and 
New Jersej', and are now deceased. This marriage 
of our subject resulted in the birth of one child, a 
son. Edwin C. who is now fifteen years old. Mr. 
Watkins, politically, is a Republican of the first 
water, and socially, a member in good standing 
of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to a lodge 
at Allen. His property embraces 175 acres of 
good land on section 16, in Allen Township, where 
he has erected good buildings, and has all the con- 
veniences for prosecuting agriculture after the most 
approved methods. 

Ephraim Watkins, the father of our subject, dur- 
ing his early manhood served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812. He was the son of a sea captain 
who was engaged largely in the coasting trade, 
operating on the coast of New pjigland and among 
the West Indies. He eventually settled upon terra 
firma, and spent his last days in what is now Hope- 
well. Ontario Co., N. Y. The maternal grand- 
father of Mr. Watkins, Bascom Whitney by name, 
carried a musket in the Revolutioiuuy War, and 
clothed his name with imperishable honor bj'yiehl- 
ing up his life in the cause of liberty at the battle 
of Bunker Hill. Deacon Lellingwell and his wife, 
the parents of Mrs. Watkins, came to this county 
in the spring of 1853, and settled in Allen Town- 
ship, where he spent the remainder of his days, 
closing a long and useful career on the 26th of 
September, 1878. Both he and his excellent part- 
ner were devoted members of the Baptist Church, 



■<^ 



590 



HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



at Allen, to the support of which they contributed 
liberally and f^heerfully, and were always willing to 
make sacrifices for the furtherance of its mainte- 
nance and prosperity. The mother passed awaj' two 
years prior to the death of her husband, her death 
taking place Nov. 8, 1876. 



-ir«4 






I^Ti^ 



E 



"^1^ D WARD C. C AMPBP:LL. In the life of the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch we 
find an example for young men just em- 
barking in the field of life, of what may be accom- 
plished by a man beginning poor, but honest, 
prudent and industrious. In early life Mr. Camp- 
bell enjoyed but few advantages, and although he 
received a fair common-school education, he en- 
joyed neither wealth nor position, and started out 
in life for himself beginning on the lowest step of 
the ladder. He relied solelj- upon his own efforts 
and his own conduct to win for him success, and he 
has not been disappointed; nor has his been a suc- 
cess solely in the sense of accumulating wealth, but 
in doing good toothers and in winning their respect 
and esteem. He is a careful, conscientious busi- 
ness man, ever adhering to the dictates of his con- 
science in matters both of a public and private 
nature. Mr. Campbell is a contractor and builder, 
and dealer in lumber, situated in Hillsdale, and is 
in the possession of an extensive patronage and 
ample means. 

The subject of this notice is a native of the State 
of Maine, and was born in the town of Newcastle, 
in Lincoln County, Sept. 28, 1834. His parents, 
Rufus and Ciiarlotte (Brown) Campbell, removed 
from the Pine Tree State to Hillsdale, in this county, 
in 1856, where they resided untiltheir decease, both 
passing awa}' in 1881. Tlie father was a ship car- 
penter and builder, and followed that vocation in 
his New England home. 

Edward C. Campbell is the fifth in order of birth 
of a family of nine children, six boys and three 
girls, who are included in the parental family; 
seven of these still survive. Edward received a 
good common-school education, and at the age of 
sixteen went to Boston, Mass., where he learned 
the trade of a carpenter and joiner. He also 



studied drafting, acquiring his knowledge of that 
profession under the Bartlett Bros., architects and 
builders, the firm erecting as many as ninety build- 
ings in a single season. Our subject became very 
skdiful as an architect, and after completing his 
trade he drifted west to Ohio and stopped at To- 
ledo, where he was employed by the firm of Field 
& Wilmenter, car builders, as pattern-maker, re- 
maining with them for a period of three years. In 
1855 he came to Michigan, and his first work was 
done on the Hillsdale College building, wherehe 
engaged by the day. After being thus employed 
for some time he determined to commence busi- 
ness on his own account as a builder and contractor, 
and the practical knowledge he had already acquired, 
together with his good judgment and reliable busi- 
ness qualities, at once brought him success. He 
has built some of the best residences in the city of 
Hillsdale, notable among which are those of Hon. 
Charles T. Mitchell, Hon. John P. Cook and others. 
Among the business houses are Marvin's dry-goods 
store, the Cit}- Bakery, etc. A few years later Mr. 
Campbell formed a [lartnership with Henry Reeves, 
and started a lumber-yard, and besides doing a 
large business in this line they carried on tlieir old 
trade of building and contracting. The partnership 
lasted for two years, after which John P. Cook pur- 
chased the interest of Mr. Reeves, and the new firm 
did even alarger business in the lumber trade. They 
were prospered in their undertakings, and erected a 
large building and established a sash and blind fac- 
tory, when, after about six years, on the 3d of May, 
1879, the whole property was consumed by fire, 
involving a loss to its owners of $20,000, as there 
was no insurance. 

The vocabulary of Mr. Campbell, however, con- 
tained no such word as "fail," and after the fire he 
bought out the interest of his partner and continued 
the business alone. The reputation lie had already 
won was in his favor, and he steadily increased 
his business. After awhile he erected a sash and 
blind factory in the place of that which had been 
destroyed by fire, and provided it with the most mod- 
ern machinerj'. In his planing-mill he has a large 
stock of lumber for the general trade, in addition 
to that which is manufactured on the premises, and 
during the busy season he employs twenty men and 




-4«- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



591 



sometimes even more. In I880 he built the water 
works Imilding for the city of Hillsdale, whicli he 
brought to a successful completion. 

In 1850 ^Ir. Campbell was united in marriage 
with the lady of his choice, Miss Cornelia C. Nick- 
erson, of Litchfield, Ohio, who was orphaned when 
onl^^ a little girl, by the death of her father. Mr. 
Campbell is closel}* identified with the public wel- 
fare <if the city of his adoption, and in appreciation 
of his services he has been elected as Alderman in 
the Third AVard, serving for a period of eightyears. 
Socially, he is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 32, 
F. & A. M., while in politics he affiliates with the 
Republican party. Religiously, he and his estima- 
ble wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 



i~ 



EDMOND D. BUCK, dealer in groceries, 
crockery, glassware, notions, tobacco, cigars, 
' etc., is one of the leading liusiness men of 

North Adams, among whose people he enjoys a 
generous patronage. A gentleman still in the prime 
of life, having been born .June 30, 1844, in Moscow 
Township, this county, he is the son of one of its 
pioneer families, his parents being Israel and Jane 
Eliza (Green) Buck, who were natives of the Em- 
pire State, the former of Peru, Clinton County, and 
the latter of what is now Stanford ville, Dutchess 
County. 

The father of our subject was born on the 15th 
of October, 1807, and traced his descent back to 
the Puritans, who settled at Plymouth, Mass., in 
the year 1G20. He was reared to manhood in his 
native county, and after his marriage continued 
a resilient of Dutchess County until coming to the 
Territory of Michigan in the spring of 1837. Upon 
their arrival here they lookup their abode in the 
wilderness of Moscow Township, whore the father 
put up a log house and began clearing the land. 
The first dwelling was built in genuine pioneer 
style, rough both within and without, but it con- 
tained two people with the largest hearts of that 
most hos|)itabIe time. Their door was open alike 
to friend and stranger, and oftentimes proved an 
asylum to those in distress. They endured priva- 
tion and hardship, but struggled on, and in the 
-^•^ 



course of a few years found themselves surrounded 
with the comforts of life and hosts of friends. The 
200 acres which the father took up from the Gov- 
ernment became highly productive, and in addition 
to the cultivation of the land Israel Buck embel- 
lished his farm with substantial buildings, and 
gathered together a choice assortment of live stock 
and farm machinery, exhibiting an estate second to 
none in the township. In his labors he was amply 
assisted by his faithful and devoted wife, who pre- 
ceded him to the silent land, her death taking place 
Jan. 26. 1882, when she was nearly seventy-four 
years of age, she having been born Aug. 3, 1808. 
The father died July 10, 1886, at the age of sev- 
entj'-nine. 

The six children of the parental family included 
four sons and two daughters, and our subject was 
the youngest but one. The old log house sheltered 
his boyhood days, and he acquired the rudiments 
of an education in the district school. His studies 
were carried on principally in the winter season, 
while his services were utilized on the farm in the 
summer. The year before the close of the Rebel- 
lion he enlisted, Aug. 26, 1864. in the 4th Michi- 
gan Infantry, and first met the enemy in battle on 
the 28th of October following, at Decatur, Ala. 
He was later in the memorable affray at Murfrees- 
boro, from which he escaped unharmed, and re- 
ceived his honorable discharge June 10, 1866, a 
few days less than two years from the time he had 
enlisted. 

Upon his return from the army Jlr. Buck engaged 
in farming on the old homestead until the fall of 
1868, when, on the 20th of September, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Collins, and moved to 
Livingston County, Mo., where he lived for eight 
3'ears following, then returned to Michigan, where 
he has since been content to remain. Of the three 
children born to our subject and his wife, a daughter 
and son only are living — Leiia Florlne and Clare. 
The son, Morton Irving, was born May 2, 1874, 
and died when less than two years of age, Jan. 8, 
1876. The girl is completing her education in the 
North Adams High .School. Mr. and Mrs. Buck with 
their daughter arc mombors in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Buck is 
especially interested in temperance and missionary 



•4^ 
592 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



4 



work, having been for years Secretary of the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. In her labors 
she is warmly seconded by her husband, who since 
early manhood has given much attention to this 
subject, and striven b}' his voice and influence to 
assist the cause. He cast his first Presidential vote 
for U. S. Grant, and is a stanch supporter of Re- 
publican principles. 

The parents of Mrs. Buck were Sylvester and 
Betsy (Glasgow) Collins, natives of New York 
State, the former born in Schenectadj' County in 
1806, and the latter in Lowville, Lewis County. 
They were reared and married in the f^mpire State, 
wliere they lived until emigrating to Michigan, in 
1844. Mr. Collins in 1848 moved to Adams Town- 
ship, where he is now living, and with his wife, is 
well stricken in years, he being eighty-two and 
Mrs. Collins eighty years old. His seven children 
included four sons and three daughters, of whom 
Mrs. Buck was the sixth child. She was born in 
Wheatland Township, this county, May 22, 1848, 
and received a good education, completing her 
studies in Hillsdale College. For several years 
prior to her marriage she was identified with the 
educational work of the county as a teacher, and 
although many cares have intervened since that 
time, she still continues a lively interest in the sub- 
ject upon which so much depends in regard to the 
character and standing of the rising generation. 



Vi^eDMUND STANFIELD. Many of the resi- 
dents of Southern Michigan derive their 

'/ origin from parents of foreign birth, or were 

themselves born across the ocean. Coming to this 
country with a view to better their condition finan- 
cially, and following the stream of migration to the 
West, they were favorably impres.sed with this sec- 
tion of countrj-, and at once joined heart and hand 
in developing its rich and varied resources, and in 
building up a home for themselves and their fami- 
lies. Among these is the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch, and who, though still in the pri me of 
life, has a splendid farm on section 24, in Hillsdale 
Township, as the reward for his industry and perse- 
verance. 

Mr. Stanfield was born in Yorkshire, England, 



and is the sixth son of William and Jane (Dent) 
Stanfield, of pure English stock. The father was 
born in England in 1800, and upon arriving at 
maturity engaged as a flax-grower and a dealer in 
that article, doing a large business for the last thirt}' 
years of his life. For three generations the Stan- 
fields had been engaged in that industry in their 
native shire, the business terminating with the death 
of the father of our subject in 1874. 

Edmund Stanfield was reared to manhood in his 
native count}', receiving a fair education, and in 
April, 1862, was united in marriage with Miss 
Hannah Stone, who was a native of the same place, 
and was born in 1843. In 187U they emigrated to 
America, reaching this county in the same year, 
and in the following November Mr. Stanfield pur- 
chased 168^ acres of improved land, which he has 
brought to a fine state of cultivation. On the 
smaller tracts of land owned by farmers in England, 
business is conducted carefully and economically, 
with a view of turning each foot of soil to the best 
advantage, and this gives the farms a neat appear- 
ance which it is difficult to find in those large areas 
of land that could be procured in this country so 
cheaply in its early days. Indeed it is said by 
many that a smaller farm well tilled would be as 
a large tract of land partially neglected ; that the 
deci'ease in the total production would be more 
than compensated for by the smaller expense in- 
volved in operating the farm. Mr. Stanfield, how- 
ever, profiting by his early experience, has utilized 
his farm to the best advantage, and it at once at- 
tracts the attention of the passerby as an indication 
of thrift and good management on the part of its 
owner. The land is watered by two excellent 
springs, and he has a fine fish pond stocked with 
German carp, which, besides being an ornament to 
the place, affords a delicacy for the table. Mr. 
Stanfield has erected a fine stone residence, commo- 
dious in its appointments, and a good frame barn 
and other suitable out-buildings necessary for the 
successful prosecution of his calling. 

Our subject and his wife are the parents of twelve 
children — William F.. Isaac, Charles F., Edmund, 
Emily, Harriet, Robert I., Thomas, Ada H., AValter, 
Elijah and Jennie. Mr. Stanfield was prominently 
connected with the public welfare of his native 



*••• 



■•► 




"ii 1^ V()? (5) '- 



>sL 






Residence of Robert 0xenhaivi,5ec.7. Allen Township. 



•y«&'ei*!^-:ifSi^-:A-^<i~-!f[;>^^^ ' ■r.^s-^ '•-. w-i..->«. ^■■jyy^ ' im-. ' 




Residence OF James Mills, Sec. 6. Cambria Township. 



►1-*^ 



I 



HILLSDALE COUMTY. 



595 



county, and was also a member of the order of 
Foresters, in which he hehl otlice for some years. 
His friends liere have also learned to appreciate his 
statesmanlike qualities, and unmistakahle honesty 
of purpose, and he is closely identified with all 
measures having for their object the progress of 
his commnnit}'. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, as are all his family, and he has 
served the chui'ch in the capacity of Steward. In 
politics his sympathies are witii the Republican 
party, and since he became a citizen of this country 
he has advanced its interests by easting his ballot 
for its nominees on the occasion of all important 
elections. 

Among Mr. Stanfleld's stock are some full-blooded 
Durham cattle, and he has good graded horses, taking 
a total of nine premiums at the fair of 1887. This 
branch of industry is in accordance with Mr. Stan- 
field's tastes, and as it proves quite remunerative, 
he will probably devote still more attention to it, 
and will give a good report of himself at each an- 
nual fair. 



'j|]AMES MILLS, formerly a farmer, is now 
living in retirement on his homestead on 
section C of Cambria Township, where he 
and his estimable wife are enjoying the com- 
forts and luxuries of a |>leasant home, and an 
income amply sufficient for all their needs. They 
are people whose kindly dispositions and genuine 
integrity of character have won for them a high 
place in the regard of the entire community. 

Mr. Mills was born in Steuben County, N. Y., 
Oct. 5, 1819. Ilis father, Benjamin Mills, was born 
and spent the early years of his life on Long Isl- 
and, but later moved to Dutchess Count3', N. Y. 
He came of an old family which dated its history 
in this country back to an ancestor who came over 
in the "Mayflower." Mr. Mills married, in Seneca 
County, N. Y., Miss Elizabeth Bulmer, who grew 
to womanhood in that county, although she was a 
native of New Jersey. They settled in the county 
where their marriage took place, but after the birth 
of four children they moved to Steuben County, 
where the father died at the age of seventy years. 
He was an industrious, practical farmer, and his 



honesty and worth made him esteemed as a neigh- 
bor and a friend. He and his good wife were stanch 
members of the Regular Baptist Church, and in 
politics he was a firm Republican. His widow came 
to Michigan with her youngest son, Benjamin F., 
and made her home with him in Allen Township, 
until her death, at the age of more than eighty 
years. 

The boyhood and early manhood of our subject 
were passed in his native county, he having reached 
the age of twenty-five when he came to Michigan 
in 1844, and located in Lenawee County, near 
Tecumseh. He had then only about $100 in his 
pocket, but he went to work with characteristic 
will and energy, and by persistent toil, prudence, 
and judicious management, in the years that fol- 
lowed he gathered together a competency. In 
1850 he came to Hillsdale County, and bought the 
place where he now resides, and thus for nearly 
forty years has been identified with the farming 
interests of this community, and has faithfully' per- 
formed his share in developing its agricultural 
resources, and securing for it the name of being 
one of the most productive townships of this county. 
His farm comprises ninetj' acres of carefully tilled 
soil, and is well supplied with good barns, as well 
as other farm buildings, and a substantial, com- 
fortable dwelling. 

No doubt our subject attributes no small share 
of his success in life to the fact that he has had the 
helpful co-operation and sympathy of a good wife, 
who has lightened his labors and shared its fruits 
with him. They were united in marriage Oct. 24, 
1846. She was formerly Miss Jane A. Bloomer, 
and was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1831, 
being a daughter of Gilbert and Rachel (Dodds) 
Bloomer. The former is now dead, having clied in 
Raisin Townsiiip. Lenawee County, in 1843, having 
scarcely attained middle .age. He was a carpenter 
by trade, a skilled workman, and an honorable 
citizen. His widow subsequently married Christ 
Pocklington, and is now living in Raisin Township 
at the venerable .«ige of eighty ye.ars. Mrs. Mills 
was the eldest daughter and second child of five 
children, three sons and two daughters, of whom 
one son is now deceased. She came to Michigan 
with her parents when she was four j'cars old, and 



^h^ 



n 



596 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



grew to womanhood in their home in Eaisin Town- 
ship, receiving her education in the public schools 
of that place. To her and her husband have been 
born three children, of whom the following is the 
record : Henry A., Dean in the Art School in Green- 
castle, Ind., is an artist of great natural talent, and 
is also a good instructor, his art education having 
been completed in New York City ; he married Ella 
Fallace. Ida is the wife of James Baxter, a dairy- 
man in Hillsdale; Gilbert married Nellie Carpenter, 
and is connected with Mr. Carpenter in the grocery 
business in Bankers. 

Mr. Mills is a solid Republican, and has for many 
years been an earnest supporter of the principles 
promulgated bj' the party to which he gives his 
allegiance. Mrs. Mills is a devoted member of the 
Free-Will Baptist Church. 

^S^ OBERT OXENHAM. There are few men 
ijL^' in Allen Township who are more widely or 
<^\\\ favorably known than the subject of this 
w^sketch. Possessed of more than ordinary 
intelligence and abilitj', he has made the most of 
his opportunities in life for the study of men and 
circumstances, and has not onl3- learned much from 
observation of the world around him, but bj' a 
course of instructive reading has kept himself well 
posted upon ni.atters of general interest. Industrious, 
enterprising, and a man of the strictest integrit3', li^ 
comprises one of the most valued members of bis 
community. 

The early home of our subject was on the other 
side of the Atlantic, amid the beautiful scenery of 
Devonshire, England, where iiis birth took place 
Dec. 17, 1847. His parents. John and Mary (Pearce) 
Oxenham, were natives of the same countj' as 
Robert, their only son. The father was born near 
the city of Plymouth, Jan. 6, 1811, and the mother 
Nov. 18, 1810. They were married at the home 
of the latter in Devonshire, and continued residents 
of their native county until 1848, where the father 
was engaged in farming and stone cutting. 

During the jear mentioned, the father of our 
subject started with his little family for the United 
States, and not very long after setting foot upon 



-<*■ 



American soil, made his way directly to this State, 
settling first in Qnincy Township, Branch County. 
There for a time he operated a farm on shares, and 
remained a resident of that locality for a period of 
twelve or thirteen 3'ears. Deciding upon a change 
of residence, he then purchased eighty acres of 
land in Allen Township, this county, of which he 
took possession and effected good improvements, 
and where the death of the mother took place in 
September, 1865. The father continued at the 
homestead until about 1880, when he retired from 
active labor and took up his residence in Coldwater, 
this State, where he now resides. 

Of the ten children born to John and Mary 
Oxenham, nine were daughters. Of these eight 
are living and settled in comfortable homes of their 
own in Michigan. Robert acquired a common- 
school education and became familiar with farm 
pursuits, continuing a member of his father's house- 
hold until his marriage. This most important event 
of his life took place March 29, 1871, in Butler, 
Branch County', this State, his bride being Miss 
Hattie E., daughter of George and Louisa (Rice) 
Lockwood. Our subject and his wife began life to- 
gether where they now reside. The household circle 
has been brightened by the birth of four children — 
Minnie A., Mary L., George R. and Anna. The 
eldest is sixteen years of age and the youngest five. 
Mr. Oxenham, in 1870, identified himself with the 
Masonic fraternity, and is a member in good stand- 
ing of Lodge No. 256, at Allen. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and has since 
continued a member of the Republican party. He 
comes of a long-lived family, his paternal great- 
great-grandmother having attained to the remark- 
able age of one hundred and fifteen years. When the 
eldest child of John Oxenham was born, she had five 
grandmothers and great-grandmothers living. 

The wife of our subject was the third child of 
her parents, and was born in Butler, Branch County, 
this State, March 3, 1849. Her father, George 
Lockwood, was a native of Butler, Wayne Co., N. 
Y., and his wife, Louisa, was born in Vermont. 
They came to the West before their marriage, 
and after uniting their fortunes, settled in Butler, 
Branch County, this State, where the father died 
June 15, 1883. The mother is still living, and 



n 



-4^ 



A 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



597 



resides at the old lionio in Butler Township. Their 
family consisted of two sons and two daughters, all 
of wljum are living. The maternal grandmother 
of Mrs. Oxenham sjjent her last years in Butler, 
Branch Co., Mich., and lived to be ninety-five 
years old. Mrs. O. is a member in good standing 
of the Free- Will Baptist Church, while our subject, 
although not identified with any religious organi- 
zation, is partial to the doctrines of the Episcopalians. 
He is liberal and public-spirited, and gives both 
his moral and substantial support to those enter- 
prises inaugurated tor the general welfare of the 
communitj'. 

Mrs. Oxenham is a ver}- amiable and intelligent 
lad}', and has proved in all respects the suitable 
companion and helpmate of such a man as her 
husband. She has done her part in keeping up the 
reputation of the homestead, and exercised due 
influence in rearing her children to become honored, 
useful and worthy citizens. 

A lithogra|)hic view of the handsome farm residence 
of Mr. Oxenham is presented on an accompanying 
page. 

^^^^^^ ■ 

"if^OHN F. BAKER, late an old and honored 
pioneer of Hillsdale County, came to the 
Territory of Michigan in 183(5, and enter- 
ing eighty acres of land from the Govern- 
ment, built the first log cabin in the southwestern 
part of Somerset Townsliip. The present flourish- 
ing cit3' of Adrian was then but a hamlet of a few 
rude houses, but it formed the nearest market for Mr. 
Baker and his far-away neighbors. The Indians 
had not j'et left the conutrj', and the subject of this 
history, together with his excellent wife, was able to 
relate many adventures in connection with the red 
man of the forest. Wild game was plentiful, and 
over the country now dotted by cultivated fields 
and valuable homesteads, deer and wolves roamed 
unrestrained, while the rifle of the pioneer furnished 
the household larder with the finest venison. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baker were married in 1826, and 
when making the journey from New York State to 
Southern Michigan were accompanied b}' five chil- 
dren. The story of their hardshi[)s and privations is 
but one of many delineated in connection with the 



other pioneers of Hillsdale County. At times they 
were very siiort of provisions, and the children 
were sometimes put to bed asking in a very earnest 
manner for something to eat, which the mother 
was unable to supply them. Those days happily- 
passed away, and Mr. Baker, with his faithful wife, 
was permitted to reap the reward of his toil and 
sacrifices, and in a comfortable home, could look 
back with little regret to tlieir days of trial. During 
their long residence in Somerset Township they 
gathered about them many friends, who proved a 
solace to their declining years, and by whom they 
were regarded with the most affectionate solicitude. 

Mr. Baker was born in Angelica, N. Y., Sept. 11, 
1807, and was the son of William and Katie (Feth- 
erby )Baker, the father a native of the same State, and 
the mother of New England. William Baker spent 
his entire life not far from the place of his birth, 
and died in Wayne County at the age of fifty-five 
years. The mother spent her last years in White- 
side County. William Baker was twice married, 
and the father of eighteen children, one of whom 
lived to mature years. John F., in common with 
the others, received a limited education, and spent 
his youthful days at the homestead. Soon after 
reaching his majority he was married, Jan. 7, 1826, 
to Miss Polly Lamb, who was born Oct. 7, 1808, 
at Poplar Ridge, N. Y., and is the daughter of 
Isaac and Sally (Stanley) Lamb, whose birthplace 
was also in that locality. The mother died in middle 
life at Lyons, in Wayne Count}', and the father 
twenty years later, when quite aged. Of their four- 
teen children but two are now living: Mrs. Baker 
and her brother, John Lamb, the latter of whom 
continues in his native State of New York. 

Mr. Baker and his wife after their marriage 
settled on a tract of land in Wayne County, N. Y., 
and there became the parents of five children. 
After coming to this county the household was in- 
creased by the birth of five more. Four of these 
are living, and residents mostly of Michigan. The 
ten bore the names of Mary, Prentis. Isaac, Benja- 
min, Willis, George, Newton, Joseph, Martha and 
Emeline. 

The first year of his residence here Mr. Baker 
cleared three or four acres of ground. After two 
3'ears their first log cabin was burned, but within 



n 



598 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the space of two weeks be built another one on 
another part of his land, and transferred thejr per- 
sonal effects on a sled with one yoke of oxen. He 
assisted in establishing the first school of the town- 
ship, which was conducted in a log building on the 
subscription plan. We must not omit that the 
journey from New York State was made overland 
with two yoke of oxen, and consumed a period of 
four weeks. Their j'oungest child was but two 
weeks old when tliey started on their trip. AVe will 
pass over the years during which they toiled and 
labored until the time when they found themselves 
on the road to prosperity. The country settled up 
slowly, but surely, and as the land became culti- 
vated its value increased. Mr. Baker invested his 
spare capital in additional real estate until he be- 
came the owner of 200 acres, most of which he 
brought to a good state of cultivation. He alwa3's 
voted the straight Democratic ticket, and endeav- 
ored to conduct himself as an honest man and a 
good citizen. He took a warm interest in the suc- 
cess of the temperance movement, being one of its 
most earnest advocates. Considering the fact that 
he started in this county with a cash capital of |10, 
it must be inferred that lie made the best use 
of his time. The old farm is now being worked 
bj' a grandson, Alfred L., who was born in AVIieat- 
land Township on the 8th of Marcli, 1864, and has 
made his home with his grandparents since a boy. 
Mr. Baker's death took place May 18, 1888. 



-€-^S 



4 



^ jfelNSLOW H. DAY. prominent among the 
\/iJ// ^•'^''"^^'■® ^^^ stock-raisers of Pittsford Town- 
W^ ship, was one of its early residents, and has 
occupied his present homestead for the long period 
of fifty-four years. Tliis in itself comprises an 
enviable record, as however much a man may travel 
around the world, the fact that he has one stopping- 
place, which he can call home, gives him importance 
in the eyes of the people, and adds a certain dig- 
nity which it is pleasant to contemplate. 

Our subject first opened his ej'es among the New 
Hampshire hills on the 9lh of May, 1824, near the 
town of Chesterfield, in Cheshire County. His 
father, Samuel Day, who was one of the pioneers 



of Hillsdale County, was also a native of Chester- 
field, N. H.. and was born June 23, 1784. He 
obtained a limited education in the district schools 
of his native township, and starting out for himself 
ear]3' in life was employed as a farm laborer four 
years before his marriage. He continued thereafter 
in Cheshire County several years, during wiiich 
time he became the father of a family, and found 
that after a long i)eriod spent in hard labor he was 
in little better condition, financially, than when he 
started. He now resolved upon a change of loca- 
tion, and having been in communication with 
friends near Dayton, Ohio, he prepared, in the 
spring of 1 834, to remove thither with his family. 

Samuel Day in his migration to the West hired a 
team to convey liis family and goods to the Erie 
Canal. They crossed the Connecticut River at 
Bratticboro, Vt, and from there proceeded over 
the Green Mountains to Schenectady, at which 
point they boarded a canal-boat, and by this means 
reached Fairport, Ohio. They visited with friends 
seven miles from the latter place, and there learned 
that land in the vicinity of Dayton was held at high 
prices, and really of little more value than the Gov- 
ernment land, which was being disposed of at a less 
figure in the Territory of Michigan. Mr. Day, in 
view of these facts, early in the month of May, 
1834, hired his friend to convey him and bis family 
to Lenawee County, and during the trip hither 
encountered the Woiden family, and later Mr. 
Treadwell and R. H. Whitehorne, who were bound 
for the same locality. At Baker's Corners, in Madi- 
son Township, they found a vacant log cabin, into 
which they removed their goods, and leaving their 
families there the men of the expedition proceeded 
to explore the Bean Creek Valley. Mr. Day 
selected the west half of the southwest quarter of 
section 11, in what is now Pittsford Township, this 
county, and sent the money to Monroe to enter the 
land from the Government. Then he hired a team 
to transfer his goods thither, while the family 
trudged along on foot. The greater part of their 
way lay through an unbroken wilderness, in which 
a simple trail was the nearest approach to a road, 
and in some places they were obliged to cut their 
way through with their axes. 

The travelers arrived at their destination about 

—-_.— — — — ^ m^ 



i 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






11 o'clock one very dark night early in tiie- 
month of June. They foiiiifl there was nothing 
but a foot log by which tliey could cross Bean 
Creek, so Mr. Worden waded into tlie water and 
carried his wife across on his back. He kindly 
offered to convey Mrs. Day, the mother of our 
subject, but she preferred to crawl over the log on 
her hands and knees. Tlie^' were made comfortable 
in the log house of a Mr. Kidder, with whom they 
remained until Mr. Day could remove to a building 
of similar description which he had found in the 
neighborhood. He had first entered eighty acres 
near the Kidder settlement, but found a more desir- 
able tract of land on section 13, where he put up a 
log house as soon as possible, the roof of which was 
covered with bark, and in which unpretentious 
dwelling the Pittsford Township courts convened, 
and the son of Mr. Day, Willard F., acted as Jus- 
tice of the Peace. 

Mr. Daj-, after entering his land, had money 
enough left to buy a 3'oke of oxen, which was con- 
sidered quite a luxury, as even oxen were scarce 
and horses werealmost unknown. The family sub- 
sisted largely on wild meats which were plentiful, 
and one brother, in order to increase the family 
income, secured a job of clearing and fencing five 
acres of land at 810 per acre. The father not long 
afterward was stricken down with fever and ague 
which incapacitated him from hard labor. Fortu- 
nately, in his younger years he had learned to make 
baskets, and having plenty of material he turned 
his knowledge of this art to good account. While 
he sat at home and manufactured baskets his eldest 
son, Warren, operated as a traveling salesman, jour- 
neying with his wares by the aid of a yoke of oxen 
to Monroe, where he sold tiiem for cash. The 
sons were energetic workers like their father, and 
in due time there was a large tract of land cleared 
around the cabin, and tiiey found their financial 
condition assuming a firm basis. The Day home- 
stead finsdly came to be known as one of the most 
valuable tracts of land in that section of country. 

Samuel Day lived to see his children grow up 
around him, enterprising and prosperous, and the 
country which w.as once a wilderness transformed 
into pleasant fields and well ordered homesteads. 
He closed his eyes upon eartiily scenes on the 5th 



of June, 1857, when about seventy-two years of 
age. He had married in early manhood Miss Lucy 
Cutler, a native of his own town in New Hamp- 
shire, and who was born Sept. 29, 1782. She came 
to the West with her husband, and surviving him 
over twenty-three years, passed away on the 9th of 
November, 1880, having nearly completed a cen- 
tury of years. She was a woman strong both 
physically and intellectually, and fulfilled her duties 
as a wife and mother in the most praisevvorthy man- 
ner, meeting the hardships and dangers of pioneer 
life with that brave and fearless spirit which was so 
essential in those times of difficult^' and privation. 

When the Day familj' first came to Michigan the 
settlers were often anno3'ed and frightened by 
wolves, but after the extermination of these they 
commenced sheep raising and also cultivated flax. 
The mother spun and wove both woolen and linen 
cloth for the use of her household, and in providing 
for the wants of her family saw very few idle 
hours. Both parents were members of the Congre- 
gational Church for many years, and their kindness 
•and hospitality, both to friend and stranger, were 
proverbial. Seven children came to bless their 
union, of whom Warren, the eldest son, died in 
Hudson Township in 1885; William served in a 
company of Michigan Infantry during the late war, 
and died while in the army at Nashville three years 
after his enlistment; Willard F. is a retired farmer 
of ample means, and is now making his home in the 
village of Hudson; Mary A. died when an interest- 
ing young lady twenty-two years of age; Wilson L. 
is farming in Pittsford Township; Winslow II., our 
subject, vvas next to the 3'oungest; Fanny A., the 
widow of Augustus Kent, is in comfortable circum- 
stances, and a resident of Hudson Village. 

Winslow H. Day was a lad ten years of age when 
he came to this (■ount3' with his parents, and 
remembers well the incidents of the journey and 
the hardships connected with pioneer Ijfe. His edu- 
cation, begun in the district school of his native 
township, was completed in the pioneer schools of 
Pittsford Township, and when twenty years of age 
he supplemented his studies by an attendance of 
one term in Hudson Village. He made his home 
with his parents until the}' passed from earth, and 
no more needed his filial offices. Under their excel- 



I 



600 



■ ^» ~^ ll ^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



lent training he was taught habits of industry 
and economy, together with the high moral i)rinci- 
ples which have constituted the basis of his success, 
and have served to secure him an enviable position 
among his fellow-citizens. The old homestead, 
under his wise management, is being perpetuated 
in a manner reflecting the highest credit upon him- 
self, and which illustrates most forcibly the respect 
in which he holds his honored parents. He is now 
owner of one-half of the estate. The farm is fur- 
nished with good buildings, and well stocked with 
high-grade cattle, his favorite breed being the 
Short-horns crossed with Devon. The land is 
rcmarkablj' fertile, and yields in abundance the 
richest crops of Southern Michigan. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Huldah 
Jane Wood was celebrated at the home of the 
bride in Wheatland Township, June 14. 1860. Mrs. 
Day was born in Lorain County, Ohio, June 6, 
183.5, and is the daughter of Deacon Seth and 
Lydia (Gates) Wood, who were both natives of the 
vicinity of Palmyra. Mr. Wood died in 1855. His 
widow is living in Hudson. Of this union there 
were born three children: The eldest daughter, 
Emma, is the wife of W. H. Farmer; they have 
one son, Harold Day, of Rollin Township, Lenawee 
Countj-; Mary and Bertha are at home with their 
parents. Mr. Day, politically, is a Republican and 
a Prohibitionist. His estimable wife is a member 
in good standing of the Baptist Church. 

Ip^ ICHARD W. DRINKER, who is operating 
]|Uif two farms and a flouring-mill in Hillsdale 
lK%, Township, came to this county in the sjn-ing 
w^of 1853, and located with his family on a 
tract of land in Amboy Township. He first em- 
ployed himself as the agent for an eastern company 
owning a large tract of timber in this section. He 
held this position a number of years, with the prom- 
ise of suitable remuneration, which, however, he 
failed to obtain, and in payment for his services 
was compelled to take, in order to secure himself, 
1,000 acres, and in connection with which he became 
heavily involved in debt. He had in the meantime 
purchased from this company a grist and saw mill 



combined, which are now known as the Drin- 
ker Mills. These are located on the St. Joseph 
River, and operated by water power. They are 
supplied with all necessary machinery, the gristmill 
containing four run of stone. He operated his saw- 
mill and at the same time cleared a portion of his 
land, and in due time sold all but about 300 acres. 
This has been brought to a good state of cultiva- 
tion, being devoted chiefly to grain and gr.ass. 

Mr. Drinker also owns a valuable farm in Wood- 
bridge Township. His land heretofore spoken of 
was prolific in walnut lumber, which he disposed 
of in large quantities, and which yielded him hand- 
some returns. He inherited from an excellent 
ancestry the qualities most needed at the time of mak- 
ing his home in this new country, and has developed 
resources whicli a man of lesser capacities would 
undoubtedly have neglected, converting a large 
tract of what at one time seemed almost waste land 
into valuable and productive farms. 

Our subject is a native of Luzerne Connty, Pa., 
and was born July 26, 1826. His parents, Richard 
and Lydia (Wragg) Drinker, were also natives of 
the Keystone State, in which the family settled, it 
is believed, during the Colonial days, and were the 
offspring of old Quaker stock. Edward Drinker, 
the grandfather of our subject, crossed the Atlantic 
with William Penn, and it is stated in Sewell's 
history of the Quakers that Edward Drinker put 
up the first house in what is now the city of Phila- 
delphia, and which was standing as late as 1836. 

Upon the mother's side of the house the Wraggs 
came from an old English family, which emigrated 
to America during the latter part of the seventeenth 
century. The maternal grandfather of our subject, 
John Wragg, was captured by a French vessel and 
held until the defeat of the captors, and was then 
liberated, having with others been condemned to 
death. He settled in Pennsylvania, where he occu- 
pied himself as a farmer and spent his last days, 
departing hence about 1866. 

Richard Drinker, the father of our subject, after 
his marriage settled on a tract of timber land in 
Luzerne County, Pa., where for a few years he gave 
his attention to the cultivation of the soil and the 
establishment of a comfortable homestead. He was 
a man of excellent business capacities and took an 



.a 



«► M ^ ^« 



•> j k <• 



M^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



601 



active interest in the settlement of the country, 
encouraging the various projects calculated for the 
development of its resources and likely to attract 
an enterprising and industrious class of people. He 
was the projector of what is now known as the 
Lackawanna & Western Railroad, in that part of 
Pennsylvania, and gave his cordial support to the 
various enterprises calculated to build up the 
country. He passed away at his home in Pennsyl- 
vania when about seventy years of age. The mother 
died in 1871. Their familj' included eight chil- 
dren, five sons and three daughters, all of whom 
are still living, and residents mostly of Pennsyl. 
vania. 

The subject of this biography was the eldest child 
of his parents, and passed his boyhood and youth in 
his native county. His education was acquired in 
the common schools, while he became familiar with 
farming pursuits, and was also employed in a tan- 
ner}'. Upon reaching his majority he opened a 
tannery on his own account in his native county, 
which he operated with fair success about three 
3'ears, and at the expiration of that time resolved 
to cast his lot with the earlj^ settlers of Southern 
Michigan. 

Mr. Drinker, while a resident of Luzerne County, 
Pa., was married, Feb. 21, 1852. to Miss Margaret 
Wragg, who was born and reared near his own 
home, and is the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann 
Wragg, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are 
now deceased. Mrs. Drinker came to the West 
with her husband, and is now the mother of five 
children. Their eldest son, Elwood, is assisting to 
operate the farm in Woodbridge Township. The 
younger children — Lewis, Samuel Rodman, Lindlay 
F. and Anna M. — are pursuing their studies in the 
schools of Hillsd.Tle, and continue their residence 
under the home roof. 

Mr. Drinker lived on his farm in Amboy Town- 
ship until 1K8(), then, wishing to give his children 
better educational facilities, took up his residence 
in the city of Hillsdale. They occupy an ele- 
gant residence on Manning street, which, with its 
surroundings, forms one of the most tasteful of mod- 
ern homes. Mr. Drinker occupies his time between 
his farms and mills, and Is one of those active and 
^'f energetic men who arc never content to be idle. Po- 

<• 



litically. he affiliates with the Republican party. He 
is essentiali3' a self-made man, who began at the 
foot of the ladder in life, and has attained to his 
present position solely by the exercise of his own 
industry and resolution. Decided and positive in 
his conviction.', he is prudent in forming his opin- 
ions, but when once formed he is not easily turned 
from them. 

^^ EORGE KESTER. As a representative Ger- 
(l( ^i7 ""*"' '*"'' * gentleman who is closely iden- 
^^ij) tified with the f.arming interests of Pittsford 
Township, it gives us pleasure to present to the 
readers of this work a sketch of the life of Mr. Kes- 
ter. He was born in Germany, July 18, 1820. 
His father, John Kester, was a mason by trade, 
and was a lifelong resident of Germany. Our 
subject received an excellent education in the 
public schools of his native village, which he 
attended until fourteen 3'ears of age. He continued 
engaged in farming until the age of twenty-six. 
He then served an apprenticeship of three years to 
learn the shoemaker's trade, and followed it for one 
year after his apprenticeship expired, in his native 
country. He then ambitiously decided to try his 
fortunes in the United States of America, and set 
sail from Havre in June, 1851, for the promised 
land. He landed in New York after a voyage of 
seven weeks, and went directly to Erie County, 
where he arrived with but a few dollars in iiis 
pocket. But he was courageous and hopeful, and 
soon found work at his trade, which he pursued 
there the three succeeding years, when the state of 
his health would permit, for in his youth he was 
crippled with rheumatism, and often suffered from 
attacks of his old enemy. During his residence in 
that county, however, he obtained the cheerful and 
ready help of an active and able helpmate, to 
whom he gratefully acknowledges much of his suc- 
cess in life to be due, as after their union she stur- 
dily put her shoulder to the wheel, and went out to 
work that she might assist him in securing a home. 
His marri.ige to this devoted wife and faithful com- 
panion took pl.acp Veh. G, 1853. She was formerly 
Mary Klingensraith, daughter of Jacob and Char- 
lotte Klingensmith, and was born in Germany, 
9^ 



u 



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602 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



April 22,1 827, coming to this country when twenty- 
five years of age. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Kes- 
ter and his wife came to Hillsdale County, where he 
first engaged on the farm with Mr. Long, in Pitts- 
ford Township. He afterward rented a log house 
on the northwest quarter of section 7, and in the 
fall of tlie year established himself at his trade of 
shoeniaking. He lived there one and one-half years, 
profitably employed at his trade, and then decided 
to turn his attention to farming, and bought seven- 
teen acres of land now included in his present 
farm. There was a log house on the place, and 
after moving into it he commenced •work on his 
farm, and at the same time made shoes. He and 
his wife have since been continuous residents here, 
and by their untiring industry-, wise economy, and 
sound management, have become very prosperous, 
and besides building up a good home, have been 
enabled to rear their children in comfort, and send 
them out into the wtirld with the advantages of 
fine educations. Mr. Kester owns one of the best 
and most productive farms in this locality; he has 
from time to time added to his landed possessions, 
until he now owns 147 acres of land, and has two 
good sets of farm buildings. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kester have been born five chil- 
dren, of whom the following is the record : Mary, the 
wife of Foster Eickard, lives in Nebraska; George 
lives on the homestead : Josephine is a teacher in 
the public schools; Sarah died at the age of twenty- 
three years; Charles died at the age of seven 
months. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kester are earnest and sincere 
members of the Lutheran Church, and are widely 
respected for their kind hearts, blameless lives, 
and genuine worth and ability. 



^^ EORGE KINNEY, a leading representative 



G 



I g=- of the grocery trade in Hillsdale, is a native 
!^!^ of this State, having been born in Jackson 
County on the 4th of May, 1840. His parents, 
Allen and Susan (Fassett) Kinney, were natives of 
New York, and his paternal grandfather, Jeremiah 
Kinney, was born in Connecticut, and died in 1864. 
After marriage the parents of our subject settled 



> ► B^ <• 



in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., but a few j'ears 
later, in March. 1837, made their way to the new 
State of Michigan, taking up their residence in 
Jackson County, where the father engaged in 
farming pursuits, and where the mother died three 
years later, in 1840. Allen Kinney subsequently 
married Miss Parthenia Welch. George, of our 
sketch, went to live with his grandparents after the 
death of his mother, but after the household was 
re-established returned home, and continued a mem- 
ber of tlie family until reaching manhood. 

In 1853 Allen Kinney' came with his family to 
this county, locating on a farm in Adams Town- 
ship, where he lived and labored until advancing 
years admonished him it was wise to retire. He 
now makes his home with his oldest son, Ira, in 
Butler, Ind. 

The subject of our sketcii spent his boyhood days 
occupied in the various employments of the farm, 
and attending the district school. When of suit- 
able years and acquirements he became a student 
of Hillsdale College, in which he remained two 
years, and subsequently taught during the winter 
season. Soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion 
he enlisted as a Union soldier, in May, 1861, be- 
coming a member of Company H, 4th Michigan 
Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the 
Potomac. Young Kinney met the enemy in many 
of the important battles of the war, being at Bull 
Run, the siege of Yorktown, New Bridge, Hanover 
Court House, Mccbanicsville, and at Gaines Mills, 
where he was wounded by a gunshot through his 
body, and in this disabled condition was cap- 
tured and confined in Libby Prison. He only re- 
mained there, however, from the 27th of June to 
the 20th of July following, when he was exchanged, 
and although suffering greatly' from the outrages 
of that notorious stronghold, was thus more fort- 
unate than hundreds of his comrades. 

Mr. Kinney being now exchanged was conveyed 
to the hospital on David's Island, near New York 
City, where he remained until the 1st of December 
following. Then, on account of the wounds which 
had rendered him incapable of serving longer, he 
received his honorable discharge. As soon as pos- 
sible he made his way home, taking up his residence 
as before in Adams Township, where he began lay- 

■ ► 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



603 , } 



inji- Ill's |>I:uis for the establishment of a home of his 
own. ]n [)ursiiaiu'i' of this he was maiiied on the 
2(llh of Kovember, 1SU4, to Miss Kniily E. Dris- 
coU, of Jeffcisou Township, this eounty, who was 
born Jan. 8, 1841, anil was the daughter of Alanson 
and Margaret (Brooks) Dristoll, natives of New 
York State. 

Our subject and his young wife commenced life 
together in a modest dwelling located in Adams 
Township, where Mr. Kinney carried on farming 
suecesslully some years, and became prominent in 
township affairs, occupying various local offices. 
He oflieiated as Township Clerk four years, and 
represented Adams Township in the County Board 
of Supervisors the same length of time. In the 
fail of 1)582 he was elected Treasurer of IJillsdale 
County, the duties of which he assumed on the 1st 
of January following. At the expiration of this 
first term he was re-elected, serving another two 
years. 

Upon retiring from the Treasurer's office Mr. 
Kinney invested a portion of his capital in tine 
groceries, and established himself in trade in the 
Kieffer Block, where he has since remained. His 
straightforward methods of doing business and his 
promptuess in meeting his obligations have resulted 
ill placing him among the representative men of his 
city, where he is contributing his quota to its busi- 
ness and moral interests. To him and his esti- 
mable wife there have been born three children, two 
dauglilers and one son, namely : Susie B., Howard 
A. and Maggie M. They have all been given a 
good education, and the eldest daughter occupies 
herself as a teacher in one of the city wards of 
Hillsdale ; Howard is the assistant of his father in 
the store; Maggie is completing her studies in the 
High School at Hillsdale. 

Mr. Kinney himself is a man of excellent educa- 
tion, anil after retiring from the military service 
took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business Col- 
lege, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was grad- 
uated with honors in June, 180.3. Politically, he is 
a stanch Republican, and although never ambitious 
for office, has worked generously in behalf of his 
frienils. He was at one time President and is now 
Secretary and Treasurer of the old Fourth Michi- 
gan Iteuuion Association, which meets at stated 



times to talk over the old days and keep in remem- 
brance the names of the old comrades, botii living 
and dead. He also belongs to Dixon Post No. 6, 
G. A. R., in which he has been Post Commander, 
and aid-de-camp to the Department Commander, 
also delegate to the Twentieth National Encamp- 
ment at San Francisco, in 1880. 

Mr. Kinney, it is hardly necessarj' to state, draws 
a pension from the Government. In 18G4 he was 
for a time in its employ as Fonigemaster in the 
t^uarterinaster's department, and in the discharge of 
his duties visited Lexington, Kj'., Nashville and 
Chattanooga, Tenn., Iluntsville, Ala., and other 
points South, being thus occupied about six months. 

jF_^ ORACE WISNER. When a man has passed 
r'^^ his threescore and ten years he begins to 
iKv^ live more in the past than in the present, and 
(^^ then it ii that he realizes the importance 
and the satisfaction of preserving the family rec- 
ord. The subject of this sketch, ahead of many 
men of his daj* in this respect, has given time to 
these reflections, and in consequence has preserved 
to his descendants a portion of the familj- history 
which in after years it will be a satisfaction for them 
to peruse. 

Mr. Wisner was born more than seventy-six 
years ago, the exact date being May 10, 1812, near 
what was then Aurelius, but is now Springport, 
N. Y., at the modest country homestead of his par- 
ents, Daniel and Sarah (Guy) Wisner, and from 
them received careful home training and a common- 
school education. They also were natives of the 
Empire vState and the father in his earl}' manhood 
enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, as a pri- 
vate. On account of his brave and efficient serv- 
ice he was promoted to the rank of Captain, with 
which title he was mustered out when the struggle 
was over. He was the descendant of a hardy race, 
and the youngest of a farail}' of nine children, only 
one of whom died under eighty years of age. Dan- 
iel Wisner rounded up his fourscore and six ^'ears 
before he was gathered home to his fathers. 

Besides Daniel two brothers were also in the 
War of 1812, one of whom was promoted to the 



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1 



604 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



rank of Colonel, and after serving creditably turned 
his attention to religious matters, became identified 
with the Baptist Church, and was admitted to the 
ministry in 1818. He was born in AVarwick Town- 
ship, Orange Co., N. Y., March 16, 1778. Daniel 
Wisner and his wife after their marriage settled in 
Cayuga County, where they lived until their chil- 
dren were grown, then changed their residence to 
Livingston County. Later they removed to Alle- 
gany County, where the mother died in the town 
of Munda, in 1 856, when sixty-four years old. The 
parental household included eight children, six 
boys and two girls, who lived to become men and 
women. Of these, Horace, our subject, was the 
fourth in order of birth. 

Young Wisner, in common with his brothers and 
sisters, was trained to habits of industry and econ- 
omy, and remained a member of his father's house- 
hold until his marriage, which took place in 1836, 
when he was twenty-four years of age. Seven years 
later he came with his family to Southern Michigan, 
locating in Moscow Township in the spring of 1843. 
He secured a tract of uncultivated land, where he 
first broke the sod with four yoke of oxen, and in 
due time became tlie owner of 110 acres. He dis- 
posed of forty acres of this later, and has brought 
the remaining seventy to a fine state of cultivation, 
so that it is the source of a comfortable income. 
The farm buildings are all that are required by a 
gentleman of modest tastes, and the premises bear 
about them an air of comfort which is extremely 
pleasant to contemplate. 

The wife of our subject, formerlj' Miss Rachel 
Hudnutt, was born near Aurelius, N. Y., April 27, 
1817, and was the sixth child of Nathaniel H. and 
Hillie (Emmons) Hudnutt, whose family included 
three sons and seven daughters. Her girlhood was 
spent in her native count)', where she received a 
common-school education and became familiar with 
all household duties. Her parents were natives of 
Kingwood, N. J., and her father was of English an- 
cestry. The mother was of German descent. Her 
paternal grandfather crossed the ocean early in 
life, and married Margaret Barber, who was also of 
German birth and parentage. Nathaniel Hudnutt 
after his marriage settled in New Jersey, whence, 
before the birth of liis daugliter Rachel he re- 



moved to New York, where the parents spent the 
remainder of their days, the father dying in April, 
about 1863, at the age of eighty years. The 
mother survived her husl)and seven years, her death 
taking place after she had also rounded up her 
fourscore j'ears. Only two of the children are 
now living, being residents of Michigan and New- 
York State. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wisner resulted 
in the birtii of eight children, the record of whom 
is as follows: Margaret J., the widow of Samuel 
Gilmer, is the mother of four children — Ira W., 
Minnie, Emma and Emmett, the latter twins — and 
lives in Calhoun County, this State; Alzina died at 
the age of thirteen years; Ira G. married Miss Lou 
Merrill, of Decatur, 111., and upon the outbreak of 
the Rebellion enlisted in an Illinois regiment and 
w.as promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Upon 
his return from the army he took up his residence 
in Marshfield, Mo., and began the practice of medi- 
cine, which he followed until the time of his death, 
in 1876. Of his two children, the elder, Horace, 
died in Michigan on the 1st of June, 1887; Leota, 
the 3'ounger, is at Columbia, Jackson Co., Mich. 
Daniel A. Wisner married Miss Cynthia Curdy, is 
a resident of Adams Townsiiip, and the father of 
six children, the eldest, Jessie, being a child of a 
former marriage ; the others are named respect- 
ively : Ina, Ada, Frederick, Burr and Ruby. Orin 
resides iu Hillsdale, married Miss Julia Row, is 
the father of two children, Maggie and Clara, and 
makes his home in the city of Hillsdale ; Oscar, a 
resident of Calhoun County, married Miss Milly 
Brown, of this State, and they are the parents of one 
child, a daughter, Libbie; Albert, the j'oungestson 
of our subject, married Miss Celia Durgy, and 
is operating a part of the homestead in Moscow 
Township ; they have three children — Clarence, Elta 
and Everet. 

When Mr. Wisner started for the West he was 
accompanied by his wife and four children. They 
made their way via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, 
thence by steamer to Toledo, by cars to Adrian, 
and from there by stage to Moscow Township. 
His has been the privilege to witness remarkable 
changes during his residence of forty-five years in 
Southern Michigan, and probably no man has been 



/ 

t 



; 



-4«- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



605 



niori' gratified at its development and progress, 
(^uiet and iimistentatious in iiis life, he has, while 
making very little noise in the world, uniformly 
cxcrtt'd a good influence upon those around him, 
and will be kindly rememhered when he shall have 
gone hence. He was in his early manhood a mem- 
ber of the old Whig party and upon its abandon- 
ment cordially endorsed Hei)ublican prininples, 
which he has since uniformly supported. He has 
been a constant reader of the Hillsdale Standard 
since its establishment over forty-two years ago. 



OBERT L. NICHOL.S, f.irmer, stock-raiser, 
^^ and dealer in pure-bred Berkshire swine, 
/l\\V occupies a good position among the solid 
\||g>inen of Jefferson Township, and owns a fine 
faini of 11;") acres on section .34. In addition to 
his comfortable residence, he has a fine large bain. 
and all the other necessary buildings and appliances 
for cairying on his vocation in a pleasant and 
profitable manner. He is in the prime of life and 
in the midst of his usefulness, and was born in the 
township of which he is now a resident, Dec. 16, 
1846. 

Robert J. and Mary ,T. (Zimmerman) Nichols, 
the parents of our subject, were natives respectively 
of New York and Kentucky, the father born in 
Orange Count}-, July 11, 1815. He lived on a 
farm until fourteen yeais of age, and was then 
bound out to work at carriage trimming until he 
should attain his majority. About three months 
before his time was out his employer released him, 
and making his way to Georgetown. K}'., he secured 
employment at his tiade and lived there eight 
years. In the meantime he met and married the 
mother of our subject, the wedding taking place 
Nov. H, 1836. 

Robert J. Nichols, in 1842, left the Blue Grass 
regions on horseback, and making his way to 
Southern Michigan, purchased a part of the land in 
Jefferson Township which his son, the subject of 
this sketch, now owns and occupies. He then went 
back to Kentuckj', an<l the following year returned 
with his faujily, consisting of his vvife and two 



children, one of the latter being only a month old. 
With them came also the parents of Mrs. Nichols 
and their youngest child. Indians were still plen- 
tiful in this section, and wild animals also abounded. 
The father gave his entire attention to the cultivation 
and improvement of his land, laboring incessantly 
until ai)proaching his threescore years, and then, 
finding himself broken down by hard work, he put 
up a little building in which he carried on a country 
store a few years, then moved to Adrian, and was 
there also engaged in general merchandising. He 
departed this life at his home in Ransom Township, 
Dec. 18, 1885. The mother had died in Jefferson 
Township, March 29, 1876. 

The elder Nichols became prominent in the affairs 
of this count}', sei'ving as Justice of the Peace 
twelve jears, besides being Township Treasurer 
two years and Road Commissioner a number of 
terms. He was three times married. By the first 
wife he had six children, who .are recorded as 
follows: Elizabeth A. became the wife of Byron 
Raymond, is now the mother of four children, two 
living and two dead, and lives' in Jefferson Town- 
ship; Mary E. is the wife of Joseph B. Phillips, of 
Ransom Township, and thej' have two children, one 
dead; Robert L. was the third child of the family; 
Edgar Z. has three children, and occupies the old 
homestead in Jefferson Township; Emma F. lives 
in Ransom Township; Frederick W. is married and 
the father of one child, and lives in Raisin Town- 
ship, Lenawee County. 

The subject of this sketch received a practical 
education, and pursued his first studies in a shop on 
his father's farm, the school comprising nine pupils, 
all the children in the district of suitable age to 
attend. He was put to work on the farm at an 
early age, and only attended school in winter after 
he was twelve years old. At nineteen he purchased 
his time of his father for $200, rented land of the 
latter, and besides paying off the ^200, cleared 
$250 besides. At the age of twenty-four he pur- 
chased seventy acres of land of his father, and that 
same year, Dec. 21), 1870, was married to Miss Lois 
A. Chene}', who was born in Monroe County, N. 
Y""., Sept. 9, 1850, and is the daughter of Paschal 
and Clarena (Hibner) Cheney, a sketch of whom is 
given on another page in this work. Mr. and Mrs. 



i 






606 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






Nichols became the parents of five children, namely : 
Male C, born Jan. 14, 1872; Allen R., Dec. 31, 
1875; Gertie, Sept. 30, 1881; Rule Lea, Dec. 26, 
1883, and Leo Laverne, Oct. 23. 1887. 

Mr. Nichols votes the straight Republican ticket, 
and, with a little assistance from his father, has 
otherwise built up unaided his present well conducted 
and valuable homestead. He is recognized as one 
of the leading farmers of his township, is strictly 
temperate and a thorough business man. taking 
pride in his farm and his family, and in all respects 
a model citizen. 

Paschal Chenej', the father of Mrs. Nichols, and 
a native of Monroe County, N. Y., was born April 
4, 1822. He was reared to farm pursuits, received 
a limited education, and started out in the world 
for himself when a youth of eighteen years. He 
came to Michigan after his marriage, with his wife 
and three children, and endured in common with 
the men around him the struggles and difHculties 
incident to life in a new country. His industry 
and perseverance were ampl}' rewarded in the final 
possession of a good home, and the unlimited confi- 
dence and respect of the. people around him. He 
and his excellent wife are still living, and residents 
of Jefferson Townsliip. 



-*i2£j2'©^^0 



■ ► B^ * 



i.g|,a/ZTzra> ,~ -w-m 



ip^Y OBERT CARRUTHERS, Sr., an old resi- 
|L^ dent of Woodbriilge Township, and of sub- 
stantial Scotch ancestry, identified himself 
^jmany years ago with the farmers of this 
county, to which he came in the pioneer days, and 
purchased first eighty acres of land, all timber, for 
which he paid $480 in cash. He then set himself 
to work in earnest to clear the ground and prepare 
the soil for cultivation. He raised 125 bushels of 
corn to the acre last year, which fact is suggestive 
of the high state of productiveness which has 
been brought about within the course of thirt}^- 
four years. 

The subject of this sketch first opened his e3'es 
to the light on the other side of the Atlantic, in 
Berwickshire, Scotland, in the spring of 1 825 or 1 826, 
the son of Thomas and Catharine (Wilson) Car- 
'uthers, who were of pure Scotch ancestry, spent 



their entire lives on their native soil, and passed to 
their rest many years ago. The father was a 
farmer by occupation, leasing the land he worked 
upon for a period of nineteen years. In the mean- 
time he acquired some property and money, being 
blessed with a most excellent wife and helpmate, 
an industrious, frugal woman, who proved his in- 
valuable assistant during all the years they lived 
together. 

About 1 85 1 the father sent his son to this country 
to look about for a home, and after Robert had 
investigated sufficiently, and knowing well the dispo- 
sition of his honored sire, he advised him to sta}' 
where he was, which advice the latter took, and ac- 
cordingly remained in his native land. He was a 
man of very decided ideas, a member of the Scotch 
Presbj'terian Church nearly all the years of his life, 
and trained his children in the strictest precepts 
and by the old methods. Of these children, seven 
in number, the record is as follows: Peter died 
some years ago in Scotland; John, who was of a 
deeply religious turn of mind, was an Elder of the 
Free Church many years, and is now deceased, 
Catharine continues in her native country, and has 
a comfortable living on twenty-five acres of land; 
Robert, our subject, was the fourth child; Jessie 
and Andrew are living in Scotland; Thomas is 
deceased. 

Our subject upon coming to America landed in 
New York City, and then repaired to the home 
of his uncle in Baltimore, where he staid three 
months. Thence he migrated to Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he employed himself as a teamster, and in 
the course of time saved up the snug sum of $600. 
Thus armed, he made his way to Michigan, with the 
results which we have already indicated. While a 
resident of Cleveland he was married, in 1853, to 
Miss Ellen Boyle, who died in 1870, in Wood- 
bridge Township. He was then married to Miss 
Jennie McDougall, in Woodbridge, in August, 1874. 
This lady is the daughter of James McDougall, of 
the latter township, and is now the mother of 
three children, namelj': James, Mazey and David. 
Of his first marriage there were born five children 
— Thomas W. and Andrew D. (deceased), Robert 
B.. Lilly and Kate. Lilly was a very bright child, 
with a large brain, and alw.i3s at the head of her 



T 



•«► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



607 



class in school. Her tniiifi being far in excess of 
her physical strength, she was stricken clown at 
the age of fourteen years, dj'ing in March, 187.'>; 
Katie is living at home. 

Mr. Carruthers has inherited in a marked degree 
the high moral principles and love of truth which 
.'ilwaj's distinguished his ancestry. He is a man of 
more than ordinary intelligence, and while a resi- 
dent of Cleveland, Ohio, was connected with the 
Presl)3'terian Church there, and prominent among 
the brethren. He possesses considerable musical 
talent, and is a fine vocalist. Politically, he votes 
independently, and has no aspirations for office. 



^^=^EORGE L. KE8SELRING isa prominent. and 
(|[ ^— , representative farmer of Hillsdale County, 
*^^4 and is situated on section 7. Fayette Town- 
ship. His parents were Jacob and Christiana (^oe) 
Kesselring, natives of Hamburg, Germany, whence 
thej' emigrated with their family of three children 
to America, about 1829. The parents of our sub- 
ject first settled in Monroe County, N. Y.,and sub- 
sequently removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., 
about 1837, where they settled in Scipio Township. 
Three jears later they removed to Moscow Town- 
ship, where their decease occurred, the father de- 
parting this life .June 16, 1881, and the mother in 
July, 1868. After their arrival in this country, the 
parents of our subject had born to them six chil- 
dren, making a total of seven boys and two girls, 
of whom our subject was the sixth. 

George L. Kesselring was born in Moscow Town- 
ship, Oct. 16, 18,39, and received such education as 
the common schools of that time and place afforded. 
He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer his entire life. 
During the year 1864 he lived in Canada, and in 
1872 removed with his familj' to Three Rivers, 
Mich., where he bought a farm and lived until the 
fall of 1883, at whicli time he returned to Hillsdale 
County, and bought the farm formerly owned by 
Oliver Tiffany, consisting of 160 acres of excellent 
land ; since then he has sold forty acres. 

The subject of this narrative was united in mar- 
riage, July 18, 1864, while in Canada, with Miss 



Lena Wing, who was born in Waterloo County, 
Ontario, Jul3' 17, 1840. This union resulted in the 
birth of four children — William T., Minnie E., 
Emma L. and Charles W. Mr. Kesselring sustained 
a great affliction in the loss of his wife, who died 
May 30, 1886. She was a woman of exemplary 
character, a faithful wife and loving mother. She 
was an earnest and consistent member for many 
years of the Jlethodist Ei>iseopnl Church. William 
T., the son of our subject, died in Three Rivers, 
Mich., May 20, 1881, when apromising boy sixteen 
years of age, and already a member of the same 
church as his mother, and Minnie E. died Sept. 24, 
1869. Emma and Charles are also members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which their father 
takes an active part. 

On the 20th of March, 1888, Mr. K. was married 
to Miss AUie Root, daughter of D. D. Root. Miss 
Root was a resident of Jonesville. While living in 
Three Rivers Mr. Kesselring w.as Superintendent of 
the Sunday-school for seven years, which position 
he also filled in Jonesville for two years. He has 
also been Class- Leader for several years, and Stew- 
ard for some time, and alw.iys takes an active part 
in any movement having for its object the advance- 
ment of the people of his county. In politics Mr. 
K. is a Prohibitionist. 



^F^ENRY SCHAFER, who may be properly 
Y classed among the selfmade men of this 
county, and who the greater part of his life 
has been engaged in farming pursuits, is 
now living retired from active labor, and spending 
his declining years in a pleasant home in the cit^' of 
Hillsdale. It has been difficult to abandon the 
habits of many years of industry, and so he occu- 
pies his time in loaning money and looking after his 
property. 

Our subject was born in the Emjiire of Germany, 
on the 13th of August, 1818, and earl}' in life 
became orphaned by the death of both parents. He 
acquired familiarity with farm pursuits during his 
boyhood, and obtained an excellent education in 
his native tongue, by attendance at the schools of 
his own town, from the time he was six years of 






4= 



608 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



age until he was fourteen. He then commenced an 
apprenticeship at the weaver's trade, and followed 
this six years upon his native soil. In 1840, when 
a young man twenty-two years of age, determined 
upon a change of location, he repaired to the port 
of Bremen, and embarked on a sailing-vessel bound 
for the city of New York. From the metropolis he 
went over into the Dominion of Canada, and was a 
resident of Berlin thereafter for six years. Then 
returning to the States, he made his way westward 
to Southern Michigan, taking up his abode in this 
county in the spring of 1848, and now for a period 
of over forty years has been numbered among the 
citizens of this locality. 

Mr. Schafer, not long after his arrival in this 
county, located upon a tract of land in Fayette 
Township, of which he secured possession by the 
payment of monej' which he had earned working 
by the month. About that time he made the ac- 
quaintance of Miss Dora Campbell, to whom he was 
married in March, 1848, and they commenced life 
together upon the farm owned by his wife, and where 
they continued to live for a period of thirty -seven 
years. Mr. Schafer, about 1885, sold his land in 
Fayette Township, receiving therefor a good round 
sum. It comprised a half-section, and he had 
brought the land to a good state of cultivation, 
putting up good buildings and effecting tlie other 
improvements naturally suggested by the progres- 
sive and enterprising agriculturist. 

Upon leaving the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Schafer took 
up their residence in the city of Hillsdale, and now 
have time to look back upon the results of their 
mutual labors. Our subject generously acknowl- 
edges that to his estimable wife is due a large meas- 
ure of his success. She has never evaded any 
known duty, working equally with him in the labor 
of building up the homestead, economizing in the 
household, and in all things giving him encourage- 
ment, both as regarded the labor of his hands, and 
in his efforts to retain his position as a man among 
men. Now, in the possession of a competency, they 
are passing down the sunset hill of life more than 
ordinarily contented with their lot, and enjoying 
the esteem and confidence of their neighbors. They 
have no children. 

Mr. Schafer cast his first Presidential vote for 



Cass, and has since continued an adherent of the 
Democratic party, although in local matters he aims 
to support the men whom he considers the best 
qualified for office. His surplus capital is loaned 
mostly to the farmers of the county on good se- 
curity. 




\ti OHN E. WAGNER. The career of this gen- 
I tleman is that of a selfmade man who com- 
menced at the ver}' foot of the ladder in life, 
and by the exercise of industry and resolu- 
tion has attained to an enviable position socially 
and financially among his fellowmen. He came to 
Michigan with his parents in November, 1854, and 
continued their efficient assistant, relieving them of 
the more onerous burdens of life until 1862, when 
he removed from the homestead, settling in March 
of that 3'ear in Medina Township, Lenawee County. 
Three years later he disposed of his property there, 
and taking up his residence in Allen Township, this 
countj', has since made it his home. 

Mr. Wagner is the owner of a fine farm of 134 
acres, pleasantly located on section 1. This he has 
transformed from a comparatively uncultitivated 
tract to one of the finest estates in this part 
of the county, the soil yielding in abundance the 
richest crops of Southern Michigan. This result 
was not accomplished without many difficulties, and 
it took years of incessant labor to bring the soil to 
its present condition, build the fences which now 
mark the boundary lines, and put up the buildings 
which invariably attract the admiring eye of the 
passing traveler. The live stock and machinery 
aie of the best description, the former comprising 
excellent grades of horses, cattle and swine, and the 
latter consisting of the implements best calculated 
to develop from the soil its best properties. There 
is now no longer the necessity for arduous labor on 
the part of our subject, as he has a fine home and a 
competency to secure him against want in his old 
age. 

Our sul>ject was born in Wheeler, Steuben Co., 
N. Y., Jan. 27, 1835, and is the son of George A. 
and Caroline (Wheeler) Wagner, who were both 
natives of the Empire State, the father horn in 



t 



4* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



609 



Rome, Oneida Counly, Aug. 6, 1811, and tbe mother 
in Benton, Yates County, Aug. 15, 1818. The 
patents after their marriage lived one year in t!ie 
latter place, then removed to Naples, Ontario 
County', and from tiiere a year or two later to 
Wliccler, Steuben County, wiiieh remained their 
home until their removal to Michigan, in Novem- 
ber, 1854. Upon their arrival in this State they 
settled in Medina Township, Lenawee County, but 
a year later removed to Homer, in Calhoun County, 
where they lived five years. Then returning to 
Lenawee County, they lived three years in Rome 
Township, removing from there to this county, 
where, with the exception of about two j-ears spent 
in Blissfield, they have made their lioiue. being now 
residents of Adams Township. 

The parental family of our subject included nine 
children, four sons and five daughters, of whom 
John E. was the eldest born. He, in common with 
his brothers and sisters, acquired his education in 
the district school, and made such good use of his 
time that at the age of twenty-three years he was 
amply fitted for tbe duties of a teacher, and fol- 
lowed teaching for a period of nine winters in Cal- 
houn, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. When 
prepared to establish domestic ties besought for his 
wife one of tbe most estimable young ladies of Cal- 
houn County, Miss Julia Van Wert, to whom be 
was married in Homer Townsliip, Dec. 29, 185y. 
Mrs. Wagner is the daughter of William and Tem- 
perance (Tiflfany) Van Wert, the former a native 
of Oneida County, N. Y'., born in 1809. The 
mother was born in Canaudaigua, Ontario Co., N. 
Y., in October, 1810. After their marriage they 
continued residents of the Empire Slate until 183G, 
(luring the summer of which year they made their 
way to the Territory of Michigan, and located in 
Homer Township, Calhoun County, where they 
spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying 
June 8, 1851, and the mother May 5, 1877. Their 
houseiiold included three sous and nine daughters, 
Mrs. Wagner being the sixth child. Of these eight 
are now living, three boys and five girls. 

Mrs. Wagner was born in Homer, Calhoun County, 
this State, Aug. 12, 1840, and spent her childhood 
and youth with her parents, acquiring her education 
in the district school. She is a lady of many ex- 




cellent qualities, highly intelligent, and with her 
husband a member of Fayette Grange, P. of H., of 
Hillsdale County. For the last three years he has 
been Lecturer in the County Grange. They have 
no children. 

Mr. Wagner, in February', 1887, was appointed 
by the Master of the State Grange, who was Gov. 
C. G. Luce, Special Deputy of the National Grange, 
for which position he is admirably fitted, having 
taken an active interest in the association. He was 
early in life identified with the Democratic part}', 
but is now in s^'mpathy with the Nationals, and 
gives his support warmly to the cause of prohibition. 
Ever a busy and energetic man, he has no use for 
the idler, and has by bis own example proved wh.at 
grand results may be accomplished from a very 
humble beginning. 

JAMES HLSTON, a retired farmer living in 
tbe village of Cambria, Jias for several years 
been a resident of Hillsdale Count}', and is 
numbered among its substantial and well-to- 
do citizens. He was born in Cumberland County, 
Md., Feb. 16, 1808, and when he was four years of 
age accompanied his parents, Alexander and Eliza- 
beth (Grate) Huston, to Columbiana County, Ohio. 
The}- were married in Pennsylvania, of which it is 
thought his father was a native, and it is supposed 
that his mother was a German by birth, and came 
to this country when a mere child with her parents. 
The father of our subject was a farmer, and after 
settling in Columbiana County was actively engaged 
in that pursuit until his death, at a little past mid- 
dle life. He was sincerely mourned by the many 
friends who had been attached to him by his earn- 
est and kindly Christian character and upright 
walk through life. He was an esteemed member 
of the Baptist Church, as was also his good wife, 
who survived him many years, dying in Richland 
County, Ohio, at the venerable age of eighty -seven 
years. 

Eight children were born to this worthy couple, 
seven sons and one daughter, our subject being tbe 
youngest of the family. In about the year 1812, 
he was taken from bis native State to live in 



• ^^m <• 



610 



.t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Ohio; that part of the country in which his parents 
settled was for the most part a dense wilderness, 
the primeval forests stretching for miles on either 
hand, and with not many signs of civilization. 
Amid those rude pioneer surroundings our suliject 
grew to a rugged, self-reliant manhood, which well 
fitted him to make his own way successfull3' through 
life. When a young man he left his old home in 
Columbiana County and went to Richland County, 
and was there married, in 1830, to Miss Elizabeth 
EUcr, daughter of John Eller, who. with liis wife, 
was a settler of Richland Count}', and there died. 
Their daughter, Mrs. Huston, was born in that 
uountj', and died there at the home of her husband 
in 1 837, after a few years of wedded life, while still 
in the bloom of earl}' womanhood. One son, John, 
was born of that union, and is now a prosperous 
farmer in Cambria; he married Margaret Lotzen- 
hizer. 

Mr. Huston's second marriage, which occurred 
in 1838, was to Miss Nancy Cline, who was born in 
Richland County, Ohio, in 1818. She was a daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Rebecca (Gitmey) Cline, both 
natives of Pennsylvania, the Cline family being of 
German ancestry. They were early settlers of 
Richland County, where Mr. Cline owned a valua- 
ble farm, and where their death occurred at an 
advanced age. They were industrious, faithful 
people, and true to their religious beliefs, being 
stanch members of tlie Presbyterian Church. Mrs. 
Huston was reared in her native county, and re- 
mained an inmate of the parental home until her 
marriage. She was well developed, both physi- 
cally and mentall}', and ably discharged lier duties 
as wife and mother. Of her marriage two chil- 
dren were born — Joseph and Alexander. Joseph, 
now deceased, married Hannah Royer; Alexander 
is successful]}' engaged in farming in Cambria Town- 
ship; he married Letticia P^rvin. Mr. Huston 
moved to Williams Count}', and tlicre purchased a 
tract of unimproved land, and with characteristic 
energy and industry set about developing it into a 
farm, which he afterward sold. He then bought a 
mill property and turned his attention to the manu- 
facture of flour and lumber, continuing both 
branches of business with gi-eat profit for several 
years. At length he disposed of his property in 




Ohio and came to this State, where he purchased, 
in 1867, a valuable farm on section 28, which his 
son now owns. Having accumulated a fair share 
of this world's riches he at last decided to retire 
from agricultural pursuits, and is now living quietly 
and comfortably in the pretty village of Camliria. 
He has led a very active, busy life; his career has 
been governed by sound and honest principles, 
which have gained for him the trust and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens, and his prosperity has been 
achieved by wise management and incessant indus- 
try. In politics our subject has been for many 
years a strong Democrat. 



ZARIAH F. DePUE, a retired farmer in 
^/lM easy circumstances, is now enjoying the 
14' comforts of a handsome home in the city 
of Hillsdale, to which he removed from his 
country residence in the spring of 1881. Like 
many of his compeers who have been the architects 
of their own fortunes, in Southern Michigan, he is 
a native of the Empire State, having been born near 
the town of Ovid, the county seat of Seneca County, 
May 21, 1829. 

Benjamin DePue, the father of our subject, first 
opened his eyes to the light in the Mohawk Valley 
in 1788, and when twenty-four years of age en- 
gaged as a soldier in the War of 1812. He was 
given for his services a warrant calling for a quar- 
ter-section of land, and of which he availed himself 
in the Slate of New York. His father was David 
DePue, who before him carried a musket in the 
Continental army. He was born in what is now 
New Jersey, and was the offspring of an excellent 
old French famdy, the first representatives of whom 
in this country crossed the Atlantic during the 
Colonial days. He spent his last years in New 
Jersey. 

The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Elizabeth Martin, was a native of Ireland, 
and but a year old when her parents brought her to 
America. After their marriage the parents settled 
in Seneca County, N. Y., where the father carried 
on farming until 1838. Then, resolved upon push- 
ing still further westward, he came to Southern 



-<*■ 



■•► 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■«► 



GU 



Michigan, and spent two years in the vicinity of 
Ypsilanti, where lie engaged in fanning. In 1840 
they came to this county, and the father purchased 
land in Adams Township, which he lived upon and 
cultivated until the fatal illness which terminated 
in his death on the 4th of Ai)ril, 1 S72. The mother 
survived her husliand until the 2d of .January, 1880, 
when she too passed awa}' at the residence of her 
daughter, Mrs. Monroe, in Moscow, at the advanced 
age of eightj'-four years. 

To Benjamin and Elizalteth DePue there were 
born three sons and five daughters, all of whom 
lived to mature years, and seven are still surviving. 
They were named respectively: Margaret, Nancy, 
James H., Azariah F., Elizabeth, Catherine, Jane 
and Theodore. Azariah, our subject, was the fourth 
in order of birth. His boyhood was spent in Seneca 
County, N. Y., where he acquired a eoramou-school 
education, and was occupied in .agricultural pur- 
suits until reaching his majority. Then starting 
out for himself, he engaged as a carpenter for 
four years, and then invested a portion of his capi- 
tal in land in Adams Township, this county. He, 
however, continued working at his trade, while .at 
the same time cultivating and improving his land, 
until the spring of 1881, when, on the'Jth of April, 
he removed from the farm to the city of Hillsdale, 
where he has since resided. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Nancy M. 
Lyons was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Moscow Township, Feb. 11, 1857. Mrs. DeFue is 
the daughter of David Lyons, Esq., a native of 
I'cnnsylvaiiia, .lud was born in Richland County, 
Ohio, April 21, 1833. Her mother, Margaret 
Lyons, was born in Ireland, and the parents are 
now deceased. The only child of Mr. and ^Irs. De 
Puc is a son, Delos A., who was born Feb. 13, 
18.58, and holds the position of Railroad Agent for 
the Lake Shore iV, Michigan Southern Railroad, at 
North Adams. 

Mr. Del'ue became a full-fledged voter in 1851, 
and cast his first Presidential vole for Scott. He 
was an old-line Whig until the organization of the 
Republicans, and since that time has uniformly sup- 
ported the principles of the latter. He has always 
taken a lively interest in the affairs of his township, 
and has held vari(jus positions of trust and resjjonsi- 
^ih-^. 



bility, serving as Justice of the Peace four years, 
and being otherwise identified with the prominent 
men of his township. The Presbyterian (luirch 
has found in him one of its chief pillars, and edu- 
cation one of its most zealous supporters. 

In the fall of 1887 Mr. and Mrs. DePne sought 
the Pacific Slope for rest and recreation, spending 
one winter, and traveling over the greater part 
of the State of California, migrating as far south 
as San Diego, and returning thence to Riverside. 
Tliev returned home much refreshed, feeling that 
their time and money had been well si)ent. Their 
pleasant home is located in the southwestern part of 
the city, where they often welcome the old friends 
among whom they have lived for so many years, 
and who comprise the greater iiroporlion of the 
best residents of Hillsdale Township. 



i^ 



\fl_^ OR ACE TURNER, one of Hillsdale County's 
lf]\^ respected citizens and well-to-do farmers, 
l£S^^ residing on section 27, Adams Township, 
l^m is a native of the Empire State, born in 
MadisonCount3-, July 5, 1807. His parents, Edmund 
and Anna (Woolcot) Turner, settled in New York 
after their marriage, and spent the remainder of 
their lives in that State, dying in Ontario County: 
his father, viho took part in the battle of Sackett's 
Harbor during the struggle of 1812, dying in 1821, 
at the age of sixty-one j'ears. His witlow, who 
survived him many years, died in 1872, at the 
advanced .age of cight3--niiie years. Tliey were the 
parents of three children, two daughters and one 
son. 

The subject of this sketch was the second child 
born to his parents. He was bound out when only 
eight years old to I\Ir. Thoniiis Powers, a farmer of 
"Wayne County, with whom he lived until twenty- 
one years of age. His educational advantages 
were limited, as much of his time was required on 
the farm, but he became thoroughly acquainted 
with the work which was to form his life occupa- 
tion. As soon after attaining his majority- as his 
prospects warranted him in doing, he established a 
home of his own, being married in 182!) to IMiss 
Deborah, daughter of Noah and Keliaiice (Leach) 



r 



I 



G12 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-4* 

-a 



I 



Turrell. They were natives of Massachusetts, born 
in Briilgewater, a village twenty miles southwest of 
Boston, where they were reared and married. 
From there they moved to Pelham, Mass. thence to 
I'almyra, N. Y., where they resided three years. 
Their next removal was to Ontario County in 
1815, where Mr. Tiirrcll's death occurred. Mrs. 
Turrell survived her iiushand, dyingat the advanced 
ao-e of eighty years. They were the parents of 
nine children, and after the death of the husband 
and father they were separated, the wife of our 
subject, then a young girl, finding a home with 
Reuben Kandolph, with whom she remained until 
twent^^-tive years of age. She was the fifth child of 
her parents, and was born in Pelham, Mass., July 16, 
1804. Her attendance at the district school, which 
w:is very regular during the life of her father, was 
afterward limited to a few weeks' attendance in the 
winter seasons. 

After marriage iMr. Turner settled in ]\Ionroe 
County, N. Y., where he remained until 1844, 
when, as many other people of like ambition and 
enero'etic determination had done, he sought for 
himself and family a home in the rapidly grow- 
in«- State of Michigan. He came first to Pal- 
myra Township, but after the lapse of two years 
he moved to this county, and settled in Adams 
Township, where he has since resided. Having 
disposed of tiiirty acres of land, his farm now C(jn- 
sists of fifty acres, which he has cleared and has 
under a good state of cultivation. Among other 
improvements are a comfortable dwelling-house 
and convenient barns, and other out-buildings 
which he has erected. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born eight chil- 
dren, four of whom are living, as follows: Gilbert, 
Esther, Mariette and Levancha. Gilbert, a farmer 
of Adams Township, married Mrs. Jane Turner, a 
widow of George Turner, who died leaving her 
with one child, Harriet; they have two children by 
this marriage — George and Myron. Esther is the 
wife of William Older, of Adams Township; Mari- 
ette, who married David M. L3'on, of Somerset 
Township, has one child, Milton M; Levancha, 
now living at home, married AlouzoVan Amburgh, 
by whom she has one child, FLirley E. The names 
of the deceased children of Mr. and Mrs, Turner 



were Caroline JI., George W., Laura R. and an 
infant. 

Mr. Turner has been very successful since com- 
ing to this county, and lie and his .aged wife are 
now passing down the hill of life surrounded by 
peace and plentj', with hosts of warm friends, rela- 
tives and neighbors to cheer their declining years. 
The3' have passed a happy wedded life of fift}'- 
eight j'ears, a felicity rarely accorded to man and 
wife in this mundane sphere, and they have been 
years prolific of much joy, mingled with their pro- 
portionate allotment of sorrow. Their long lives 
have been full of usefulness, characterized by many 
kind deeds, and they have the respect and esteem 
of the entire community. Politically, iMr. Turner 
afHliates with the Republican party, having voted 
for its first candidate for the Presidency, Gcu. 
John C. Fremont. 




NSEL B. WHITMORE came to this county 
f/j\ \ in 1847 and settled in Hillsdale Township, 
occupying himself for a year thereafter 
^J as a printer in the office of the Hillsdale 

Standard, which is now published by H. B. Rowl- 
son. A year later he turned his attention to 
farming, taking up his abode in Allen Townshi[), 
of which he continued a resident until about 1884. 
Then, abandoning farming, he began traveling in 
the interest of Minneapolis binders, being thus 
occupied four years. L'pon leaving this he became 
interested in the drug trade, which he is now pur- 
suing in Allen Village. 

Our subject was born in Seneca Falls, Seneca Co., 
N. Y., Jul}' 2, 1830, and is the son of Peter and 
Eliza A. (Miller) Whitmore, the former of whom 
came to this county in 1847 and settled in Hills- 
dale Township. His death was caused by injury 
received from the cars in June, 1886. The mother, 
who was a daughter of Martin Miller, of AVater- 
loo, Seneca Co., N. Y., had passed away some eight 
years before the decease of her husband, her death 
taking place also in Allen Village in January, 1875. 
Their family comprised two sons only: Ansel 15., 
our subject, and .Tolin M. 

Ansel B. Whitmore, vvhen a youth of fourteen 




-■— ^- 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



613 



j'ears, coranienced his apprenticeship at the printer's 
trade in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., at wiiich lie 
served three years, after wliicii he made his way 
to this county'. lie was first married, in Hillsdale 
Township, to Miss Fidelia Lombard, who was born 
in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., and who by iier 
union with our subject became the mother of two 
children : Henry W., now a pr.aeticing phj'sican, 
and Esbon J., who is carrying on farming in Allen 
Township. Mrs. Fidelia Whilmore died in Allen 
Village, April 17, 1885. 

Mr. Whitmore contracted a second marriage, Nov. 
•26, 188G. with Mrs. Ella R. Conklin, the daughter 
of John and Hannah Reed. Mr. Whitmore was 
among the first to respond to the call of President 
Lincoln for 75,000 troops, and was assigned to the 
position of bodyguard to Brig. Gen. Richardson, 
of this State. He continued in the service for a 
short time but was not called upon to participate 
in any action in the field. The maternal grand- 
father of our subject, Martin Miller b}- name, was 
a native of New Y^ork State, and spent his last years 
in Waterloo, Seneca County. Mr. Whitmore has 
been mostly' engaged in attending to his own affairs, 
having little time to give to politics, but is an 
earnest supporter of Democratic princii)los. 



, EXRY W. WHITMORE, M. D., a well edu- 
Y]i\ cated and well informed physician of much 
promise, holds an honored position among 
(^S) the j-onnger members of the medical frater- 
nity of Southern Michigan, having alreadj' estab- 
lished a rei)utation for wisdom, jirudence and skill 
in his |)rofession during his few years' practice in 
Allen Village. He was born in Hillsdale, Aug. 1, 
1857, being a son of A. R. and Fidelia (r>ombard) 
Whitmore (for parental histoiy see sketch of A. B. 
Whitmore on the preceding page of this work). The 
solid foundation of his education was obtained in 
the common schools and the Union School at Allen, 
After leaving the public schools our subject took a 
two-years course at the Bennett Medical College, 
of Chicago, and was graduated from that institu- 
tion in the spring of 1881. Having thus success- 
fully completed the piescribcd course of study, 






Dr. Whitmore began his career as a physician in 
the town of N;ishville, Barrj^ County, this State, 
where he remained for one 3"ear. At the expira- 
tion of that time the Doctor returned to Allen and 
established himself here in his profession, which he 
has since continued to practice in this village with 
much success, and has built up a good practice. 

Dr. Whitmore was married in Allen, in Septem- 
ber, 1880, to Miss Altie L. Close, a native of New 
York State, and a daughter of Lyman and Rosabelle 
(Chatman) Close. Of this union one child has 
been born — Ray C. The Doctor and his wife oc- 
cupy a high social position in Hillsdale County, 
and their pleasant, hospitable home is the resort of 
many friends, and is the center of true culture .and 
refinement. Our subject is a member of the Allo- 
pathic Jledical Association of Southern Michigan. 
The Doctor, in company with his brother Esbon J., 
owns a valuable farm of eighty acres, which yields 
them a good income. 

ARLEY' BR()\VN, an old settler and re- 
spected resident, residing on section 2, 
Camden Township, was born in Tompkins 
County, N. Y'.. Sept. 11, 1813. He is 
the son of Reul)en and Lois (Eastman) Brown, 
natives respectively of Rhode Island and Connecti- 
cut. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, and his paternal ancestors are 
said to have descended from three brothers who 
came from England before that period. 

Our subject was reared to man's estate on the 
homestead, and with his parents migrated to Huron 
County, Ohio, about 1835, and resided there until 
the siM'ing of 1850, when he came to this county, 
which has been his home ever since. Mr. Brown 
was married in the Empire State, Nov. 9, 1834, to 
Louisa AVolcott, who was born Dec. 11. 1811, at 
the head of Cayuga Lake, in Tompkins County, N. 
Y""., and is the daughter of Silas and Etlie (Bixlcj') 
Wolcott. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth of nine children, of whom four survive, and 
are recorded as follows: Harriet is the wife of 
William Huggetl, of Camden Township; William 




-•► 



6U 



HILLSDAL?: COUNTY. 



A. is also a resident of Camden Township ;Slierman 
L.,of Cambria Township, and James F., of Camden. 
Shortl}' after his arrival in this county Mr. Brown 
settled on his present farm of eighty acres, which 
was at that time covered with heavj' timber, some 
of which he had to remove in order to make room 
for his log cabin. As prosperity crowned his efforts, 
this structure gave place to his present commodious 
and well-appointed farm buildings. He has cleared 
and improved the farm in true pioneer style, and 
added to it by subsequent purchase, until he had at 
one time 144 acres of land tiiat compared favorably 
with any farm in the township. He retains but 
fifty acres of this land, having given the remainder 
to his children. Though now seventy-five years of 
age, he is vigorous in mind and body, and can do 
a day's work almost equal to that of many younger 
men. He is a fine representative of the pioneer 
farmer, and his voice has been heard in the delibera- 
tions of his county and township. He served six- 
teen years as Justice of the Peace, while he has also 
discharged the duties of Township Clerk, School 
Inspector and Drain Commissioner, in each case 
discharging the duties of the office with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to his constituents. For a 
number of years he has been Notary Public, in 
which capacity he still serves, and has watched 
with supreme satisfaction the rapid development of 
Southern Michigan. 



'i^^' -T-r-. 



4 



ENRY J. KOON, who is looked upon as one 
of the thrifty and well-to-do farmers of 
Allen Township, h.as been giving his atten- 
m tion for the past forty-four years to sixty- 
three acres of choice land on section 15, which is a 
part of the original homestead built up by his late 
honored father. Upon this land are excellent 
improvements, comprising a neat and substantial 
farm dwelling, good barns and outhouses, and an 
assortment of well-kept live stock, besides the vari- 
ous other appliances of a well regulated modern 
farm estate. 

The subject of this biography is the offspring of 
an excellent old family, and was born in Tyrone, 
Schuyler Co,, N. Y., Nov. 27, 18;.'7. "When a youth 

<■ 



of sixteen years he came to this county with his 
parents, and completed a practical education in the 
common schools of Allen Township. Here he has 
been a resident now for a period of forty-four 
years, and is intimately associated with its best in- 
terests. As a peaceful and law-abiding citizen lie 
has filled his niche worthily in life, and is alike 
honored and respected by his neighbors. 

Our subject is the son of Alanson and Marilla 
(Wells) Koon, the former a native of Albany 
County, N. Y., and born in 1799, and the latter 
born in Luzerne County, Pa., Oct. 6, 1806. They 
became the parents of eleven children, eight of 
whom, six sons and two daughters, lived to mature 
years. Of these Henry J. was the third in order of 
birth. After marriage the parents first settled in 
the vicinity of Prattsburg, Steuben Co., N. Y., 
whence they sulisequently removed to Tyrone, 
Schuyler County, and from there migrated to South- 
ern Michigan, in 1844. They located upon a tract 
of land on section 15 in Allen Township, where 
they spent the remainder of their days, the father 
passing away April 29, 1867. The mother sur- 
vived her husband five years only, her death taking 
place in May, 1872. 

The living children of the parental household are 
recorded as follows, and it will be observed that 
of the sons, three are physicians and two lawyers, 
Henry J., of our sketch, being the only farmer 
among them ; Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, is the 
wife of W. B. Childs, of Hillsdale, of whom a 
sketch appears elsewhere; Henry J., our subject, is 
the eldest son living; Ciiarles K. is a practicing 
physician of Grand Rapids; Ezra L. is following 
the profession of law in Hillsdale; Sherman J. is a 
successful physician of Lisbon, in Ottawa County; 
Martin B. is practicing law in Minneapolis, Minn.; 
Emily is the wife of O. S. Nichols, of Garden 
Prairie, 111., and Chancy E. is a successful physician 
of Casenovia, Muskingum County, this State. 

The marriage of Henry J. Koons and Miss Pliebe 
Nichols took place at the home of the bride in 
Jonesville, this county, Oct. 15, 1853. Mrs. Koon 
is the daugiiter of Jared and Matilda (Ray) Nichols, 
who were horn, reared and married in New York 
State, whence they removed to Ohio, locating in 
Portage County, where tiie motiicr died in middle. 



■^^ 



^t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



615 



life, Fcl). 4, 184.'). Mr. Nichols subsequently came 
lo this State, locating in Branch County in 1819, 
where his death took place in September, 1858. 
Mrs. Koon was the eldest of the five children born 
lo her parents, and first opened her eyes to the light 
in Mexico, Oswego Co., N. Y., Aug. II, 1833. She 
accompanied her father to this State wlien a maiden 
of sixteen years, and remained with him until lier 
marriage. Of her union with our subject there are 
three children: Zella M. is the wife of Henry Kel- 
logg, of Waj'ne County, Neb. ; Charles O. is clerk in 
a dr3^-goods store at Hillsdale; Bertha E. is the 
wife of Fred J. Pomeroj', of Allen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Koon identified themselves with 
the Baptist Church, of Allen, about 1844, of wiiicli 
they have remained consistent members, and to the 
support of which they have contributed according 
to their means. Mr. Koon, politically, is a zealous 
Republican, and although well fitted by nature and 
acquirements for office-holding, has steadily de- 
clined such positions, preferring to give his undi- 
vided attention to his farm and his family. 



JOHN T. BALL, Superintendent of the County 
Tiifirmar}', which is located on sections 3 and 
4. in Cambria Township, is, it is hardly nec- 
essary to say, one of the best-known citizens 
of this part of the county, and is discharging the 
duties of his res|)onsible |)ositi(>n in an eminently 
praiseworthy and satisfactory manner. 

The property set apart for the unfortunate of 
Hillsdale County comprises 200 acres of good land, 
which, with the exception of twenty-five acres in 
timber, is in a vcrj" good state of cultivation. Al- 
though the buildings have stood the storms of man}- 
winters they arc in a comparatively fair condition, 
the result of the care and forethought of the present 
Superintendent, who has added various improve- 
ments, and apparently takes the same interest in the 
premises ;is though it were his own property. He was 
elected to the office of Supeiintendent on the 1st 
of January, 1868, and has consequently been its 
incumbent for a period of more than twenty years. 
Tliis fact is sufficient recommendation as to the 



manner in which he has taken care of the propertj" of 
tlie county, while at the same time administering 
to the comfort of its poor. 

Mr. Bali was reared to farming pursuits, and 
consequently in taking upon himself the duties of 
his present position was fully prepared to oi)erate 
the farm to the best advantage. He has been care- 
ful in his expenditures, while at the same time he 
has spared neither time nor means to alleviate tiie 
condition of those under his charge, which number 
is usually from sixty to sixty-five persons. The 
most of these are enabled to perform light labor, 
there being only about half a dozen who are 
thoroughly incapacitated to assist in their mainte- 
nance. Mr. Ball before his election to the Sui)er- 
intendency was one of the most ])rosperous farmers 
of Allen Township, where he is now the ow ner of 
valuable properly, including a fine farm of 2 1 5 acres, 
with modern improvements and machinery. 

B}' birth our suliject is a New Yorker, having 
begun life in Pcnfield Township, Monroe Count}-, 
Feb. 25, 183G. His parents ^were also natives of 
the Empire State, and his father, John Ball, a far- 
mer by occupation. His paternal grandfather, 
Mathias Ball, is supposed to have been a native of 
Germany, and left the Fatherland in time to par- 
ticipate with the Colonists in their struggle for 
independence. Upon laj'ing down his musket he 
settled in Chautauqua Count}', N. Y., of which 
he was one of the early pioneers, and where he lived 
to reach his fourscore years. John Ball, Sr., was 
reared and married in his native State, his bride 
being Miss Margaret Winegard, who was of German 
descent. After marriage they continued residents of 
their native county, wliere the father died in 1872, 
aged seventy-four, and the mother sui'viving her 
husband six years, passed away also at the old 
homestead in 1878. She was a little older than her 
husband, and a lady of most excellent qualities, a 
faithful wife and mother, and a devoted member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Ball, Sr., 
was a man of strict integrit}', upright and honora- 
ble in all his transactions, and uniforml}- respected 
by the people of his community. 

The early life of the subject of this biography 
was spent at the hardest kind of work on his 
father's farm, while his education was conducted at 



I at ^ r 



616 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



nr- 



the district school, principally during the winter 
season. He was fond of reading and study, how- 
ever, and by close application endeavored to ob- 
tain a good fund of useful information from the 
perusal of instructive books. So well did he suc- 
ceed in this that he began teaching, meeting with 
flattering success, and pursued this calling during 
the winter seasons after his arrival in this county. 
He came to this section in the spring of 1859, and 
not long afterward made the acquaintance of one 
of the most estimable 3'oung ladies of Allen Town- 
ship, Miss Clara J. Truax, who became his wife on 
the ]7lh of Jul}', 1859. They commenced house- 
keeping in a modest manner in Allen Township, 
where our subject had secured a tract of land, and 
where he carried on farming until being elected to 
his present office. 

Mrs. Ball was born in Ontario Count}*, N. Y.,]May 
17, 1843, and is the third child and eldest daugh- 
ter of Jolni and Ann (Wells) Truax, the father of 
German ancestry and the mother of excellent En- 
glish stock. Benjamin Wells, the maternal grand- 
father of Mrs. Ball, was a soldier of the War of 
1812, and after the settlement of this trouble took 
up his residence in New York, where he carried on 
agriculture. lie spent his last days in Hillsdale 
County, Mich. John Truax came witli his famih' 
to INlichigan in 1853, and located first on a farm in 
Allen Township. There he made considerable im- 
provement, but later removed to Homer Township, 
where his death tooii place in the spring of 1882, 
when he was sixty-three years of age. He was a 
solid and reliable citizen, a man who despised a 
mean action, and who was content to be the archi- 
tect of his own fortune by the honest labor of his 
hands. The devoted wife and mother is still liv- 
ing, being now sixty-seven j'ears of age, and resides 
in the city of Hillsdale; six of her ten children are 
still living. Two dece.ised died in early childhood 
and two after maturity. 

Mrs. John T. Ball was carefully reared under 
good home influences, and is a lady of more than 
ordinary intelligence and goodness of heart. Siie 
is the mother of two children only, a son and daugh- 
ter: The latter, Ida M., is finely educated, a student 
of Hillsdale College, and a most accomplished 
and estimable j'onng lady ; the son, John Falley, 



resides with his parents and assists his father in the 
duties of his office. The family are attendants of 
the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Ball, politically 
affiliates with the Republican party. 



-^ -#^ ^ 

<Jl I^ILLIS CASE. Among the enterprising, 
\/iJ/' 1''^''''^' hearted, and liberal minded resi- 
W^ dents of Hillsdale Count}', a Large propor- 
tion of whom are engaged in farming, stands he of 
whom we write. Our subject, twin brother of Will- 
iam Case, was born July 9, 1 829, being a son of 
Horace and Cynthia (Moore) Case, natives of New 
York. (For further parental history see sketch of 
William Case.) 

The subject of this biography received his edu- 
cation in the pioneer schools of Scipio Township, 
whither he removed with his parents in 1835. 
His father owning a large farm here, Willis was 
obliged to assist in the work, and thus in early life 
became conversant with the ways and methods 
used in cultivating the soil, and when of an age to 
decide on an occupation for life, chose the inde- 
pendent calling of a farmer. He is a wide-awake, 
energetic man, and h.as kept up with the times 
in regard to the best means for producing the 
desired results in agriculture, which, indeed, has 
called into play the fertile l>rain of the inventor 
fully as often as any other branch of industry, and 
he has now the satisfaction of owning as product- 
ive a farm as any in the locality. It consists of 
213 acres of rich, arable land on section 13 of 
Scipio Township, on which he has erected a good 
set of buildings, comfortably and conveniently 
arranged, where he and his family are happily living 
at peace with themselves and the world. 

Mr. Case was married in Moscow Township, this 
county, April 20, 1870, to Miss Emily Godfrey, 
daughter of Wallace and Clarissa P. (Elmore) God- 
frey, both natives of the Eastern States. They re- 
moved from Ontario County, N. Y''., to this county 
in 1838, and were among the early settlers of Mos- 
cow Township, where the death of Mr. Godfrey 
occurred Aug. 20, 18C8. Mrs. Godfrey is still 
living in Moscow Township on the old homestead. 
They were the parents of six children, an ecjual 






•► I I ■^»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



C17 



number of sons and daiigltters. The wife of our 
siiljjcct, the second daughter of the family', was born 
in Moscow Townsiiip, Aug. G, 1838. She was 
roared in her native township, where she received 
the same healliiful and useful training that was 
commonly given to the daughters of pioneer house- 
holds, nialving her an efficient, capable liousewife, 
and a true homekeeper for her husband and children. 
Iler married life, which has been prolific of much 
joy to herself and her husband, has had a propor- 
tionate allotment of grief mingled with it, for of 
the four children born to them only one survives, 
Frederick H., the other three having died irr in- 
fancy. 

Our subject is a valued citizen and an important 
f.actor in promoting and sustaining the industrial 
interests of Scipio Township. The respect and es- 
teem universallj' accorded to him .are his just due, 
as he has ever conducted himself with tlie strictest 
honor and fidelity in all the relations of life. He is 
no office-seeker, preferring to give all his attention 
to his own private afifairs, but at tlie same time he 
is not unmindful of the welfare of his country and 
of his duties .as a citizen, and in politics casts his 
vote with the Republican party. Both lie and his 
wife are pleasant, affable people, and have hosts of 
warm friends. 

ILLIAM S. CURTIS, a prominent .agri- 
culturist and stock-dealer, widely and favor- 
ably known throughout the count}', is 
actively engaged in his chosen calling on section 
20, Scipio Township. He is a native of New 
England, born in New Canaan, Conn., May 28, 
182',), being a son of Sanford and Abigail (Smith) 
Curtis, both natives of Hartford County, Conn. 
After their niarri.age they settled in New Canaan, 
where Mr. Curtis followed his trade of shoeinaking 
for many years. Finally, deciding to abandon his 
occupation in favor of agriculture, he removed 
with his family, which consisted of a wife and five 
children, to Hillsdale County, arriving in Jonesville 
in .lune, 18.3.'). After remaining there a week they 
came to Scipio, and located near the center of the 
^ ' township, being among the first settlers of the place. 





Mr. Curtis at once erected a dwelling and com- 
menced clearing his land. He improved a farm 
from the dense wilderness, and remained there until 
his death, Sept. 7, 1872. His wife died May 12, 
1869. The}' were sturdy, industrious, true-hearted 
people, who well performed their share in develop- 
ing the resources of Hillsdale Count}', and occupied 
an honorable position among its noble pioneers. 
They were the parents of live children, of whom 
the following is the record : Matilda is the widow 
of Philo Sandford; Ezra lives in Berrien County, 
Mich. ; Harriet, who was the wife of Edward Bebee, 
died in Jackson, Mich., in October, 1887; Sarah 
died when ten years of age; and William S. 

The latter, the subject of our sketch, was six 
years of age when he came to this county with his 
parents. He attended the pioneer schools, and as 
soon as old enough assisted in the lighter duties of 
the farm, and growing to like the free and independ- 
ent life of a farmer, eventually chose it as an 
honorable way of making a good living. His first 
investment in real estate consisted in the purchase 
of fifty acres of land, where he now resides, and 
which w.as formerly the homestead of his father. 
To his original purchase he has since added, until 
now he owns 236 acres of valuable land in Scipio 
Township. He .also at one time owned 150 acres 
of land in Moscow Township, but having an ojipoi*- 
tunity to advantageously dispose of it, he did so. 
In additiini to his possessions in Scipio, our subject 
also owns good proi)ert}' in Jonesville, and can 
justly be estimated as one of the most successful 
men in Hillsdale County. Besides attending to the 
cultivati(»n of his land, our suliject has for upward 
of thirty years been engaged in buying, shipping 
and feeding stock, on an extensive scale. His 
excellent judgment and keen foresight have ren- 
dered this branch of his business especially lucrative. 

The union of Mr. Curtis with Miss Mary J. 
Havens was solemnized in Macon Township, Lena- 
wee County, Jan. 13, 1M57. She is a daughter of 
.Sylvanus and Rebecca (Shi|)nian) Havens, natives 
respectively of New York and remisylvania. After 
marri.age they settled in Macon Townshij), where tlie 
death of Mr. Havens occurred in 18,")2. Mrs. Havens 
is still living at an advanced .age. Tliey were among 
the earliest pioneers of Lenawee County, and, while 



n 



a 



^ 



"4«— 

618 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^*Tr 



cheerfully braving the privations and hardships of 
a life in the wilderness, tliat they might build up 
for themselves and their children a comfortable 
home, nobly performed their part in promoting the 
growth of the count3'. They were the ]iarents of six 
children : Mary J. ; William lives in Lenawee County ; 
Frances is the wife of Robert Ellison, of Eaton 
Rapids, Mich. ; Ann is the wife of John Dell, of 
Lenawee County; Helen is the wife of Harrison 
Ames, of Lenawee County; Cynthia is the wife of 
Justus Todd, of Elkhart, Ind. 

Mary, the wife of our subject, is the eldest child 
of the family, and was born in Macon Township, 
Lenawee C^ounty, Sept. 3, 1833. She received a 
good common-school education, and at home was 
carefully trained in the domestic duties that fitted 
her so well to fill the honored position she now 
occupies in her household. To her and her husband 
have been born three children, of whom the fol- 
lowing is the record : Frank B. married Etta Bellamy, 
and lives in Moscow Township; Fred IL is at home; 
Minnie A. is the wife of C. F. Wade, of Jonesville. 

Mr. Curtis can well be called a representative 
man of his county; he is unostentatious in liis man- 
ners, caring more for the comforts than the vanities 
of life. His home, though not so elaborate of 
architecture as many, is one of the pleasantest and 
most homelike of dwellings, and is made attractive 
to many friends bj' the affability and genial courtesy 
of the liost and hostess. Mr. Curtis, though taking 
an interest in local and general matters, is no office- 
seeker, but performs his dut}' at the polls by cast- 
ing his vote with the Republicans. Sociall^^ he is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity. 




ANIEL FIELD, pleasantlj* located on sec- 
tion 17, Wright Township, is essentially a 
selfmade man. This term is used in com- 
paring the life work of two men with the 
results attained b^' each. Two men contract for 
the erection of a building; one has his material 
supplied on the ground, and the other digs it from 
the mountain. Two men start out in life: one has 
friends, opportunities and fortune; his material is 
supplied. The other has no resources but those 



within him; no capital but his brain, no stimulus 
but his dauntless courage. He digs his material 
from the mountain. These men may both succeed. 
They may receive the recognition which success 
always wins, but the world will accord higher 
honor to him who, independently of any assistance 
other than the labor of his hands and the work of 
his brain, at last places himself side by side with 
his more highly favored fellow. The world ex- 
presses its approbation when it says, "Here is a 
selfmade man." The foregoing is necessary to a 
complete understanding and appreciation of the 
subject of this sketch. 

Daniel Field was born in C.imillus, Onondaga 
Co.,N. Y., Sept. 12, 1833, while his father, Thomas 
Field, was born in Yorkshire, England, and there 
grew to manhood and married. He w.is of that 
sturdy class of English yeoman, who, wherever they 
have turned their attention to farming on a large 
scale, have been the most successful illustrations of 
what well-directed effort in agricultural pursuits 
can accomplish. A few years after their marriage, 
Thomas Field and his wife came to America, brhiging 
with them their three children, and settled in the 
town of Camillus, among its earliest pioneers. Mr. 
Field bought a tract of land and engaged in tiie 
work of improving tlie farm, upon which he resided 
until 183G, when he sold out and removed to 
Lysander Township, in the same count}', and pur- 
chased a farm upon which he resided until about 
1852, when he sold out and removed to Cayuga 
County, and bought land in the township of Sennet, 
which became his home until his decease in 1867. 
The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Betsey E. Little, was born in Yorkshire, 
England, and died in Lysander Tovvnship, Onon- 
daga County, leaving a husband and thirteen chil- 
dren to mourn their loss. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Ljsander 
Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and attended the 
district schools, while he also assisted his father in 
the duties of the farm, and continued thus occupied 
until fifteen j'ears of age. He then ventured out 
for himself, engaging by the month at 110, and con- 
tinued thus employed until his marriage. He then 
operated a farm on shares, remaining thus employed 
for a period of five years, when, in 1 865, he directed \ 



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i 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



G19 



his steps westward, and coining to Hillsdale County 
purchased the farm which lias lieon his home ever 
since. At the lime of the purchase a log house had 
been erected on the place and six acres of the land 
had been cleared. He has now the greater part of 
the land cleared and under a good state of cultiva- 
tion, and adorned with substantial and commodious 
frame buildings. 

In bringing his plans to a successful issue, our 
subject has had the invaluable assistance of a noble 
wife, to whom he w.as married Oct. 22, 1859. 
This lady, who in her girlhood was Miss Sarah M. 
Whipple, was born in Cambridge, Washington Co., 
N. v., Nov. 20, 1840, and is the daughter of Ira 
Whipple, who was born in the Gi-een Mountain 
State, but removed to New York when a young 
man, and located in Washington County. He mar- 
ried Mrs. Catherine Larmonth, of that count}', and in 
18GG thej' removed to Oswego County, where his 
wife died in the town of Granby. In 1870 Ira 
Whipple removed to Herkimer County, and pur- 
chased a farm upon which he spent his last years. 

To Mr. and JMrs. Field there have been born four 
children: Those living are Minnie U. and Slyrtle 
T., both at home. Carrie died at the age of live 
j'ears and five months, and James I., at the .age of 
three weeks. In politics Mr. Field atliliates with 
the Republican party. 






OL. FREDERICK M. HOLLOWAY, son of 
Cyrus and Pamelia Hollowiiy, was born in 
^^ the town of Bristol. Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 
18, 1815, of parents who emigrated the previous 
year from Berkshire, Mass., to the Bristol Hills in 
Ontiirio County. For the first ten years of his life 
Ills occupation was climbing hills, sliding down the 
same in winter, going a mile to school, and in the 
summer bringing to the yard the cows of the farm 
which seemed to him to roam over a thousand hills. 
This early training created a love for pedestrianism. 
At ten years of age his i)arents moved to Genesee 
County, which was then almost a wilderness, to es- 
tablish .-1 home fur themselves. Here the realities 



of life began in earnest, :is the farm must be cleared 
for father, mother and seven boys. 

Our subject w.as the second in order of birth, and 
assumed the leadership in all occupations, not, how- 
ever, without ]irotest by the elder brother. Indue 
time they made a claim and backed it up for eight 
long years, at the end of which time a good farm 
of 200 acres was suflicienlly cleared and provided 
with suitable farm buildings. Each of the seven 
family sprouts advanced in the rudiments of a com- 
mon-school education, being required to go one and 
three-fourths miles night an<l morning. This rou- 
tine continued until the summer of 1832, when the 
effort of our subject to be a man and not to be out- 
done by anyone in the harvest field, was frustrated 
by a sunstroke which nearly proved fatal. After 
a struggle of three months, however, he left his bed 
with his nervous system so badl}- upset as to inter- 
fere with everything requiring a steady hand. His 
physical system also was so reduced that he was 
unable to do farm work and so tried teaching, but 
the mental and physical strain proved too much 
for him, and nearly discouraged, and with almost 
every hope vanishing, the outlook was anything 
but cheerful. 

Col. HoUoway then came to the conclusion that 
the best thing for him to do would be to go to some 
new country and "rough it," as the best remedy he 
could suggest for a sh.attered constitution, and also 
a quick method of relieving his friends of the care 
of a hopeless invalid. Accordingly, on the 22d of 
March, 1833, and with his father to care for him, 
he left his old Genesee home for Michigan. With 
a bed in the wagon u[X)n which he could rest easilj-, 
he made BulTalo the first d.ay, expecting to take a 
boat in that cit}', but the harbor being full of ice, 
he was doomed to disappointment, as no boat was 
nearer than Dunkirk, fort}' miles away. The jour- 
ney from ButTalo to the latter-named cit}- occupied 
the next two days, and they remained there three 
days waiting for a boat. They then boarded the 
steamer "Niagara," which had just arrived from 
Detroit, and after two hours out was met by a 
furious storm of wind and snow, and it was with 
great ditliculty that it reached the port of Erie, 
with the most dejected looking lot of p.assenoers on 
board our subject had ever seen. In his own case 



■ ► 11 ^^ 



620 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he was so "used up" that he was carried from the 
boat to the hotel, wliere he remained two days 
waiting for the storm to subside and to repair the 
vessel, which was damaged bj' striking the pier on 
entering the harbor. The}' then sailed for Detroit, 
and after six days' continuous battling with storms, 
landed on the evening of the sixth day, making in 
all fifteen days since thej' left home, seven of which 
were occupied by our subject in meditating whether 
he had swallowed the whale or the whale had swal- 
lowed him. 

The change, however, was in every way beneficial. 
A new life seemed opened up to young HoIIoway, 
and with his returning strength he was brought to 
realize that he was a well man. For two years he 
worked as a house carpenter and joiner, and in 
183G built six miles of the Erie &. Kalamazoo Rail- 
road. This brought him to a period in his life 
when new plans presented themselves and new 
aspirations claimed consideration. In short, the 
chief source of the aspiration in forming and ear- 
ly ing out these new plans was a certain young 
woman, Miss Sybil B. Bassett. They joined hands 
and fortunes Feb. 5, 1837. Mrs. Ilolloway was 
born Sept 10, 1815, in (iorham, N. Y. Her father 
and mother dying within a year she, with her twin 
brother, was left to the care of others whose hearts 
beat kindl}' for the orphans. Sybil B. was but ten 
d.ays old when her mother died, when she was 
adopted bj' Mrs. L. L. Goodrich, of Naples, N. Y., 
and was reared liy her as one of her own family, 
knowing no other parents or home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hollowav' spent their first year of 
married life in Sylvania, Ohio, and the second and 
third in Teeumseh, this State, where their eldest 
child vvas born. In April, 1840, they moved to 
Jonesville, this county. Here the battle of life be- 
gan in earnest, and for ten years Mr. Holloway fol- 
lowed his trade with energy and accumulated 
enough to secure a snug home worth $1,500. In 
1 850 lie was elected Register of Deeds for the 
county, and discharged the duties of this office two 
j-ears, introducing in the meantime the sj'stem of 
indexing the work in said office, geographically as 
well as alphabetically, the wisdom of which was 
apparent to everyone connected with the business 
of this office. Mr. Holloway for this important 

4* 



work received suitable compensation from the 
County Board of Supervisors. While the law re«- 
quires the alphabetical indices to be kept up, the 
geographical s^'stem greatly facilitates the work of 
investigation, and is .nn invaluable aid in furnishing 
absolute proofs of correctness of title, and consti- 
tutes the foundation upon which so many abstract 
agencies have sprung up in almost everj- county or 
parish in the land. 

In 1852 Mr. Hollowa}- exchanged his home in 
Jonesville for a farm located on sections 9 and 10 
in Fayette Township. This was a move in the 
right direction, giving him a bank of deposit where 
every few dollars spent in improvements helped to 
swell the .aggregate, slowly but surely, into a beau- 
tiful and valualjle home. This, however, was not 
for him and his to enjoy for several years. The 
crash of 1837 to 1842 involved to our subject the 
loss of $3,000, and after ten or twelve j'ears of 
hard labor there was yet $1,000 of this unpaid. At 
the commencement of the year 1853 he was relieved 
from the office of Register of Deeds, and although 
desirous of removing to the farm with his family 
he hesitated about making the experiment, with 
wheat only fifty cents per bushel and other produce 
in proportion. Shortly afterward, through the efforts 
of influential men who had stood by him through 
sunshine and storm, he was elected by over 100 
majority Supervisor of Fayette Township, embrac- 
ing Jonesville and Hillsdale, over the Hon. Henry 
Waldron, who had never been beaten before. Soon 
afterward Col. Holloway was appointed Post- 
master of Hillsdale, and although the salary was not 
large, by opening an insurance office in connection 
therewith he built up a lucrative business, in which 
he continued nine years. His boys had been of 
great assistance, while at tlie same time it was a fine 
business school for them. 

In 1854 our subject was elected Secretary- of the 
Hillsdale Agricultural Society, which position, with 
the exception of two years, he has held to the pres- 
ent time. In 1855, through the courtesy of Hon. 
Kinsley S. Bingham, Governor of Michigan, he was 
appointed Colonel of the 15th Regiment, 2d Brig- 
ade of the Michigan Militia, with a uniformed 
staff, but aside from acting as escort in laying the 
corner stone of Hillsdale College, presiding over a 






I 



-4«- 



HILLSUALE COUNT V. 



Gl>1 



i' 



few iiiilitaiy encampments and a few Foiirth-of-July 
celebrations, the Colonel and liis stiiff have enjoyed 
the title witiiout the responsibility. That same 
year also Col. Holloway was elected one of the 
Trustees of Hillsdale College, and has since stead- 
ily held this position. For the following five j-ears 
there was little to change the even tenor of steadj' 
work and responsibility of ottice. Col. Holloway 
cultivated the little avenues of income, and guarded 
carefully the sources of leakage, until he was able 
to shake his fist in the face of the world and call for 
a receipt in full from all creditors. In the mean- 
time a part of the farm of 1G5 acres had been 
brought to a fair state of cultivation, and was well 
stocked. 

In 18G1 the Colonel concluded to close out his now 
extensive city business, which had been augmented 
to a large number of agencies, and take to the farm. 
Upon this there was much yet to do, the fields being 
still very stony, and no fruit, with the exception of 
a small apple orchard which had been planted about 
18;30. The dwelling was simply a tenant house, and 
in looking over the surroundings it was decided to 
erect a mansion from the material at hand, namely', 
rubel stone, or in other words, hammered lilocks 
from field boulders. The lumber had to be sawed 
from the log and seasoned, and shingles were only 
obtainable from Gratiot County. In the meantime 
the farming must also be carried on, and with the 
gathering of material and digging of the cellar June 
came before the masons were put to work. By 
the 1st of January following the family to<jk i)os- 
session of their new dwelling, although it was still 
unfinished. With the ushering in of 1862 our sub- 
ject was admonished that it was time to call a halt 
in his improvements, as the war was being prose- 
cuted with vigor, and wages in consequence had 
been greatly increased. The cream of labor had 
either enlisted or was being drafted. The eldest 
son of Col. Holloway had joined the volunteers, 
and missing his valuable assistance the labor of the 
farm was carried on slowly and labc)riousl3-. 

Col. Ilollow.ay had become considerablj- inter- 
ested in sheep-raising, and the wool clip alone of 
one year sold for $1,000. The projected orchard 
had not yet materialized, but ten acres set aside for 
this purpose had been thoroughly cleared of the 



stones and boulders, from which a wall was built 
around the enclosure, and the work of planting com- 
menced after that sj'stematic manner b}- which the 
Colonel gauges all his undertakings. By the s[>ring 
follow ing he had a fine young orchard of 500 trees. 
He soon, however, perceived that he had set them 
too closely together, but this mistake it was now too 
late to remedy. The planting of the smaller fruits 
followed in due time, also ornamental trees and 
shrubbery, and the homestead began to wear the 
air of a modern country estate. 

Our subject now experienced a desire to improve 
his live stock, especially his cattle, so he com- 
menced fattening for the market the common grades 
which he possessed, selling them as fast as possible, 
and invested the proceeds in young heifers of the 
most approved pedigree of Short-horn stock. In 
a few years the results of this wise movement were 
apparent in a herd of the finest animals to be found 
in Southern Michigan. Col. Holloway also con- 
tinued his operations as a sheep lireeder, wliicli have 
been the means of yielding him aniniall}- a hand- 
some income. By a fall, in the winter of 1881, he 
received a concussion of the muscles of the arm, 
which left those members cpiite helpless, and com- 
pelled him to abandon his farniing operations. 

In the meantime, the year previously, without 
any etTort or ambition of his own, our subject was 
brought forward by his friends as candidate for 
Governor, and which he felt would lie attended 
with great expense and sure defeat. He had never, 
however, been a shirk, and he felt it was now too 
late in life to stand the stigma, so he accepted the 
nomination with the results that he fully expected, 
although he greatly lessened the former Republican 
majorities. He had been an earlj' advocate of the 
Grange movement, and had much to do in shaping 
its destiny, being on the Executive Board. The 
fight with patent-right concerns and other combi- 
nations to fleece the farmers was continued and 
bitter, but Col. Holloway and the other Grangers 
do not regret the efforts they put forth to secure 
their inalienable rights. 

Col. Holloway, feeling the weight of advancing 
years, considered it best to relieve himself and his 
family of the great amount of care and responsi- 
bility involved in carrying on the farm, and on the 



■► i ^> 



i 



G22 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



11th of Ai)iil, 1883, signed the deed which made 
it another's. There were upon it generous lierds of 
cattle, flocks of sheep and vahiabic horses, together 
with hogs, liay and grain, and the former proprietor 
from all these reserved Init a single carriage horse 
and the most valuable personal effects. Soon after- 
ward he took ills wife in his buggy and started for 
Hillsdale, with tiie purjjose of purchasing a modest 
home suitable for their comforts and requirements. 
In due time tlie3' took possession, the Colonel ex- 
pecting to be freed from further public cares and 
responsibilities. In 1884, however, he was pre- 
vailed upon to become the Democratic candidate 
for Mayor, and was elected by a large vote, being 
the first presiding officer of this political complex- 
ion for several years in this cil^'. Never in the 
habit of doing anything half-way. Col. Ilolloway at 
once lent his aid in securing an appropriation for 
building the city water-works, and in due time the}- 
were under way, although nut until the successor of 
Col. HoUoway was in occupation of his ofKce. 

In the summer of 1884 Col. HoUoway was chosen 
a delegate to the National Convention at Chi- 
cago. That same year also, in connection with other 
prominent citizens, he was instrumental in organ- 
izing the Hillsdale County Savings Bank, of which 
he w.as made a Director, and which has become one 
of the indispensable institutions in the county. The 
year following he put up a neat and handsome resi- 
dence, more in conformity to the tastes and require- 
ments of his family than the one he had purchased. 
On the oth of February', 1887, Col. HoUoway and 
his estimable wife were brought face to face with 
the fiftieth milestone of their married life. This 
event vvas celebrated in due form by the children 
who had been given them, and who with them 
constituted an unbroken family circle, besides 
200 others, neighbors and friends, each one accom- 
panied by a loving memento of friendship and good 
will. It was an occasion of general rejoicing, and 
one to be remembered not only by those most inter- 
ested, but by all who particijKited in it. The pleas- 
ant and tasteful home was duly fitted up for the 
occasion, and manj^ were the good wishes which 
followed the worth}' pair, whom the community 
hope and trust will be spared to their midst for 
years to come. 



The career of Col. HoUoway is simply that of a 
country boy, born without privileges except those 
acquired by his own energy. His experiences have 
been many and he has learned well from the lessons 
of life. At this point we wish to quote the Colonel's 
own words as fitting to close this sketch of his life: 
"I have found many incidents in this journey of 
seventy-three years around wiiich my thoughts 
cluster and would like to tairy and commune for a 
season, but we pass man}' of these milestones in 
the course to contemplate sc)me of the propelling 
powers and influences that urged me to be a man 
among men. 

"First, my settled belief in an over-ruling Provi^ 
dence — that God holds all men responsible for the 
use or disuse of the talents committed to them. 
Second, that we are to render service to Him and 
to our fellows as we have opportunity. Hence the 
necessity for organization to promote these princi- 
ples; hence, as a result of this organization, from 
the different branches we selected the Methodist 
Episcopal Church as being nearest our belief. We 
united with it in 1840, and have kept our member- 
ship to the present. In this we have felt at home. 
It has been a source of profit and help to us, and we 
doubt not that our membership has been a help to 
the church here as well as at Joncsville in building 
their church edifices and carrying forward their 
religious enterprises. 

"Our family of three sons and one daughter has 
all been preserved to us. Their children are fast 
maturing to manhood and womanhood, all sur- 
rounded with health and the good things of life. 
What more could we desire? We may say with 
one of old, 'Our lines have fallen in pleasant places.' 
We wait patiently the further bidding of our 
Master." 



LFRED DEUEL. The beautiful farm of 
this gentleman, with its tasteful and sub- 
stantial buildings, which is finely located 
on section 1, near the town line in Camden 
Township, is a standing monument of the thrift and 
Industry of one of Hillsdale's earliest pioneers. A 
native of Ontario County, N. Y., Mr. Deuel was 
born Oct. 3, 1832, and is the son of Cornelius and 




■•► 



t 



-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



G23 



Sarah (Fcnis) Deuel, who were both natives of 
Dutchess County, that State, and si)ent tlicir last 
3'ears in Michigan. 

The Deuel family who, it is supposed, crossed 
tiie Atlantic from Scotland, settled in New England 
during the i)eriod of its early history, and although 
the records are scjniewhat dim, there is reason to 
believe that both sides furnished vohniteers to the 
Revolutionary War. They were a sturdy and coura- 
geous race of pe»(i)le who invariably made a good 
record as citizens and members of the community, 
and whose descendants of this later day have pre- 
served the best traits of their ancestry. 

To Cornelius and Sarah Deuel there were born 
eleven children, of whom the following survive: 
Alfred, our subject; Lydia,tlic wife of Henry Smith, 
of West Unity, Ohio; Lewis, who lives in Kalkaska 
County, this State; Marcena, the wife of Hiram 
Bird, and Delora, of Midland, Mich. AVhen a little 
lad in the sixth j'ear of his age our subject came 
with his parents to this county, they settling in 
Ransom Township when its people were few and 
far between. Here the^' lived and labored the re- 
mainder of their lives. The father passed away in 
September, 1885, and the mother April 12, 1888. 
They were most excellent and worthy people, and 
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew 
them. Mr. Deuel cut the first stick of tindjer in 
the vicinity of what afterward became his home- 
stead, and with his estimable wife endured all the 
hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. 
He was a man of much force of character and be- 
came prominent in township affairs, holding the 
oHlces of Constable and Highway Commissioner, 
and was one of the first to encourage the projects set 
on foot to develop the county and elevate its peo- 
ple. He was careful and conscientious in his busi- 
ness transactions, and carried out in his daily life 
that illustration of the noblest work of the Creator 
— an honest man. Few are more worthy of notice 
in a work of this kind than Cornelius Deuel. 

Our subject was reared to manhood under the 
parental roof, and was the main assistant of his 
father in develoi)ing the farm and building ui) the 
homestead. He received a limited education and 
eaily in life was trained to those hal)its of in- 
dustry and economy wliicli have servecl to place 



him in an enviable position among men. A lover 
of books, he has lieen an extensive reader, and few 
are better versed in relation to the general topics 
of the da}'. 

i\Ir. Deuel was married, Oct. .'i, 1858, to Miss 
Caroline Seaman, the wedding taking place at the 
home of the bride in Cambria. Mrs. Deuel was 
born .June 8, ls:!8, in Ontario Count}', N. Y., and 
is the daughter of Jonas and Melinda (Perigo) Sea- 
man, who were natives also of the Empire State, and 
at present are residing in Amboy Township. They 
came to Michigan in 1847, settling among the pio- 
neers of Cambria Township, where they lived for ;i 
number of years, and whence they removed to Cam- 
den Township, of which they were residents twent}* 
years. The removal to Anil)oy Township was made 
a short time since. John Seaman, the paternal 
grandfather of Mrs. Deuel, together with his father, 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and 
spent his last years in Michigan. The children of 
Jonas and Melinda Seaman, three in number, were 
named Caroline, James and Amanda. The latter 
died when about nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. 
Seaman are now approaching the sunset of life, be- 
ing both nearly eighty years of age. They have 
witnessed many changes during their residence of 
over forty years in this count}', during which time 
they labored in common with the people about them 
to establish a home and build up a record of which 
their children should never be ashamed. In a com- 
fortable home they are now passing their daj-s in 
ease and quiet, blessed with the esteem and confi- 
dence of many friends. 

The five children of JMr. and Mrs. Deuel are re- 
corded as follows: Sarah became the wife of Fre- 
mont Jenks, and lives in Camden Townshii>; Seaman 
M. is a telegraph operator for the Chicago <fe North- 
western Railroad: Lester, Ida and Carrie continue 
under the lujmeroof with their parents. Tiie Dcud 
farm comprises ninety acres of good land, and witii 
its appurtenances is considered one of the finest 
estates in the southwestern part of the county. Our 
subject has occupied the minor offices, and is a iiian 
whose opinions are held in due respect. 

After the outbreak of the late Rebellion .Mr. 
Deuel enlisted as a Union soMicr, Aug. 2, l.S(;2, in 
Company F, 18tli Michigan Infantry, which was 





'J 21 



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i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and which 
was first engaged in following up the rebel General, 
Bragg, nnd driving him out of Kentucky'. Mr. 
Deuel saw considerable fighting, beingpresent at the 
battles of Nashville and Decatur, and meeting the 
enemy in minor engagements. After the surrender 
of the Confederate troops he received his honorable 
discliarge, July 12, 18G.5, and returned to his old 
tramping ground in tliis county, where he resumed 
his farming operations. Daniel Deuel, the brother 
of our subject, was also in the service, and died at the 
hospital in Decatur, Ala. Lewis Deuel, a member 
of the same company and regiment as our subject, 
was captured at the battle of Frankfort, K^'., and 
not long afterward exchanged. Their brother-in- 
law, A. D. Lile, also accompanied them to the scat 
of war, and returned home in safety. 



EDWARD BAILEY, Supervisor of Litchfield 
Township, and a successful general farmer, 
? located on section 26, was born Dec. 9, 1842, 
in Murray Township, Orleans Co., N. Y. His par- 
ents, William and Sarah (Weed) Bailey, were na- 
tives respectivel}' of England and Stamford, Conn., 
and the father came to America in 1834, and fol- 
lowed farming in Orleans County, N. Y., for seven 
years. 

The parents of our subject came to this county 
in 1 844, and settled in Litchfield Township, where 
the father was successfully engaged in the occupa- 
tion of a farmer, and died in Februarj', 1885, at the 
ripe old age of ninety-one years. The mother of 
our subject was an estimable woman, and bore to 
lier husband three children — Charles W., Phwhe 
Jane and Edward. The earliest recollections of 
our subject are of this county, to which he was 
brought by his parents before he was two years of 
age. He gi'ew to manhood assisting in the duties 
of the farm, and in attendance upon the common 
schools, and remained at the homestead until his 
marriage. 

This important event in the life of our subject 
took place in 1869, when he was united in marriage 
with Miss Lucinda, daughter of H. H. and Marian 
(Watson) Fuller, natives respectively of New York 



and Maine. The father was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and followed iiis calling in Monroe County, 
N. Y., until his decease, which occurred in 1881, at 
the age of seventy-six 3'ears, while tlie mother died 
in I 887, at the age of eighty-one. There were born 
to them seven children, two sons and five daugh- 
ters, of whom Mrs. Bailey was the sixth in order of 
birth, and was born at Pcnfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., 
April 30, 1843. She received her education at tlie 
common schools, and taught two 3'ears prior to her 
marriage, which occurred in her native State. Her 
union with our subject has been blessed by thebiith 
of one child, Marion, who came to gladden their 
home in 1873. She resides witli her parents, and 
is at present attending school. 

Our subject is engaged in general or mixed farm- 
ing on a fine tract of land of 180 acres, on which 
he has erected a substantial and commodious dwell- 
ing, with suitable out-buildings. In politics Mr. 
Bailey is a Rei)ublican, and his services have been 
appreciated and acknowledged by his townsmen, 
who have elected him to several of the most im- 
portant offices within their gift. For a period of 
ten yeai's he was Justice of the Peace, and he then 
resigned and was elected Chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors in 1887, for one year. In 1880 he was 
elected Supervisor, and has held the position con- 
tinuously ever since, discharging the duties of his 
office in a manner at once creditable to himself and 
satisfactory to his constituents. 




ON. HENRY' PACKER, formerly a promi- 
nent citizen of this county, was born in Col- 
chester, New London Co., Conn., and died 
')^ in Jonesville, Nov. 19, 1881. Mr. Packer 
was the fourth son of Hon. P^benezer A. and Kc- 
turah (Randall) Packer, the former a i)rosperous 
farmer, who enjoyed the confidence of his towns- 
men, and was elected by them to fill various public 
offices. 

The subject of this notice spent liis earl}- years at 
the homestead, engaged principally in stud}', until 
he had reached the age of seventeen, when he went 
to Bacon Acaderaj', Colchester, and completed his 
school course. After teaching for a few years he 






I 



u 






IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



C,2o 






removed to Western New York, near Rochester, 
where he was employed in getting out staves and 
siiip timbers for aeompiiny of t^uakers. He subse- 
quently spent live winters engaged in selling books, 
and then determining to settle in tiie West, he set 
about securing suflicient finifls to accomplish his 
object. In ISo,') lie left Connei'ticut, and settled in 
this county, in Litchfield Township, where he re- 
mained, principally engaged in farming, until 1804. 
He was elected to numerous [lulilic odices, such as 
Highw.ay Commissioner, Justice of the Peace and 
Supervisor, and in 18 14 was elected to the Legis- 
lature, and afterward became Judge of the Probate 
Court, the duties of which office he discharged for 
four 3'cars. In 18G4 he sold his farm in Litchfield 
Township, and removed to Jonesville, where he 
continued to reside until his death. He was identi- 
fied with the Presbyterian Church, and socially, was 
a member of the order of Odd Fellows. 

Mr. Packer was married, in the spring of 1830, to 
Mary Randall, of Colchester, Conn., by whom he 
had two daughters — Eliza M. and Catherine A. 
Kliza became the wife of John A. Payne, and is 
now a widow, while Catherine A. is the wife of C. 
B. Ilutchins, Esq., of Albanj', N. Y. The mother 
of these children died in 1834, and our subject was 
a second time married, in 1835, to Susan A. Wright, 
also of Colchester. Their union resulted in the 
birth of seven children, viz: Henry W., Susan A., 
Edward A., John O., Albert A., Luther M. and Eva. 
IIenr\' W. is a resident of Kansas; Snsan is de- 
ceased; Edward resides in Wheeling, Mo.; John is 
an attorney in Colorado ; Albert farms in Faj-ette 
Township; Luther is engaged in railroading in Chi- 
cago, and Eva is deceased. Henrj-, Edward and 
John O. served in the Union army, in which Ed- 
ward was a Captain of Battery L, 1st Light Artil- 
lery. 

Albert A. Packer was born in Litchfield Town- 
sliij), Jan. 27, 1848, and was reared and edu- 
cated in his native township, with the exception 
of two terms spent in Hillsdale College. He has 
been engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits, and 
owns 120 acres of land in Fayette and Scipio Town- 
sliips. He was united in marriage in the former 
township, July 10, 1881, with Miss Addic A., 
daughter of Lucius H. and .Mary (Whjttcn) Smith. 



Mrs. Packer was born in Fa3'ette Township, Aug. 
0, 1852, and of her union with our subject there 
has been born one child, Henry A. Mr. Packer 
has held the office of Recorder in Jonesville, and 
School Inspector and Assessor in Fayette Township. 
In i)olitics he aniliates with the Republieau party, 
and religiously, is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



/^ HARLES L. NORTHRUP. The properly 
!|( _ of this gentleman, a prominent and wcallliy 
^^^ resident of Cambria Township, embraces 
110 acres of finely cultivated land on section 32, 
with handsome and substantial buildings, including 
a tasteful and commodious dwelling, a well-built 
barn, and the various other outhouses required for 
the successful jirosccution of his calling as a general 
farmer who makes a specialty of stock-raising. He 
handles principally high-grade Durham cattle, of 
which he has some very fine specimens in his herd 
of twenty head. He has been an exhibitor at the 
various county fairs of Southern Michigan for 
several years, from which he carries olf a goodly 
proportion of the blue ribbons. 

Mr. Northrup located on his present farm in 
April, 18G3, and for the last twenty-three years has 
given to its improvement the greater part of his 
time and attention. He was for five j-ears a resi- 
dent of Woodbridge Township, where he also im- 
proved a good farm, and previously' had lived both 
in Hillsdale and Reading Townships. He came to 
Southern Michigan in 1857, and during his residence 
of over thirty years in Hillsdale County has made 
a good record as a skillful agriculturist and a valued 
citizen. 

The Empire State has given to Hillsdale County 
many of her best men, and among these is the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who was born in Onondaga 
County, Aug. 15, 1823. His father, Kneeland 
Northrup, a carpenter by trade, was a native of 
Connecticut, and chiefly a manufacturer of spinning- 
wheels. In his time he tui'ued out thousands of 
these implements of the olden daj-s, and which arc 
mostly now preserved as relics of the past, iiaiiiteil 
and gilded, and set up in the homes of the present 
generation as both a curiosity and an ornament. 



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4 



626 



i 



••►-■ 



HLILSDALE COUNTY. 



By t!ie labors of his skillful hands hundreds of 
families in Central New York were thus supplied 
with the indispensable article by means of which at 
that day was spun the yarn which manufactured 
much of the clothing of a generation past and gone. 

Kneeland Northrup plied his trade in his native 
State when a young man, and being a genuine Yan- 
kee, frequently acted as a salesman, bartering his 
wares to the best advantage. Ui^on leaving New 
England, still unmarried, he made his way to Onon- 
daga County, N. Y., where he made the aciiuaint- 
ance of Miss Hannah Housor, a native of New York, 
and who was of German descent. The father of 
our subject served afterward for a time in the War 
of 1812, being with tiie regiment at Sackett's Har- 
bor. He developed into a musician and became 
P'ife Major, and the instrument with which he 
assisted in creating enthusiasm among the soldiers 
at the time of battle is still preserved in the family 
as a priceless relic from which they would not 
willingl}^ part. 

After the British army had once more been ex- 
pelled from American soil, the father of our subject 
resumed work at his trade, at which he continued 
the remainder of his life, or until the spinning-wheel 
was supplanted by more modern machinery. He 
spent his last days in Onondaga County, N. Y., 
dying about 1867, after rounding up his threescore 
years and ten. He was a man of decided views and 
politicall}- a Jackson Democrat. The wife an<l 
mother had died at the homestead in Onondaga 
County when little past middle life. She was a 
very conscientious lady, devoted to the interests of 
her family, and a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Kneeland Northrup was a Universalist in 
religious belief. The parental family included six 
children, three sons and three daughters. The two 
brothers of our subject are deceased. 

Charles L. Northrup spent his boyhood and youth 
in his native county, where he served first an ap- 
prenticeship at the carpenter's trade and later took 
up millwrighting. In this latter profession he 
became proficient, and put in his first machiner\' in 
a mill at Janiesville, Onondaga Co., N. Y. Later he 
went into Mecklenburg County, Va., and erected 
the first frame Viuildiiig put up by the "sijuarc rule" 
to the great astonishment of the people of that sec- 

-^ : 



i 



tion, some of whom had wagered b}' betting that it 
could not be done. This furnished abundant 
amusement to Mr. Northrup, who understood his 
business full}', and who took secret delight in con- 
vincing some of the F. F. V.'s how greatly they 
might be mistaken. He spent one year in the Old 
Dominion, and put in some of the best mill machin- 
ery of that time. 

Our subject now returned to his native State, 
from which he was called in the summer of 18.56 
to Wisconsin for the purpose of putting in the 
machinery of a paper-mill at Beloit, and which was 
the first of its kind ever built in the State. That 
mill proved the nucleus of a large paper manufact- 
uring district which attracted numbers of people 
and was the making of the town. Mr. Northrup after 
putting his machinery in motion went back to New 
York State, and made his preparations for emigra- 
tion to Southern Michigan. 

Our subject upon locating in this county carried 
on carpentering ami millwrighting for a number of 
j'ears. He put up his last mill in Cambria Township, 
and then resolving upon a change of occupation, 
purchased a tract of land in Woodbridge Township, 
where he began the agricultural pursuits which he 
has since followed with such excellent results. In 
1850, before leaving permanently his native county, 
he had been married to Miss Sarah J. Salomon, who 
was born in DeWitt Township, Onondaga County, 
Dec. 10, 1829. Mrs. Northrup is the daughter of 
Ephraim and Dolly (Weston) Salomon, the former 
a native of Vermont and the latter of New York 
State. The father carried on farming mostly, and 
died in New York State at the age of seventy-six 
years. The mother subsequently came to Michigan, 
and spent her last days at the home of her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Northrup, passing away at the advanced 
age of eighty-two years. 

The wife of our subject was reared and educated 
in her native township, and continued under the 
home roof until her marri.age. Of the six children 
born thereafter, two died, each when three years 
old; Mary, the eldest child living, has occupied 
herself as a teacher several years, and makes her 
home with her parents; D wight, who is a teacher 
and mechanic comljined, married Miss Ella Bene- 
dict, of Flint, this State, and continues among the 



t 



% 







r'j 



7i:M.UuM:^ 



1 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



629 



Wolverines; Morell C. iiiarrierl Miss Silence French, 
and carries on the old homestead in Cambria Town- 
ship; Elmer, an artist and painter, continues under 
the parental roof. Mrs. Norllirup is a lady held in 
great respect by her coninuiuity, and has been a 
member of the Episcopal Church since girlhood. 
Mr. Nortbrup, politically, is a solid Republican, and 
has held tlie local offices of his township. 

Daniel H. Northrup, the younger brother of our 
subject, about 1853 entered the marine service, and 
after the close of the war sailed wilh Commodore 
Farragut, via the Mediterranean to Africa, and wont 
subsequentl}' to Ital3'. While a sojourner in the 
city of Rome he w.as one day accosted by the 
American sculptor, Rogers, who was then a student 
in the imperial city, and who .asked the privilege of 
using him as a model. To this Mr. Northrup as- 
sented, and his figure was afterward reproduced in 
stone as " The American Marine." being sent to 
Detroit, where it stands an imposing monument in 
honor of the soldiers and sailors of the late war. 
The sculjitor had never known Mr. Northrup until 
he met him in Rome, anil until his superb figure 
attracted his attention as being almost perfect in its 
outlines as an illustration of the "human form 
divine." Daniel Northrup followed the ocean for 
a period of twenty-five years, during which time he 
visited nearly all the seaport cities in the world. 
He w.as never married, and was entombed in the 
waters which he loved so well, being lost by ship- 
wreck in 1 876. 




W^ILLIAM H. MERRITT is a well-to-do 
farmer and a respected citizen of Pittsford 
Township. His life record is an honorable 
one, and furnishes a good example of what may be 
accomplished by persistent endeavor and a strong 
determination to succeed, for our subject is a self- 
made man, having been cast on his own resources 
at a very youthful age by the death of his parents, 
and he has risen to his present prosperous condition 
bj' his own indomitable force of character and un- 
tiring industry. He was born in Putnam County, 
N. Y., Aug. 12, 1814, and his father, William Mer- 



ritt, was born in the same county. The grandfatlier 
of our subject was born in England, and emigrat- 
ing to this country, spent his last years in Putnam 
County. The father of our subject was reared, 
married, and, .so far as known, spent his entire life 
in Putnam County. He and his wife died in the 
prime of life, leaving a large family of children. 

The subject of this sketch was quite young when 
he was deprived of the loving care and protection 
of his father and mother, and almost from his ear- 
liest recollection he had to earn his own living, and 
was cast on the world with no education or other 
means of making his own way than his willino- 
hands and active lirain. Fortunately he inherited 
good principles of honor and honesty that helped 
to keep him in the right path. For several 3'ears 
he worked in different places, merely for his board 
and clothes, but as he grew older and was alw.ays 
found faithful and efficient, his services commanded 
p.ayraent, and he received at first $7 a month, and 
later his wages were increased. He was industrious 
and of good habits, and wisely saved his earnings. 
He worked by the month for' six years in New 
York, and in 1847 came to this State to invest his 
hardly won savings in lands of Lenawee County, 
and in Rollin Township bought an 80-acre tract of 
timber land for $400. He built a log house on the 
place, and at once commenced to cut away the 
forest trees and prepare his land for culture. It 
took nearly all his money to buy his land, and in 
order to obtain o.xen to work his farm he was 
obliged to purchase a pair with another man, but as 
his first year's crop turned out well he was enabled 
to purchase his neighbor's interest in the animals. 
He continued to manage his farming interests with 
satisfactory success, cleared fifty acres of the land, 
built a good house and barn, and having greatly 
increased its value, sold the place in 1868, and 
then bought his present farm. This comprises 112 
acres of land in the highest state of cultivation, 
well stocked, and amply ])rovided with good farm 
buildings. 

Our subject has been twice married. The wife 
of his early manhood, who faithfully shared with 
him the trials .and privations of life in a newly set- 
tled country, and encouraged and aided him in the 
struggle to build up a home, departed this life Aug. 



n 



<^ 



630 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



12, 1871. Her maiden name was Mercj- Claikson, 
and she was born in Diitcliess County, N. Y., Sept. 
14, 1814, being a daughter of Gilbert Clarkson. 
One child was born of that union, Mary E., born 
Oct. 5, 1850, and died in September, 1851. Mr. 
Merritt's second marriage, which toolv place April 
28, 1872, was to Mrs. Nancy M. Crout. She was 
born in Delaware County, N. Y., Dee. 18, 1831. 
Her grandfather. John Myers, left his native Ger- 
man}' at the age of seventeen, and emigr.ited to 
this country. He married, and settled in Delaware 
County, where he bought a farm, and made his 
home thereuntil death. His son, Adam M^-ers, the 
father of Mrs. Merritt, was born in that county, 
grew to manhood there, and there married Miss 
Sally Wight, likewise a native of Delaware County. 
They continued to reside in their native county 
until 1835, when they moved to Greene County, N. 
Y., where they spent the remainder of their days, 
Mr. Myers owning and managing a farm there until 
his death, March 2, 1 883 ; his wife died in December, 
1884. Mrs. Meriitt had been mairied prior to her 
marriage with our subject, Selon Crout having been 
her first husband. He was born in Raisinville, 
Monroe Co., Mich., in September, 1832, and was a 
son of David and Sally Crout, natives of New York, 
and pioneers of Monroe County, Mich. Mr. Crout 
enlisted in September, 1864, as a member of Com- 
pany A, 11th Michigan Infantry, and served faith- 
fully until after the close of the war, receiving his 
discharge with his regiment in June, 1865. His 
health was poor at the time of his enlistment, and 
he lived but one year after his discharge from the 
army. Before his enlistment be had settled in 
Eollin Township, and wliile he was in the South 
Mrs. Merritt had bought a tract of land there. Mrs. 
Merritt had one son born to her bj' her first mar- 
riage, named Arthur, whose birth took place Dee. 
19, 1862. He was a bright lad in whom all her 
hopes were centered, and his death in October, 1877, 
was a sad affliction, though to him it was, doubtless, 
a glorious awakening to a nobler and better life. 
In the beautiful woids of the poet — 

He wliom ye call dead, 

In unbroken bliss instead 

Lives, and loves you ; lost, 'tis true, 

By any light which shines for j'ou ; 



But in light ve cannot see 
Of unfulfilled felicity. 
And enlarging Paradise, 
Lives the life that never dies. 

Mr. Merritt has been a faithful Christian for 
many j'ears, having joined the Presbyterian Church 
while he lived in New York, and since coming to 
Michigan he has united with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church at RoUin. Mrs. Merritt is a devoted 
member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, at Rollin. 
They are beloved and respected by the whole com- 
munity for their kindly hearts, genuine worth and 
true nobility of character. In politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Merritt is shown 
in this connection, and forms a fitting accompani- 
ment to this sketch. 



DWARD DAVIES, an enterprising young 
farmer and stock-raiser of Camden Town- 
ship, is at present operating on section 2. He 



is a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where his 
birth took place nearly thirty years ago, Aug. 13, 
1857. His parents, Edward and Charlotte (Whar- 
ton) Davies, were natives of England, and the 
father of Welsh descent. 

Edward Davies emigrated to America in the 
twenty-sixth 3-ear of his age, and taking up his resi- 
dence in Philadelphia, Pa., continued a resident of 
the Quaker City for a period of seven years. 
Thence he removed to Albany, N. Y., and after a 
stay of about the same duration, migrated to Cleve- 
land, Ohio, where he married Miss Charlotte Whar- 
ton, by whom he became the father of four children, 
namely: Sarah A., the wife of George N. Watson, 
of St. Louis, Mo.; Edward, our subject; Mary L., 
the wife of F. A. Tucker, of Omaha, Neb., and 
Ch.arlotte E., the wife of C. B. Cook, of West 
Point, Miss. 

Mrs. Davies, the mother of our subject, emigrated 
to America with her parents when a little girl seven 
years of age, and was principally reared in Ohio. 
Of that State she continued a resident until after 
her marriage and the death of her husband, which 
occurred in Berea, Cuyahoga Count}', about 1880. 



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-4^ 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



— •► 
631 



I 



His remains were laid to rest in tlie Riverside 
Cemetery-, at Cleveland. The mother is now iu the 
fifty-third \-C'ar of iier age. and makes her home 
mostly with her daughter at West Point. Miss. Mr. 
Davies after becoming a naturalized American citi- 
zen identified himself with the Democi'atic party, 
and was a man who took an interest in all those 
tilings tending to elevate mankind, being liberal 
minded and progressive in his ideas. 

The subject of this biography spent his boyhood 
and youth in his native State, where he received a 
practical education, and upon reaching manhood was 
married, Dec. 30, 1881, to Miss Ella E., daughter 
of John Clark, of Berea, Ohio. Mrs. Davies was 
born Nov. 8, 1862, in Ohio, and is now the mother 
of two children: Charlotte, born Dee. 12, 1882, 
and p]dward, Oct. 12, 1885. Our subject came to 
the West in 1884. and purchased the farm which he 
now occupies. He also has property at Berea and 
in Florida. Politically, he is independent, and 
socially, belongs to the I. O. O. F., at Camden. In 
this he is the present Noble Grand, of Lodge No. 
312, and also a member of the Encampment. 



-^ 



JEREMIAH TRAVIS. In conversation with 
the representative citizens of this county, 
we find that man}' of them claim for their 
birtiiplace the Bucke^'e State, and it is a no- 
ticeable fact that tliej- are almost invariably men of 
character and enterprise in whatever calling of life 
they have ciiosen as an occujjation. Although 
many of them left homes of culture and refinement 
in their native State, they readily adai)ted them- 
selves to their environments, and putting their 
shoulders to the wheel of the car of progress, have 
contributed their full quota toward the develop- 
ment and advancement of this section of country. 
Among this class of people is the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch, having been born in the 
city of Columbus, Ohio, June 15, 1834. 

William Travis, the father of our subject, was 
born in York State, and removed from there to 
Canada, where he was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Hollingshed, a native of that country. In his 
younger years he had learned the trade of a ship 



carpenter, and followed that occupation for some 
time in the land of his adoption. He then returned 
to New York State, and from there removed to 
Columbus, Ohio, where he purchased a farm within 
the present city limits. In 1843 he sold his inter- 
ests in that State, and joined the procession moving 
westward, the removal being effected in a wagon 
drawn by oxen and horses. Upon his arrival in 
the Wolverine State, he located in Madison Town- 
ship, Lenawee County, upon a tract of timber land 
which he purchased. He at once erected a log 
house and began to clear and cultivate a farm, thus 
continuing until 1858, when he sold out and came 
to Hillsdale Count\', settling in the township of 
Wright, where he purchased a tract of timber land 
on the northeast quarter of section 26, and repeated 
his log house experience. He improved a farm 
and resided there several years, when he once more 
sold out liis interests in Michigan, and removing to 
Grant County, Wis., spent his List 3'ears with his 
daughter, and died after reaching the good old age 
of eighty-five years; his wife djed on the farm in 
Madison Township in 1842. The father subse- 
quently married again, and his second wife died in 
Wright Township. 

The subject of this biograjihy w.as nine ^-ears of 
age when he accompanied his father and step- 
mother to Michigan, and grew to manhood divid- 
ing his attention between the lighter labors of 
the farm and attendance upon the i)ioneer schools 
of the neighborhood. The wild animals common 
to Southern Michigan were still plentiful for some 
years after the removal of Mr. Travis to this 
county, and man was brought into close communion 
with nature in her simple ruggedness. Our subject 
rem.ained with his [larents until his marriage, 
acquiring in the stern school of experience those 
habits of industry and frugality which have since 
served to place him in his present position of com- 
fort. About the time of his marriage he purchased 
a tract of land where he now resides. It was still 
covered with a heav}' growth of timber, but Mr, 
Travis went bravely to work, .and erecting a small 
frame house, commenced his work of subduing 
nature. He has since been a continuous resident 
of this place, and has cleared a fine farm, which he 
has brought under a good state of cultivation, and 



n 




632 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



• ► ^ ■1 <• 






here he is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, inclurling Iniying, shipping and feeding 
stocli, in which industry lie has met with good suc- 
cess. 

Jeremiah Travis was united in marriage, July 2, 
1857, with Miss Ann Eliza IMcNett. who was born 
in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, Aug. 7, 
1838. Her father, James McNett, was born in 
Livingston County, N. Y., April 11, 1810, while 
her grandfather, Alexander McNett, was, it is be- 
lieved, a native of York State, and of Irish parent- 
age. He removed to Allegany County during 
its early settlement, and purchased a tract of tim- 
ber land, which he developed into an improved 
farm, and resided there until his dece.ase. The 
father of Mrs. Travis was reared in his native State, 
and was married in the town of Burns, Allegany 
County, June 1, 1834. In the fall of that year he 
started west with his young bride for the Territory 
of Michigan, takmg a team to Buffalo, and then 
going by lake to Detroit, where he hired a team 
to bring them to Tecumseh. He remained but one 
night in Tecumseh, however, and then proceeded 
to Cambridge Township, and renting a house, com- 
menced life here by working by the day, and taking 
jobs of chopping and clearing land. After a few 
years, by industry and economy he had accumulated 
a little monej-, and purchased a tract of land in 
Franklin Township. It contained a log house, into 
which the family removed, and Mrs. McNett began 
housekeeping in the most primitive style. Their 
cabin did not boast of even a stove, but contained 
a fireplace appropriating a large share of one end 
of the building, and over this she bent as she pre- 
pared food for the family. Necessity is the mother 
of invention, and she contrived to get along even 
here, and derive a good deal of comfort and enjoy- 
ment, seeing her children grow up around her vig- 
orous and healthful, clad in the garments which her 
own hands prepared for them, after spinning the 
wool and flax which constituted the material. In 
1851 Mr. McNett sold this property, and coming to 
Wright Township, purchased a tract of timber land 
on section 16, upon which he lived, again engaged 
in pioneer work, until his death, March 29, 1863. 
His widow, whose maiden name was Clarissa Bacon, 
was born near Sandusky, Pa., Aug. 11, 1813, and 



her father, the grandfather of Mrs. Travis, was 
Isaiah Bacon, a native of the same State, and the 
son of Jeremiah and Peggy Bacon. Isaiah Bacon 
removed to Allegany County, N. Y., in 1831, and 
buying land of the Holland Purchase Company, im- 
proved a farm of over 100 acres and resided there 
until 1839. After the de.ith of his wife he went to 
Kentucky, and died in that State. His wife, whose 
niaiden name was Harriet Tucker, was a native of 
New Jersey, and died at the homestead in Allegany 
County. The parents of Mrs. Travis, Mr. and Mrs. 
McNett, had four children — Darwin, I^liza, Isaiah W. 
and Alfred. The mother of these children is still 
living, and resides at the homestead. 

Our subject and his wife have three children, re- 
corded as follows: Oliva Adell is the wife of M. F. 
Caner, and lives in Clare County, Mich.; Clara C. 
became the wife of Charles Moyer, and lives in 
Wright Township; Jerome married Ella Shipman. 
and also lives in Wright Township. Oliva A. has two 
children — Edith Ethel and IMarvin Jerome; and 
Charles C. has one child, named Jenoe R. In poli- 
tics Mr. Travis is independent. 

EN J AM IN F. STOOKEY, farmer, section 
18, Moscow Township, is an honored and 
venerated citizen, well deserving the high 
respect in which he is held throughout the 
community. He comes of an old Pennsylvania 
family, and his parents were Benjamin and Martha 
(Groover) Stookey, natives respectively of Lu- 
zerne and Columbia Counties, Pa., his mother be- 
ing of English blood. After marriage they made 
their home in Salem, Luzerne County, on the old 
homestead that had been in the Stookey family for 
many years, and there they passed several j'ears of 
their wedded life. In 1839 Mr. Stookey settled up 
his affairs in his native State, and moved with his 
family to the young State of Michigan, and located 
in Jackson County. From that time until the day 
of their death they remained residents of Michigan. 
He died Dec. 25, 1874, and the mother in 1864, 
having rounded out long and useful lives of 
eighty-eight and seventy years respectively. They 
were held in universal respect and esteem for their 




*f 



L. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



633 



4' 



stcMliiig worth aiul markpcl integrity of character. 
Their tnarriiige had been blessed b3' the birth of 
thirteen children, eleven of whom accompanied 
them to Michigan. 

Our sul>ject was the second child of his parents, 
and was born at the old homestead, that had 
also been tiio birth|)Iace of his father, Feb. 6, 1817. 
He grew to manhood in the place of his birth, 
receiving his education in the common schools. 
He was an active, bold-spirited lad, possessing great 
strength and powers of endurance, and keenly 
delighting in novel and exciting adventures with a 
spice of danger in them, therefore it was quite 
in accordance with his character to enlist in the 
service of Texas, to assist her in her revolution 
against Mexico, and from that time for several 
3'ears his life was quite eventful. He was one of 
twenty-two men arrested by the United States Mar- 
shal, and marched on board the United States 
man-of-war "Hudson," and for many a long day 
did not set foot on his native land, but visited 
many foreign countries, saw many strange scenes 
on sea and land, and being a wide-awake and intelli- 
gent observer, laid up a good store of knowledge 
and information, and gained much valuable experi- 
ence. He was subsequentlj' transferred from the 
"Hudson" to the United States man-of-war ship 
"Fairfield," and roamed about on the seas, visiting 
various South American ports, notabh' Rio Ja- 
neiro. Bahia, Pernarabuco, Buenos Ayres and Monte 
Video. He stopped at the Falkland Islands, passed 
Cape Horn, cruised in the Pacific, visited the Sand- 
wich Islands, San Francisco, Cal., and Acapulco, 
Mex. Thence the vessel in which he sailed touched 
at the following South Annerican ports on the Pa- 
cific Co-ast: Callao, Peru; Valparaiso, Chili ; and 
then doubled the Cape and was once more in At- 
lantic waters. When reaching the equator the 
"Fairfield" sailed in an easterly direction .across the 
ocean, so that our subject had an opportunity to 
visit various points of interest on the African Coast, 
the vessel touching at Cape Palmas, and stopping 
at various ports on the coast of West Africa. At 
last the long voyage came to an end, and the 
man-of-war ship "Fairfield" sailed into the harbor 
of New York, in March, 1840, after a cruise of four 
years. Mr. Stookej' retains a vivid recollection of 



his travels, and can tell many interesting reminis- 
cences connected with them. After lauding he 
made his way to Michigan, where his folks had set- 
tled since ho had been aw.ay, and arrived in time 
to cast the first ballot of his life for Gen. Harrrison. 

Our subject was married, in 1845, to Miss Electa, 
daughter of John and Sarah (Edda) Estes, natives 
of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Estes were mar- 
ried in their native State, and passed the first seven 
years of their wedded life there, and then removed 
to Canandaigua County, N. Y. The mother died 
in 1836 at the age of forty -two, and in 1849 the 
father removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., and 
lived with our subject until his death in 1870, at 
the age of eighty-two. He was the father of nine 
children, seven of whom grew to maturitj', two 
daughters and five sons. Mrs. Stookey was the 
third child in order of birth, and was born in Ver- 
mont. March 26, 1820, and was four years of age 
when her parents removed to New York, where she 
grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the 
common schools. She came west to Ohio in 1844 
to visit her brother .James, and then made the ac- 
quaintance of Mr. Stookey, and they were married 
in that State. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth of one child, Nettie. She is now the wife of 
Hiram McGee, of Moscow Township; they have 
two children — Lillie and Bennie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stookey moved to Michigan in 
1849, and Mr. Stookej' h.as since devoted his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits. With the aid of his 
capable helpmate he h.as bnilt up a neat and cosy 
home, reiilete with every comfort and conveni- 
ence. He now has a farm of 120 acres, which is 
not surpassed in fertility and productiveness by 
an}' in the neighborhood, and he has erected ample 
barns and other necessary buildings. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stookey occupy a promiiient posi- 
ition in social and religious circles in this commu- 
nity. They are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, of Moscow. Mr. Stookey belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity, F.ayettc Lodge No. 16, of 
Jonesville, and Mrs. Stookey is identified with the 
Star Lodge of True Kindred. Mr. Stookey has 
greatly aided in the advancement of the township 
interests, in educational matters and improvements. 
He ha.s been School Moderator for nine years in 



634 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



„1 



siipccfsion, and held tbe < ffice of Highway Com- 
miss-ioiier in Scipio Townsliip f(ir nine successive 
j'eais. He is a man wliose life record is unblem- 
ished, as he has always been true to his convictions 
of right and justice, and is guided by principle, not 
only in private but in jjublic life as well. 



^- 



-i*- 



■fll AMES COOK, an aged and liighly respected 
citizen of Litchfield Township, is comfort- 
ably located on section 6, and is numbered 
among the pioneers of 1839. He made his 
way to Southern Michigan from Genesee County. 
N. y., via the lakes to Toledo, thence by rail to 
Adrian, and from there in wagons to bis present 
location, where ho pitched his tent and has since re- 
mained. He was at one time the owner of 190 
acres, hut gave a snug farm to each of his two 
older boys, who, like their father, are models of in- 
dustry and i)erseverance, and praiseworthy citizens 
of Litchfield Townshij). 

Mr. Cook during his long pilgrimage has wit- 
nessed with lively interest the changes which have 
passed over the face of the country, and has taken 
deep satisfaction in the present standing of his 
adopted State. He comes of a substantial family, 
his father having been Nicholas and his mother 
l\L'irtha (Stone) Cook, who were both natives of 
Massachusetts. They continued for a time in the 
Bay State after their marriage, and there the 
father died. The mother was subsequently married 
again, and spent her last years in the State of Ohio, 
where she died at an advanced age. Of her first 
marriage there were born four children, of whom 
•James, our subject, was the youngest. His birth 
took place in Onondaga County, N. Y., Jan. 29, 
1811. His brothers are all living, two residing in 
Michigan and one in Ohio. Of his mother's second 
marriage there were born five children. 

Young Cook continued with his mother and step- 
father in Genesee County, N. Y., until a lad of 
fifteen years, then, being ill-treated by the latter, 
he went to live with Mr. Eli Woods in the same 
locality, with whom he made a verbal agreement 
that he should remain until reaching his majority, 
when he was to receive $100 in cash. The con- 



tract was fulfilled on both sides, and very much to 
the surprise of James his stepfather became very 
friendly and borrowed his money, for which he 
paid him interest of $14 per year. 

Our subject now started out for himself, and in 
1833 took unto himself a wife an<l helpmate, Miss 
Tirzah Holbrook, the wedding taking place at the 
home of the bride in Genesee County, N. Y. Mrs. 
Cook was the daughter of Thestor T. and Jerusha 
(Lord) Holbrook, natives of New England, and the 
father born in Massachusetts. After marriage Mr. 
Holbrook and his wife settled in Genesee County, 
N. Y. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Cook was 
a surgeon in the Revolutionary arm^', and her father 
sub.sequently carried a musket in the War of 1812. 
The latter followed farming in Genesee Count}', 
where he owned land, and lived there the greater 
part of his days. Both parents, however, in the 
spring of 186.T came to the West, and made their 
home with their daughter, Mrs. Cook, until their 
decease. Mr. Holbrook died in 1873, when eighty- 
one years old. The mother survived her husband 
two years, dying in 187.J, at the age of seventy- 
eight years. Of their two sons and five daughters, 
five lived to mature years. Mrs. Cook, the eldest, 
was born in Genesee County, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1812, 
and enjoyed the advantages of the common school. 
She remained with her parents until her marriage, 
and her union with our subject resulted in the birth 
of nine children, the record of whom is as follows: 
Laniira is the wife of Harrison Busle}', of Claren- 
don Township, Calhoun County, and the mother 
of two children — Perlie E. and Walter L. ; Thestor 
H. married Miss Kitty Raney, and is a resident of 
Quincy, Branch County, this State; they have one 
child — Dora. Joseph A. manied Miss Martha 
A. Brown, and is a resident of Toledo, being tbe 
father of one child — Ermina; Lucy J. died when 
one and one-half j-ears old; James A., Andrew M. 
and Lucy E. alst) died in childhood; P^lla J. is the 
wife of Rev. E. O. Dickinson, of Ridgeville, Ind., 
and the mother of one child ; Loran O. has charge 
of the homestead; he married Miss Hattie May 
Germond, and they are the parents of two children 
— Joah J. and James Otto. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cook settled 
in Genesee County, N. Y., whence they came to 



«» ■ ^' 



-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



635 



Michigan in 1839, with tiieir tin-cc cliiidren. Our 
siiliji'ct has been fairly successful in his operations, 
and his career has been eminently that of an honest 
man and a good citizen. He cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for John C. Fremont, and since that 
time has been an unswerving ailherent of Repub- 
lican principles. Mrs. Cook, a lady held in high 
esteem, is a member of the Congregational Church. 
at Litchfield. 



-S*!* 



-^^ 



•■<tf«f^ 



\^^ORMAN R. COLLINS. This gentleman, who 
I )// '* """'''^'■^'^ among the well-to-do farmers 
/H/^ of Wheatland Township, w.as, while a youth, 
equi])ped for the sterner duties of life by a good 
education, and trained to those habits of thrift and 
industry which have resulted in securing him a good 
position, both socially and financially, among his 
fellow-citizens. He h.as done his share of honest 
labor, built up a good farm from the uncultivated 
soil, and the time will soon arrive when the neces- 
sity for arduous labor will cease, as he has some- 
thing substantial to fall back upon during a rainy 
day, or when he shall feel the weight of years heavily 
upon him. 

A native of Jefferson County, N. Y., our sub- 
ject was born Ang. 11, 1841, and is the son of Syl- 
vester and Betsy (Glasgow) Collins, who were also 
natives of the Empire State, where his father, Sam- 
uel Collins, the grandfather of N. R , spent his en- 
tire life, and died at the age of si.xty-four years. 
The mother had died also at the homestead in this 
county, when comparatively a young woman, at the 
age of forty years. Sylvester Collins w.as born at 
Schenectady, in 1806, near which city he w.as reared 
upon a farm, and began early in life to do for him- 
self. The parents were married in 1832. The 
mother was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth 
Glasgow, the former a native of Scotland, and the 
latter of County Tyrone, Ireland. They emigrated 
to Americaafter their marriage, settling in Martins- 
burg, N. Y., about 1800. Both lived to be very 
old, Grandfather Glasgow dying at the age of eighty- 
nine years, and his wife, Elizabeth, when ninety-two. 




Of their eleven children, Betsy was the fifth in 
order of birth. She was born July 3, 1807, and 
was early in life taught liabits of industry, working 
from home considerably until her marri.age, at the 
age of twenty-four years. She is now living in this 
township. 

The parents of our subject had a family of seven 
children: Their eldest born, Charles, is married, 
and a resident of Missouri; he is the father of 
three children. George, also married, lives in Win- 
nebago County, 111., and has three children; N. R., 
our subject; Ophelia is the wife of John Ingham, 
of Adams Township, and is living with her second 
husband; she is the mother of one child. Elizabeth 
is the wife of Edmund Buck, of North Adams, and 
the mother of two children : Esther, Mrs. Lovel 
Locklin, continues on the homestead with her par- 
ents, Mr. L. assisting in carrying on the farm ; they 
have two children. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Collins 
have two gre.at-grandchildreu. 

The father of our subject came to Southern 
Michigan in 1844, and purchased 160 acres of land 
in Adams and Wheatland Townships. A part of 
this he cleared, and afterward sold all but forty 
acres, which he still owns. He put up a good house 
and barn, with other necessary buildings, and is an 
honored and useful citizen. He cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for Andrew J.ackson, but in later years 
became a warm sujjporter of Republican principles. 
Norman R., our subject, pursued his first studies in 
the district school, and when large enough to make 
himself useful about the farm, attended school dur- 
ing the winter season until reaching his majority. 
He then employed his winters in teaching, and worked 
with his father during tl>e summer season. When 
twenty-one years of age, he attended for three terms 
at Hillsdale College, which was the source of much 
gratification, and brightened up his natural talent 
for reading and study. He w.as married, on the 6th 
of May, 1863, to Miss Helen Eoote, of Adams 
Township, and the young people commenced life 
together in a modest dwelling on a small tract of 
land in Wheatland Township. A few months later 
Mr. C. purchased forty .acres of this land, which 
belonged to his father, and in connection with the 
cultivation of this continued working wiih tln' l.itti r 
until lie was enabled to make another purchase, and 



h 



; 



-4- 



636 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



r 



secured possession of all which he could properly 
care for. 

.This land our subject mostly cleared iiimself, 
assisted b3' his father and brothers. In due time the 
first log house gave place to a more modern residence 
erected in 1868. The barn was put up in 1875, 
and the other buildings added from time to time as 
the necessity for them arose. In addition to gen- 
eral farming, Mr. Collins raises considerable fine 
stock, and gathers each year for the use of the fam- 
ily the fruits from a good orchard and the smaller 
trees adjacent to the dwelling. 

The wife of our subject was born in Adams Town - 
ship, this county, Feb. 20, 1842, and is the daugh- 
ter of James and Harriet (Bagley) Foote, the former 
of whom was born in 1815, in Ca^'uga County, N. 
y., and died in North Adams, this countj', March 
16, 1880. James Foote came to Southern Michi- 
gan with his father. Rev. Milton Foote, in 1835, 
where the latter died in Adams Township. His 
wife, who in her girlhood was Miss Lois Brisco, sur- 
vived her husband some 3'ears, and died in the city 
of Adrian, aged about cightj' 3ears. The parents 
of Mrs. Collins spent their last years in the city of 
Adrian. Of their ten children but six are now liv- 
ing. Rev. Milton Foote was one of the pioneer 
preachers of this county, and while pursuing his 
pious labors in this direction, also carried on farm- 
ing and school teaching. The maternal grandpar- 
ents of Mrs. Collins were David and Harriet 
(Smith) Bagley, the latter of whom died in middle 
life in New York State. David Baglcj' came to 
the Territory of Michignn about 1836, and took up 
a tract of Government land, and while laboring to 
bring it to a good state of cultivation, also became 
prominent in political affairs, holding various offices, 
among them that of Probate Judge. He spent his 
last days in North Adams, dying when about sev- 
enty years of age. 

The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Collins are 
recorded as follows: Elmer J. was born Dec. 15, 
1864, and died Jan. 1, 1875; Ella D. was born 
March 12, 1867, took kindlj' to her books, and de- 
veloped into a teacher, which profession she has 
followed now for a period of two and one-half 
years; Delle was born April 3, 1876, and Mary H., 
Dec. 13, 1880. These two are at home with their 

4* 



parents. Mrs. Collins and her daughter belong to 
the Ladies' Aid Society, and are warmlj' interested 
in benevolent work. 

Mr. Collins cast his first -Presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, and has since voted the straight 
Republican ticket. He was elected Township Su- 
pervisor in 1880, an<l served continuously' until 
the spring of 1887. He was Township Assessor 
seven years, and has been a member of the School 
Board since his marriage. Socially-, he belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge 
No. 189, at North Adams. His brother Charles 
during the late war enlisted as a Union soldier for 
three years, being among the first to proffer his 
services in defense of the Union, the privations and 
hardships of which, however, affected his health in 
such a manner that he was obliged to accept his 
discharge, and return home at the expiration of 
about twenty months. One brother of Mrs. Collins 
also did service as a soldier in a Michigan regi- 
ment. Grandfather Bagley carried a musket in the 
War of 1812. 



JAMES I. DENNIS, editor and proprietor of 
the Hillsdale County Gazette, at Jonesville, 
was born at Ridgeway, Lenawee Co., Mich., 
^ Feb. 25, 1834, and in the fall of 1838 re- 
moved to Branch County, this State, where he lived 
six 3'ears. The famil3' tiien removed to Scipio 
Township. Hillsdale County. 

Our subject received a common-school educa- 
tion, and Oct. 1, 1850, was apprenticed to learn 
the ''art preservative of all arts" at Hillsdale, Mich., 
with Ambler & Wooden, and was with them about 
one year, when he entered the office of the Stand- 
ard, in the employ of the Hon. H. B. Rowlson. 
After spending three years in the acquirement of 
his profession, in the fall of 1855 he went to Bara- 
boo. Wis., and in the following spring, in company 
with Victor Peck, began the publication of the 
Sauk County Demoa-at, which the3' continued for 
about one year. His first venture in publishing 
newspapers not proving very satisfactor3', he re- 
turned to Michigan in 1858, and for six 3'ears 
thereafter was engaged iu farming during the sum- 




L. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



637 



iiicr. ami in the winter was employed in the Inde- 
pendeiil office at Ills trade. On the 1st of July, 
1H(;4, he purchased tlie Jonesviile Independent, in 
company with James F. Burnett, with whom he 
entered into partnershii), wliich continued three 
years. At the end of that time Mr. Dennis bought 
his partner's interest, and continued tlie pul)licatiou 
of the paper until 187G, when he sold out, ami for 
one year leased the office of the Reading Press. 
This, however, not proving profital)le, he gave up 
the lease, and on the 13th of March, 1878, began 
the publication of the Hillsdale County Gazette, of 
wiiich he is now editor and proprietor. 

Mr. Dennis was married, Jan. 11, 1859, at Hills- 
dale, Mich., to Miss Mary Poeklington, a foster 
daughter of the late John Gilmer. Mrs. Dennis 
was born in Yorkshire, England, May 22, 1841, 
and her union with our subject has resulted in the 
biitli of one daugliler, Alice. 

Mr. Dennis has held the office of Township 
Treasurer during the years 18G8 and 1869, and in 
1874 he was elected Village Reporter. In 1885 
and the following 3'ear he was one of the Village 
Trustees, and in 1887 he was again elected Re- 
corder. Rlr. Dennis was admitted a member of 
Lafayette Lodge, F. <k A. M., in 1864, and is a 
member of Jonesviile Chapter No. 8, R. A. M., and 
Jonesviile Council No. 5. He has filled several 
offices in the lodge, in which he was W. M. in 1884 
and 1885. In the Chapter he has filled the office 
of P. S. for a period of six years, and Captain of 
the Host for four years. He was a member of Fay- 
ette Lodge No. 16, I. O. O. F. It will be seen 
that our subject is closely bound by the "mystic 
tie,'" and that his services among the fraternity 
have been appreciated. 






eORNELIUS E. MINER. M. D., was the first 
established medical practitioner of Camden 
Township, where he is still actively engaged 
in his profession in the pleasant village of Mont- 
gomery, and he is the leading physician of the 
Homeopathic School in this part of Hillsdale County. 
He was born in Cleveland, Oliio, .Inly 22, 1838, 
and is the son of Isaac N. and Susan C. Miner, the 



-4»- 



former of whom is deceased, and the mother is now 
residing in Montgomery at an advanced age. She 
comes of a good old New England family, and is 
herself a native of Connecticut. John Miner, the 
paternal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. The father of our sub- 
ject was an eminent physician in his day, and was 
widely known throughout Southern Michigan and 
Ohio. He was a native of the State of New York, 
and after marriage spent some time in Cleveland, 
Ohio, whence he removed with his family' in the year 
1839 to Branch County, Mich., being among its 
earliest settlers, and is said to have been the third 
physician to locate in that county. After ])ractic- 
ing there quite successfully for several years, he 
returned to Ohio, and .settled in Williams Count}', 
where he remained but a short time, however. He 
was subsequently' commissioned Assistant Surgeon 
in the 42d Ohio Infantry, Gen. Garfield's regiment, 
and was in the service some six months, when he 
was attacked with typhoid fever, and died at Mem- 
phis, Tenn.. in December, 1862, and thus closed the 
life of a man whose record had been one of exceed- 
ing honorableness to himself and of great useful- 
ness to his fellownien. He was an active member 
of the Masonic fraternit}'. He was deeply inter- 
ested in public and political affairs, was an earnest 
supporter of the Republican party, and had served 
as Justice of the Peace for some time. To him 
and his wife, who was a worthy companion of such 
a man, were born six children, of whom four sur- 
vive, and the following is the family record: Cor- 
nelius E. ; Edgar lives in Branch County, Mich.; 
Jeanette T. is the wife of Eugene Dobbs, of Mont- 
gomery; Ida A. is the wife of Henry Upp, also of 
Montgomer}'; Samuel W. and Helen M. are dead. 

The subject of this sketch was a mere infant 
when his parents removed to Branch Count}' in this 
State, where he was reared and well educated, and 
for a short time eng.aged in U'aching school. But 
his tastes and inherited talents led him to desire to 
enter the medical profe.ssion,andhe was matriculated 
in the Western Homeopathic College of Medicine, 
at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861, whence he was gradu- 
ated with honor, after pursuing the prescribed 
course. In 1862 he establislied himself in his pro- 
fession at Montgomer}', where he h:is ever since 






>► m^< 



f 



638 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



successfully pursued it, has built up a large practice, 
and has acquired a fine reputation for skill and 
sagacity in the treatment of difficult cases. The 
Doctor has also been successful financially, and has 
accumulated considerable property, including sixty 
acres of valuable land. 

Dr. Miner was married, May 7, 1862, to Miss 
Carrie Devoe, a native of Crawford County, Pa. 
She is amiable and cultured, and is a devoted wife 
and mother. She is a daughter of Isaac Devoe. and 
came with her parents to Lenawee County, Mich., 
at an early day. Before her marriage she was en- 
gaged in teaching. To her and her husband have 
been born five children, namely: Reuben I., Agnes 
G., Ada A., Lena G. and Helen. 

Our subject occupies an important social posi- 
tion in this community, and bj' his energy and lib- 
erality has contributed much to its prosperit}', 
alwaj-s heartily favoring any project for its im- 
provement and advancement. He earnestly advo- 
cates the principles of the Republican party in 
politics, and socially, is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
For two terms he ably discharged the responsible 
duties attached to the ofHce of Coroner of Hillsdale 
County. 

-«"HM-^-<si:i:*:|:!f>-HH- «»• 

ATHEW S. KEITH is a native-born citi- 
zen of Pittsford Township, the date of his 
birth having been Feb. 14, 1850, and he is 
now extensively engaged in farming here, 
well representing the agricultural interests of his 
native place. He has alwaj's resided on the old 
homestead where he was born, having inherited it 
from his father, who was an early pioneer of Hills- 
dale County, and took a conspicuous part in admin- 
istering its public affairs. Ozen Keith, his father, 
was born in Cummington, Hampshire Co, Mass., 
March 18, 1798, and his father, Luke Keith, is sup- 
posed to have been a native of that same town. 
The first ancestor of the family who came to 
America was the Rev. James Keith, a native of 
Scotland. He was educated at the University at 
Aberdeen, and came to this country in 1662, when 
he was eighteen years of age. He was ordained as 
a minister in 1664, and became the first pastor in 
Bridgewater, Mass. He married Susan Edson, and 




••-^h^ 



they reared nine children, six sons and three 
daughters. Their son Josiah was the next in line, 
and he married Mary Lathrop, and they reared 
nine children, four sons and five daughters. Their 
son William was the next in or ler of descent, and 
married Mary Kingman, and they reared seven 
sons, one of whom was Luke, the grandfather of our 
subject, and he married Martha Littlefield, and 
twelve children were born to them. He was a 
shoemaker by trade, and moved to New York with 
his family in 1812, and settled in West Winfield, 
Herkimer County, where he bought land, and was 
engaged in farming until his death. 

The father of our subject passed his early j-ears 
in the beautiful home of his birth in the old Bay 
State, and was fourteen years of age when his 
parents moved to New York. Two years later his 
father died, and he then commenced to learn the 
trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed it there 
until 1834. In the meantime he was married, Nov. 
19, 1823, to Cecelia Stewart, of Herkimer County, 
N. Y., daughter of William and Jane L. (Hall) 
Stewart. In the month of Ma}-, 1834, Mr. Keith 
visited the Territory of Michigan with the view of 
finding a suitable location, having determined to 
cast in his lot with the other brave, hardy, resolute 
men who were destined to plant in this part of the 
Northwestern Territory a great and powerful 
commonwealth. He explored the then unsettled 
Bean Creek Valley, and selected a tract of land on 
sections 23 and 14 of what is now Pittsford Town- 
ship, and bought 640 acres. He walked all the 
way from Monroe, and after making his choice 
of a location, proceeded in the same manner to 
return to that town, whence, after securing the 
patent to his land at the Government office, he 
returned to his home in New York for his family, 
and came b.ack with them in October of the 
same year. There were no roads then west of the 
present town of Hudson, and much of the waj' led 
through immense forests, being marked, presuma- 
bly, by old Indian trails and blazed trees. When 
the family arrived .it their destination they moved 
into the log cabin that Mr. Keith had erected on 
his previous visit, and during the first winter that 
rude structure had no windows or doors; blankets 
were hung up to keep out the cold and the wild 



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t 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



639 



animnls th.nt were sometimes utrwelcoDie visitors. 
The floor was niade of punclicon. and as they had 
no stove the primitive fireplace served both for 
heatiiifj and cooliing purposes for some years. Mrs. 
Keitii spun, wove and made all the clothes used by 
the family for years. Mr. and Mrs. Keith remained 
valued residents of this township for half a (;entury, 
her death occurring on the old homestead. .Jul}' 4, 
1884, and his Dec. 27, \SHb, both having rounded 
out their lives to a good old age. The3' were 
endowed with good mental and physical vigor, 
which enabled them to coi>e successfully with the 
trials and dangers of pioneer life, and they were 
always willing toextend helping hands to others less 
fortunate than themselves. Eight children were 
born to them, of whom six are living, our subject 
being the youngest. Mr. Keith was a man of keen, 
quick intelligence, sound common sense, and much 
decision of character, which fitted him for the part 
he took in public life in Hillsdale County. He was 
elected Highway Commissioner at the first town 
meeting ever held here; afterward served as Town- 
ship Treasurer, and represented Pittsford for sev- 
eral terms on the County Board of Supervisors. 
The subject of this sketch is a worth}' represent- 
ative of his honored parents, and, as we have 
before stated, has alwaj-s made the home that they 
planted in the wilderness his residence. He was 
educated in the district school of this township, and 
in the graded school of Hudson. He chose the call- 
ing to which he had been reared as his life work, 
and as an intelligent, industrious and wide-awake 
man, managing his farming interests with skill, he 
occup3'S a prominent place among the agriculturists 
of this community who are sustaining the fame of 
Pittsford Township as a fine agricultural region, and 
adding to its prosperity. Our subject was married, 
Oct. Ill, 1881, to Lucy J. Alverson. who was born 
in Hudson Township, Lenawee Co., Mich., Dec. 
19, 184G. Her father. Oliver W. Alvei-son, was 
born in Windham, Vt., moved from there to New 
York, and afterward went to Ohio from the latter 
State. In 183.5 he entered Government land in 
Hudson Township, but did not settle on it at that 
time. In 1837 he married, in Maumee, Ohio. Har- 
riet Trumbull, a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., 
and two days later started, accompanied by his 



bride, with a pair of oxen, for Lenawee County, and 
thej' commenced housekeeping in the log cabin he 
had erected on his land. He improved a farm and 
lived there until 1878, when he moved to Hudson. 
He spent his last years with Mrs. Keith, dying Oct. 
1, 1887, his wife having preceded him, dying in 
Hudson, Sept. 19, 1880. 

Mr. and Mrs. Keith occupy a high position in 
social circles in this community, and their geniality 
and intelligence render their hospitable home the 
center of attraction to a large number of friends. 
Mrs. Keith is a valued member of the Methodist 
P)piscopaI Church. Mr. Keith is a man of sound 
business talents, good habits, and much stability of 
character. In politics he is a Republican, and uses 
his influence to promote every me.asure that will in 
any way benefit his n.ative town or State. 



"•aflCS^r"- 



|a— ►.'^^iiZma*^ 



^ AMES M. McCREEDY, an aged and highly 
respected farmer of Camden Township, h.as 
a conifort-Tblc home on section 25, where he 
has resided for a period of twentj'-three 
j'ears. He came to this county in 1865. and located 
upon his present farm, where he has since remained, 
industriously tilling the soil and securing a compe- 
tence for his declining years. 

Our subject was born in Clinton County, N. Y., 
April 25, 1816. His father, James McCreedy, was 
born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and was of sub- 
stantial Scotch aucestiy. His mother, Mary Mc- 
Creedy, a native of New York, was of German 
descent, and both are long since deceased, having 
spent their last years in Clinton Count}-, N. Y. Of 
the nine children comprising the household circle 
but three survive, namely: Jlelissa, a resident of 
Michigan; Phebe, of New York State, and James, 
our subject. 

Mr. McCreedy was reared to manhood in his na- 
tive county, where he received a limited education, 
but being an intelligent man, has gained a good 
fund of general information from the reading of 
instructive books and the various {periodicals of the 
day. He was reared to a farmer's life, which he 
has always followed. He was married, Oct. 30, 1 844, 
to Miss Lucia L. Phelps, who was born Oct. 14, 



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a 



640 



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t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



wa 



1822, in Vermont, and was the daughter of Abel 
and Theodooia Phelps, natives of Vermont, who 
spent their last years in New York State. Of this 
union there were born two children — Elbridge H. 
and Carrie, who are now living in tiiis county. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCreedy commenced life together 
in New Y'oriv State, where they lived until 1865, 
and thence removed to this county. Their home- 
stead comprises 120 acres of good land, with a sub- 
stantial set of farm buildings, and the machinery 
necessary for carrying on agriculture in a profitable 
manner. Mr. McCreedy is essentially a selfmade 
man, having commenced in life without capital 
save his courageous heart and willing hands. He 
was most fortunate in the choice of a wife and help- 
mate, who bore with him the heat and burden of 
the day, and assisted iii building up the homestead 
where they are now passing their declining years 
surrounded by the comforts of life. Mr. McCreedy 
during his younger years took an active interest in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, 
has been a lifelong Democrat. During the years of 
his long and worthy life he has witnessed remarka- 
ble changes, especially in Southern Michigan, which, 
at the time of his coming here, had just begun the 
development of those rich resources which have 
placed her in such an enviable position among her 
sister States. In common with the men al)out him 
he has contributed largely to the bringing about of 
this result in the building up of a good homestead, 
and in forming one of the worthiest members of the 
community. 



— .-9J^ 



"17 UFTUS L. STANTON, a representative citi- 
I (® ^®" *^^ Camden Township, is Postmaster of 
JJLi^ Montgomery, and is prominently identified 
with the mercantile interests of that village. He 
is a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and was born 
June 4, 1835. His parents were Caleb S. and C'hloe 
(Cowell) Stanton, natives of New York State. His 
mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his father 
was of mingled Dutch and English ancestry, having 
descended from one of those old Holland families 



who were early settlers of New Y'ork. When our 
subject was about two and one-half years old, his 
parents left the State of Nevv Y'ork to take up their 
abode in the then newly settled county of Noble, 
in the State of Indiana, where they occupied an 
honorable place among the sturdy and courageous 
pioneers of that county. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
Noble County, and his character was in a great 
measure molded by the pioneer influences of that 
home, so that he early displayed self-reliance, good 
powers of endurance, energy and capability. His 
education w.is conducted in the rude pioneer schools 
of that (\a.}\ and was necessarily somewhat limited. 
His father owned quite an extensive farm, and when 
our subject was not at school he assisted in the labor 
of caring for it, and was thus trained to be a good 
practical farmer. When about thirty years of age 
he began to work at the carpenter's trade, and was 
very successfully engaged at it for some twenty 
j'ears. In the spring of 1865 he left Indiana and 
came to Michigan, and settling in Camden Town- 
ship, managed a farm in connection with carpenter 
work. He continued to reside there until 1875, 
when he removed to Montgomery, where he has 
ever since made his home, and is now regarded as 
one of its leading citizens. He established himself 
in the grocery business, which he has conducted 
very successfully, building up quite an extensive 
trade. He was appointed Postmaster in October, 
1886, and has served with great efficiency, and to 
the entire satisfaction of the community. He has 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for four3'ears, 
and that of Highway Commissioner, in which he is 
now serving his second term, and has always been 
zealous to promote the interests of this township 
and village. 

Mr. Stanton has been twice married. Esther 
Miller was the maiden name of his first wife, and of 
their union four children were born, of whom S^'d- 
ney is the only one now living. The second mar- 
riage of our subject was to Mrs. Carrie (Furner) 
Bavier, and took place March 10, 1887. She is' a 
native of Michigan, and was born Sept. 23, 1847. 
They have no children. 

Mr. Stanton is a strong Democrat, and always 
uses his influence to elect the candidates of his party, 



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I 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



641 ii\ 



f 



ov aflvaiiee its interests. Sfieially. he is identified 
witii the I. O. O. F., of Montgomery. lie is a man 
of decided character, earnest in his beliefs, possess- 
ing much sagacity and good business tact. 



kE GRAND J. SMITH, of Somerset Town- 
ship, owns and occupies nearly 500 acres of 
land, a part of the original tract which his 
father settled on forty-nine years ago. Mere he is 
extensively engaged in general agriculture. The 
estate is one of the finest in Southern Michigan, 
and supplied with all the machinery and buildings 
necessary for the carrying on of an extensive farm- 
ing business after the most approved methods. A 
substantial residence, with its pleasant surround- 
ings, is flanked bj' one of the finest barns in Hills- 
dale County, and tlie other appurtenances on the 
homestead are in keeping with the means and 
standing of the proprietor. This branch of the 
great Smith family originated in Connecticut, and 
were among the early settlers of New England. 
The descendant who is here re|)resente(l was liorn 
in Fairfield County, Conn., Jan. 8, 1847. and is the 
son of Azariel and Mary Smith. 

LeGrand remained under the parental roof until 
twenty-one years of age, acquiring a common- 
school education, and becoming familiar with agri- 
culture in all its departments. He was first married 
on the lOlh of November, 1863, to Miss Emma 
Torance, who was born in Allegany County, N. Y., 
Jan. 27, 1838, and was the daughter of Ezra 
Torance, who, with his estimable wife, spent his 
last years in New York. Of this union there were 
three children: Leroy T., born Jan. 14, 1865; 
Leon C, April 18, 1869, and Mabel A., Oct. 11, 
1877. The eldest son completed his education at 
Oberlin College. Ohio, and the younger in the 
High School at Hillsdale. The boys are living at 
home, and the daughter continues with her father. 

Mr. Smith after his marriage engaged in general 
merchandising several years at Addison, but in 
1876 determined upon a change of occupation, and 
selling out, invested a portion of his capital in 320 
acres of land on section 25, in Somerset Township, 
where since 1876 he has given his entire attention 

4*— 



to farming pursuits. Mrs. Emma Smith died at her 
home in Somerset, in 18H0, when fort^'-two years 
of age. Our subject contracted a second marriage, 
on the 12th of January, 1887, witli Miss Climena 
Freeman, who vvas born in Lockpovt, N. Y., March 
12, 1838, and is the daughter of Daniel M. and 
Eunice (.Stone) Freeman, who were also natives of 
the Empire State, whence they emigrated to Michi- 
gan in 1840. They took up their residence in 
Jackson Countj', where the father eng.aged in farm- 
ing, and died at the age of fifty -two years. The 
wife and mother passed away at about the same age 
as her husband. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. 
Smith were Samuel and Anna Freeman, and the 
grandparents on the mother's side were Isaac and 
Huldah Stone. 

Mrs. Climena Smith was the second eldest of a 
family of six children, of whom four daughters are 
living and residents of Micliigan. Mrs. Smith 
received a good education and was engaged as a 
teacher some years before her marriage. She is a 
ladj' ver^' active in benevolent work, greatly inter- 
ested in the temperance movement, and a member 
in good standing of the W. C. T. U. 

ETH HALL is the senior member of the firm 
of Hall ife Arnold, lumber dealers of North 
Adams, where tiiey conduct a successful and 
extensive business in liiat line, furnishing 
to the village and the adjacent country the material 
for many of those fine residences which so thickly 
dot the face of Adams Township, and attract the 
attention of the passerb}'. 

The parents of our subject were Seth and EIreda 
(Crowell) Hall, and the grandfather, also named 
Seth, took part in the War of 1812, and wasa mem- 
ber of the northern division of the army. After 
their marriage the parents of our subject settled in 
Franklin County, M.ass., but soon afterward re- 
moved to Onondaga County, N. Y., where they fol- 
lowed agricultural occupations. They subsequently 
went to Cicero, N. Y., which was then in its in- 
fancy, and Mr. Hall, who was an educated man, 
became prominent in the affairs of the county, lay- 
ing out roads, boundaries, etc. The parents resided 




•> l l "^ 



642 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



there until their decease, tlie father passing away in 
1838, when fifty-six years old, and the mother ten 
years later, at the age of sixty-two. 

Seth Hall was the fourth in a f.imilyof eight chil- 
dren, four boys and four girls, inchided in the pa- 
rental family, and was born July 10, 1815. His 
early childhood was passed on the farm in JMassa- 
chusetts, which his parents left when he had reached 
five years of age, and came by means of ox and 
horse teams, his eldest brother, Harrison, and him- 
self driving the cattle all the way. This journey 
was a great undertaking at that time, consuming 
ten days, while the cooking was done by the way- 
side, and the travelers spent the night in their 
wagons; this journey can now be made in half a day 
by means of the railroad. Reaching their destina- 
tion ill Onondaga County, in September, l^^O, they 
remained there witli their father, assisting in clear- 
ing the land and tilling the soil, and soon had a 
comfortable home, although the house in which 
they lived was the primitive log structure, as was 
also the school-house in whicli our subject received 
his education. Its floor was made of the bark of a 
tree, wliile its furniture consisted of slab benches, 
and it depended for its light on two windows of 
six liglits each. 

Mr. Hall assisted his father on the farm until the 
death of the latter, when the son w.as twenty years 
of age, and he tlien assumed the responsibilities for 
the family, as he was the eldest brother living, un- 
married. He was united in marriage, in 1843, with 
Miss Gertrude, the daughter of John and Eu- 
phiraa Houghtaling. The marriage of her par- 
ents took place in Albany County, and they soon 
after settled in Onondaga County, where the mother 
died in 1828, at the age of thirty -six years. The 
father afterward married Elizabeth McFarland, and 
died Dec. 14, 1870, in his eightieth year, leaving 
two children by the first union, and two by the 
second. Mrs. Hall was the second child horn of 
the first union of her father, and first saw the liglit 
in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1821, and in the 
Empire State took advantage of the superior educa- 
tional facilities, and received a good education. 
Although Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had no children 
of their own, they have reared three or four for 
"lives of virtue and usefulness. Leaving Onondaga 



"Ir 



County, they removed to Cayuga, and resided there 
two years, after which they turned their steps west- 
ward for the land of promise. In 1872 they set- 
tled at North Adams, where they at present reside. 
Two years later Mr. Hall bought out Isaac Baker, 
of the firm of Kenyon & Baker, dealers in lumber, 
and the business was conducted under the firm 
name of Kenyon & Hall for a period of eight years, 
after which Mr. Hall purchased the_ interest of his 
partner, and conducted the business alone until 
1882, when in April of that year lie took into part- 
nersliip his nephew, J. D. Arnold, since which time 
the firm has been known by the name of Hall & 
Arnold. In connection with their lumber business, 
they also deal in lime, coal, salt, cement and stucco, 
with other building material. 

In the life of Mr. Hall we find an example for 
young men just embarking in the field of active life, 
of what may be accomplished by a man beginning 
Ijoor, but honest, prudent. and industrious. In early 
life he enjoyed but few .advantages; his facilities 
for attaining an education were very inferior, nor 
had he wealth or position to aid him in starting in 
life. He began upon the lowest round of the lad- 
der, and relying solely upon his ovvn efforts, he has 
been successful, not only in the sense of accumulat- 
ing wealth, but in doing good to others, in serving 
them well, and in winning their respect and esteem. 
He has ever strictly' observed that most important 
factor in the successful public or business life of 
anyone — honesty. He is a careful, conscientious 
business man, ever adhering to the dictates of his 
conscience in matters both of a public and private 
nature. His correct habits insured himagood con- 
stitution, and he enjoyed remarkable health until 
1887, when in ]May of that year he was stricken 
with paralysis, since which time he has had little or 
no use of his right arm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Chuich, with which they have been iden- 
tified for over half a century. They are also 
strongly in sympathy with the temperance work, 
with which Mr. Hall has been connected since a 
boy, and has always been true to his pledge. In 
politics, as one would naturally infer, he is a strong 
Prohibitionist, and was one of the first seven who 
cast in Cicero Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 

•^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



643 




I 



a vote for the freeing of slaves, in whieii he per- 
severed until tiis ohjeet was accoinphshed. During 
the war he was a stanch Lincohi man, and his early 
political aftiliatiou was with the Whig party. Mrs. 
Hall is a member of the W. T. C. U., and is an ex- 
emplary woman in every sense of the word. 

AVID T. COBB, a man who takes pride in 
his home and his farm is, what would nat- 
urally follow, a valuable member of his 
eommuuity, stiaightforward in his business 
transactions, prompt to meet his obligations, and of 
unimpeachable integrity. He takes a deep interest 
in the establishment and maintenance of churches 
and schools, and has been the incumbent of various 
offices of responsibility and trust, the duties of 
which he has discharged in a manner creditable to 
himself and satisfactory to his fellow-citizens. 

Onm^Ciibb, the father of our subject, was a native 
of Vermont, and maiTied Miss Ursula Terrell, who 
was born in Warsaw County, N. Y. The paternal 
grandl'alhcr did good service for his country in the 
War of 1812. Orrin Cobb after his marriage set- 
tled in Warsaw County, N. Y., but two ycai's later 
came to this county and took up his abode in Ran- 
som Township. He was a tanner by trade, but 
upon coining to Michigan engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He moved to Litchfield in 1847, settling 
on section 17, where he performed arduous labor 
many j'cars, and rounded the rijjeold age of eightj'- 
four, passing away Dec. 28, 1885. Tlie mother 
survived her husband one year, and was seventy-six 
years old at the time of her decease. 

The parental family included four sons and one 
daughter, David T. being the third child. He was 
born Aug. 22, 1839, in Ransom Township, this 
county, where he pursued his early studies in the 
district school and subsequ'3ntly attended Hillsdale 
College two terras. After the outbreak of the Civil 
War he enlisted, in 1861, in Company H, 4th Michi- 
gan Infantry, being mustered into service at Adrian, 
and proceeding at once to Washington with his 
comrades. They started soon afterward to Bull 
Run, but having their gray Michigan uniforms, 
they were not permitted to engage in battle. A 

<•— 



few days later thej' were proiterly uniformed and 
entered actual service. The balance of that year 
was spent principally by Company H in skirmish- 
ing and building fortifications. Subsequently they 
engaged in the Peninsula campaign, being at the 
siege of Yorktown, where, during the seven-days 
fight, Mr. Cobb was taken ill, and conveyed to 
the hospital at Hampton, Va. He there suffered 
tedious confinement until February following, when, 
there seeming to be little prospect of his recovery, 
he was compelled to accept his discharge. 

As soon as his health permitted Mr. Cobb went 
into the fields, and employed himself at farm labor 
until 180.5, and on the 1st of .Janu.ar^- of that year 
was married to Miss Emily Wade, who was born 
Feb. 8, 1846, in Litchfield Township, and was the 
sixth child of William and Margaret (.Jeffreys) 
Wade, whose family included six daughters and two 
sons. The parents were among the earl3' pioneers 
of this section of country', and Mrs. Cobb received 
only the advantages of education in the schools of 
that day. Of her union with our subject there were 
born two chihlren, a son and a daughter — C3'rus 
and Winnifred, Both are students at the Litchfield 
Union School, in the class of '89. 

The farm of our subject comprises eight}' acres 
of well-tilled land and he has first-class buildings, 
the latest improved machinery, good grades of live 
stock, and all the appurtenances of tlie progressive, 
modern agriculturist. In 1876 he put up a very 
fine residence, which is not only an ornament to the 
landscape of that section, but forms a beautiful and 
comfortable home. Both he and his estimable wife 
are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, 
in which Mr. Cobb officiates as Trustee. He is a 
decided Prohibitionist, served one term as Justice 
of the Peace, and several years as School Director 
and Highway Commissioner. 



W SALTER H. SAWYER, M. D., physician 
and surgeon in the city of Hillsdale, is one 
of the younger of the profession in Hills- 
dale County, of which he has been a resident since 
the spring of 1885. An Ohio man by birth, he first 



^ 



i 



644 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



opened his eyes in Huron Count}% Aug. 10. 1860, 
and istbe son of George and Julia (Wood) Sawyer, 
both of English descent. 

George Sawyer was reared a farmer's hoy, and 
followed this pursuit the greater portion of his life. 
The parents are now residents of Grass Lake, Mich. 
Their family consisted of four children, of whom 
Walter H. was the eldest born. When eleven j-ears 
of age he came to this State with his parents, and 
entered the High School at Eaton Rapids, where he 
spent four years, and thence went to Grass Lake, 
in Jackson County, Mich., where he was graduated 
from the High School. Ho h.ad b}' this time deter- 
mined upon his chosen calling in life, and with this 
end in view entered Michigan State University at 
Ann Arbor, taking a full course in the medical 
department, being graduated with honors, and re- 
ceiving the degree of M. D. in 1 884. 

Immediately after his graduation Dr. Sawyer was 
appointed House Surgeon of the Horaeopathical 
Hospital at Ann Arbor, in which capacity he oper- 
ated one year. In the month of July, 1885, he 
came to Hillsdale, and opening his first office, entered 
upon the regular practice of his profession, in which 
he is fast building up a good business. He is a 
faithful student, has set his mark high, and is bound 
to succeed. Genial and companionable, he is in 
possession of the qualities most essential to success. 
In personal appearance he is of fine physique, and 
blessed with good health and a cheerful disposition, 
he has the best wishes of hosts of friends. 





ANIEL TIMMS, M. D. The subject of 
the following biographj' was born in Ox- 
ford, England, Nov. 28,1824. His parents, 
John and Ann Timms, with their family 
of five children— William, aged ten; Daniel, eight; 
Mary, five; John, three; and Caleb, a babe — left 
their native country and home in May, 1832, and 
took passage on a sailing-vessel across the great 
ocean, landing in New York City Jan. 30, 1832, 
after having been six weeks on the voyage. 

The Timms familj' first settled in Ontario, VV^ayne 
Co., N. Y., and lived there four years, during which 



-<^ 



time there was added to the family another daugh- 
ter, Belana. They then resolved upon a change of 
location. and, fitted out with a team of horses and a 
wagon, made their way overland to this county, 
settling in the wilderness of Wheatland Township, 
Oct. 20, 1836. To this place they had to cut their 
way for some distance, choosing their location one- 
half mile north of what is now Church's Corners, 
and which was named after the man who came with 
them, and who settled at that point. 

Many were the hardships and privations to which 
these courageous pioneers were subjected, but for 
these they were in a measure prepared. The}- built 
a house of logs, without floor or window, and then 
began the task of clearing a piece of ground large 
enough to put in a crop. In August, 1838, the 
father died, leaving the mother with her six chil- 
dren, destitute of resources except those existing in 
the forest around her. She taught her children 
habits of industry, and mother and children worked 
side by side together, until in due time the land 
was paid for, good buildings were erected, and 
they began to realize the reward of toil and perse- 
verance. This farm is now owned by the eldest 
son, William. 

Daniel Timms, with aspirations for an education, 
at the age of eighteen years entered the school at 
Spring Arbor, where he attended one year, work- 
ing nights and mornings to pay for his board and 
tuition. The j'ear following he entered Albion 
Seminary, where he took a course, paying his ex- 
penses in the same manner. The next winter he 
went west to Rolling Prairie, where he taught 
school one winter. His mothei-, in bidding him 
good-b3', put in his hand the little all she had in 
money, and which amounted to eighteen cents, thus 
exhibiting a mother's devotion to her child in 
bestowing upon him all that she could. The next 
spring Daniel returned home, and entered a store 
in Hudson as clerk, but later, not being satisfied 
with his life hitherto, commenced the study of 
medicine, under the instruction of Dr. Hall, of that 
place. After following the prescribed course of 
study and lectures, he graduated with high honors 
at the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, 
in February, 1849, and later at the Oplbalmic 
School in New York City, in 1855. He was suhse- 



1 ' 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



C4o 



qiiently for many years engaged in the active rlis- 
charge of llie duties of liis uhosen profession, tliat 
of surgery and medieinc. 

The practice of niedieiiie in the early histor3' of 
the county was no easy taslv, as tiie roads at times 
were almost impassable, and on luirseback, with 
pill-bags astride, or on foot, were the only ways that 
the i)Iiysician could reach liis patients. After several 
years' practice in the townships of liollin and 
Wheatland, Dr. Timms removed to Moscow Plains, 
where the last years of his life were devoted to 
farming, iu which he was successful, and surrounded 
himself with an abundance of rural comforts. 

On the 3d of July, 1849, Dr. Timms was married 
to Miss Sarah A., eldest daughter of Hon. Azariah 
Mallory, of Mosetow, the latter, one of the early 
pioneers of that town, having settled there in Junei 
1837. With this lady he lived in the most pleas- 
ant and happ3' conjugal relations until his death, 
which occurred suddenly from paralysis of the 
brain, at the old home in Moscow, Oct. 27, 1882. 
He left his widow and an adopted ton, Frank M. 
Timms, who is now associated with Mallory Bros., 
of Chicago. III., and who mourned him greatly, 
together with many other near relatives, and a large 
circle of warm personal friends. 

As a citizen, Dr. Timms was prominent in all 
public and charitable enterprises, having filled many 
offices of trust. He served as President of the 
Agricultural Society two years, and w;is thoroughly 
imbued with the spirit of our Republican institu- 
tions, being fearless in his denunciation of wrong 
and oi)pressioi), and foremost in every good cause 
that came within his province, for public and 
private welfare. He was a strong advocate of 
temperance, and his large, active sympathies made 
him a firm friend, ever ready with cheery encour- 
agement, frcepiently i)roffering tangible aid and 
assistance that most men would wait to be asked 
for. As a husband and father he was without fault, 
in every sense a good man in his household, the 
hospitalities of which he dispensed with a willing 
hand, as all can testify who have ventured within 
its precincts. Few men were better known in the 
county, and but few who have gone before are 
more regretted or more greatly missed in the works 
and walks of life. That the wife and son were not 




alone in their sorrow, was plainly evinced by the 
large concourse of [leople assembled at the funeral 
from near and far, thronging the house and yard of 
the residence, where the services were held by the 
Rev. E. W. Childs, of Jonesville. The Doctor was 
buried in the cemetery near his home, in Moscow 
Plains. 



ANFORD D. HOPKINS, a retired farmer 
in easy circumstances, and now a resident 
of North Adams, was born on the Dtli 
of January, 1817, in Bergen Township, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., and was the eldest child of 
Joseph and Cloenda (Blair) Hopkins, who were 
natives respectively of New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont. 'J'hey were married in the Green Mountain 
State, whence they emigrated a short time after- 
ward to Western New Y'ork, where the mother died 
in Genesee County in 1825, at the early age of 
thirty-one, leaving three children, one of whom is 
deceased, and the other resides 4n California. 

Joseph Hopkins married for his second wife Miss 
Abigail Staple, and there were born five children, 
one of whom is living and now resides in Wheat- 
land Township. The mother of these died about 
1847, in New Y^ork. The third wife of Mr. Hop- 
kins was formerly Mrs. Charity ].,oomis, and they 
had no children. Joseph Hopkins died in Wheat- 
land Township, in this county, on the 17th of June, 
1850, while on a visit to his children, at the age of 
fifty-eight years. 

The subject of this biography spent his boyhood 
on the farm, where at an early age he was taught 
to make himself useful. His education was chiefly 
carried on during the winter season. After reach- 
ing his majority he started overland for the Terri- 
tory of Michigan, arriving in Hillsdale County in 
the fall of 1 838. His first business was to secure a tract 
ofland, upon which he settled, and of which he is still 
the owner. His next important step w.as to secure 
a wife and helpmate, and a year later he w.as united 
in marriage with one of the most estimable young 
ladies of Delaware County, Ohio, Miss Elizabeth, 
daughter of Aaron and Hannah (Carney) Moore. 
Both her father and mother had l)een previously 
married, each being the parent of seven children. 



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64G 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




•t 



They thus corainenced with a family of fourteen, to 
which there were in due time added three more, of 
whom Elizabeth was the youngest. Mr. Moore was 
a farmer and slioemalier combined, and spent his 
entire life in Kew \oik Slate, passing away at the 
advanced age of seventy-eight years. The mother 
subsequently made her home with her daughter, Mrs. 
Hopkins, and died in 1857, aged eighty-one. 

The wife of our subject was born Dec. I(i, 1820, 
near Palmyia, AVtiyne Co., N. Y., and her father 
being in limited circumstances, she commenced 
working out, earning her own living, during which 
time she made the acquaintance of her future hus- 
band. To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins there was born 
one child onl3-, a daughter, Martha, who is now the 
wife of Amasa Chnndkr, of Somerset, this count3', 
and is the mother of two children — Ludd and Jay. 
The elder was reared by his grandfather, married 
Miss Ida Aldrich, of Somerset, and at present is 
operating his grandfather's farm. Jay lives with 
his father at Somerset, Mich., where he married 
Miss Amanda McCurdy, and is the father of one 
child. 

Mr. Hopkins in 1860 was elected Supervisor of 
SomeJBet Township, which office he held for a 
period of ten years, with credit to himself and satis- 
faction to all concerned. Previous to that time he 
served as Highway Commissioner a number of 
j'ears. In the spring of 1874 he withdrew from 
the Republican caucus as candidate for Supervisor, 
preferring some other man should assume its re- 
sponsibilities. He always maintained a lively in- 
terest in the various enterprises which naturally 
followed as the result of thesettiing up of a county, 
served as a Director of the Farmer's Insurance 
Company, and also on the committees of the county 
fair for many years. During the late Rebellion he 
was eminently useful in gathering together needed 
supplies for the soldiery, and in upholding the 
principles of the Union and freedom. 

Mr. Hopkins holds the title deed to four farms, 
one of which he has presented to his grandson. At 
one time he was the owner of 600 acres, mostly in 
Somerset Township, this county. The farm given 
his grandson was 150 acres. He owes his success 
in life to his untiring industry, strict attention to 
business, and rigid economy. He has been prompt 

< 9» 



always in meeting his obligations, and thus gained 
the esteem and confidence of the people around him. 
His homestead is not only a credit to himself, but 
an ornament to the surrounding country, and will 
stand as a monument of his perseverance and 
industrj' 3- ears after he shall have passed awaj'. 
Our subject has given to his half-brother anil grand- 
children over 111,000 to date. 

\¥)OHN FITCH, a reputable and progressive 
farmer of Pittsford Township, now owns 
and occui)ies the old homestead which his 
father cleared from the wilderness. He was 
born in Wright Township, on the seventy-sixth 
anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of 
Independence, while his father, Patrick Fitch, was 
born in County Cavan, Ireland, and there grew 
to manhood. 

Hoping to improve himself in this countr3', the 
father of our subject started out for himself at 
eighteen j'cars of age, and arrived here a stranger 
in a strange land, and without money. He first 
settled near Rochester, N. Y., and engaged to work 
on a farm. He was industrious and economical, 
and saved a good portion of his earnings, until at 
length he considered he could venture to buy a farm 
of his own. He accordingly started for the West, 
where land was cheap, with a view of securing a 
home, and about 1847 arrived in Michigan, first 
stopping at Adri.an, where he remained some time, 
and then purchased the land upon which our subject 
now resides. It was heavily timbered, without 
any attempt at improvement, and the family took a 
vacant log house near the line of Wright Township, 
in which they resided until the3' could build a 
similar log cabin on their own place. They were 
employed, as were all pioneers of the da3', in sub- 
duing nature, cutting down trees, clearing the land, 
burning the stumps and roots, and bringing it 
under cultivation, while turke3-s. deer and small 
game were i)lentiful, and afforded a liberal supply 
of meat for family use. Breadstuffs they must have, 
however, and as they had no land cleared on which 
they could raise grain, Mr. Fitch worked out for a 
time, by the day or month, to provide that staple 



n 



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A 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



647 



article of food. At the end of two ^'ears lie ix'tunied 
to Adrian, where lie spent the next two years, and 
once more look up his residencn- ii|)()n iiis land, from 
which he improved a good farm, and resided there 
until his decease, .Inly 31, 1877. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Elizabeth Galloway, was also a na- 
tive of Ireland; she still survives, and lives with her 
daughter in I'ittsford 'J'ownship. They were people 
of sterling character and industrious habits, and their 
cliildren, and their childrens' children of to-day, 
have just cause for revering tlieir memory and 
their deeds, and helping to cherish and preserve 
and hallow them. 

The parental family of our subject included three 
children, who are recorded as follows: Mary A. 
became the wife of Devello Smith, and lives in 
Morenci; John w.as the second child in order of 
birth; Catherine became the wife of A. H. Bark- 
way, and lives in Pittsford Township. John lived 
with his parents until he was twenty-four years of 
iige, and then removed to Blisstield, and engaged 
in making staves. After a short time he went to 
Ohio, and followed this trade in different cities in 
that .State, remaining for a period of two years. 
He then returned to Michigan and spent two years in 
Jackson County, after which he went to Slieboygan, 
Wis., and was engaged in the lumber trade until 
1 882. He then returned and settled on the old home- 
stead in Pittsford Township, where he has since 
been engaged in the successful prosecution of his 
vocation. 

Our subject was united in marriage, June 9, 1882, 
with Miss Emma J. Wakefield, who was born in St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., and is the daughter of 
Samuel S. Wakefiehl, a native of Vermont. Her 
grandfather, Gilbert Wakefield, was, it is thought, 
a native of England, and coming to America, settled 
in Vermont in its early history, and there spent 
the remainder of his life. The father of Mrs. Fitch 
removed to New York State vvhen a young man, 
and continued to reside there until 1866, when he 
migrated to Michigan and located in Charlevoix 
County, among its early pioneers. The greater 
part of the land was still owned by the Government, 
and he selected a homestead one .and one-half miles 
from the present site of the beautiful city of 
Charlevoix. This laad he has improved into a fine 



farm, and still resides there, enjoying the creature 
comforts which a life of industry and frugality 
has gathered around him. The maiden name of 
the mother of Mrs. Fitch was Margaret Ferguson ; 
she was born in Canada, and is the daughter of 
Daniel and Christiana (Cameron) Ferguson, natives 
of Scotland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have been blessed l)y the 
birth of one child, whom they named Margaret 
Elizabeth. The parents are members of the Catholic 
Church, while in politics .Mr. Fitch is found in the 
ranks of the Democratic party. 

ON. WILLIAM R. MONTGOMERY. The 

I) personal traits of the original settlers of 
New England and the Northern Atlantic 
States were in very many ways remarkable. 
They were men who not only dared to have ideas, 
but they dared to advance and maintain them, and 
to face the logical results of such a course. They 
were men who regarded their honor and their lib- 
erty more than gold or bodily comfort, and more 
than even life itself. They were active in the cause 
of liberty, freely giving of their substance and of 
their blood to maintain what to them was dearer 
than life, and which has proved a legacy to their 
descendants that is the envy and admiration of the 
world. Their children's children of to-day have 
just cause for revering their memory and their 
deeds, and helping to cherish and preserve them, 
for by their constancy and patriotism through doubts, 
dangers and difficulties, their independence was 
secured, and a National prosperity unprecedented 
has sprung up, which demands further words of 
honor and reverence. So let the families hand down 
to the unborn gcner.itions the deeds of patriotism 
of their fathers. 

Hon. William R. Montgomery, attorney -at-law 
of Hillsdale, is a descendant of these heroes, and 
was born in the town of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., 
on the 12th of March. 1813. His father, Harvey 
Montgomery, was a native of the city of Philadel- 
phia, Pa., where he was born Oct. 8, 1789. He 
removed to Rochester, N. Y., and there married 
Mary Eleanor, daughter of Col. Nathaniel Roclies- 



I 

T 



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648 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ter, the founder of the city of that name. Mr. 
Rochester was born in Virginia, Feb. 21, 1752, and 
came of an old English family, which dates its 
genealogy back to the year 1558. The Jlontgoni- 
ery family are the descendants of an old Scotch 
famil3'. and can trace their genealogy back almost 
1,000 years, to the year 900. 

After his marri.ige Harvey Montgomerj' settled 
in Rochester, N. Y., where he followed the occupa- 
tion of a miller, and owned a large flouriug-inill in 
that city. Their family consisted of twelve chil- 
dren, all (^f whom grew to mature years, and settled 
in life for themselves. Late in life the father re- 
moved to Detroit, Mich., where he spent the remain- 
der of his days, passing away in 1869; the mother 
had preceded him to the silent land twenty years, 
dying in 1849. 

The subject of this notice is the eldest of a fam- 
ilj- of twelve children born to his parents, and passed 
his boyhood in Rochester, N. Y'., attending the pub- 
lic schools until ten years of age. He then entered 
a private school, where he remained until his admis- 
sion to Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., where he 
completed his studies. He then became a student 
in the law ollice of Ford & Rochester, and was 
admitted to the bar in May, 1835, in the city of 
New Y'ork, and jiracticed his profession in Roches- 
ter for a period of nine years. He there was made 
City Clerk, and carried on his practice in connec- 
tion with that office for three years. In the spring 
of 1844 he came to Hillsdale County, and settled 
in the township of Camden on a farm, and the fol- 
lowing year he was united in marriage with Miss 
Amanda M. Mills, of the town of Grace, Monroe 
Co., N. Y., having gone back to the East for that 
purpose. After their marriage they returned and 
settled on their farm, but Mr. Montgomery was 
soon called upon to mourn the loss by death of his 
loving wife, who died in 1849, leaving three chil- 
dren, who are recorded as follows: Harvey, mail 
agent at Corpus Cliristi, Tex. ; Thomas C. is station 
agent, at Hillsdale, for the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern Railroad Company, while William R. is 
Supervisor of Adams Township, and a farmer by 
occupation. 

Mr. Montgomery was a second time married, in 
1851, to Lj'dia Rosamond Moltroup, by whom he 



had four children, as follows: Edward M. is clerk in 
a railroad office at Chicago; Lillie is at home; Mary 
K. is a clerk in the office of the Register of Deeds, 
while Rochester M. is at home. 

Hon. William R. Montgomery is a man prominent 
in the councils of his fellow-townsmen, unswerving 
in his adherence to what he believes to be the right, 
modest in advancing his ideas, hut firm in estab- 
lishing and maintaining them. Unselfish in action, 
and with constant regard to the wants and feelings 
of others, he has secured a place in the confidence 
and esteem of the community second to that of no 
other public man. As evidence of this esteem and 
confidence, Mr. M. has received many of the most 
important offices in the gift of the communit3', and 
has discharged the duties of these offices in ever^' 
case entire!}' satisfactorily. He was elected Super- 
visor of Camden in 1850, and .again in 1852, while 
he became a member of the Legislature in 1851. 
He was Register of Deeds from 1855 to 1858, and 
again from 18G9tol873. He has been Supervisor of 
the city of Hillsdale for eighteen consecutive years 
from 1861, and Chairman of the Board of Super- 
visors fifteen years. Politically, in early life Mr. 
Montgomery was an old-line Wiiig, casting his first 
vote for William Seward for President. He nat- 
urally fell into the ranks of the Republican part}- 
upon its organization, in which he remained until 
1876. In 1880 he voted for Gen. Hancock, while 
in 1 884 he exercised his right of franchise in favor 
of G rover Cleveland. 

^^jf^NDREW J. DICKINSON, deceased, will 
'@A-J|| long be remembered with respect and 
esteem by the citizens of Camden Town- 
ship, with whom he lived and labored so 
many years, uprightly treading the path of recti- 
tude, and working not only for the interests of him- 
self and family, but for the benefit of his adopted 
township and county. He was born in the town of 
Coventry, Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1836, 
and was a son of James and Maria (Atwood) Dick- 
inson, n.atives respectively of Pennsylvania and 
Connecticut. His i)arenls remained in the Empire 
State some years after marriage, but in 1845, with 



t 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



649 



their family, removed to Branch County, this State, 
wiiere tlio}' located, and were among the earliest 
settlers of that locality. 

The subject of this Iirief biographical notice was 
scarcely nine years of age when he came with his 
parents to Michigan, and thus most of his edu- 
cation was obtained in the public schools of Branch 
County, wliere he grew to manhood and commenced 
his life work. Being a 3'oung man of industry, 
integrity and good habits, he experienced no dilfi- 
culty in gaining a position as a useful member of 
society and a business man of ability-. With the 
exception of a short time when he was engaged in 
carpentering Mr. Dickinson devoted his entire at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits, meeting with great 
success in that vocation. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Amelia 
Field took place in Hillsdale County, .Jan. 26, 1867. 
.She is a native of New York, born in .St. Lawrence 
County, April 1 1, 1842, being a daughter of Hiram 
and Adelia (Burr) Field, both natives of New Y'"ork 
State. Her maternal grandfather, Rufus Burr, was 
a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Dickinson's father 
was a soldier in the late Rebellion. Of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson four children were born, 
n.amely : Alva R.,EfIie L., Freddie L. and Germ E. 

A little more than twenl^'-five years ago Mr. 
Dickinson came to Hillsdale County and purchased 
the farm now owned and occupied b^' his widow, 
which he improved and brought under a good state 
of cultivation. He was an indefatigable worker, 
an<l in his persistent efforts to establish and main- 
tain a home for his family he had the faithful 
assistance of his wife, who shared his toils and 
cheered and brightened his pathvvaj' through life. 
His death, which occurred Dec. 24, 1885, was not 
only a severe blow to his family but a severe loss to 
the township,and his place in the community cannot 
be readily filled. He was ever a devoted husband, 
a tender father, an affectionate son and brother, a 
kind neighbor and a worthy citizen. His family, 
consisting of his wife and four children, with 
his aged mother, two brothers and tliree sisters, 
received the heartfelt .s^-mpathy of a large circle of 
friends, and on the occasion of his funeral obsequies 
a great concourse of people gathered to do homage 
and reverence to a good man called from earth to 




the higher life. In th3 household circle his mem- 
ory will ever be cherished in the hearts of the dear 
ones left behind, who were as devoted to him as he 
was to them, and where his name is often spoken in 
tender accents, and the unspoken desire is for 

The touch of a vanished hand 

And the sound of a voice that is still. 

Mr. Dickinson took a strong interest in all bene- 
ficial schemes for advancing the educational, moral 
or social status of the township. He was a firm 
advocate of the temperance cause, and in politics 
was a sound Repul)lican. He served with credit 
in several of the school offices. In religion he was 
a consistent and worthy member of the United 
Brethren Church, donating generously and liberally 
toward its support. 



ff_ K. ABBOTT. In the history of this gen- 
^^ tleniau there is presented the picture of an 
upright and praiseworthy' life, which has 
been rich in experience and observation, 
and which, not without struggle and difficulty, 
has been crowned with a goodl}' measure of suc- 
cess. Nature kindl}' endowed him with those in- 
born principles which led him wisely along the 
world's devious thoroughfare, and enabled him to 
garner not only a goodly harvest of this world's 
goods for himself, but here and there to scatter 
raj's of sunshine upon the path of his fellow mor- 
tals. During the period of his long residence in 
Reading Township many and great have been the 
changes in this section of the country, and its prog- 
ress has been marked by the labors of such men as 
the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. Abbott may be properly numbered among 
the early pioneers of this county, as he came here 
as early as 1844. He had, however, made his pur- 
chase of land previously, and when he came he was 
accompanied liy his young wife. They began to- 
gether the struggle of life, laboring industriously 
and living economically. They had only the capi- 
tal of their courageous hearts and willing hands, 
and made it a point from the first to live within 
their income. The result of this wise course may 
now be seen in the beautiftd and well-appointed 



■^•- 



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I 



-^- 



{ ^ 650 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



liomestead, with its broad and fertile fields, its sub- 
stantial buildings, the beautiful residence, and the 
other comforts and luxuries of modern country life. 
The subject of this biography was born in Ver- 
non Township, near Hartford, Conn., Dec. 25, 

1816, and his early life, up to the age of twelve, 
was spent among his native hills. About this time 
he accompanied his parents to Cayuga County, N. 
Y., where he grew to manhood, completing a prac- 
tical education and perfecting himself as a general 
mechanic. After working diligently four years at 
carpentering, during which time his hours of labor 
were long, and their duties arduous, having now 
reached his majority, he started out on his own ac- 
count, and pursued the trade of carpenter for a 
jieriod of six years. The next most important 
event of his life was his marriage, which was cele- 
brated at the home of the bride at Evans Mills, 
•lefferson Co., K. Y., the maiden of his choice 
beino' Miss Olive Grinnell. a very estimable and 
intelligent young lady, and the daughter of Ezra 
Grinnell. Her paternal grandfather, also Ezra 
Grinnell, came of an excellent family, and spent his 
entire life in the Empire State, his death taking 
place in Saratoga County, after he had reached the 
advanced age of ninety -six years. Ezra Grinnell, 
Jr., was married to Miss Catharine Degolyer, whose 
father was of French ancestrj', and whose mother's 
people came from Holland. The mother of Mrs. 
Abbott passed away before the decease of her hus- 
liand, at the age of seventy years. Both died in 
Jefferson County. N. Y., and the latter was ninety- 
three at the time of his death. 

Mrs. Abbott was the eldest of her mother's chil- 
dren, and was born at Evans Mills, N. Y., Oct. 31, 

1817. She acquired a common-school education, 
and under the training of a superior mother be- 
came familiar with all housewifelj* duties, and also 
occupied some of her time as a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools. Providence blessed her with a remark- 
ably amiable and cheerful disposition, which she 
has retained to the present day, and which has 
been the means of endearing her to hosts of friends. 
As a wife and mother her example has been truly 
worthy of imitation. 

The union of Mr and Jlrs. Abbott was blessed 
by the birth of six children, of whom the record 



is as follows: The eldest daughter, Eugenia K., is 
the wife of AV. J. Meader, formerly a successful 
merchant of Elkhart, Ind., but now retired from 
active business and living in Elkhart; Jerome G. 
was graduated from Hillsdale College with honors, 
and is now President of tlie State Bank at Elkhart, 
Ind.. where he is numbered among its most promi- 
nent and energetic business men; he married Miss 
Lou A. Crane, of Hillsdale. Angus H. is a suc- 
cessful general farmer and raiser of thorough- 
bred Merino sheep, in Reading Township; he was 
first married to Miss Rilla Archer, of Reading 
Townshii), and who is now deceased, having left 
one child; he subsequently married Miss Mary 
Osmer, of Cambria. Walter C. is connected with 
the well-known commission house of VV. F. Mallorj', 
of New York Citj'; he married Miss Eleanor Bald- 
win, of Springfield, Ohio. Horace C. is a success- 
ful sheep rancher of Kansas, where he removed 
from Colorado, where he had also operated exten- 
sively in a similar business; he is still unmarried. 
Charles W.. a very energetic and promising young 
man of excellent habits, continues under the home 
roof, and occupies himself in the affairs of the farm. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were all given 
a good education, most of them being graduated 
from Hillsdale College, and are all self-supporting. 

Mr. Abbott, although genial and companionable, 
and the center of a large circle of warm friends, is 
of a retiring disposition and has carefully avoided 
entering the political arena. He keeps well posted, 
however, upon current events, and he and his son 
together, at times of general election, visit the polls 
and cast tiieir votes in support of solid Democracy. 
Mr. Abbott has been for a number of years one of 
the Directors of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance 
Company, of Hillsdale County, his well-known 
integrity- of character proving a high recommenda- 
tion and contributing materially to the success and 
stability of the organization. 

Tiie history of the Abbott family is traced back 
by its descendants to about 1643, .at which time 
the first representatives in this country emigrated 
with a company- of Puritans from England. They 
settled in Andover, Mass , wiiere they erected the 
first humble homes of the colony there and of their 
family in this country. 'I'hey were prospered in 



• ¥j m •» 



.u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



651 



their Libors and their business transactions, married 
and reared families, and tlieir descendants were 
fatiiiliurl^' known in that part of New England for 
nnmy guneratioiis. They have been recognized 
since that time and during a period of nearly two 
and one-half centuries as an intelligent, progressive 
people, who invariably made good citizens and ma- 
terially assisted in the progress of the community 
wherever thej' cast their lot. 

Samuel Abbott, of Boston, the founder of tlie 
Theological University' at Andover, was of the 
fourth generation of this slock in this country, and 
was only one of the long list of educated men who 
were identified with the ministr3' and the legal and 
medical professions. Joseph Abbott, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born in Ellington, Conn., 
to which place his parents had removed from 
Massachusetts after their marriage. He was reared 
to the occupation of a farmer, and became both 
wealthy and influential. He was public-spirited, and 
took a lively interest in State and National afifairs, 
and during the Revolutionary War, being ap- 
pointed Colonel of a militia regiment, held him- 
self in readiness for active duty in case he should 
be called upon. He spent his entire life in the 
Nutmeg State, closing his career at a ripe old age. 

Delano Abbott, the father of our subject, was 
also born and reared in Connecticut, where he was 
married to Miss P0II3' Bingham, who, like himself, 
was the offspring of an old and highly respected 
family. Early in life he became interested in the 
manufacture of woolen goods, and to this industry 
gave his attentiou for many years. He had .ac- 
cumulated a good property, but subsequently met 
with reverses, and selling about 1830, repaired to 
Cayuga Count}', N. Y., where he established him- 
self upon a tract of land, and there spent the re- 
mainder of his life. He was sixtj'-four years of 
age at the time of his decease. The wife and 
mother survived several years, dying also in Cay- 
uga County, N. Y., when seventy-seven years old. 
Both parents were devoted members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and Delano Al)bott had been a verj' 
active member of the old Whig party. 

The Abbott homestead consists of 300 acres of 
highly cultivated land, upon which our subject 
settled while it was in a wild state. It has been 



brought to its present condition through his own 
industry and good management. After he had 
placed a portion of the soil uniler a good state of 
cultivation he, early in the fifties, decided to turn 
his attention to sheep-raising, inaugurating this in- 
dustry with a capital of three animals. These gradu- 
ally multiplied in numbers, and at the time of the 
late war Mr. Abbott was known as the most exten- 
sive sheep-grower in Hillsdale County. This ven- 
ture proved exceedingly profitable, and Mr. Abbott 
invested more largely in real estate, until he became 
the owner of 500 broad acres. From the raising of 
sheep he turned his attention later to the breeding 
of cattle and horses, and in this industry has been 
fully as successful as in tlie other, being in the 
habit of carrying off the blue ribbons at the various 
State and county fairs. He has been the stanch de- 
fender of underground drainage as the best means of 
fertilizing the soil, and has carried his principles into 
practice by causing his land to be underlaid with 
fully 3,000 rods of tiling. This doubtless is the 
main secret of its extraordinary fertility, and the 
means thus expended have yielded a better per- 
centage probably tlian the money would have done 
invested in any other manner. The entire estate, 
with its appurtenances, forms one of the most 
attractive pictures in the landscape of Hillsdale 
County. 

/^f% HKISTIAN MAYER. The home of this en- 
1 1| ^1 terprising citizen of Allen Township, which 
^^^ is located on section 9, stands a monument 
to the thrift and industrj- of the proprietor, who 
commenced in life literally at the foot of the 
ladder, without other resources than the strong 
hands and brave heart which he had inherited from 
his substantial and honored ancestr}'. A native of 
the German Empire, he was born in the Province 
of Bnj'ern, in its northern portion, March 25, 1828, 
and lived in his native country until a young man 
twent3--six years of age. 

Always a thoughtful and ambitious youth, our 
subject was not satisfied with the prospects held out 
to him in his birthplace, and accordingly, in the 
spring of 1851, bade adieu to the friends of his 



f 



• ^ m <• 



h 



652 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



chilflhood, and embarking- on the broad Atlantic, 
turned his face to tlie possibilities of the New 
World. He landed in New York City on the 1st 
of May, and made his way direetly to this connty, 
taking np his residence in Allen Townsliip, where 
he has since made his home. For a period of 
twenty years thereafter he was in the emplo\' of 
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and 
then invested his spare capital in a part of the land 
which forms his present homestead, and which 
ranks second to none in this township. 

Our subject is the son of John and Barbary 
INIayer, who were of pure German stock. His 
father was a farmer of modest means, and spent his 
entire life upon his native soil. 'Ihe parents are 
now dead. The parental household consisted of 
seven children. JMr. Maj-er was reared to farming 
pursuits, and taught those habits of economy and 
industry which have been the secret of his success. 
When a youth of fifteen years he left the home 
roof and served three years at the shoemaker's 
trade, which he followed thereafter in his native 
country for a period of eleven years. He came to 
America a single man, and sought for his wife one 
of his own countrywomen. Miss Christena Beck, to 
whom lie was married in the city of Hillsdale, March 
26, 1867. Mrs. Mayer was born in the little King- 
dom of Wurtemberg, Germany, in April, 1845, and 
is the daughter of Andras Beck, who, vvilh his wife, 
is now deceased. Our subject and his wife began 
life together in Allen Townshij), and are now the 
parents of three children — Frederick, Caroline and 
Louisa, the eldest nineteen j'ears of age, and the 
youngest seven. All the family are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. Mayer is a 
solid member of the Democratic party. During the 
late Civil War he was drafted into the Union army, 
but being still an alien was not compelled to serve. 

The Mayer homestead can hardly fail to attract the 
attention of the observant traveler passing through 
Allen Township, on account of its neat and sub- 
stantial buildings, its sleek and well-fed cattle and 
-horses, the finel}' cultivated fields, and the genenal 
air of thrift and prosperity which pervades the 
premises. Mr. Mayer stands first-class among his 
neighbors as a man prompt to meet his obligations, 
and one whose word is as good as his bond. Too 



much credit cannot be given him for the manner in 
which he persevered through difliculties, and for 
the position to which he has attained, socially and 
financially, among the men of a community more 
than ordinarily enterprising and intelligent. 







ANHX B. KROH, proprietor of the South 
Jefferson Steam Evaporating Works, es- 
tablished ill 1884, is familiarly known 
throughout this township and vicinity as 
one of its most enterprising men. He first opened 
his eyes to the light over fifty-six years ago, in 
Seneca County, Ohio, the exact date of his birth 
being Feb. 26. 1832. 

Our subject is the scion of excellent and sub- 
stantial ancestry, being the son of Jacob and Sarah 
(Tice) Kroh, who were natives respectively of 
Pennsylvania and Virginia, and of German ances- 
tiy. Jacob Kroh was born Dec. 12, 1794, and at 
the time of the burning of Washington he con- 
cluded that he was old enough to aid his countiy, 
and accordingly, saddling his own horse, started 
out for the seat of war. 

About 1827 the father of our subject went with 
his family to Ohio, and was among the early settlers 
of Seneca County. Ho assisted in building the 
first German Reformed Church, at Tiffin, in that 
country, and subsequently was Treasurer and Secre- 
tarj' of the Ileidclburg College established there. 
He was also Treasurer of the American Bible So- 
ciet3', which |)lace he was filling at the time of his 
death. In addition to this he served as Justice of 
the Peace many years, and held various other town- 
ship offices. Politicall3', he was an old-line Demo- 
crat, and maintained his principles with all the 
natural strength of his character. 

Jacob Kroh was twice married and the father of 
seventeen children, eleven of whom were living at 
the time of his death. Of these, Daniel B., our sub- 
ject, was the sixth child of the first marriage. The 
father died in Seneca County', Ohio, April 10, 1856, 
and the mother, who was born Oct. 18, 1810, pre- 
ceded her husband to the silent land, her death 
taking place Sept. 6, 1838. Jacob Kroh started in 
life with a capital of a few hundred dollars, but at 



»► f ^ <*- 




■^•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



653 



the time of his decease was one of the wealthiest 
nu'ii of Seneca County. lie gave to each of his 
cliildrcn a liberal education, and some of tiiem 
occupied themselves afterward as teachei's. They 
were also prominent and worthy citizens, the result 
of their careful home training, and their natural 
inheritance of principles of uprightness and strict 
integrity. 

The boyhood days of Daniel 15. Kroh were spent 
upon the farm of his father, and when twenty-four 
years of age he started out for himself. He was 
married. March 13, 1856, to iMiss Hannah L. Shepard, 
who was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., March 
13, 1H34, and consequentlj' married on her twenty- 
second birtiid.ay. She was the daughter of Israel 
and Nancy (Brown) Shepard, natives respectively 
of New 1 ork and Canada, the father born March 
7. 1807. and the mother Dec. 30, 1812. They 
spent their last years in Hillsdale Count3'. 

The father of Mrs. Kroh was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and about 1844 removed from the PZmpire 
State to Seneca County, Ohio, and from there, in 
1861, to Hillsdale County, tiiis State, where the 
father operated rented land a few years, and then 
purchased a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Shei)ard were the 
parents of ten children, three sons and seven 
daughters, of whom Benjamin, who was well known 
throughout this county, died about 1884. lie 
fitted himself in earl}' manhood for the profession 
of law, and held the offices of Deputy Sheriff, Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner and Prosecuting Attor- 
ney, being elected to the latter position, and dying 
before the expiration of his second term. His 
3-ounger brother, Charles A., wiio is also a lawyer, 
was ajjpointed to succeed him. Hannah, Mrs. 
Kroh, was the first daugliter. Her sister Mary is 
the wife of James McDull, and lives in Spring- 
field, Ohio; Philinda, Mrs. Warren Severance, 
lives in Huron County, Ohio; Lucinda is the wife 
of James Woodworth. of Hillsdale Township, this 
county; Melissa died when nineteen years old, 
about 1871 ; Elsie died in infancy; Eva is the wife 
of Walter B. Keefer, and lives in Huron County, 
Ohio. 

Mr. Shepard held the office of City Marshal in 
New York State for a number of yeai's. He 
be(tame connected witli the State Militia, and was 



■♦■ 



promoted from time to time until he was finally 
made a Colonel, and evinced peculiar talent in 
military tactics. The father and mother died 
within a few weeks of each other, the former Feb. 
27, 1873, and the mother on the 2d of March fol- 
lowing, the latter of spinal meningitis. Mr. Shepard 
had accumulated some property, having purchased 
late in life the land upon which the present town 
of Montgomery stands, and which he named after 
the county of which he had been a resident in New 
York State. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kroh after their marriage lived on 
the home farm about one year, then removed to 
Wyandot County, where Mr. K. purchased forty- 
acres of land, upon which he farmed four years, 
then selling out came to this county in 1861. He 
had previously purchased sevenl^'-nine acres of 
Land in Jefferson Township, which is now included 
in his present homestead. To this he added until 
he now has 1 20 acres with good improvements, the 
land in a highly productive condition, and the build- 
ings convenient and substantial. A vvell eight feet 
deep supplies all the water 'for his evaporating 
works, while an artesian well eleven feet deep, near 
the dwelling, is utilized in the cooling of milk. 
Another well in a fiehl adjacent, and sixteen feet 
deep, supi)Iies an abundance of water for his live 
stock. He makes a specialty of full-blooded Chester- 
White hogs. 

To our subject and his wife there were born 
three children, Henry J., the eldest, Jan. 21, 1857, 
in Seneca County, Ohio. This son was married on 
the 3d of May, 1882, to Miss Frances, daughter of 
Alonzo and Ophelia (Russell) Parmelee, and is the 
father of twin bo3's, Wilford and Alfred, born 
April 13, 1884, and stout, healthy boj's, who are 
the i)ride of their grand[)arents as well as their 
nearer progenitors. The second son, William A., 
was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, and was 
drowned in a well on the present homestead when 
about two 3'ears old; Mina L. was born July 8, 
1868, and was married, Dec. 1. 1887, to William 
Freed, of Adams Township, this county. 

Mr. Kroh, politically, is a full-Hedged Democrat. 
He cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce a short 
time l)efore reaching his majoritj', and although 
taking a lively interest in the success of the prin- 



:?^"ri-^ 



654 



:A^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



eiples of his party, has never been desirous of the 
responsibilities of office. He has been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church since a young man, 
otliciating as Steward for about fifteen years, and 
has also been Superintendent of the Sunday-school 
several years. 

The evaporating works of Mr. Kroh are used 
principally for the preservation of fruit, although 
he is prepared to handle sugar water, and by the 
same power — the boiler forty-horse power and the 
engine twenty — is also equipped for the sawing of 
fence slats, to the number of 4,000 per day. In 
their fruit operations they dispose of 35 bushels of 
apples, pared and cored, per day, sorghum 250 
gallons, and eider 50 barrels, made into jelly and 
apple butter direct from the fruit. This industry 
promises to become one of the most important 
in the county, being one which was very much 
needed by the i)eople of this section, and which 
they are alreadj' beginning to appreciate at its full 
value. 

Mr. Kroh is a very genial and companionable 
man, and his straightforward methods of doing 
business have made him a general favorite in his 
community, and there are none who would not be 
pleased to see him succeed in this new enterprise, 
which gives every promise of this result. 



SRAEL THACHER. The subject of this notice, 
who came to Hillsdale County during the years 
Ji of its early settlement, passed away at his home 
in Reading Township, Aug. 20, 1875. Although it 
is thirteen years since he was laid to rest, his name 
is held in kindly remembrance b^' all the people 
who knew him, and learned to value him as a kindly' 
Christian gentleman, whose blameless life was in all 
respects worthy of imitation. 

Israel Thacher was born in Massachusetts, in 
March, 1810, and followed farming his entire life. 
He removed with his parents when about eight 
years of age to Ontario County, N. Y. ; they settled 
in Hopewell Township, where they spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. Israel was reared to man- 
hood in the Empire State, and was taught those 
habits of industry and |)rinciples of honor which 



formed the basis of a character which was recog- 
nized everywhere as that of an honest man and a 
good citizen. His father, Israel, Sr., lived to an 
advanced age, passing away about the 3'ear 1860. 
The mother, whose name was Delight, had preceded 
her husband to the silent land, her death taking 
place in 1857. To Israel, Sr., and Delight Thacher 
there was born a large familj' of children, of whom 
Israel was the eldest son and second child. He 
spent his boyhood and youth in Hopewell Town- 
ship, where he acquired a common-school education, 
and upon reaching manhood married Miss Mar- 
garet Newman. 

Mrs. Thacher was born in Union Count}', Pa., 
April 17, 1813, and is the daughter of John and 
Polly Newman, who passed to their long home 
j'ears ago in Union County, Pa., at an advanced 
age. She was reared and made her home with 
acquaintances who removed from the Ke^'stone State 
to Hopewell Townshiji, Ontario Co., N. Y., where 
she met her future husband. After marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Thacher came to Michigan and located 
upon the tract of land in Reading Township from 
which thej' built up a good home, working hand in 
hand with one mutual interest, living frugally, and 
endeavoring to lay .aside something for the future 
for themselves and their children. Of these latter 
there were in due time three sons and three daugh- 
ters : Mary J. is the wife of James Hall, a well- to-do 
farmer of Boone County, Iowa; Marvin married 
Miss Harriet Harris, and is farming in Butler County, 
this State; Wesley married Miss Susan Betts, and 
operates as a farmer and miller at Nevada, Ind.; 
Eliza A. is the wife of Samuel Davis, formerly of 
Ohio, and a blacksmith by trade; they own and 
occupj' a part of the Thacher homestead, where 
Mr. Davis works at his trade and is carrying on 
agriculture successfullj'. Chester A. died unmar- 
ried at the age of twenty -six j'ears, and Nancy C. 
died when an interesting young lady of twenty 
years. 

Jlr. Thacher in early life, it is believed, identified 
himself with the old Whig party, but upon its 
abandonment cordiallj' endorsed Republican prin- 
ciples, to which he adhered the remainder of his life, 
and in which he is now represented by his sons. 
They also have inherited in a marked degree the 



■•► 



f 



>► b "^- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



655 




Iionesty and uprightness of clmiacter wiiich clistin- 
ijiiishcd tlu'ir liuiuirefl sire. In his domestic rela- 
tions Mr. 'rh.'ic'her was more tlian ordinarily 
foitunatc, iinving secured for his life companion a 
lady in every w.ay fitted for the counselor of a good 
Tnaii. Mrs. Thaelier as a wife and mother lias ful- 
filled her duties in a most creditable manner, and 
is held in the warmest affection by a large circle of 
friends. Her hands have ever been willing to assist 
the needy and distressed, and all her neighbors bear 
witness to her kindness of heart and her womanly 
virtues. 



ENJAMIN ISIOUTON, a retired farmer and 
carpenter living in Jefferson Township, on 
section 13, near the village limits of Pitts- 
ford, traces his first recollections back to 
the town of Mexico, in Oswego County', N. Y., w4iere 
his birth took place June 5, 1817. His parents, 
Jolin and Eunice (Aldridge) Morton, were natives 
of Mas.sachusetts, where the Morton family settled 
in Colonial times. 

Our subject has the impression that his parent* 
were married in Vermont, and he knows that they 
were the fifth family to settle in Mexico, N. V.,and 
where most of their twelve children were born. 
Two of these died in the Empire State; the others 
all came to the Territory of Michigan, in 1834. 'J'he 
year previous Benjamin and his father had jour- 
neyed hither to look the country over, and one of 
the ohler brothers had located in Washtenaw 
County in 1831 . John Morton, however, the father, 
decided to settle in Lenawee County, and in due 
time from the wilderness of Cambridge Township 
built up a good farm, and became one of its leading 
men. In the labors involved in this Benjamin 
took a leading part, being the principal .assistant of 
his father. In the meantime his schooling had been 
in nowise neglected, and being ambitious himself 
to learn, he had acquired a good knowledge of 
books, pursuing his studies some time after coming 
to Michigan. 

Ui)on reaching his majority' our subject returned 
to his native State, attended school one winter, and 
a few mouths later, Oct. 7, 1840, secured for his 
wife and- helpmate one of the maidens of his native 



State, Miss Louisa Smith, who was born in Will- 
iamstown, Feb. 19. 1819, and w.as, like himself, of 
New England ancestry. Mr. Morton after his mar- 
riage returned to Lenawee County, and on account 
of his natural genius in the handling of tools, and 
without seiving any apprenticeship, took up the 
carpenter's trade, and three years later located in 
Orand Rapids, where he pursued carpentering until 
1851. Then, seized with the California gold fever, 
he made his way by water, and spent about two 
years on the Pacific Slope. At the expiration of 
this time he returned to Michigan, not much richer 
perhaps for his adventure, and after two years more 
of carpenter work, again crossed the Mississippi, 
locating in Henry County, Iowa, where we find him 
at the breaking out of the war. 

Mr. Morton now laid aside his personal plans and 
interests, and early in the conflict proflfered his serv- 
ices as a soldier of the Union army, enlisting in 
Company D, 4th Iowa Cavalry. He followed the 
vicissitudes of arm3- life about three j-ears, during 
which time his health was undermined on account of 
hardships, |)rivations and unsuitable food, and he 
was finally compelled to accept his discharge on 
account of disability, which developed mostly in 
disease of the heart. He receives a small pension. 

While Mr. Morton was in the service and ill in 
the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, his wife left her home 
and went to nurse him, where he laj' for weeks able 
to help himself but little. After returning home, 
and in the spring of 1866, they moved back to 
Lenawee County, Mr. Morton purchasing a farm in 
Rome Township. In 1881 he sold out, and coming 
to this county secured his present property in 
.Jefferson Township. This originally consisted of 
fiftj-six .acres, a ]>art of which he has since sold for 
town lots as an addition to Pittsford. His home is 
most beautifully' located, and with its handsome 
residence and other conveniences for comfort and 
enjo3'ment forms one of the most attractive homes 
in this region. 

Mr. Morton, politically, -'votes as he shot." He 
was a Democrat when entering the army, and still 
continues a member of that partj'. He never 
swerved from his adherence to the Union, believing 
that it should be preserved .at all hazards. Relig- 
iously, with his estimable wife, he is a member in 



••> J f <• 



•► m ^'^ 



656 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



1) 



good standing of the Christian Church, and is in 
full possession of all the elements which constitute 
an honest man and a good citizen. He has watched 
with the interest which every intelligent citizen 
feels the growth and develo|)nient of his adopted 
county, and has been no unimportant factor in 
bringing it to its present position. He experienced 
trials and difficulties in his pioneer days, and is 
consequently thus amply fitted to enjoy the com- 
forts witii which he Is now surrounded, and which 
have been the result of his own industry and per- 
severance. 

_i_ 

,^i^ YRON PERRY, who ranks among the intel- 
ligent farmers of Allen Township, took 
possession of the land which he now occu- 
pies in the spring of 1860, having ex- 
changed for it a farm in Hillsdale Township. He 
is now the owner of seven tj^-eight acres of good 
land, which through his wise management has be- 
come amply productive, and where he has effected 
good improvements, repairing the old buildings 
and putting up new, until the premises now form 
the picture of one of the most comfortable homes 
in this part of the county. 

Mr. Perry, a self-made man in the best sense of 
the word, commenced life for himself when a youth 
of seventeen, starting out as a farm laborer by the 
month. He was born in Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
■ Feb. 7. 1832, and commenced life upon the farm 
of his father, who was killed by the fallingof a tree 
when he was a little lad five years of age. The 
father, Walter Perry, and his wife, Sarah (Sturgis) 
Perr}', were also natives of the Empire State, the 
latter born in Cayuga County. The mother contin- 
ued in her native State until after her son Myron 
came to Micliigan, then joined him here, and is 
now a resident of Adams Township, this count3\ 
Her little family originally included seven children, 
but there are now only a son and daughter living. 
The one child besides our subject is a resident of 
Adams Township. 

Mr. Perry, our subject, left his native county in 
the fall of 1852 and repaired to the vicinit}- of 
LaPorte, Ind., where lie lived one year, engaged 



jointly in farming and teaching. In 1853 he re- 
turned to Cayuga C'ount3', N. Y., where he remained 
until the spring of 1855, then coming to Southern 
Michigan settled first in Hillsdale Township, buy- 
ing a small tract of land. This he disposed of in 
the spring of 1860, as heretofore mentioned, and 
took up his residence in Allen Township. ' 

While a resident of LaPorte, Ind., Mr. Perry 
formed the acquaintance of a most estimable young 
lady. Miss Achsah Kean, to whom he was married 
in Valparaiso, that State, June 18, 1862. Mrs. 
Perry is the daughter of Zebulon and Hannah 
Kean, natives of New Y''ork, but now of Indiana. 
She was born in CortLand County, N. Y., March 
20, 1837. Of her union with our subject there 
have been born seven children, who still consti- 
tute a family circle unbroken by the hand of death. 
The two eldest, Walter E. and Emma G., took 
kindly to their books <Uiring their childhood days, 
and have occupieil themselves considerably in 
teaching. The others — Arthur Z., Willis D., Sarah 
J., Flora M. and Bertha A. — continue under the 
parental roof, and are completing their studies in the 
schools near at home. Our subject and his wife 
are members in good standing of the Regular 
Baptist Church, and Mr. Perry uniformly votes 
the straight Republican ticket. 



# 



JIOMAS U. THORN. Besides being one of 
the prosperous farmers and worthy citizens 
of Hillsdale County, our subject holds the 
responsible position of Townshif) Treasurer of 
Scipio, where he resides. He is a native of this 
State, born in Yankee Springs, Barry County, April 
23, 1843. His father, James L. Thorn, was born in 
Schoharie County, N. Y., and after marrying Tam- 
zin Bowerman, also a native of the Empire State, 
came to Michigan during its territorial daj's and 
settled in Y'ankee Springs. He subsequently re- 
moved to Jackson County, where the death of his 
wife occurred in the town of Hanover, June 9, 
1886, she being then nearly seventj'- three j-ears of 
age. The father of our subject is still living in 




••► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



657 



Horton, Jackson Connly. having mnrried the sec- 
ond time, Mrs. A'inia Fifild, of Jackson, Mich., the 
date being in April, 1888. 

Our subject was tiie tliird ciii'd in order of birth 
in a familj' of six children, two sons and four 
daughters, born to their parents. lie was reared 
on a farm, and received a substantial education in 
the public schools of his native county. After 
leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade, but 
has never since engaged in it very much, farming 
having since been his princip.Tl occupation. In t!ic 
fall of 1877 Mr. Thorn came to Hillsdale County 
and settled in Mosherville, Scipio Township, where 
he remained industriously engaged in the care of 
his land for five years. In 1 882, desiring a change, 
he bought the farm formerly owned by Martin 
Gilmer, on section 22, Scipio Township, where he 
has since resided. It consists of 100 acres of valu- 
able land, on which he has good improvements. He 
has neat and tasty buildings, conveniently arranged, 
and his well-tilled fields show the care and atten- 
tion that have been bestowed on them. 

Mr. Thorn has been twice married. The maiden 
name of his first wife, to whom he was wedded in 
Spring Arbor, Jackson County, March 2o, 1868, 
wa.« Mary Hatch. She was born in Steuben County', 
N. Y., Maich 1 7, 1843, being a daughter of Mathew 
W. and Dinah (Lidiard) Hatch. The married life 
of Mrs. Thorn was not of long duration, her death 
occurring in Hanover Township, Jackson County, 
Aug. 4, 1876. Of that union two diildren were 
born — Wellington D. and Laura M. The latter 
died when about fourteen months old. The second 
marriage of our subject took place in Jackson 
County, Oct. 30, 1877, when he was united to Miss 
Alary Johnson, daughter of Martin and Caroline 
(Densmore) Johnson, who were natives respectively 
of Saratoga County, N. Y'.,and Augusta, Me. After 
inarri.ige Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled in Lenawee 
County, Midi., ami remained there until their re- 
moval to Jiickson County in 1843. Since that time 
they have lived in diflferent places, their present 
residence being Hanover, Jackson Co., Mich. The}- 
had twelve children, seven daughters and five sons, . 
Mary, the wife of our subject, being the eighth in 
order of birth. She was born in Moscow Town- 
ship, Hillsdale Co., Mich., June 23. 18G1. Of her 




union with Mr. Thorn three children have been 
l)orn, naniel}': Nellie E., Cora A and Edith A. 

Mr. Thorn, though not manj' years a resident of 
Scipio Township, has won in a marked degree the 
confidence of his fellow-townsmen, who respect and 
esteem him for his manliness, integrity and ability. 
He has taken an active part in local and general 
affairs, and has become closely identified with the 
interests of the township, where he has held the 
office of Supervisor, and is now honorably discharg- 
ing the duties of Township Treasurer. In politics 
he is a true Republican, and warmly supports the 
principles of that party. 

-*■-> o>o.-{c5v"v®"»*«' *«~- 

ON. ROBERT COX, of Wheatland Town- 
ship, an ex-member of the Michigan Legis- 
lature, a re|)resentative citizen, a thorough 
and skillful farmer, and one of the promi- 
nent and wealthy men of the county, spends most 
of his time at his fine homestead on sections 17 
and 16. He first opened his eyes to the light at 
North Branch, Somerset Co., N. J., on the 30th of 
April, 1813. He is consequently now in the seventj^- 
sixth year of his age, but remarkably hale and 
active, the result of a splendid constitution and 
correct habits. 

The main jioints in a history of much interest 
are substantially as follows: The parents of our 
subject. Job and Nancy (Nesbitt) Cox, were na- 
tives of the same county ns their son, where the 
father, upon reaching manhood, engaged in the 
manufacture of road vehicles, including wagons 
and sleighs, until his removal to Cayuga Countj", 
in New York, about 1818. Possessing only modest 
means, he commenced in the latter place working 
by the day, and was thus occupied until 182U. when 
his attention was attracted to the Territory of 
Michigan, which was then holding out strong in- 
ducements to the 3'oung and enterprising emigrant. 
First locating in Lenawee County, he was employed 
by a wealth}' brother-in-law, Mr. McCollum. who 
had 400 acres of land, and with whom he continued 
until able himself to secure forty acres. Upon this 
he labored, as opportunitj' permitted, to prepare it 
for cultivation, and subsequently purchased twenty 




■<^ 



658 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



acres more. Tbis property lie traded for a small 
farm in Jackson Count3% where, with his estimable 
wife, he took up his abode, and spent the remainder 
of his days, dying July 6, 1867, when sevent}'- 
three years old. The mother died at the age of 
seventy. Of their family of nine children, five are 
yet living, and residents of Michigan, occupied 
mostly in farming pursuits. 

Job Cox was a man of strict integritj', very 
decided in his views, and politically, a stanch Dem- 
ocrat. His boys, however, upon reaching manhood, 
became imbued with Republican principles, and 
finally succeeded in bringing their father over into 
the ranks of this party. He had, when a j'oung 
man, done good service in the War of 1812. 

Robert Cox continued a member of his father's 
household six months after reaching iiis nineteenth 
birthday, then asked his time of his father, but not 
getting a satisfactory answer, told his father he 
would take it anyway. So he started out, and 
commenced working by the month, and in due 
time had earned enough money to pa}' for eighty 
acres of land, which is now included in his present 
homestead. This purchase was made in June, 1834. 
The money, however, which he had earned by work- 
ing for his maternal uncle he never received, and 
was consequently obliged to enter land from the 
Government. He first took up forty acres on sec- 
tion 17 in Wheatland Township, and, after many 
disappointments and much difficult}', succeeded in 
raising the small sum necessary to accomplish his 
purpose. The money was finaDy given him by a 
rich old uncle, and the young man promised to pay 
it back in five weeks. It was but $18, but it was 
a large sum in those times, and under the circum- 
stances surrounding Mr. Cox. He paid it, however, 
promptly, to the surprise of the old man. 

Young Cox now entered upon the work of culti- 
vating his land, and also worked by the month for 
his neighbors, with one of whom he boarded, and 
in due time put up on his own propert}- a log house, 
the first structure of the kind erected in the space 
of a day in the township. He thus worked on his 
farm and for his neighbors, gradually improving 
his land, and getting together the implements most 
needed, in the meantime also not forgetting the 
establishment of the domestic ties which are of so 



much importance to a young man struggling alone, 
as it were, in a new country. The ladj' of his 
choice, and to whom he was married on the 5th of 
March, 1845. w.as Miss RoenaGragg, who was born 
in Coleraine, Mass., March 12, 1821, and came to 
the West with her parents about 1826. The young 
people commenced life together in a manner cor- 
responding to their means, and probably realized 
more genuine contentment and happiness tiian many 
who to-day set out on the journej- of life obliged 
to keep up with the fashions, and much of the time 
living beyond their income. 

As years passed by the homestead began to 
assume a more modern appearance, and the first 
primitive buildings gave way to a modern dwell- 
ing and good barns and outhouses. The little 
household was brightened by the birth of two chil- 
dren, the elder of whom, Corwin, was born Aug. 
27, 1847, married Miss Mary E. Oakes, of New 
York State, and is now the father of three children; 
these latter are J. La Verne, boru Nov. 18, 1871; 
Charles R., Sept. 2. 1877, and Luella E., June 16, 
1879. Lucia E., the second child of our subject, 
was born July 20, 1850, and is now the wife of E. 
W. Barnes, a prosperous farmer of Woodbridge 
Township; Mr. and Mrs. B. have one child only, 
a daughter, Myrtie R., born July 15, 1877. 

Mrs. Cox is the daughter of John and Alraira 
(Faulkner) Gragg, also natives of Massachusetts, 
whence they removed to New York State about 
1825, and nine months later, in 1826, came to the 
Territory of Michigan, settling in Lenawee County. 
Mr. Gragg took up a quarter-section of Govern- 
ment land in Clinton Township, and from the 
wilderness constructed a comfortable and pleasant 
homestead, where, with his estimable wife, he spent 
the remainder of his days, they dying at the ages 
of eighty-one and eighty-two years respectively. 
Mr. Gragg was a very intelligent man, fond of 
reading, and well informed upon matters of gen- 
eral interest. The parental household included eight 
children, three of whom are now living, and resi- 
dents of Michigan. 

Mr. Cox served as Justice of the Peace four 
years, declining a second term. He was then elected 
Highway Commissioner, which position he held for a 
period of fourteen j'ears, and in 1860 was chosen 



■*► 



'<- 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



659 



to represent the Thirrl District for three sessions in 
tiie Cieneral AsseinMy of the State. While in dis- 
cliarge of his duties at the e.ipital he vas i laced 
upon various important committees, and was one of 
tiic most active workers in the interest of the 
people of his countj'. He has imbued his son 
with his own Repul)Ucan principles. Various mem- 
bers of the Cox familj' during the late war did 
good service as Union soldiers. The homestead of 
our subject is one of the most attractive and valu- 
able in the county, where he carries on general 
farming and stock-raising with excellent results, 
and bears the reputation of being a most thorough 
and skillful agriculturist, besides an honored and 
valuable citizen. 



ws 



i 



ARD HAMBLIN, a worthy farmer and a 
d citizen of Hillsdale County, success- 
lly engaged in agricultural pursuits on 
section 2 of Allen Township, is a native of New 
York, having been born in the town of Fenner, 
ISIadison County, Sept. 27, 1836. His parents, 
Stephen D. and Phebe (Wilbur) Hamblin, were also 
born in Madison County, N. Y. They were reared 
in their native county, and after marriage continued 
to make it their home for several years. In 1 844, 
being desirous of taking advantage of the new farm- 
ing country being rapidi}- opened ui) in Michigan 
by enterprising farmers without an overplus of 
ready money, but with a largo amount of energy 
and i)erseverance, they removed with their familj' 
to this State, and settled in Jackson County, where 
they continued to reside until the death of Mr. 
H.amblin, April 18, 1880. The mother is still liv- 
ing on the homestead in Jackson County. They 
were the parents of nine children, five sons and four 
daughters. 

Their son Ward, of this sketch, was about eight 
years old when he came to Michigan with his par- 
ents, and Jackson County, in which they settled, 
continued to be his home until his removal to Hills- 
dale County. He received his education in the 
common schools, and was re.ired to an industrious 
and self-reliant manhood. After becoming suffi- 
ciently well started in life to warrant such a step, 
-^ — 



Mr. Hamblin established a home of his own, taking 
for a life comi)anion, counselor and helpmate, a wife 
in the person of Miss Rebecca Wagoner, to whom 
he was united in Pidaski, Jackson County, Feb. 14, 
1858. She w.as born in Homer, Calhoun County, 
this State, Jan. 31, 1840, her parents being William 
and Elizabeth (Kerr) Wagoner, who are now living 
in Butler County, Neb. The union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Hamblin h.is been blessed by the birth of three 
children, namelj': Adelbert, Emery and Eldora. 

Our subject h.as been a resident of Hillsdale 
County since the fall of 1 880, when he purchased 
his present place of residence, and removed hither 
with his family. His farm comprises 100 acres of 
rich and arable land, under a very good state of till- 
age, and yielding abundant harvests. He has a 
comfortable dwelling, and good barns and other 
out-buildings, which, together with the excellent 
management of his farming interests, bespeak the 
thrift and care of the owner. 

Mr. Hamblin, although a coinparativelj' new- 
comer in Allen Township, by his kindly spirit, 
neighborly courtesies, and fair and upright dealings 
in business transactions, has won the respect and 
esteem of the community. Socially, our subject is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics 
is a sturdy Democrat, firmly and conscientiouslj- up- 
holding the principles advocated by that party. 



OBINSON HAZARD WHITHORNE, one of 
the honored pioneers of Hillsdale County, 
and the first Justice of the Peace within its 
^ boundaries, was born in Newport, Herkimer 
Co., N. Y., July 12, 1806. His father, Stephen 
Whithorne, was a native of Kingston County, R. I., 
where he grew to manhood, and then going into 
the State of Vermont, was married in Wallingford, 
Rutland County, to Miss Phebe Dotj'. He re- 
moved with his family to New York State about 
180.5, and was among the earliest pioneers of Her- 
kimer County. 

Stephen Whithorne in 1818 removed from Her- 
kimer to Monroe County, N. Y., and purch.ased a 
tract of timber land near the subsequent site of 
Perrinton, where he lived and labored the remain- 




• ^j it ^» 



A. 



^^ 



660 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



der of his life. His son, Robinson H.,oiir subject, 
was a lad twelve years of age at the time of his 
removal, and completed the common-school educa- 
tion which had been begun in his native county. 
When not in school be assisted his father in clear- 
ing the farm and tilling tiie soil, but made the most 
of his opportunities for study, and developed into a 
teacher of excellent capacities at the early age of 
eighteen years. He taught first in Wayne County', 
and about that time the death of his father threw 
the principal care of the homestead upon his young 
shoulders. Upon the farm there was still an in- 
cumbrance, and three years later Mr. Whithorne 
decided to sell. He continued teaching in winter 
and farming the balance of the year until the spring 
of 183-t. On the 1st of May, that year, determined 
to seek his fortune elsewhere, he set out for the Ter- 
ritory of Michigan, proceeding via the lake to Toledo, 
and from there on foot first to Adrian, and then to 
Bean Creek Valley. He made a claim of 120 acres, 
and walked to the land-office at Monroe for the 
purpose of entering it, then returned on foot to 
Adrian, and for a time hired out by the day. In 
the fall following he erected a log house on his 
land, which was constructed after the fashion of 
those times, with a shake roof and a chimney of 
eartii and sticks. The firejilace occupied the greater 
part of one side, and having no stove, his young 
wife did her cookhig before the blazing logs. They 
occupied this humble dwelling a few years, then 
moved into a more commodious residence across 
the road, and to the one which our subject now oc- 
cupies. Mr. Whithorne had purchased this piece of 
land a few years previous, and since the lime men- 
tioned has been a continuous resident there. He 
still owns, however, the tract which he took up from 
the Government, and still has the title deed bearing 
the signature of President Jackson. 

Mr. Whithorne was first married, in 1833, to 
Miss Mary A. M. Treadwell, a native of Perrinton, 
N. Y., and the daughter of Jesse and Thirza 
(Graves) Treadwell, who spent their last jears in 
the Empire State. This lad3' died at her home, 
July 25, 1870. On the 1st of March, 1871, Mr. 
Whithorne contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. 
Laura A. (Bennett) Powell, who was born in Mace- 
don, Wayne Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of 



Moses and Edith (Collins) Bennett, long since 
passed awa}'. Our subject has three children living, 
two sons and a daughter. The former, Myron H. 
and Julian C, are prosperous business men of Archi- 
bald, Fulton Co., Oliio; Thirza M. is the wife of 
Henry Howes, of Pittsford Township, this county. 
Mr. Whithorne taught school eight winters in 
this county, with gratifying success, and many of 
his pupils to-day reside in this locality, and regard 
liim with kindly feelings, as the faithful friend and 
instructor of their childhood days. He is of a 
genial and companionable disi)osition, a manalwa3's 
ready to oblige either friend or stranger, one who 
has conscientiously done his duty as far as his judg- 
ment guided him, and who has a large circle of 
warm frienils. 



0~ AMP KELSEY. This gentleman, who is 
now living in retirement in the pleasant 
' town of Jonesville, has been prominently 

identified with the business interests of Hillsdale 
County. He is a native of the good old New En- 
gland State of Connecticut, his birth taking place in 
the town of Salisbury, Nov. 13, 1810. His father, 
Elisha Kelsey, was born in Sheffield, Mass. He 
married Miss Lucy Camp, of Salisbury, Conn., and 
settled in her native town, which remained their 
home until her death. They were worthy people, 
and were held in the highest estimation by all in 
the community where they resiiled. After the death 
of his vvife Mr. Kelsey moved to Jefferson County, 
Wis., where he remained until death. They liad a 
family of six sons, all of whom grew up, although 
but two of them, Henry and Camp, now survive. 

Our subject was reared on a farm in the old town 
of his bii'th, and received an excellent education in 
the common schools of Connecticut, which State has 
always been famous for her institutions of learning. 
When he was about fifteen years of age he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the carpenter and joiner trade 
in Sheffield, Mass. He remained there until twenty 
years old, gaining in the meantime a thorough 
mastery of his calling, and becoming a very skilled 
workman. After comi)leting his trade he went to 



-•►■ 




■•►-II-* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



661 



Canandaigua, X. Y., where he was actively' engaged 
as a caipenter fur many years, hocv^minji very 
prosi)erous in his business, and placing himself 
among the leading men of that flourishing place. 
He greatly aided in building up the town, and 
erected many of the most commodious and costly 
public buildings in that vicinity. He held places 
of responsibility in the public affairs of Canandai- 
gua, and served as Village Trustee. He lived theie 
from 1832 until the spring of 1868, and for thirty- 
five j'ears paid almost exclusive attention to his 
work as a carpenter, but at the expiration of that 
time he relinquished his business and attended 
solel}' to his farms in that vicinit\-. 

In the spring of 18G8 Mr. Kelsey wound up his 
affairs in New York and came to Michigan, to make 
his home in Jonesville. He did not at first engage 
in any business, with the exception of loaning 
money for himself and other parties in the East. 
Subsequently he superintended the erection of the 
Jonesville Cotton Mill, which was completed early 
in 1872. He afterward established himself in the 
grocery- business in this town, in partnership with 
Mr. Buell, and they continued together for a year 
and a half, when he sold out his interest. In the 
seventies he, in companj' with his son, George H. 
Kelsey, opened a hardware store in Litchfield, this 
count}', although he continued to live in Jonesville. 

Mr. Kelsey was first niarried in Chatham, Mass., 
July 22,1833, to Miss Amanda P. Sawyer, who 
was born in Egermont, Mass., March 24, 1813, and 
was a daughter of Solomon Sawyer, of that State. 
Four children were born of that union: George H., 
Franklin C; Maria C, who died in infancy; and 
Maria A. George H. lives in Jonesville; he mar- 
ried Miss Mary Watrous, formerly of Elmira, N. 
Y. Franklin C, who died Feb. 22, 188G. married 
Miss Emma A. Griffith; Maria C. died March 20, 
1842; Maria A. is the wife of Henry T. Carr, of 
Jonesville, formerly of Canandaigua, N. Y. Mrs. 
Kelse}' was a woman of superior intelligence and 
fine character, and her death in Jonesville. Sept. 
28, 1879, was mourned by a large circle of friends. 
Mr. Kelsey's second marriage, June 14, 1881, in 
Jonesville, was to Mrs. Elizabeth Whipple, daugh- 
ter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Scamans) Mathewson. 
By a former marriage Mrs. Kelsey had three 



children : Lucina S., the wife of Charles A. Wilson, 
of Providence, R. I.; Albert M., who .also lives in 
Providence. R. L; and E Hie H., who lived to be 
eight years of age. 

Ml-. Kelsey is a man of keen insight, much 
strength of character, and his integrity is unques- 
tioned. By energy, sound judgment, and able 
financial management, he has acquired wealth, so 
that he is eimbled to spend his declining years free 
from the cares and vexations of an active business 
life, and he and his excellent wife enjoy all the com- 
forts of a well-appointed home, surrounded by a 
large circle of friends, by whom they are justly 
honored and respected. 

Mr. Kelsey is a stanch adherent of the Repub- 
lican party; he has never sought office, but it has 
been conferred upon him by the suffr.age of his 
fellow-citizens, who have honored hiin by electing 
him to the office of Trustee of the town. Besides 
owning property in Jonesville, Mr. Kelsey has a 
farm of 160 acres in Litchfield Township, and 180 
acres ne.ar Battle Creek, Midi., and also owns 
farm lands in Wisconsin. 

JOHN FIELD. The subject of this biography 
is pursuing the even tenor of his w.ay on a 
snug farm in Pittsford Township, where he 
settled in 1872, and where he has accumu- 
lated a competency. A native of the Empire State, 
he was born near the town of Camillus, Onondaga 
County, J.an. 9, 1825. His father, Thomas Field, 
Wiis a native of Yorkshire, England, and his paternal 
grandparents, also of English birth and parentage, 
spent their entire lives on their native soil. 

Thomas Field was the only member of his father's 
family who came to America. This pilgrimage was 
accomplished about 1814, after he bad grown to 
manhood and had been married to Miss Elizabeth 
Liddle, also a native of Yorkshire. Their three 
elder children were born in England, and one child 
was born on the Atlantic before reaching America. 
Mr. Field settled in Onond.aga County, N. Y., 
through the solicitation of friends who had already 
located there, and first employed himself at what- 
ever he could find to do. As soon as possible he 



1 ■ 

t 



662 



~ ^ H ^1 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



purchased a tract of timber land, the cultivation 
of which he carried on as time and opportunity 
permitted, but the cash required for the various 
wants of the family had to be earned outside. 
During the construction of the Erie Canal Mr. 
Field became an employe of the company building 
it, and struggled on for several 3-ears amid hardships 
and ill-health. He lived in Camillus until 1837, 
theu sold out his possessions and purchased a home 
in the town of Lysander, where he resided until 
after the death of his first wife and after his sec- 
ond marriage. 

Mr. Field now removed to the vicinity of Sennet, 
in Cayuga County, where he purcliased a farm and 
spent the remainder of his days. He was the head 
of a famil}' of twenty-three children, being the 
father of fourteen by the first wife and nine liy the 
second. He was industrious, economical and per- 
severing, and as the result of his labors accumulated 
a good property. 

John Field was the seventh child of his father by 
the first marriage, and continued with him until 
reaching his majority, assisting in the labors of the 
farm. A year later he commenced working else- 
where, and when twenty-three years old had saved 
the snug sum of $200, which he paid toward the 
purchase of his father's farm, going in debt for the 
greater part of the purchase money. Two years 
later he sold out and purchased land near the town 
of Lysander, in company with liis brother. The 
next season he disposed of his interest in the prop- 
ertj^ to the latter and purchased a larger extent of 
land in the same township, assuming a debt of 
$6,000. Two years later, having a good oppor- 
tunity to sell, he availed himself of it, and purchased 
a smaller farm in Elbridge. In 1863 he also dis- 
posed of this property, and thereafter, during his 
stay in the Empire State, employed himself as a 
dealer in grain and produce. 

John Field, in 1865, came to this county, and for 
a year made his home with his brother in Wright. 
In 1866 he purchased a farm in Wright Township, 
which he occupied until 1871, then turned it over 
to the hands of a tenant, and purchased his present 
residence, two miles south of Hudson, in Pittsford 
Township. He still owns the farm in Wright Town- 
ship, and exercises a general supervision of its opera- 



tions. The land is in excellent condition, and the 
buildings rank with the best in this part of the 
county'. 

The marriage of John Field and Miss Maria H. 
Crossett was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1861. 
Mrs. Field was born in the latter county, and is the 
daughter of Newman and Mary (Rhodes) Crossett, 
who are still living. Mrs. Maria H. Field departed 
this life at her home in Elbridge, N. Y., Sept. 29, 
1863. 

Mr. Field contracted aseeond marriage, with Miss 
Adeline Downer, April 26, 1866. This lady^ was 
born in Seneca Township, Lenawee County, Feb. 
7, 1846, and is the daughter of Sawyer B. and Abi- 
gail Downer, a sketch of whom will be found on 
another page in this work. Of this union there are 
two sons living — Edgar K. and Herbert J., twentj'- 
one and eleven years of age respectively. Frank 
L., who was born Aug. 8, 1870, died on the oth 
of November, 1881. Mr. Field belongs to the Sec- 
ond Ativentist Church, and he and his wife are 
numbered among the best residents of Pittsford 
Township. 



HILLIP B. TABER, of Litchfield Town- 
ship, and numl)ered among its aged and 
highly respected citizens, was born on the 
I 1 far eastern coast, in the little State of 
Rhode Island, Feb. 11, 1810. He there lived until 
a young man twenty-five years old, and then, on 
account of failing health, sought the climate of 
Southern Michigan. The experiment piovingvery 
satisfactory, he resolved upon permanent settlement, 
and laid his plans accordingly. He was one of the 
earliest pioneers of Litchfield Township, which has 
since been his home, and is an admirable illustra- 
tion of one of the many men who began life poor, 
and are now enjoying the fruits of their labors in a 
comfortable home, and surrounded by the pleasant 
things of life. Mr. Taber, among the people about 
him, is accorded that tacit recognition and respect 
which are jdelded involuntarily to those who have 
seen so many years and realized such a large experi- 
ence of life. 

Peleg Taber and his wife, Hannah Sisson, the 



*f 



-4«- 



^t 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



663 



parents of our subject, were, like their son, both 
natives of Ulio(1e Island, born in the town of West- 
port, where the father carried on his trade of black- 
smith until his removal to New York State, in 
1837. He came to Michigan with his son, our 
subject, in 1843, and died that same fall at the age 
of sixty-five years. The mother accompanied her 
husband to the West, and died in Springfield, 111., 
at the home of her daughter, a number of years 
after the death of her husband, at the age of eighty- 
five. Their family included four sons and one 
daughter, of whom Phillip B. was the second child. 
His father being in limited circumstances, he re- 
ceived but little education, and at an early age was 
apprenticed to a carpenter, with whom ho served 
four years, receiving asalary of $35 per year, and at 
the expiration of his time found himself $200 in 
debt. He saw little prospect of being able to liqui- 
date this amid the circumstances by which he was 
surrounded — his ill-health; and the little oppor- 
tunity for a poor man to advance. These several 
things turned his steps westward, and he has never 
had reason to repent his course. He had here two 
brothers and three uncles, and purchased a one-half 
interest in a quarter-section of land in Litchfield 
Township, for which they were to pay $700. His 
share was a wilderness upon which stood heavy 
timber, and the labor of clearing this and preparing 
the soil for cultivation was indeed no light task. 
He labored singly and alone until 1845, being then 
thirty-five years old, and concluded be would be 
justified in taking to himself a wife and helpmate. 
He was accordingly- married to Miss Ellen Ames, 
who is the daughter of Anson Ames, who, 
with his wife, came from Vermont to Michigan in 
1840, and spent their last years in Litchfield Town- 
ship. 

Our subject and bis wife commenced the journey 
of life together on a IGO-acre farm in Litchfield 
Township. In due time their household included 
six children, who are recorded as follows: Alinda 
is the wife of Frederick Ship, and the mother of 
four children — Arthur, Jay, Alice and Flora; they 
live in Eaton Count}'. Henry died when a promis- 
ing young man of twenty-three years; Wilber was 
married to Miss Cora Miller, and died at the age of 
twenty-seven years, leaving a widow and one child. 



a son, Albert; Cornelia is the wife of H. Fen ton, of 
Seipio, and has two children — Lazella and Caddis; 
Milo L. married Miss Jennie Brown, of Seipio, and 
remains on the homestead. 

Mr. Taber is the owner of 120 acres of good land, 
and politically, affiliates with the Republican party. 
He attended the first town meeting and the first 
election in Allen Township, which at that time 
included Litchfield Township, and was one of the 
three first Assessors of Litchfield, the other two 
being William Stevens and Horton Mann. 



-o*o..@y^>^^@-o*o- 



\f 



fOHN T. PAGE, Secretary of the Michigan 
Mutual Benefit Association, at Hillsdale, has 
his headquarters in this city, and has been 
connected with this company since the winter 
of 1887. A native of Erie County, Ohio, he was 
born Jan. 11, 1842, and is the son of Ansel and 
Harriet A. (Lewis) Page, who were natives of 
Vermont. 

The parents of our subject soon after marriage 
left the Green Mountain State, and cast their lot 
with the early settlers of Erie County, Ohio. In 
the little town of Milan, that count}'. Ansel Page 
conducted a hotel for many yeai's, and died there 
in 1884. Tiie wife and mother survived her hus- 
band two years, and passed away in the spring of 
188(5, at tiie old home in Milan, Ohio. 

Mr. Page was next to the youngest of seven chil- 
dren comprising the parental household, all of 
whom are living and residents of the United .Slates. 
The early years of his life were spent in his native 
county in attendance at the district school, and he 
subsequent!}' entered Huron Institute, where he 
pursued his studies for a period of three years. 
Following this he became a clerk, and later a part- 
ner in the business of his brother Dustin, they 
operating together until 1861. John T. then took 
up his residence in Toledo, Ohio, as agent for the 
Grover <fe Baker .Sewing Machine, in which business 
he continued five years, then returned to his old 
home in Ohio, and within the limits of Milan en- 
gaged in the milling business. Three years thus 
occupied served to make him discontented with 
this, and in 1870 he came into Lansing, this State, 



^ 



664 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and was soon appointed to the position of chief 
clevk in the State Land Office, which he occupied 
for a term of six j'ears, four years under L. A. 
Clapp. and two years under B. F. Partridge. 

In the sessions of 1879-80, of the State Legisla- 
ture of Michigan. Mr. Page was Corresi)onding 
Clerk in the House, occupying this position during 
that session, the next following, and the special 
sessions thereafter. Later he went to Washington, 
D. C, and became the clerk of J. A. Hubbell dur- 
ing the session of the Forty-eighth Congress. This 
contract ended, he accepted the position of clerk in 
the Pension Department, which, howevei', he re- 
signed, to take a position with the Lansing Branch 
of the Lake Shore & Southern Michigan Railroad, 
which he held about three years and then resigned. 

In July, 1887. Mr. Page was made Secretary of 
the Michigan Mutual Benefit Association, which 
position he has since held, and in which he has 
proved himself thoroughly qualified. He assumed 
niaiital and domestic ties in September. 1868, tak- 
ing for his wife Miss Jennie Frith, of Milan, Ohio, 
who was born near therein November. 1852, and is 
the daughter of George F. and Elizabeth Frith, who 
were natives of London, England, and are now 
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Page there were born 
two children, both daughters — Nellie F. and Cora 
Belle. Our subject, politicallj-, is a Republican, and 
sociall3', belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a 
Knigl\t Templar, and a member of Eureka Com- 
mandery No. 3, at Hillsdale. 



p^OBERT C. PATTERSON is numbered 
U^ among the intelligent and honorable men 
(k\\ who compose the farming community of 
'^i Hillsdale County, and is quietly pursuing 
his pleasant occupation on his farm on section 14, 
Allen Township. He is a son of Joseph and Katrina 
(Jagger) Patterson, who were natives respectively 
of Ireland and New York State. His father came 
to this country from his native land when twenty- 
one years of age. After marriage he and his wife 
began their wedded life in Orange County, N. Y., 
whence they removed some years later to Wayne 
County, in the same State. In 1848 they came to 



Michigan, and locating in the pretty township of 
Woodstock, remained valued and respected mem- 
bers of that place until death. They were worlhj-, 
industrious and true-hearted peoi)le. Eight children 
were born of their man-iage, of whom our subject 
was the fifth in order of birth. 

Mr. Patterson was born in Orange County, N. Y., 
Feb. 7, 1832, and the years of his boj'hood were spent 
in his native State, where he acquired a sound educa- 
tion. He was sixteen years old when he came with 
his parents to Lenawee County, and he continued 
to make his hume in Woodstock, where thej' settled, 
for many j'ears. After he came to Michigan he 
learned the carpenter's trade, and prosperously pur- 
sued it while he remained a resident of Lenawee 
County. His life has been partly that of a student 
and thinker as well as of a worker, and for sixteen 
winters in that county he was engaged in the pro- 
fession of teacher, and while thus imparting his 
knowledge, he did much good, instilling into the 
minds of his pu|)ils a wholesome love of learning, 
and guiding their youthful minds in the right 
direction. In the year 1880 he ceased to be a 
citizen of Woodstock, and on the 23d of December, 
that year, he was united in marriage with Miss Lura 
M. White, in Jackson, Mich. She is a daughter of 
Lemuel and LydiaS. (Armstrong) White, who were 
natives of Livingston County, N. Y., where they 
lived until 1859. In that year they came to this 
county, and settled in Allen Township, where Mr. 
White died Aug. 7, 1887. To him .and his wife, 
who survives him, were born five children, of whom 
Mrs. Patterson was the third in order of birth. 
She was born in Livingston Coimty, N. Y., March 
17, 1851, and was a mere infant when her parents 
brought her to this State, therefore she has known 
no other home. She received from her mother a 
careful training, is intelligent and amiable, and 
h.as made an excellent wife and mother. To her 
and her husband was born a fine baby boy, Aug. 
23, 1887, whom they have named Robert White. 

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Patterson came with his 
wife to Hillsdale County, and settled in the town- 
ship of Allen, where he bought his present farm. 
It comprises eighty acres of rich and highly pro- 
ductive soil, which, by his industry and careful 
management, he has placed in a good state of 






i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



665 



cultivation. He has erected a fine house and has 
suitable out-buildings, and otiier good improve- 
ments. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Pat- 
terson is made very attractive to man}' friends, 
whom they have gathered around them since coming 
to this township. 

Our subject is a man of strong character, is 
mentally well endowed, earnest and sincere in his 
convictions, and is of unblemished reputation. In 
politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and 
faithfully supports its measures when occasion oflfers. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 



.'vvx* «\<flja£;©^l^^-| 



|'>*^®'fl'5**^"V/v~- 




ANIEL J. CONGER, who has been a resi- 
dent of Hillsdale for more than thirty 
j-ears. is a man well spoken of by all his 
neighbors as possessing the substantial qual- 
ities of character which constitute him one of the 
most reliable of citizens. He cast his lot with the 
pioneers of Hillsdale Countj' when a j'oung man 
twenty-one years of age, emigrating with his father 
from Genesee County, N. Y.. in the fall of 1855. 
With the exception of a short time occupied at 
merchandising and milling in the village of Litch- 
field, he has been a continuous resident here since 
that time. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Bethany, 
Genesee Co., N. Y.. Sept. 9. 1836. His parents, 
Jacob and Maria (Johnson) Conger, spent the 
early years of their life in the Empire State, but 
are now residents of Litchfield, this county. The 
home circle included eight children, three sons and 
five daughters, six of whom are living, and mostly 
residents of Hillsdale County. 

Our subject, who was the fifth child of his par- 
ents, continued under the parental roof most of the 
time until over thirty years of age, and was married 
on the 9th of December, 1866, to Miss Eliza, daugh- 
ter of William and Margaret (Jeffers) Wade, who 
were natives of Ireland. They emigrated to this 
country about 1844, settling in Litchfield Town- 
ship, where the father died in June, 1865; the 
mother resides in Litchfield, this county. Mrs. 
Conger was born Feb. 8, 1835, in Ireland, and was 
the second child of the familj- of her parents, which 



included two sons and six daughters. Of these all 
are living and located mostly in Hillsdale County. 
Mrs. Conger was two 3'ears of age at the time of 
crossing the Atlantic, and continued with her par- 
ents until her marriage. Her union with our sub- 
ject has resulted in the birth of one child only, a 
daughter, Alice May, who was born Nov. 9, 1867. 
Our subject purchased his present farm in April, 
1883, and during his residence of five years upon 
it has effected decided improvements. It embraces 
185 acres, mostly under a good state of cultivation, 
with substantial buildings, and the other appliances 
calculated for the comfort and convenience of the 
family and the prosecution of the ordinary farm 
work. Mr. Conger has had little time to devote 
to political affairs, but takes a genuine interest in 
matters pertaining to the welfare of the township, 
and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. 
He constitutes one of those solid factors in the 
community which, although making very little 
noise in the world, are still performing a very im- 
portant part in keeping the social fabric together, 
and upholding those principles which tend to its 
best welfare. 

-~- ^^^ <- 




BIATHAR PHILLIPS. The name of this 
gentleman properly oecupys a conspicuous 
place among the annals of Hillsdale County. 
He comes of substantial Scotch ancestry, 
being the son of Abiathar, Sr., and Hannah (R.anney) 
Phillips, who were natives of Massachusetts. He 
was born Oct. 27, 1774, she Nov. 1, 1782. After 
marriage they removed to Cattaraugus County, N. 
Y., where the mother died July 28, 1857, and the 
father on the 1st of February, 1863, when in the 
eighty-ninth year of his age. Their children bore 
the names of Esther, Eliza, Abiathar, George, Anna, 
Samuel, Harriet, William H., Charles II., Alonzo 
F., John P. and Jared. Six are yet living. 

The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 11,1 804, 
in Franklin County, Mass., and until a lad of eleven 
ye.ars attended school in his native township. His 
parents then emigrated to Ontario Countj". N. Y., 
and from there a few j'ears later removed to Catta- 
raugus Count}-, where they continued until resting 
i» 



u 



666 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



from their earthl.y labors. Both were members of 
the Presb3'terian Church for many j'ears. Abinthar, 
of our sketch, upon coming to this county in 
November, 1868, located upon eighty acres of^and, 
from which he has eliminated one of the finest 
farms in this section. In addition to tlie careful 
cultivation of the soil, which has yielded abun- 
dantly, he has also made a specialty of fine stock, in 
which industry he has been eminentl^^ successful. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
Jan. 17, 1861, was formerly Miss Amanda P. Ellis, 
who was born in Cattaraugus County, N. "Y., Dec. 
17, 1839. Mrs. Phillips is the daughter of William 
L. and Amarilla E. (Barnum) Ellis, who were also 
of New England ancestry, the father a native of 
Massachusetts, and the mother of the State of New 
York. William L. Ellis died in Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., April 27, 18C2. The mother is still living 
at the residence of her daughter in Allegan}'. N. 
Y. Of their three children. Amanda, Mrs. Phillips, 
was the eldest. One of her sisters, Martha M., is 
the wife of P'rederick Blackmore. of Worth County, 
Iowa; Mary J. married Joseph Blair, and con- 
tinues a resident of Allegany, Cattaraugus Co., 
N. Y. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips there were given four 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Wel- 
lington A. was born Feb. 13, 1862, and died April 
14, 1865; Frank W. was born March 7, 1864, and 
married Miss Emma Gould, of Hillsdale County; he 
is carrying on farming in this county. They had one 
daughter, bom in June. 1887, and who died at the 
age of three months. Harry M. was born July 23, 
1868. and assists in carrying on the home farm; 
Maj-, who vvas born Aug. 15, 1873, died on the 25th 
of October following. The parents of Mrs. Phillips 
were members in good standing of the Baptist 
Church. Our subject before his removal to the 
West was Supervisor of his township in Cattaraugus 
County for many j'ears. He is a stanch Democrat, 
politically, and notwithstanding his advanced age, 
is more active mentally and physically than many a 
younger man. His genial temperament, strict hon- 
esty, and excellent qualities as a man and a citizen, 
have conspired to bring around him a large circle 
of warm friends, and together with his excellent 
wife, he occupys an enviable position in his com- 



munity. Their pleasant homestead embraces a por- 
tion of section 21, and it is noticeable on account 
of the neatness and order which prevail, and the 
evident care with which the farm has been managed 
in all its details. 



f 



38^ 



^OHN McDOUGALL is an enterprising and 
able farmer and stock-grower, living on sec- 
tion 8, Woodbridge Township. He was 
'^^Jj born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Jan. 1 1 , 
1853, and is the son of James and Agnes (Boj'le) 
McDougall. natives of Scotland, who emigrated to 
this counti'y and settled in Ohio, where Mr. McDou- 
gall was prosperously engaged in farming until his 
removal to this township in 1858. (For further 
parental history see sketch of James McDougall on 
another page). 

Our subject received his education in the common 
schools of Hillsdale County, and was occupied with 
farm work in the intervals of attendance at school 
until he was nineteen 3'ears of age, when he went to 
work by the month and year for himself. He 
started out to obtain employment in the stone quar- 
ries of Ohio, and worked there three summers, 
and by his hard an<l persistent toil and prudent 
economy accumulated 11,000. He subsequently 
turned his attention once more to the occupation to 
which he had been bred, and purchased ten acres of 
land, for which he gave $1,100. incurring a debt of 
$780 on it, but going to work with his accus- 
tomed energy, in a few years he had it all paid 
for, and succeeded admirably in his calling. In 
1884 Mr. McDougall moved to this township, and 
managed his father's farm of 160 acres for three 
years, and April 5. 1887, he moved with his fam- 
ily to his present place of residence. His farm 
comprises sixty acres of land, exceedingly fertile 
and productive, and under his good management it 
bids fair to become one of the most desirable farms 
in this locality. 

Mr. McDougall took unto himself a helpmate and 
companion in the person of Miss Caddis Root, Sept. 
26, 1872. She was born in 1851, in Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio, and is the daughter of J. L. and Se- 
repta (Rice) Root, natives of Connecticut and 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



667 



Massachusetts. They settled in Cuyahoga Count}^ 
in early times, being among the pioneers of that 
part of Ohio. The father is a. prosperous farmer, 
and is still living there on his old homestead. Mrs. 
McDougall was reared in the home of her birth, 
and received a common-school education. She and 
her husband are the parents of three children, as 
follows: Bernice, born Sept. 10, 1877; Ava, Oct. 
8, 1881, and Anna, July 1, 1883. 

Mr. McDougall's career thus far has marked him 
as a keen, shrewd, far-seeing man, with an enter- 
prising and energetic disposition, and he is steadily 
acquiring an assured position among the most pros- 
perous farmers and stock-growers of this locality. 
In his political opinions our subject sides with the 
Democrats, and heartily supports the candidates of 
that party by voice and vote. He has recently be- 
come a Mason, having joined the A. F. & A. M., at 
Cambria, in 1888. 



P^ HILO D. CON VIS is an old and highly es- 
1 teemed resident of Locust Corners, town 
^ of Pittsford, where he is engaged in farm- 

1 I ing. He formerly kept a hotel here, which 
was a favorite stopping place for travelers, and he 
became widely and favorably known :is a genial 
host, a man of sound business h.ibits, and unques- 
tioned integrity. He was born in Jefferson County, 
N. Y., July 25, 1816, and is a son of John Convis, 
and grandson of David Convis, a European by 
birth, who emigrated to this country some time 
during the eighteenth century, and settled in Ver- 
mont. He later moved to Jefferson County, N. Y., 
in the early days of its settlement, and from there 
removed to Ohio, and located in Geauga County, 
where he closed his earthly pilgrimage. 

The father of our subject grew to a vigorous 
manhood amid the rugged hills of Vermont, which 
W!is the home of his birth, and from there went to 
New York when a young man, and there married 
and settled in Jefferson Count}', the name of the 
maiden of his choice being Mehitable Graves, a na- 
tive of New York State, whose father was either 
Benoni or Benjamin (craves. Mr. Convis bought a 



farm near Ellisburg. and he and his wife made their 
home there until 1830, when they moved to Wayne 
County. Mr. Convis bought a farm in the town of 
Ontario, which he owned and operated quite suc- 
cessfully until 1850. Then he sold out all his 
property in New York and came to this State, 
where he located in Shiawassee County. He and his 
wife spent their declining years in Gratiot County. 
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
in his native State, and early became inured to the 
hard labors of a farmer, which were not then 
lightened bj' machinery as in these days of modern 
improvements. He resided with his parents until 
1838, and being strong and active greatly assisted 
his father in the management of the farm. On the 
11th of October, 1838, he was married to Miss 
Hulda Halleck, who was born in Ontario, Wayne 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 0, 1822. Her parents, James 
and Mehitable Halleck, were pioneers of Wheat- 
land, settling there in 1838. In October. 1839, our 
Subject and his young wife started with her father for 
Michigan, coming via the Erie Canal and Lake Erie 
to Toledo, and thence on the primitive railw.a^', 
with its rails of wood, on the top of which were 
iron straps, to the town of Adrian. There they 
hired a team to take them to the locality now known 
as Church's Corners, where our subject and his 
wife took up their residence for a year with her 
father's family. Mr. Convis then built a shanty on 
a 40-acre tract of land which he had bought 
joining his father in-Iaw's place. The country was 
even then in a very wild state, although some 
years had passed since its first settlement. Deer 
were plenty, as well as wild turkeys and other 
game, and wolves and bears were occasionally seen. 
He energetically set about improving his land, 
cleared twenty-five acres, set out an orchard, built 
a good frame house, and lived there until 1 850, pros- 
perously engaged in agricultural pursuits. In that 
year he disposed of that farm and bought another in 
the same township, on which he resided until 1857. 
He then traded for the farm he now owns, and 
when he located here built a large frame house and 
opened a hotel, which became a popular resort for 
travelers under his able management, and was well 
patronized. He has retired from the hotel business 
and pays exclusive attention to the care of his farm, 



i 



-•► 



668 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






which comprises sixty-eight acres in the most fer- 
tile agricultural region in this part of Hillsriale 
County, its well-tilled fields and neat and commo- 
dious frame buildings forming an attractive feature 
in the landscape. 

The good wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in very early manhood, and who was to 
him a faithful companion and helper, departed this 
life in July, 1865. Mr. Con vis was married a 
second time, Oct. I, 1871, to Miss Hattie Hicks, 
who is a native of Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y. 
She comes of a long line of English ancestry, and 
the first members of the family to leave En- 
gland were her great-grandfather, Barnett Hicks, 
and two of his brothers, all of whom settled in 
Massachusetts, making their permanent home there. 
Her grandfather, Stephen Hicks, was born in that 
State, and when he was old enough was apprenticed 
for seven years to learn the tailor's trade, and 
followed it for several years. He was also a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. In 1805 he migrated to 
New York, the removal being made with teams, 
and he there became an earl}' pioneer of Jefferson 
Count}', where he improved a farm. Barnett 
Hicks, the father of Mrs. Convis, was born in Roho- 
both, Mass., and was eight years old when his 
parents moved to New York, where he grew to 
manhood, married, and afterward lived on the 
old homestead that his father wrested from the wil- 
derness so many years ago, until May 19, 1888, 
when his death occurred at the age of ninety-one 
years; his father lived to the advanced age of 
ninety-eight years. The maiden name of Mrs. Hicks 
was Abigail Wheelock, daughter of Luther and Polly 
(Bishop) Wheelock. She is now eighty-four years 
old. 

Mr. Convis is the father of five children, namely : 
Wallace, wiio lives in Wheatland Township; Maria, 
wife of George Beasom. lives in Hand County, 
Dak.; Louisa is the wife of Philo Wilcox, of Pitts- 
ford Township; Emma is the wife of J.acob Swart- 
out, of Osceola County, Mich. ; Frank lives in Pitts- 
ford. 

Our subject and his wife aie in every way worthy 
of the warm regard and confidence in which they 
are held by all who know them ; their integrity is 
beyond question; they are kind-hearted, true friends 



•4^ 



to their neighbors, and ever ready to help those 
who need their aid and sympathy. In politics Mr. 
Convis has been identified with the Republican 
party ever since its organization, and has been a 
stanch advocate of all its measures for the benefit 
of the people. 




i, RS. JANE GILBERT, a lady of fine men- 
tal capacities and very capable in business 
matters, is the widow of the late James 
Gilbert, of Litchfield, and a daughter of 
George and Eliza (LeDur) Dudley, natives respect- 
ively of Vermont and Albany, N. Y. Her father 
was of Scotch ancestry, while her mother was of 
French descent. Her maternal great-great-grand- 
father emigrated from France it is supposed prior 
to the Revolutionary War. 

The parents of Mrs. Gilbert removed from the 
Empire State soon after their marriage, and coming 
to the West located in Jackson County, Mich., 
among the early pioneers of that section. Mr. 
Dudley occupied himself as a tiller of the soil, but 
died in the prime of life, in August, 1858. when 
forty-one years of age. The motiier is still living, 
and is now a resident of Butler Township, Branch 
County, being now sixty-four years old, making her 
home with her son Edwin, the child of her first 
m.arriage. After the death of Mr. Dudley she 
became the wife of George Sine. Of this union 
there were no children. 

The two brothers and two sisters of Mrs. Gil- 
bert are now all residents of Michigan. Mrs. G. 
was born in Concord Township, Jackson County, 
Aug. 31, 1845. and as a young girl enjoyed the 
advantages of the district school. The family, in 
1857, removed to St. Louis on account of the fail- 
ing health of the father, and Jane attended the 
Union School of that city two years. Returning 
to her home in Jackson County, this State, she was 
married, Dec. 23. 1863, to James Gilbert, who was 
the eldest son of James, Sr., and Mary (McLouth) 
G'lbert, and was born in Homer Township, Calhoun 
Co., Mich.. Dec. 25, 1835. The parents of Mr. 
Gilbert were natives respectively of Edinburgh, 
Scotland, and the city of New York. The father 



i 



-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



669 



tipon emijrrntino- to this country made his way to 
tiio State of Mieiiignn during its pioneer days, and 
purchased 480 acres of Government land in Homer 
Township, Callioun County, where lie labored in- 
dustriously and established a comfortable home. 
His death took place in January. 1874, when ho w.as 
seventy-four years old. The mother survived her 
husband until Februarj-, 1881, and then ptissed 
away also at the age of seventj'-four ye.irs. They 
were the parents of four children, all sons. Oliver 
Gilbert during the late war enlisted first with the 
three-months men in April, 18G1. with the 4th 
Michigan Infautr}'. At the expiration of this time 
he re-entered the ranks for a term of three years, 
and being taken ill with typhoid fever was con- 
veyed to the hospital in Washington, sufifered a re- 
lapse, and died in 1861. The other brothers are 
residents of Hillsdale Conntj-. 

Mr. Gilliert was a well-educated man, having at- 
tended school first in Jonesville, and subsequently 
was a student at Albion College two years. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert settled upon a 
farm of 240 acres in Callioun County, where Mr. 
G. labored successfully until ill-health compelled 
him to abandon farming and its attendant labors 
and cares. They tiien took up their residence in 
Litchfield, where the death of Mr. Gilbert occurred 
July 25, 1875. His devoted wife was thus made a 
widow and his children fatherless. Mrs. Gil- 
bert exerted herself to bear up under this sore afflic- 
tion, and with true motherlj- devotion trained 
her children carefully and gave them the advantages 
of an excellent education. The eldest child, Agnes, 
was graduated from the Litchfield Union School in 
the class of '81, and subsequentlj' attended Hills- 
dale College two j'ears. (She is now one of the 
most succe.ssful teachers in this locality, having had 
charge of district schools as well as the intermediate 
department of Litchfield Union School. For seven 
years she has been prominently identified with the 
educational interests of the county, her heart being 
in her work and her cap.acities of more than ordi- 
nary scope. Oliver D. was graduated from the 
above school in the class of '82, and for five j'ears 
was connected with the mercantile house of A. J. 
Lovejoy, of Litchfield; he is a promising 3'oung 
business man, and a favorite both in social and busi- 



ness circles; he subsequently occupied himself .is 
a teacher in the winter season. A. J., the next son, 
now has charge of his mother's farm of 240 acres 
in Homer Township, Calhoun County. Both mother 
and clilidren are members of the Congregational 
Church, and Miss Agnes Gilbert, who is warmly 
interested in the temperance movement, is identified 
with the W. C. T. U.. of Litchfield. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Gilbert, in 
addition to the responsibilities alreadj- indicated, 
has had the general supervision of the estate, which 
she has managed with great discretion and good 
judgment, enhancing its value and keeping up the 
improvements on the farm, so that it is now one of 
the most valnable in tliis part of the State. She 
bears the reputation of a most estimable and kindly 
lady, vvho has always exercised a good influence 
upon those around her, and has been especially a 
most faithful and praiseworthy' guardian to her chil- 
dren, who have grown up gifted and intelligent, 
and fully justifying the pride with which they are 
naturally regarded by the best of mothers. 



,¥] AMES C. COOPER. Among the men who 



settled in the southern part of this county 



I 

I, during the pioneer d.ays, the subject of this 
(^^ sketch occupies no unimportant position. A 
m.an who has made the most of his opportunities 
in life, he has kept his eyes open to what was going 
on around him in the world, h.as labored well and 
learned wisely, and is now in the enjoyment of the 
fruits of his industry. His is a career which is full 
of interest to the thoughtful mind, and we give it 
with little embellishment. 

Seneca County. N. Y., w.as the early tramping 
ground of our sul)ject. his birth having taken place 
near the town of Junius on the 4tli of September, 
1831. His father, John C. Cooper, was born in 
Rockland County, at the modest homestead of his 
father in the township of Hempstead, on Nov. 9, 
1794. The paternal grandfather, James Cooper, 
was a gentleman of English birth and ancestry, and 
own cousin to the great philanthropist, Peter Cooper, 
of New York, whose name is familiar to all the in- 
telligent people of this continent. 



-•► 



^ 



670 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



James Cooper crossed the Atlantic early in life, 
accompanied by his brother Jacob. The latter set- 
tled in Brooklj'n, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. James settled in Hempstead Tovynship, 
Seneca County, where he carried on farming, and 
died in 1798. He had married Miss Margaret 
Grenee, a native of France, who survived her hus- 
band three years, dying in 1 80 1 . They were the par- 
ents of three children, of whom John C, the father of 
our subject, was the second child. His brother 
Albert settled first in New York City, and later in 
Brooklyn, dying in the latter place. The sister, 
Sarah, became the wife of John King, and settled 
in Rockland County, N. Y. 

John C. Cooper learned the trade of cabinet- 
maker, and located in Seneca County, N. Y., about 
1812. Two 3-ears later he enlisted in the United 
States army, serving about one j'ear, then resumed 
work at his trade in the town of Junius. After 
marriage, however, he abandoned the shop for the 
farm and thereafter followed agricultural pursuits 
until retiring from active labor. He spent his last 
years in the town of Tyre, where his death took 
place Aug. 24, 1874. His wife was in hei- girlhood 
Miss Mary .Servend, a native of Rockland County, 
and she was born Jan. 18, 1801. Her father, 
James H. Servend, it is believed, was a native of 
New York Slate, and of Holland ancestiy. He set- 
tled in Junius at an early period in its history and 
improved a farm, upon which he remained the bal- 
ance of his life, his death taking place in Decem- 
ber, 1852. His wife, the maternal grandmother of 
our subject, was Annie Lawrence, who was born in 
Schoharie County, and spent her last 3'ears with her 
son in Seneca County. The mother of our subject 
is still living, and makes her home in Seneca Falls, 
N. Y. 

James C. Cooper was the fifth child of the 
parental household, and continued on the farm 
until a youth of seventeen. Then wishing to see 
something more of the world, he engaged in boating 
on the Erie Canal, being thus occupied two years. 
In 1851 he came to Southern Michigan, .arriving in 
Hillsdale County about the 1st of September. He 
was unmarried at this time, and his only capital 
was embraced in good health and his willing hands. 
He soon secured work in the young town of Wbeat- 



a^ I ■ — - 



land at fiftj- cents per day. In December of that 
year, having completed his job, lie repaired to Ran- 
som, seeking another. Here nothing offered but 
the splitting of rails at fifty cents per iiundrod, 
but even this was better than nothing. Not being 
an adept he could scarcely earn his bo.ard. A few 
weeks later, in company with another man, he opened 
a sugar camp on land belonging to speculators, 
where they kept bachelors' hall and carried on 
sugar making with indifferent results. The coun- 
try at this time was infested with wolves and 
other wild animals, including deer, from wiiich they 
often secured fine vension. One night they were 
called upon by a bear who, however, went off leav- 
ing them undisturbed, his presence becoming known 
by the tracks in the snow. They had only fairly 
commenced their venture of sugar making when 
our subject was proffered work on a farm, so he 
gave up this experiment, and continued theemplo3'e 
of Thomas Burt until late in the fall of the follow- 
ing year. 

In November, 1852, Mr. Cooper returned E.ast 
and continued with his parents until in March, 1 854. 
He had b^' no means recovered from his attack of 
Western fever, and now returning to his old haunts 
in this county, purchased eighty acres of the land 
which he now owns and occupies. It was all in 
timber, and he had not capital sufficient to give up 
his time to its clearing and cultivation, so returned 
to his native State and spent the following summer. 
In December, 1854, he came West again, and 
once more became the employe of Mr. Burt, with 
whom he continued until spring, then farmed for 
himself on rented land. 

In the fall of 1855 Mr. Cooper began operating a 
sawmill on shares, and was thus occupied until June 
following. In the meantime he purchased twenty 
acres of land on section 12, in Ransom Township, 
and taking possession of the solitary cabin on it, 
continued there until March, 1 857, when he repaired 
to his first purchase, upon which he had erected a 
log house. In the meantime, on the 1st of Decem- 
ber, 1855, he had taken unto himself a wife and 
helpmate. Miss Miranda Crommer, who had shared 
with him his cabin home on section 12. Since the 
spring of 1857 they have been continuous occu- 
pants of their present farm, which now embraces 

*► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



1 60 acres of fertile land, the greater part in a produc- 
tive condition, and upon whicii Mr. Cooper lias 
erected a neat and substantial residence, and all the 
other buildings required for the shelter of stock and 
the storing of grain. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of .John 
Crommer, and was born in the town of Burton, 
Ge.auga Co., Ohio. June 11, 1835. Her father, a 
native of the State of New York, was left an orphan 
at an early age, but succeeded in making his own 
way comfortably', and upon reaching manhood was 
marritd in .Steuben County, where he resided until 
1833. Then, accompanied by his wife and children, 
he emigrated to Ohio, making his way by canal and 
lake to Cleveland, and thence overland to Geauga 
County, where he purchased land near the town of 
Burton, and commenced the improvement of a farm. 
Seven years later, however, he sold this and started 
for Michigan. The removal hither was made over- 
land, his outfit consisting of two yoke of oxen, 
two wagons and two horses. The boys rode the 
horses most of the way, and the journey prob- 
ably consumed about three weeks. They took up 
their residence first in Pittsford Township, but a 
j-ear later removed to Ransom Township, where the 
father purchased a tr.ictof land on section 12. The 
country around was ver}' thinly settled, and the 
various kinds of wild beasts that were natives of the 
forests still lingered here. Mr. Crommer erected 
a log house with a shake roof, and the chimney 
constructed of dirt and sticks. The mother having 
no stove carried on her cooking by the fireplace. 
She also si)un wool and flax, and wove much of the 
cloth for the use of the household. 

In 1><72 John Crommer set out for California in 
the wake of some of his sons who had preceded him 
to the Pacific Slope. His family never saw him 
more, as he died there in January, 1K73. His wife, 
the mother of Mrs. Cooper, was formerly Miss Ruby 
Howard, a native of New York State, and the 
daughter of Daniel and Esther Howard. .She also 
died in California some years after the decease of 
her husband, on the 2olh of January, 1857. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper there have been born four 
children, three now living: Mary P., Mrs. Pettit, 
is a resident of Ransom Township ; Darlej' Brooks 
is farming in Wright Township; .lohn C. married 



Miss ^Martha A. Stump, .and is carrying on .agricult- 
ure in Ransom Township; Jasper, the second chilil, 
died in the sixth year of his age. Mr. Cooper dur- 
ing the late war enlisted on the 22d of August, 
1862, in Batterj' I, 1st Michigan Light Artiller3', 
and served until February, 1864, when he was 
compelled to accept his discharge on account of 
disability. In the meantime he had met the enemy 
in various engagements, the most important being 
the battle of Gettysburg, from which fortunately he 
escaped without injury. 




fe>«^a«i5<yjT»--. 



-\/\,-'*£jmfS-^^ 



ipsjY OBERT McDOUGALL. of Hillsdale Town- 
lUir ship, of Scotch parentage, was born near the 
citj' of Gliisgow, Scotland, March 9, 1843. 
S(©;His parents, James and Agnes (Boj'le) Mc- 
Dougall, representing in an especial degree the most 
valued traits of that brave, honest and industrious 
people, came to this country when our subject was 
about five years old. and settled a little west of 
Cleveland, Ohio, where thej' remained, principally 
farming, until early in 1856, when they lemoved to 
this county, and bought, paying in part vvith their 
hard-earned siivings, a nearly wild eiglit^- acres in 
the township of Woodbridge. On this farm, by 
their energj' and industry, they made a pleasant 
home and reared their children: Jeannet, now 
Mrs. Robert Moore; James, Jr.; Jane, now Mrs. 
Robert Carruthers; Andrew; John; Agnes, now 
Mrs. H. C. Curtis, and Margaret. Infirmities inci- 
dent to age and a l:iborioiis life prompted them a 
few years ago to resign the care of the old home- 
stead to one of their sons, when they removed to 
and now reside in the pleasant village of Cambria. 
Robert, wlien little more than eighteen years old, 
prompted by a conviction of duly, with no thought of 
compensation or reward, enlisted as private in Com- 
pany G, 2d Michigan Cavalry, Sept. 7. 1861, under 
Capt. F. Fowler, for "three j'ears or during the war," 
but with the mental reservation tiiat it would be for 
"during the war," unless shot out prior to its close. 
Whether he would be able to do his duty he did 
not know, but a sense of justness in the cause he so 
promptly espoused, nerved him with a faith that 
somehow in the trying moments of a soldier's life 



f 



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-•► 



.t 



672 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he would be able to acquit himself as becomes a 
patriot, and as he turned about to take one more 
look at his home, the thought. entered his mind that 
possibly it would be the last, if not, and he should 
return to it again, it would probablj' be when he 
was disabled to do further dut}^ to his country. 
Wiping a tear from his eye, he turned and walked 
alone to Hillsdale and took train for Detroit, where 
he joined his regiment on its way to St. Louis, Mo. 

Here the regiment spent several weeks drilling 
preparatory to taking the field, and about the last 
of February, 1862, took boat for Commerce, whence 
it marched across the country two days, halting 
before the Confederate gunboats and forts of New 
Madrid. Here their first real soldiering commenced, 
and as if to try the metal of the regiment, by the au- 
dacious coolness of Col. Minty, it was made to sit 
quietly in saddle and receive at very close range 
the fire from a thirty-pound rifled piece in the up- 
per fort. After the surrender of New Madrid and 
the fall of Island No. 10, the regiment was placed 
on the transport "Red Rover," a fine steamer just 
captured from the rebels, passed down the river to 
near Memphis, returned past Cairo up the Ohio and 
Tennessee, and debarked at the end of several days at 
Pittsburg Landing just after the battle of Shiloh. 

After participating in the devastating campaign 
of Corinth, including the engagement of Farming- 
ton, defeating Chalmers, under Col. P. H. Sheridan 
at Boonville, July I, and raiding and skirmishing 
in Northern Mississippi until early in the month of 
September, it was moved to Kentucky', where it 
encountered Bragg's advance forces in the suburbs 
of Louisville. Pressing him back as the}' ad- 
vanced to Perryville, it engaged him the evening 
before, and dui'ing the battle crossed the Cumber- 
land Mountains by bridle-path into upper East Ten- 
nessee, where, during the engagement of Stone 
River, it destroyed the enemy's communication with 
the East by the destruction of two large bridges at 
Union and Carter's Stations. When on the return, 
and at the base of the main ridge, after having been 
out of the saddle but thirty' hours during the last 
five days and seventeen hours, during which lime 
they had been constantly harassed by a concentrat- 
ing and constantly' increasing enemy, Robert was 
ordered to take six men and hold at all hazard the 



intersecting road, on which a large force was mo- 
men tarih' expected. CarefuU^^ selecting six men of 
known courage, he quietlj' led tliem aside and told 
them if they had any prayers to say, to sa^' them 
now, as they would hold that road until their com- 
mander passed or die in the attempt. Each man, 
looking well to his arms, selected his position under 
the dim stars, the stillness broken only by the clank- 
ing sabres and tread of the horses' feet on the rocks 
above. 

After its severe labor of 750 miles in twenty 
days, mostly in the Cumberland Mountains, and 
much of the time destitute of rations, the regiment 
rested at Nicholasville, Ky., finally returned to 
Louisville, thence proceeded by rail to Nashville, 
and after much scouting arrived in Franklin, Feb. 
25, 1863. Here it remained some time contending 
bravely with a largel}' superior force of rebel cav- 
alry under Gen. Van Dorn. 

At this point Robert received assurance that he 
had been able to do his duty. Gen. Rosecrans pro- 
posed the formation of an elite corps, to be selected 
from all the cavalry in his department, to be finely 
mounted and equipped, and expected to be able to 
perform any dutj' howsoever severe or trying to the 
strength and courage of each man. Company G 
was ordered to select by ballot two men in its judg- 
ment best qualified to represent it in this ideal com- 
mand, and Robert, although just twenty years of 
age, and one of the youngest members of the com- 
pany, was the first chosen to fill that trying position. 
For some reason the plan was not farther consum- 
mated, and Robert was permitted to remain with his 
company, which took an active part during the 
next eight months in Rosecrans' famous Tullahoma 
campaign, which terminated with the battle of 
Chickamauga. Soon thereafter he was selected by 
Gen. Ed McCook as one of his scouts, in which 
capacitj' he was actively engaged during the re- 
mainder of 1863 and the early part of 1864, first 
north of the Cumberland range in the vicinity of 
Sparta and Cook ville, and about the close of the siege 
of Knoxville crossed the mountains up into East 
Tennessee, where he was in daily contact with Gen. 
Longstreet's forces for some weeks. Coming down 
the valley near the base of Chilhowie Mountain to 
the Little Tennessee, he passed with two compan- 




-^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



673 



'\r 






ions up tliat stream through tlie Smoky Mountains 
into Nortli Carolina, where for tliree weeks he 
remained watching the Confederate forces. On his 
return he found his command some sixtj' miles 
below where he had left it, and was at once ordered 
with one companion back up into East Tennessee. 
Passing along the base of the Smoky range, leaving 
Knoxville about thirty miles to the left, where the 
nearest Union forces were then stationed,at the end of 
several days' hard and dangerous riding they halted 
near Daudri<lge, whence, after they h.ad properl}' dis- 
cliarged their dut}', they returned by the most 
secluded paths, and at the end of three weeks 
rejoined their conimand at Cleveland, Tenn., March 
27, 1864. 

At tliis place, the following day, Robert was mus- 
tered as a veteran, and immediately with three 
companions went south into Georgia. Between 
Spring Place and Red Claj' the rebel lines were 
found and watched by these four scouts until April 
1, when, in pursuit of a company of rebel cavalry 
toward Cleveland, on the Dalton road, while pass- 
ing through a dense wood, the}' were fired into 
at close range without a word of warning, by 
some thirty men, who lay concealed about fif- 
teen paces from the road. John Lynch, a soldier 
of marked fidelity and courage, was instantlj- killed ; 
Julius Hurd, a somewhat peculiar but brave man, 
then disguised in a rebel uniform, was wounded, 
the shot breaking his arm ; R. E. Crotty, a very 
active and competent young man, by his horse 
falling, effected his escape unhurt, and Robert was 
shot through the knee, but managed to ride his 
horse, which was mortally wounded, into the bushes 
beyond the leaden storm, where by secreting him- 
self under a fallen tree he was not discovered. 
Later in the day he was found by four young 
women — Jane Young. Rhoda Ileadriek, Sarah Muli- 
nuux and Polly Ileadriek, who having heard the 
fire came down after the rebels had left to see 
whetlier the Yanks, whom they knew to be near, had 
gut hurt. After a little crying, and receiving an 
encouraging word from the wounded soldier, they 
procured a board, on which they carried him a mile 
or more to the home of Widow Ileadriek. Crotty 
reported with all haste at Cleveland, some sixteen 
miles distant, and the following night Mr. Farns- 



worth, a very daring scout, picked his way through 
the thickets, reached Mrs. Ileadrick's about mid- 
night, staid with his wounded comrade a few hours, 
.ind was well on his wnj' toward the Union lines before 
light. Li a few days Crott}' came and reported 
that Surgeon Brownell, of the 2d Cavalry, with 
quite a l.irge escort, had tried twice to reach Mrs. 
H.'s, but was each time driven back. Crotty re- 
mained all night with Robert, was taken prisoner 
next morning on his return to camp, was taken to 
Dalton, condemned to be shot as a spy, but owing 
to the advance of .Sherman was placed among other 
prisoners, and finall^^ escaped. 

Robert, in the meantime, not wishing to call in 
to his aid an enemy who thus far had shown him no 
quarter, received with gratitude the most tender 
care that loyal women in rather a poor country 
could bestow, realizing from the outset that nothing 
but amputation could save his life, the question 
being whether a super!) constitution could hold out 
until surgical aid was obtained. On a bed of un- 
remitting pain, his mind wandered northward to his 
friends, home and mother; once he briefly wrote 
her that he was wounded. Cut ofif from all intelli- 
gence with the outside world, he often recalled the 
presentiment he had when he enlisted, and as week 
followed week, the poison from his wound, con- 
suming with intense burning his system, the frag- 
ments of his knee painfully grating with each move- 
ment of his muscles, he calml}' and patienti}', as 
each succeeding morning found him in a more 
reduced and agonizing state, contemplated the pros- 
pective end, his regret that he could not see his 
mother and die in Michigan being softened by the 
consciousness of having faithfully done his duty to 
his country in her trying hour. 

Finally, a young man of the neighborhood who had 
been acting as guide to the Union forces on toward 
Atlanta, haiipened to return, and at once went to 
Cleveland and notified the surgeon in charge of the 
hospital, llis assistant arrived the following morn- 
ing, June 1, examined the patient, and remarked: 
"Young man, I regret we could not have seen you 
sooner; you can live as you arc but a very short 
time; nothing but amputation can save you, and in 
that 3'ou will scarcely stand one chance in a thou- 
sand to survive."' Robert, being well aware of the 



674 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



"^T^ 



situation, replied that he had a mother in Michigan 
whom he wished to see before he died, and for her 
sake he would take that chance. Amputation was 
at once performed. In the usual time he did not 
revive, and the surgeon feeling no pulse, thought 
him dead, and carrying him back to his bed, 
directed the women to bathe him repeatedly with 
whisky, and put a little of it with milk into his 
mouth every fifteen minutes so long as there was a 
possibility of life. The next morning he returned 
to consciousness and was very weak. His suffering 
became less as his strength increased. Hope of 
getting home and the gentle care of Miss Pollj', 
who was ever at his side, cheered him. On the 
eighth day he laid down a book which he had been 
reading to soften the pain, and through the open 
door beheld with pleasure the white caps resting 
on the mountain side. Suddenly he felt something 
warm. The ever faithful woman at his side raised 
the sheet and eagerly said : "You are bleeding." 
He at once realized that the ligature had given 
way, and unless stopped, his life would run out 
with his blood. In spite of all anxious effort the 
blood continued to flow, and as his eyes were grow- 
ing dim, and everything boded a speedy termin- 
ation, he requested P0II3' to write to his mother 
how he died and how kindly he had been cared for, 
and soon, midst the sobs of the women, the sweet 
visions of home faded away in a painless and uncon- 
scious darkness. The day following he returned to 
consciousness, owing probabl}' to weakness and 
congelation. The blood had ceased to flow, and 
receiving a smile and a word from Pollj', he con- 
cluded he was yet on earth. Henceforth he recov- 
ered slowly but steadily. Sherman was driving the 
rebels farther south, and some of the men of the 
neighborhood were returned to their home from 
the mountains, where they had been for many weeks 
concealed. The situation was becoming more cheer- 
ful. The atrocities perpetrated in the vicinity 
during the past three years, together with an occa- 
sional rumor from the armies, were the chief topics 
of interest. Our patient was about a little on 
crutches, anxious to see home. His father and eld- 
est brother, when last heard from, were fighting Lee 
in Virginia. 

About the middle of August, the day preceding 



the one he was to start for Cleveland, while sitting 
on the porch. Miss Polly, the ever gentle nurse, 
knitting by his side, his pleasant hopes of soon seeing 
Michigan and home softened by regret of leaving 
those kind friends, a troop of rebel cavalry appeared. 
'•They will kill you," Polly anxiousl}' said, rising 
to her feet. "No, no," he said, "they surely will 
not harm one so disabled." "Hello; Who be you ?" 
was their first salutation. "A member of the 2d 

Michigan Cavalry," he replied. "Ha! ha! ad d 

fine regiment. We are Wheeler's men and have 
met u-uns a right smart times, I reckon," responded 
a frank-looking fellow in Federal infantry coat. 
"Where are your arms.''" asked another. "They 
were turned over when I was wounded." "Are 
there none about the house?" "I think not, sir." 
Presentl3^ one who probably had not procured all 
the plunder he hoped, for they ransacked the house, 
came forward, and drawing his revolver, gruffly' 
said : "You, damn you, if I served you right I'd 
shoot J'ou." Remembering the many times he had 
respected the wounded and the prisoner, Robert 
quietly returned the look, wondering what human 
compound he could be who would thus murder the 
helpless, when he heard a sharp order from one 
inside: "Let that man alone; don't you dare to 
hurt him." Then sullenly* returning his revolver, 
he passed from the house, soon followed by the 
others. It was two weeks after this rebel raid be- 
fore the family became sufficiently composed to 
take him to Cleveland. The parting there was a 
sad one, especiallj' to Miss Polly, who during the 
past five months of faithful nursing had become 
deeply interested in the wounded soldier whom she 
had found in the thicket, and carried bleeding 
to her home. Her ho|)e of seeing him again was 
never realized, she dying of a fever iu the summer 
of 1866. 

After some weary delays, owing to the rebels tear- 
ing up the railroad track, he reached home late in 
September, having been away a little more than 
three years. During this time he was never absent 
from his post of duty until wounded, but ever in 
the front. He was present with the regiment in all 
raids, skirmishes and battles in which it was engaged 
until detached, and as scout encountered perils un- 
known to the ranks. After a short visit with friends 




n 



»» 11 ^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNXr. 



675 



at liome he reported at Harper Hospital, Detroit, 
and not being able to procure liis discharge, he 
asked and received a pass to attend the city school. 
He was cordially received by the teachers and 
pupils of Cass School, where for some weeks he at- 
tended, and then entered and completed a course 
in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. 

After this Ulr. McDougall received his discharge, 
returned to his home, and in the fall of 18G.5 entered 
the preparatory department of Hillsdale College, 
where he continued a student until the summer of 
1867, when, notwithstanding the most rigid econ- 
omy, the little means he had saved during his army 
life was nearlj- exhausted, he vainly sought employ- 
ment in the business houses of Detroit. Returning 
to Hillsdale he was married to Miss Agnes P. Dow, 
' of Cambria, Sept. 3, 1867, and the young couple at 
once returned to school. At the close of the fall 
term he engaged to teach in his home district. 
When near the close of his school he received from 
Auditor General William Humiihrey the appoint- 
ment of a clerkship in his office. He entered that 
department of St^ate April 7, 1868, and a month 
later his wife following, they commenced house- 
keeping in the city of Lansing. There he continued 
for fifteen years, much of the time having in charge 
the purchasing, deeding and refunding department 
of that office, when, owing to impaired health, he 
resigned, and moved with his wife and their five 
children to Hillsdale, purchasing a pleasant home 
one mile west of the college, where they now reside. 



^- 



-^^% 



^.EORGE W. HICKS, a retired farmer of 
11 g=. North Adams, and one of the pillars of the 
^^4 Congregational Church, has been a resident 
of this countj" since the spring of 1853. He is 
the eldest son and second child of John and Re- 
becca Ferguson, and was born in Seneca County, 
N. Y., July 8, 1810. His parents were natives of 
Saratoga Countj', and his paterruil grandfather served 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. John Hicks 
after his marriage settled in Seneca Count}', N. Y., 
where both parents spent the remainder of their 
days, the mother passing away in 1826, at the age 
of forty years. John Hicks survived his wife a 



period of twenty-five years, and departed hence in 
the spring of 1851, when sixty-nine years of age. 
The parental household included seven children, 
four of whom are living and residents mostly of 
Michigan and New York. 

The father of our subject being in limited cir- 
cumstances, George W., with his brothers and sis- 
ters, received a very meager education, and .as soon 
as of suitable years was required to make himself 
useful about the homestead. He remained with his 
parents until twenty-four years of age, and then 
desirous of establishing a home of his own, was 
married, Oct. 30, 1833, to Miss Hannah M. Moody, 
who was born March 12. 1812, in Maine, and whose 
parents died when she was a little child. She was 
then taken into the home of Joseph and Susan 
Williams, who extended to the orphan parental 
care, and gave her excellent advantages for an 
education. Of her union with our subject there were 
born four children: John, now deceased; Jeanette 
A., Amanda M. and George F. ; the latter died 
when less th.an one year old. The elder daugh- 
ter is the wife of Zalotus Jennings, of Hudson, 
Lenawee County, and the mother of three children, 
but two of whom are living, namely : Francis and 
Orpha. The younger daughter married Miles H. 
Cronk, of Hillsdale County, who is now deceased, 
and resides with her children at her father's: her two 
sons and two daughters bear the names of Ora, 
Effie, Moody and Eugene. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hicks, having been deprived bj' 
death of their sons, adopted thirty-five years ago a 
motherless boy baby, whom they named John F. 
Hicks, and who is now married and managnr of the 
farm. His wife was formerly Miss Lovina Liver- 
more, of Hillsdale County. Our subject and his 
wife identified themselves with the Congregational 
Church at North Adams many years ago, and Mr. 
Hicks has always signalized himself as one of the 
warmest friends of temperance. He cast his first 
Presidential vote, in 1820, for the Whig candi- 
date, and was a member of the old Whig party 
until its abandonment. Since that time he hasuni- 
forml}' supported Republican princijjles. He was 
at one time the owner of 160 acres of land in W.nsh- 
tenaw County, and besides the home farm has 
eightj' acres in Wheatland Township. Although 




• ^^ if <• 




^^►Hl 



676 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



not the hero of any very thrilling event he has con- 
tributed his full quota to the general welfare and 
progress of his community, and uniformlj' pursued 
the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a 
good citizen, whose word is considered equal to his 
bond. 



^=^EORGE W. LICKLY, an extensive farmer 
III f—-, of Wright Township, was born on the farm 
^^5J where he now lives Feb. 25, 1845. He is a 
member of a family who were among the early 
pioneers of this township, and his parents are still 
living at a venerable age, his father, Michael Lick- 
ly. eighty -eight years old, being the only head of a 
family that settled in Wright Township in 1836 
who is now living. He and his good wife are held 
in reverence and affection, not alone for their true 
worth, but also as being fine representatives of the 
courageous, stout-hearted, hard-working pioneei'S 
who so many years ago pushed their way into 
the forests of Southern Michigan, and planted 
settlements that have grovvn into prosperous town- 
ships and populous cities. Mr. and Mrs. Lickl^' 
have borne an honorable part in the levelopment of 
Wright Township, and have lived to enjoy the 
fruit of their early toils. The venerable mother of 
our subject died April 29, lb88. 

The father of our subject was born in Putnam 
County, N. Y., April 9, 1800. He comes of good 
Scotch stock, his grandfather, John Lickly, having 
come from Scotland to Araeiica in Colonial times, 
and settled in Putnam County. He was a carpenter 
and joiner by trade, and after he bought a farm 
still pursued his calling, while he hired the work done 
on his farm. His son James, grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Putnam County, and spent his 
entire life thei'e farming. He married Rachel Meeks, 
also a native of New York. The father of our sub- 
ject was reared and married in his native county, 
the date of that important event having been Nov. 
27, 1826, and the bride that he then chose, and who 
has traversed the journey of life hand in hand with 
him for over sixty -one years, was Miss Lois Denny. 
She was born in Putnam County Aug. 25, 1808, 
and was a daughter of Jacob and Esther (Cronk) 
Denny. They continued to make their home in 



their native county until the fall of 1835, and in 
that 3'ear started with their children for Western 
New York, via the Hudson River and canal to 
Erie County, where Mr. Lickly left his family', 
and proceeded on his way to the Territory of 
Michigan in company with his brother John, com- 
ing by Lake Erie to Toledo, and thence on foot to 
Bean Creek Valley. He selected the northwest 
quarter of section 8 in what is now Wright Town- 
ship, and then walked to Monroe to enter his land 
in the Government office, and after that returned 
to New York, where he spent the winter. In the 
month of May, 1836, he started with his family, 
via Lake Erie to Monroe, and from there with a 
team came to his future home, arriving here on the 
22d of May. The family moved into a log cabin 
with Mr. Raymond, who had settled here the win- 
ter before, and they lived with him one week. 
During that time Mr. Lickly built a log cabin on 
his own land, covering it with bark, with split 
puncheons for floor, with mud and stick chimney, 
and having no stove, his wife cooked bj' the fire- 
place. He had no horses, and did all his farm 
work, marketing and milling, with oxen. On one 
occasion he went to Jonesville to mill, and was 
absent nine days. Adrian was the nearest post- 
office, and the postage was twenty-five cents for 
each letter. Mr. Lickly lived on the place that he 
entered from the Government until 1858. and 
during that time had bought eighty acres on 
section 4, joining his other farm, and he then built 
a comfortable frame house, i ito which he after- 
ward moved, and which is still his home. Not- 
withstanding his great age, he is in a moderate state 
of good health, and still retains his mental faculties 
to a wonderful extent. In his early days Mr. Lickly 
belonged to the Whig part}', and voted for the 
great Henry Clay. After the dissolution of that 
party he became a Democrat. 

The subject of this sketch has alwaj's made the 
old homestead, which was his birthplace, his home. 
He received a good practical training in the man- 
agement of a farm, and since adopting tiie calling 
as his life work, by his intelligent and persistent 
labors, has been eminently successful. 

Mr. Lickly was married, Dec. 24, 1867, to Mary 
E. Couover. She was born in Otsego Countj-, 



1 



^t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



679 



N. Y., Ma3- 14, 1849, and was a daughter of John 
and Margaret (Maukc^-) Conover. Of their union 
six children were liorn. as follows: George H., 
Jason E., Lois J., Bertha E., Montgomery M. and 
Willie A. Or. the 23d of October. 1884, death 
entered this happy household, and the tender and 
devoted wife and mother was taken from the midst 
of her family. 

Mr. Lickley is a patriotic and faithful citizen, 
and does his share in maintaining the best interests 
of this township. He is honorable and truthful in 
his dealings with others, and commands the respect 
of his neighbors. In politics he is licartily in sym- 
pathy with the Democrats; socially, he is a member 
of Lickley 's Corners Grange No. 274. We have 
omitted to s.ay that the northwestern part of Wright 
Township, which was first settled by his father, and 
subsequently by his father's brother John, and 
where their sons have since settled, h.as for many 
years been called in their honor "Lickl3''s Corners." 

r|_^ ARVEY B. ROWLSON, editor and pro- 
prietor of the Hillsdale Standard, is con- 
ducting the oldest newspaper in Southern 
Michigan, and which was established in 
1846. He has been a radical Republican since the 
organization of that political party, and has upheld 
his principles with the strength and manliness of 
character which have been his distinguishing char- 
acteristics through life, and which have resulted in 
SQCuring him the esteem and confidence of the 
people of Southern Michigan, among whom he has 
lived and labored for the last fifty years. During 
this time he has occupied man}' positions of trust 
and responsibility, the duties of which ho has uni- 
formly discharged with conscientious fidelity. 

The subject of this biography- was born in Duanes- 
burg, Schenectady Co., N. Y., July 15, 182."), and 
is the son of Ambrose and Catherine (Briggs) 
Rowlson, who were natives of the State of New 
York. The earl^' boyhood of Harvey B. was p.assed 
mostly at the home of an uncle in Chenango 
County, N. Y., and in 1837 he migrated to South- 
ern Michigan with his uncle's family, taking up his 
abode in Woodstock, Lenawee County, working 




on a farm during the summer months, .and attend- 
ing school in the winter. 

During this time, however, the boy had been re- 
volving in his mine! other projects, his tastes 
disinclining him for the sober realities of an un- 
eventful country life. In the spring of 1843 he 
enterd the printing-office of the Adrian Newn, which 
office in June following was removed to Hillsdale, 
and the m.aterial utilized in the publication of the 
Hillsdale Gazette. This was the first paper estab- 
lished in that then unpretentious village, and young 
Rowlson was the first apprentice to the trade of 
printer in this now flourishing citj'. 

In June, 1846, Mr. Rowlson, in company with 
S. D. Clark, established the Hillsdale Whig-Stand- 
ard, the publication of which they carried on 
jointly' for five years, .at the expiration of which 
time Mr. Clark withdrew, disposing of his interest 
to Mr. Rowlson, who h.as since been proprietor of 
the paper. After the dissolution of the Whig |)arty 
the paper became simpl}- the Hillsdale Standard, 
which title it has since retained. It has been uni- 
formly' devoted to the interests of the Republican 
party, and has always been the leading journal of 
the county, having the largest circulation and the 
greatest influence. In connection with the publica- 
tion of this paper there is a finely equipped job 
office, with that modern invention, the gas engine, 
two superior power-presses and paper-folder, and 
the other later improvements adopted in the prose- 
cution of the "art preservative." 

Mr. Rowlson, soon after entering upon his busi- 
ness career, was recognized as a valuable addition 
to the communit}' of Hillsdale, and it vvas not long 
before he was intrusted with important vill.age 
offlces. He was elected County Treasurer in 1858, 
and served with abundant satisfaction for a period 
of eight years, and in 1869 represented Hillsdale 
County in the State Legislature, being a member 
of the committee on ways and means, and Chair- 
man of the committee on printing. Before his term 
had expired, however, he resigned his position in 
the House to enter upon the duties of Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the First District of Michi- 
gan, which was composed of four counties, and 
necessitated his occupancy of an office in Detroit 
for a period of four years. In May, 1 873, Wayne 



T^ 



n 



680 



a. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



County was made a district by itself, aiirl the 
Third District was formed by the addition of five 
counties to the remainder of the First District. 
Mr. Rowlson was made Collector for the Third 
District, with his office at Hillsdale. In Sep- 
tember, 1876, the Second District, consisting of 
seven counties, was added to the Third, making 
fifteen of the most populous counties under his 
charge as Collector. This arrangement continued 
until August, 1883, when the four districts of the 
State were consolidated into two, and the offices 
at Hillsdale and Saginaw were discontinued. 

In l>iB6 Mr. Rowlson was appointed by Gov. 
Alger a member of the Board of Control of the 
State Reform School for six years, of which board 
he was also elected President. Considering his 
labors for, and his interest in, the success of his 
part}-, it was quite natural that he should be chosen 
as Secretary and Chairman of the Republican 
County Committee, and he also served two terms 
on the Republican State Committee. 

The marriage of Harvey B. Rowlson and Miss 
Margaret A. Vandenbergh, daughter of one of the 
pioneers of Hillsdale County, occurred July 31, 
1848. Mrs. Rowlson was born Oct. 9, 1829, in 
Clay, Onondaga Co..N. Y. Her parents, Cornelius 
and Maria Vandenbergh, were natives of Albany, 
N. Y., and now deceased. To our subject and his 
wife there were born two sons and one daughter, 
namely: Stephen C, Charles H., and Jennie A., 
wife of Charles F. Reed, residing in Detroit. 

The home of Mr. Rowlson is pleasantly located 
on West street, where he and his estimable wife 
have gathered about them hosts of friends, and 
where often in kinillj- intercourse thej' review the 
events of years gone by, comparing the early settle- 
ment of Hillsdale County, its primitive scenes, its 
struggles and difficulties, with its present prosperous 
condition, and silentlj noting with satisfaction the 
result of the labors of those who came to the Terri- 
tory of Michigan and assisted in its remarkable 
transformation from a wilderness to an intelligent 
and highly prosperous commonwealth. 

The following is taken from the Detroit Journal 
of May 17, 1888: 

"Harvey B. Rowlson came to Michigan when 
young, and is as good as any native — better than 



some. In 1843 he took Satanic orders in Adrian, 
and served as the office "devil" for the Adrian 
iVe!rs, and when it removed to Hillsdale and became 
the Hillsdale Gazette. Rowlson went with it. He 
lias been there ever since. In 1 846 Rowlson and 
S. D. Clark started the Hillsdale Whig-Standard, 
and in 1851 Mr. Rowlson became sole owner of it, 
and has been at the tiller ever since. When the 
Whig party went out of commission Mr. Rowlson 
was a member of its Slate Central Committee, and 
has never yet been discharged. He was one of the 
original "come-outers" who founded the Republican 
party "under the oaks" at Jackson, and has been 
of the stalwart persuasion every hour since then. 
He has been County Treasurer, a member of the 
Legislature (in 1869), was for years Collector of 
Internal Revenue of the First District of Michi- 
gan, then composed of four counties, with head- 
quarters at Detroit — subsequently Wayne County 
became a separate district, and Mr. Rowlson con- 
tinued as Collector for the district, to which other 
counties had been .added, and called the Third Dis- 
trict. Eventually the district was further enlarged, 
until he had fifteen of the heaviest counties in the 
State in charge, and Michigan never had a more 
efficient United States officer in her borders, or a 
more honest one. Atone time Mr. Rowlson w.as con- 
nected with the Detroit Post for a time as business 
manager, under the Carl Schurz regime, but no one 
has ever laid that up against him. Gov. Alger 
ai)pointed him a member of the Board of Control 
of the State Reform School Board, and he brings 
to tliat work the same calm, deliberate, horse- 
sensieal methods that have made him respected and 
happy. He does not get rattled, is a stayer with 
a tenncious grip, is a Mason and Odd Fellow, a good 
fellow, and lives a clean, honorable life, is a flrst- 
rate newspaper publisher, and the father of a fam- 
ily that does him credit. 

It is with i)leasure that we present the portrait of 
Mr. Rowlson in this connection. 



i-^«/-^ 



-^ 



^i^: 



ylLLIAM CARTER. Southern Michigan 
received from the New England States a 
large part of that sturdy element which has 
been such an important factor in subduing nature. 



■•► 



t 



-4^ 



i 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



G81 



and developing the houndless resources of this sec- 
tion of countiT, and it is reniariied that their 
descendants are characterized by that iiccn [XTcep- 
tion and promptness and energy in execution 
which distinguish tlie original settlers of those 
States. If, as is generally believed, heredity and 
environment have much to do with the formation 
of character, and that our lives are afTected by the 
immediate or indirect influence of our ancestors, a 
short sketch of the lives of Mr. Carter's parents may 
serve as the index to those liberal and humane 
impulses which mark the daily life of Mr. Carter, 
and iiave won for him the esteem of those who 
know him. Our subject is a prominent and suc- 
cessful representative farmer, located on sectioil 28, 
Adams Township. 

The parents of Mr. Carter, William and Jane 
(Stewart) Carter, were natives of New England, 
where the father was born near Hartford, Conn., 
and the mother in New York. The father was a 
soldier in the War of 1812, assisting in maintaining 
the riglits of hii country during that struggle, and 
afterward removed to the Empire State, where he re- 
sided for some time. Not being entirely satisfied with 
his prosi)ects in that section, he resolved to try his 
fortune in the West, and accordingl}-, following the 
"Star of Empire," he joined the procession moving 
in this direction. He came by a common pioneer 
convej'ance, consisting of two yoke of oxen, and a 
wagon in which were his family and his earthly 
possessions. Halting in Ohio, he took up a tract of 
land in l,orain Count}', and was closely connected 
with its pioneer history. His energ}' and enterprise 
soon gave him prominence in the affairs of the 
county, and he assisted materially in its develop- 
ment, securing for it educational advantages, and 
giving counsel and more tangible assistance to those 
who came after him. Some fourteen years subse- 
quently they removed to Sandusky County, in the 
same State, but after a short residence there, they 
came to Lenawee County. Mich., settling in RoUin 
Township, where they resided until the death of 
the father in 1873, at the .age of seventy-six years; 
the mother had died many years previously, when 
their son William was very young. 

The parental family of our subject included five 
children, two sons and three daughters, of whom 



AVilliam, who was the youngest, w.is l)0rn Jlarch 
12, 1826. His boyhood was spent on the farm in 
Ohio, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, 
at the same time receiving such education as was to 
be obtained in the district school near his home. He 
remained with his parents, becoming inured to toil, 
and receiving those practical lessons which have 
stood him so well since he went abroad to battle 
with the world ff)r himself. 

The first im|)orlant event in the life of our sub- 
ject was his marriage, March 18, 1851, with Miss 
Anne H., daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Good- 
rich) Ferguson, natives of Livingston Count}', N. 
Y. After her marriage her parents settled in that 
county, but shortly afterward, in 1827, removed to 
Huron County, Ohio, and were among the pioneers 
of that county. The father engaged in the cultiva- 
tion of the soil, but did not live to realize his hopes 
or reap the fruit of his labors, being removed by 
death in 1833, when in the prime of lile; the mother 
died in 1850, when forty -seven years of age. They 
became the jjiirents of three children, one son and 
two daughters, of whom Rft's. Carter, the youngest 
child, was born Aug. 29, 1832. She was deprived 
of the counsel and care of her father in infancy, and 
as soon as her services could be utilized she 
was thrown upon her own resources, working out 
among the neighbors. Her opportunities for re- 
ceiving an education were necessarily circum- 
scribed, being limited to irregular attendance at the 
district school, but she was naturall}' bright and 
intelligent, while her earl}' training had made her 
self-reliant, and she has proved herself well able to 
bear her part in the sphere of life in which she has 
been called upon to act. 

Our subject and his wife have been blessed by 
the birth of five children — Fernando, Uodolpho, 
Ellister (deceased), Alvondo and Mary Lew. Fer- 
nando, a graduate of Hillsdale College, married 
Adela Sackett, and is a minister in the Congrega- 
tional Church, located at Grass Lake, Jackson Co., 
Mich.; Rodolpho married Miss Eva Knight, and is 
a mason and farmer of Adams Township; they have 
two children — Alice and Pearl. Alvondo and Mary 
Lew reside with their parents, and are pursuing 
their studies in the district school. 

Mr. Carter is the owner of 200 acres of excellent 



n 



682 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



land, which he has brought to a high state of culti- 
vation, and embellished with buildings adapted to 
the use of a farmer. His house, a convenient and 
commodious structure, is provided with all modern 
conveniences, and in all its appointments, even to 
its minutest details, shows taste, coupled with the 
means for its gratification. He has a herd of twenty- 
five head of high-grade cattle, thirteen head of 
superior horses, and a flock of forty thoroughbred 
merino sheep, at the head of which are two splendid 
specimens of that breed. 

In politics Mr. Carter is stronglj^ in sympathy 
with the Prohibition party, being himself a strictly 
temperance man. He is a member of Adams Grange 
No. 286, in Adams Township. Mrs. Carter made an 
extended tour through Central and Southern Cali- 
fornia by wa3' of relaxation from the labors of a 
long and well-spent life. She traveled in the com- 
pany of his sister, Mrs. Lucy Murphy, and spent 
an enjoyable and interesting time, returning, how- 
ever, to her old home with that feeling so pathetic- 
ally described by the poet, '-Beit ever so 'humble, 
there's no place lilte home." 



DGAR GOODRICH is a son of one of the 
pioneers of Pittsford Township, and was 

'; born in Willistou, Chittenden Co., Vt. He 

l)elongs to that large class of cultured and enter- 
prising people who came into Hillsdale County dur- 
ing its pioneer days from the New England States, 
and have been such imjjortant factors in developing 
to so high a degree the resources which nature has 
so generous! J' lavished upon it. This element of 
the population of Southern Michigan has not only 
contributed vastly in the develoiiraeut of the ma- 
terial resources of the State, until to-daj' it takes a 
front rank as a producing section of our country, 
but it has also stood as a champion of enlarged and 
increased educational facilities. 

George Goodrich, the father of our subject, was 
born in Wells, Vt., and there grew to manhood 
and was married. After marriage, he with his bride 
removed to Willislon, Chittenden County, and 
bought a farm, upon which he resided until 1836. 
On the 15th of November of that year, he collected 



E 



his eflfects,and started with his wife and five children 
for the Territory of Michigan, via Lake Champlain 
and the Champlain Canal to Troy, N. Y., thence by 
the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and on by lake to Toledo, 
where they hired teams to remove the family and 
their goods to the localitj- known as Bean Creek 
Valley. Mr. Goodrich had made a visit the year 
previously and had purchased 160 acres of land on 
section 14, in what is now Pittsford Township, 
and had made preparations for the reception of his 
family by the erection of a log house. In this 
house the family took up their abode, and it re- 
mained their residence until the decease of the 
father, June 22, 1850. During his residence in this 
township he had improved a fine farm, upon which 
he had erected good frame out-buildings, and had 
made preparations to erect a more commodious 
frame house, when his plans were frustrated by the 
"great leveler." The maiden name of his wife, the 
mother of our subject, was Clemania Lee, who was 
born June 16, 1790. After sharing in all the vicis- 
situdes in the life of the early pioneers, in which 
she nobly took her part, she departed this life 
Dec. 13, 1863, after exceeding her threescore years 
and ten. 

Edgar Goodrich, the subject of this notice, was 
but a child of five years when his parents removed 
to this countj', but he remembers well the incidents 
of pioneer life, which doubtless, coming from a part 
of the country whose environments were so differ- 
ent, must have made a strong impression on a young 
mind. The father's house was small, but he never 
turned the hungry away from his door; his latch 
string was always out and the wanderer was ever 
made welcome, while a bed would be prepared for 
him on the floor of the cabin, where the weary 
traveler might rest. Deer, wolves and wild turkeys, 
beside smaller game, were plentiful, while occasion- 
ally a bear might be encountered, and the pioneer's 
son ever willingly engaged in the duty of providing 
wild meats for the family larder. Thus growing 
up into manhood amidst such rugged and exhilar- 
ating scenes, and disciplined in the stern school of 
experience, our subject was prepared to meet every 
emergency with a steady and readj' hand. Nobly 
has he done his part in redeeming this county from 
its wild condition and making it to blossom as a 



HAh^_ 



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u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



683 



rose; the wigwam of the Indian has given place 
to the more than comfortable residence of the far- 
mer, and where wild animals roamed unrestrained 
are now fertile farms supplied with the finest grades 
of domestic animals. 

Our subject enjoyed the limited advantages for 
receiving an education afforded at that time, assist- 
ing his father as soon as he was able in clearing his 
farm, and he has continued a resident of the parental 
homestead. This farm he has brought to a high 
state of cultivation, and made very productive, 
laying a total of nearly three miles of tile for the 
purpose of drainage. He has erected thereon com- 
fortable and commodious buildings, and supplied 
himself with machinery that enables him to com 
pete successfully with the modern agriculturist, while 
his homestead is an object of attraction to all who 
pass that way. 

Our subject was united in marriage, in Novem- 
ber, 1871, with Miss Albina Kingman, who w.as 
a native of Shiawassee County, Mich., and is the 
daughter of William Kingman, who was born in 
York State, where his father, . I ustis Kingman, spent 
his last years. William Kingman was a pioneer of 
Shiawassee County, where he improved a farm, and 
subsequently improved another in Lenawee County-, 
in which he now lives in Morenci. The maiden 
name of his wife, the mother of Mrs. Goodrich, was 
Lucinda Coy. also a native of Shiawassee County ; 
she died in Lenawee County. Mich. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have been blessed with a 
family of seven children — Bertha, Elenora, Orson, 
Mar^s Jerome, Caroline and Jessie. In ])olitics 
Mr. Goodrich stands identified with the Democratic 
party, believing in its interpretation of the great 
questions of the day. 



■"•p-ca/©^^ — M 



"•S!h§W73''.v 



T'IMRI D. THOMAS, Justice of the Peace in 
Hillsdale, has been prominent in the affairs 
^ of this vicinity during most of his long resi- 
dence in Hillsdale County, with whose people he 
became identified in 18.")2. His native place is 
among the New England hills, he having been born 
in the town of Rowe, Mass., in September, 1809, 



and he is the only survivor of the five children of 
David C. and Abigail (Densmore) Thomas, also 
natives of the Bay State. 

The parents of our subject were of Irish and 
Welsh extraction, and when Zimri was about two 
years of age they removed from Massachusetts to 
Ontario County, N. Y"., where the mother passed 
awiiy when her son, our sul)ject, was four years of 
age. Himself and an elder brother were then taken 
btick to their native State, where our subject lived 
with his paternal grandparents until he was a lad of 
nine years. In the meantime his father had con- 
tracted a second marriage, and Zimri rejoined him 
in New York State, remaining under the home roof 
five years. He then started out for himself, work- 
ing on a farm and employing himself at whatever he 
could find to do until twenty years of age. 

At this time. May, 1829, Mr. Thomas was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary A. Sanderson, of Ontario County, 
N. Y., in which county they continued to live three 
years thereafter. Thence they removed first to 
Orleans Count}', and then to Niagara County, and 
finally crossed the St. Lawrence River into the Do- 
minion of Canada, where our subject engaged as a 
soldier in the war which was then pending, known 
as the Patriot War. 

In 1838 Mr. Thomas, with his little family, re- 
turned to Ni.agara County, N. Y., and in the rising 
young city of Lockport assumed the management 
of the American Hotel. This he operated three 
years, then took up his residence in Erie Count}', 
where he lived ten years, still acting as "mine host," 
and was Postmaster at Hamburg four years. In 
the spring of 1 8o2, deciding to seek the further 
West and to change his occupation, he came to 
this county and located on a tract of land which he 
purchased in Allen Township. During that year 
he disposed of his interests in the agricultural 
districts, and took up his residence in Hillsdale, 
which was then but a village. Here he has since 
made his home, and watched with lively interest the 
growth of this flourishing town. 

During his residence on his farm Mr. Thomas 
w.as elected a member of the Michigan Legislature, 
in which he served one terra. He w.as also a mem- 
ber of the County Board of Supervisors four terms, 
Highway Commissioner two terms, and Coroner of 




u 



JL 



684 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Hillsdale County for a period of twentj- years. He 
was elected Justice of the Peace in 1865, which 
office he has held continuously until the present 
time. From these facts it is a comparatively easy 
matter to judge of his standing among the people of 
Hillsdale County. 

Mr. Thomas by his first marriage became the 
father of five children: William W. is a resident of 
Hillsdale; Arvid 8. is operating a farm in Allen 
Township; Albert P. is practicing law in (South 
Haven ; Carrie E. is the wife of F. E. Hamlin, a well- 
to-do farmer of Allen Township; Adaline, the sec- 
ond child, married Emmet Williams, in the State of 
New York, and died about 18j6. The mother of 
these children died at lier home in Hillsdale in 1877. 

The present wife of onr subject, to whom he was 
married in September, 1878, was formerly Mrs. 
Ama J. (Fuller) Force, of Adams Township, who 
was born in June, 1823, in New York. Of this 
union there were no children. Mr. Thomas, socially-, 
is a Knight Templar and a member of Fidelity 
Lodge No. 32, and a Royal Arch Mason, belonging 
to Eureka Commandery No. 3. Politically, he 
affiliates with the Republican party, and has been a 
man who has always exercised a great influence in 
his community ; one who is noted for his sound and 
temperate judgment aud uniformly wise counsels. 









'^ ON. OSCAR A. JANES is a native of the 
State of Wisconsin, where he was born on 
(A\^ a farm near Janesville, Rock County, July 
(^ 6, 1843, and is the eldest of a family of 
seven children born to John E. and Esther (Bag- 
ley) Janes. John E. Janes was born in Grand 
Island, Vt., while his wife was a native of Brattle- 
boro, in the same State. While still quite young 
they came to the West with their respective parents, 
who were among the pioneers of the Badger State. 
After marriage the young couple settled in Rock 
County on a farm, on which they passed the re- 
mainder of their days, engaged in the peaceful occu- 
pation of farming. 

O.scar A. Janes passed his boyhood on his father's 
farm, and during the winter he attended the dis- 



trict school. The desire for learning there engen- 
dered was gratified by an attendance at the Milton 
Academy, where he pursued his studies about two 
years. He then came to Hillsdale, and entered the 
college with a view to the completion of his educa- 
tion, but his country was then in her hour of need, 
and at the end of the first term he abandoned his 
studies, and enlisting in Company K, 4th Michigan 
Infantry', as a private, served in the regiment until 
the battle of Petersburg, in which engagement he 
was wounded, losing his left arm. He was dis- 
charged in November, 1864, after taking part in 
the following-named battles: Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania, North Anna. Cold Harbor, and the first 
attack on Petersburg, besides other smaller engage- 
ments. On leaving the army he returned to Hills- 
dale College and completed his course, graduating 
in the class of '68. 

Mr. Janes then became a law student in the office 
of Gen. C. J. Dickerson, then Judge of Probate for 
Hillsdale County, and was admitted to the bar in 
1871. Soon afterward he formed a copartnership 
for the practice of his profession with L. N. Keat- 
in"', which lasted three years, when his partner 
removed to Muskegon, Mich. The first official 
position held by Mr. Janes was that of City Clerk, 
which he filled acceptably for a term of four years. 
He was next elected Circuit Court Commissioner, 
which office he held for two terms, and also served 
as Aldernitin of the city two years. In 1876 he 
was elected Judge of Probate of Hillsdale County, 
which office he held two terms, eight years in all. 

In 1884 Judge J.anes was elected Secretary and 
Treasurer of Hillsdale College, which position he 
held four years, declining a re-election. He served 
two years on the staff of Gov. R. A. Alger, as Pay- 
master General. He has also been a member of 
the Board of Trustees of Hillsdale College for the 
past nine years, and is a member of Hillsdale 
Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F. In the Grand Lodge of 
the State of Michigan he has held all the offices 
from Grand Conductor to Grand Master of the 
State, and is now a representative of the Grand 
Lodge of the United States. The Judge is also a 
member of C. J. Dickerson Post No. 6, G. A. R., 
of which he is one of the charter members, and has 
held all the offices of the ix>st. He was at one time 



^' 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•»• 



685 




Department Commander of the State, and was 
made Inspector General of the G. A. K. of the 
United States in 1884. He is also a member of the 
K. of P., Hillsdale Lodge No. 45, and Past Chancellor 
of the lodge, and has held the position of District 
Deputy Grand Chancellor of the State. He was a 
prominent candidate before the State Convention 
for Auditor General of the State of Michigan, and 
came very nearly being nominated against H. H. 
Aplin, the present Auditor. 

Hon. Oscar A. Janes has been twice married. By 
his present wife he has one daughter, whom they 
named Mary K., and one son. Politically, Mr. 
Janes affiliates with the Republican party, and is a 
Stalwart. 

^^' :i: 1^ mc : 

ON. ELISHA P. CHAMPLIN. Among the 

sagacious and enterprising pioneers of South- 
ern Michigan who played a conspicuous 
^\ part in the settlement and development of 
Hillsdale County, and was also one of the first set- 
tlers of Lenawee County, no name is held in de- 
servedly greater reverence than that of the subject 
of this biography. He was a prominent figure in 
public life, and was closel3' identified with the busi- 
ness and agricultural interests of Hillsdale County 
after his permanent establishment here. He was a 
native of the State of New York, Greenfield, Sara- 
toga County, having been his birthplace, and June 
25, 1798, the date of his birth. His father, Joshua 
Champlin. was a native of Rhode Island, but after 
reaching manhood most of his life was passed 
in Cayuga County, N. Y., with the exception of 
the hist ten years of his life, which he spent in 
Jonesville, where he died in the fall of 1842. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Howard, 
and who was a native of Rhode Island, died in 
Onondaga County, N. Y., about the year 1839. 
They had a family of eight children, three sons and 
five daughters. Elisha P. was the fifth in order of 
birth. He was reared on a farm until about eight- 
een years of age, when he became a clerk in the 
store of Nathan Muuro, at Elbridge, N. Y. While 
a resident of that place he was married, April 3, 
1820, to Miss Harriet S. Gardner, who was born at 
Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y.. Oct. 27, 1800. 



She is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. Grosve- 
nor. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Champlin re- 
mained in New Y''ork State until 1824, but in tiie 
spring of that year they came to Southern Michi- 
gan and settled in the forests of Lenawee County, 
in the township of Tecumseh, where Mr. Champlin 
engaged in farming for about two years. He then 
returned to Elbridge, N. Y'., with his family, and 
after residing there four years he came back to 
Micliigan, and again located in Tecumseh, remain- 
ing a citizen of that township until August, 1834, 
when he took up his permanent abode in Jones- 
ville, having first sold liis property in the former 
place. When he first came here he was interested 
in some mill property, in conection with the Hon. 
Levi Baxter, but he afterward disposed of his 
share. 

In 1837 Mr. Champlin established a mercantile 
business with George C. Munro, and they con- 
tinued together until 1842, when they dissolved 
partnership, and our subject conducted the business 
alone until 1844. He then retired from all active 
business, except the management of his farm and a 
small gristmill, which he owned until 1847. Sub- 
sequently he again became engaged in business in 
company with his son-in-law, Hon. E. O. Grosvenor, 
remaining with him for four years, when he was 
obliged to retire on account of failing health. His 
death, Feb. 20, 1855, was a severe blow to the com- 
munity, in which he had held a prominent place 
since his settlement in the township in its early 
history. His life was not a long one as measured 
by j'ears, but as measured by what he accomplished 
it was of great duration — an old poet has said: 

We live in deeds, not years ; in thoughts, not 

breaths ; 
In feelings, not figures on a dial. 
He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, 

acts the best. 

The widow of our subject, who was ever his de- 
voted companion and helpmate, and shared with 
hira the consideration in which he was held, is 
living with her daughter, Mrs. E. J. Grosvenor, 
at a very advanced age, though strange to say, 
she has retained her mental faculties to a remark- 
able degree, and iier home life is beautiful and 



h 



686 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4- 



l~ 



happy, pjleven children were born to them, two 
sons .ind nine daughters, of whom seven grew to 
maturit}'. The wife of the Hon. E. O. Grosvenor 
is the eldest child. She was horn in Auburn, 
N. Y., April 11, 1822, and was therefore quite 
young when her parents first came to Miciiigan. 
At the age of sixteen she was sent East to finish her 
education, and attended the West Poultiiey Acad- 
emy, in Vermont, and subsequently the Monroe 
Academy, at Elbridge, N. Y. 

The Hon. EJisha P. Champlin was a man whose 
stability of cliaracter and nobleness of purpose his 
fellow-citizens delighted to honor, and we find liis 
name often in the county and township records as 
an office-holder. In April, 1835, at the first town 
meeting held in Fayette Township he was elected 
to the offices of School Inspector and Roadmaster; 
lie was appointed Postmaster of Jonesville in ) 840, 
and held that position until 18-14. During the 
Black Hawk War, when he resided in Tecumseh, 
he was on the staff of Gen. Joseph Brown, as his 
aide with the rank of Major, and continued in the 
service for several months. He was twice elected 
to represent his district in the Lower House of the 
State Legislature, being a member of that body in 
the years 1837 and 1838, and he was returned to 
the State Senate by his constituents in 1840. 

€ALEB CLARK JOHNSON, M. D. This 
noted physician and surgeon of Hillsdale, 
like many of the profession.al men of this 
county-, is a native of the Empire State, and was 
born near the town of Clarkson, adjacent to Brock- 
port, in Monroe County, on tlie 1st of July, 1817. 
His father, Samuel W. Johnson, early in life had 
learned the trade of a tailor, which he subsequently 
abandoned for agricultural pursuits. 

Samuel W. Johnson spent his boyhood among 
the Catskill Mountains, in Greene County, N. Y., 
where his birth took place about 1795. He was the 
son of William Johnson, the offspring of an excel- 
lent old English family which crossed the Atlantic 
in the Colonial days and took up their abode in 
the town of Windham, Conn. From New England 
they emigrated to New York State during the pe- 

■^ 



riod of its early history, and there became widely 
and favorably known. Samuel Johnson took for 
his wife Miss Marj', daughter of Col. Caleb Clark, 
who did good service in the command of a regi- 
ment during the War of 1812. Grandfather Clark 
subsequently settled in Clarkson, N. Y., where he 
spent his last daj's. 

The parents of our subject, after their marriage, 
took up their residence in the town of Clarkson, 
N. Y., of which they remained residents some eight 
or nine years. The father at first followed his trade, 
but later took up fa]ming, and from the first farm 
in Monroe County removed to another in the same 
locality, where the parents spent the remainder 
of their lives. Their household included eleven 
children, all of whom lived to mature years and ten 
survive — five sisters and five brothers. These are 
residents of New York, Michigan and Dakota. 

Dr. Johnson was the first-born of his parents, and 
spent his boyhood in his native county, attending 
first the district school and later Clarkson Academy. 
He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. 
A. M. Leonard, of Clarkson, and subsequently was 
with M. B. Gage, M. D., of Churchville, N. Y. In 
the latter place he took a course in the Geneva 
Medical College, from which he was graduated in 
January, 1843. He commenced the practice of his 
profession in Orleans Countj', N. Y., where he con- 
tinued with efficiency and success for a period of 
twenty-one years. 

In the spring of 1864 Dr. Johnson resolved to 
change his residence to Southern Michigan, mostly 
on account of the educational facilities which might 
be given his children. After establishing his fam- 
ily comfortabl3' in the city of Hillsdale, he opened 
an office, and it was not long until here, as in his 
native State, he had all the business to which he 
could conveniently attend. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointed Pension Examiner by President Garfield, 
and has otherwise been prominent in county affairs, 
including the enterprises closely connected with the 
welfare of the people, morally, socially and educa- 
tionally. 

While a resident of Hamlin, N. Y., Dr. Johnson 
was wedded to Miss Julia Bates, at the home of the 
bride's parents, June 21, 1843. Mrs. Johnson was 
born March 16, 1820, in Kendall, Orleans Co., N. 



•• ^m 4 * 



\^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



687 



Y.. and is the d.aug;hter of Capt. Henry and Sally- 
Hates, also of Kendall, tiic former of wliom was a 
farmer by occupation and died at the advanced age 
of ninety-four 3'ears. His wife, the mother of Mrs. 
J., died in 183.3. The Doctor and his wife became 
the parents of two children, one only of whom is 
living, Herbert Bates, a rising young attorney of 
Chicago. Julia Maj', who was born Oct. 21, IS.iO, 
was graduated from Hillsdale College, and died at 
the home of her parents in Hillsdale, Dec. 27, 1874. 
She was a bright .and promising young girl, the joy 
and pride of her parents' hearts, and in her death 
they suffered a most grievous affliction and had the 
deep sympathy of hosts of friends. 

Politically, Dr. Johnson, long a warm supporter 
of Republican principles, is also the advocate of 
Prohibition, although not quite ready to identify 
himself with the party. He served .as Alderni.an 
of the Second W.ard four years, and with his estima- 
ble wife is a member in good stanrling of the Free 
Baptist Church, of Hillsdale. He has been a close 
student and an excellent reader, and is prominently 
identified witii the Southern Michigan Medical 
Association. 




ViJOHN W. PEIRCE. This esteemed resident 
11 of Allen Village made his way to this sec- 
^.^1 tion of country in 1839. He was born in 
^^ Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1815, 
and lived there during his younger years, acquiring 
a fair education and becoming familiar with farm 
pursuits. 

Upon leaving his native place with his parents 
j'oung Peirce took up his residence in Chautauqua 
County, the same State, where he resided with his 
pai-ents until 1836, when about twenty years of 
age, then started for the West. He had at this 
time engaged his services to a farmer in Chautau- 
qua County to go to Yorkville, now Kendall County, 
111. He drove two yoke of oxen attached to a 
wagon loaded with 1,800 pounds of butter. He 
passed through Allen on his way thither from New 
York to Illinois, and was six weeks making the trip. 
His journey safely accomplished, he remained in 



Illinois nntil the fall of 1839. when he retraced his 
steps to this county, and locating in Allen Township, 
has since made this his home. 

Mr. Peirce was the elder child of his parents, 
whose family included two sons. His father, Solon 
Peirce, was a native of Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
and was born Aug. 4, 1791. His mother, formerly 
Miss Susanna Walker, was born Oct. 4, 1797, and 
is believed to have been a native of New England. 
After their marriage the parents settled in Penfield, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., where the father followed teach- 
ing, and where the mother passed from earth Aug. 
28, 1 820, at the early Jige of twenty-two years. She 
left two children — John W. and Justus Walker, 
now deceased. Solon Peirce was the second time 
married, this time to Betsey Davis. They had one 
son and seven daughters, and removed to Warren 
County, Pa., where he followed his profession of 
teacher two years, and then returning to the Empire 
State settled in Chautauqua County, and in the 
town of Harmony resided, .and followed farming 
and tanght school until the spring of 183G. 

Solon Peirce, in the spring of 183(i, came to 
Michigan and cast his lot among the pioneers of 
Allen Township. This change of location rather 
necessitated a change of occupation, and now tak- 
ing up a quarter of section 31, in Allen Township, 
he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
About the same time he also secured eighty acres 
of land in Branch County. He effected fair im- 
provements on the land chosen for his home in 
Allen Township, laboring there until his death, 
which occurred Jan. 21, 1851. 

Our subject upon coming to this county employed 
himself first at farming, and made his first purch.ase 
of land on section 16, in about 1843. He did not 
marry until quite late in life, and was then wedded 
to Miss Hansie L. Lake, their union being celebrated 
at the home of the bride in Allen Township, Jan. 
19, 1859. They commenced life together in a 
modest dwelling on his farm in this township, and 
in due time the household circle numbered five 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Erastus 
L., the eldest, is engaged as a stenograi)her in Chi- 
cago, 111. ; Solon died in Allen Township when four 
years old; Arthur is living in Allen Township; 
Laura, the wife of E. A. Clickner, is also a resident 




688 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■*^^\ 



of Allen Township; and Erna remains at home 
with her parents. 

Mrs. Peirce was born in Chester, Warren Co., 
N. Y.. July 12, 1827, and is the daughter of Eras- 
ing and Erna Lake, a sketch of whom will be found 
elsewhere in this work. She is a lady of many es- 
timable qualities, and with her husband a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Erastus Lake 
is still living, and has reached the advanced age of 
ninety-four years, yet his mind is bright and active, 
and his memory remarkable. 

Mr. Peirce, besides his town property, owns 140 
acres of the section which his father took up from 
the Government in Allen Township. He is a solid 
Republican, politically, but with the exception of 
filling a vacancy as Supervisor, has steadily avoided 
the cares of office. He identified himself with the 
Masonic fraternity in 1S69, and belongs to Lodge 
No. 152, at Allen. He has been a privileged wit- 
ness of the great changes occurring in Southern 
Michigan for the space of over Bfty-two years; he 
has rejoiced in its prosperity, and contributed his 
quota toward its development by his industry and 
good judgment as a tiller of the soil, and his career 
as an honest man and a good citizen. 



"ifJOHN GLASGOW, after a long and well- 
spent life, during which he has contributed 
his full quota to the development of Hills- 
dale County and to the promotion of the 
cause of morality in this commuuitj', has now 
retired from active life, and is passing the re- 
mainder of his days in the enjoyment of ease and 
a competency in Jones ville. 

The Glasgow family is of Scotch ancestry, as the 
name implies, and the father of our subject was 
born in the '-land of the heather" about 1778. The 
mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was 
Miss Jane Glasgow, was also born in Scotland, 
about 1783. After their marriage the parents 
settled in the North of Ireland, in County Tyrone, 
where they remained until their removal to America 
about 1848. Upon tlieir arrival in this country 
they proceeded at once to this county, where they 
settled in Jonesville, and resided there until their 



decease. Mr. Glasgow improved a farm, and lived 
to see the country considerably developed. During 
the year of his death the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern Railroad was built through Jonesville; 
his wife died about 1869. 

To the parents of our subject were born seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, of whom 
our subject is the fourth child in order of birth, 
and all lived to mature years. John Glasgow was 
born in Count}' Tyrone, Ireland, April 15, 1814, 
where he was reared to farming pursuits, and has 
followed that occupation all his life. Being dis- 
satisfied with his environments in that country, and 
hearing of the more favorable conditions under which 
farmers labored in America, where land could be 
bought so cheaply, he decided to try his fortune in 
the New World. Accordingly, in the spring of 
1839, he bade good-by to his native Ireland and 
embarked for America. (His elder brother came 
to New York State in 1833.) Upon his arrival in 
this country he proceeded to Auburn, N. Y'., where 
he was employed by the month for about four 
years. A farm of his own was the ambition of our 
subject, however, and in August, 1843, he came to 
Hillsdale County, and settled in Fayette Township. 
Two years later he married, and settletl on a farm 
on section 7, where he continued to live until 1881, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then removed 
to Jonesville. where he has since lived a retire.! life. 
At one time Mr. Glasgow owned 227 acres of 
land, which he has since disposed of, with the 
exception of eighty .acres. 

The subject of this notice was married first in 
Fayette Township to Betsey (Eddy) Hoagland, 
who was a native of Ohio; she bore her husband 
three ciiildren, and departed this life at her home 
in Fayette Township. Of the three children but 
one survives, Mary J., who is the wife of James 
Gould, of Wheeling, Mo. Mr. Glasgow was a 
second time married, in Moscow Township, to Miss 
Mary Sinclair, but she died in Fayette Township 
about 1872. Of this union there were born two 
children : Walter S., who married Dora Miller, and 
resides in Faj'ette Township, and Rose B., the wife 
of Cassius Clark, of Allen Township. 

Mr. Glasgow was a third time married, in Allen 
Township. Jan. 19, 1870, to Mrs. Mary A. (Bab- 



:^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^ii^K-* 



689 



bett) Howard, daughter of Dwiglit and Lucinda 
^Crawford) Babbett, and widow (jf Laban Howard, 
who died in Allen Township, May 2,1, 18G9. By 
her marriage with Labaii Howard she became the 
mother of five ehililren — Morrell, Kdward, Willis, 
Ellen, and Lois, deceased. Morrell m.arried Annie 
BuBois ; Edward married Ella Williamson, and 
lived in Juniata; Willis married Miss Kittie Cald- 
well, of Litchfield Township, and Ellen is the 
wife of Harry Wickard, of Hillsdale. Mrs. GKas- 
gow was born in Ware, Hampshire Co., Mass.. and 
removed to Wyoming County, N. Y., when sixteen 
years of age. She was married twice previous to 
her marriage with John Glasgow. Her fiist mar- 
riage took place in AVyoming County, N. Y., with 
Aliel Rogers, who died in that county. 

Mr. Glasgow has been Road Commissioner, and 
discharged the duties of his office faithfully, while 
he was also one of the Village Assessors in Jones- 
ville for three j'ears. He is a member in good 
standing of the Presbyterian Church, and is one of 
the oldest members of the church in Jonesville. In 
politics he is a Republican. 



'iWi'i t^^'^^ COHN, manufacturer of and dealer in 
cigars and tobacco at Hillsdale, was born 
within the limits of the citj' of Zempelburg, 
West Prussia, and is the son of Isaac Cohn, 
a manufacturer of flannels at that place. The fam- 
ily is of pure Jewish ancestry, and the mother was in 
her girlhood Miss Eva Fink. 

The parental household included eight children, 
five sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to 
mature years, with the exception of one, Oscar, and 
all crossed the Atlantic, settling mostly in Hillsdale. 
Moses, our subject, was the eldest born, and in 
common with the children of Germany was placed 
in school when a little lad six years of age, aud 
pursued his studies until a j'outh of fourteen. He 
then entered a dry-goods store .as clerk, where he 
spent five j-ears, and in the summer of 1871 deter- 
mined to seek his fortune on the other side of the 
water. 

From his native city young Cohn made his way 
to Hamburg, where he boarded an ocean steamer, 




the "Westphalia," bound for New York City. He ar- 
rived at his destination after a safe voyage of twelve 
days, aud proceeding directly westward took up his 
residence in the city of Hillsdale, this county, and 
purchasing a stock of goods loaded them upon a 
wagon, and started out with them over the coun- 
try, peddling. This venture he followed up one 
year, then opened a cigar shop in Hillsdale, where 
he began the manufacture of tobacco on a small 
scale, in accordance with the demands of the trade 
at that time. It was not long before he was obliged 
to enlarge his facilities, and now from that humble 
beginning his business has attained to such propor- 
tions that at some seasons of the year he o-ives 
employment to as many as forty-five men. His 
present business house, factory and storeroom, con- 
sists of a handsome aud substantial brick structure, 
three stories in height and occupying an area of 
•24x66 feet. All these floors and basement are 
utilized for his business alone. The products of 
his factory go to all portions of this and the adjoin- 
ing States, and he has quite a number of traveling 
salesmen upon the road at all seasons of the year. 
It is hardly necessary to say that he is a man 
prompt to meet his obligations, and possesses all the 
thrift and industry of his excellent Jewish ancestry. 
Mr. Cohn was married, in September, 1881, toMiss 
Emma Salomon, a native of the Province of Posen, 
Germany, and who came with her parents to this 
country when about nine years of age. The par- 
ents of jNIrs. Cohn. Heiman and Rosa .Salomon, are 
now in Hillsdale. Our subject and his wife are the 
parents of three interesting children, two sons aud 
one daughter — Israel, Harry and Minnie. The eld- 
est is five J'ears of age. aud the youngest two. The 
family residence is pleasantly situated, and is fur- 
nished with all the comforts of modern life. 



^ €^-^- 



LBERT PRENTLSS, who owns and occupies 
[ ^'luW one of the finest residences in the village 
of Allen, has also a valuable farm of 190 
acres in Allen Township, where he engaged 
for a number of years in agricultural pursuits and 
also as a contractor and builder. He put up the 
first school-house in Allen Village, in 1869, which 





•► 11 ^^ 



-4: 



690 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




was followed by the erection of the Baptist Church 
in 1871, and the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
1872. In company with Andrew Winchester, he 
erected the brick block on the corner of Chicago 
and Railroad streets in 1868. He laid out the vil- 
lage of Allen, and was largely instrumental in its 
growth and prosperity. 

In noting the career of prominent individuals it 
is quite natural to revert to their origin and ante- 
cedents. Watson Prentiss, the father of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Chenango County, N. Y., and 
his mother, Susan (Price) Prentiss, also a native 
of the Empire State, was born in Steuben County. 
After marriage they settled in the latter count}', 
where they spent the remainder of their lives, the 
father dying in 1873, and the mother in 1877. 
They were the parents of eight children, five sons 
and three daughters, four of whom are living and 
residents of Steuben County. Albert, the third 
child, was born in Tyrone, now Schuyler County, 
N. Y., April 7, 1828. He continued a member of 
his father's household until seventeen years old, 
pursuing his studies in the district schools and be- 
coming familiar with farming pursuits. In the 
spring of 1845 he made his way to Southern Michi- 
gan, and for two years thereafter was a member of 
the family of William B. Childs, of Allen, and who 
is now a resident of Hillsdale. Later young Pren- 
tiss lived with the family of James M. Hanchett 
two years also. Not long afterward he was married, 
and settled in Allen Township, of which he has 
since been a resident. 

The marriage of Albert Prentiss and Miss Mary 
E. McConnell was celebrated in Allen Township, 
April 15, 1849. Mrs. Prentiss was born April 20, 
1831, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and is the 
daughter of John and L3'dia McConnell, who were 
natives of Philadelphia, and spent their last years in 
Connecticut. The only child of our subject is a 
son, George W., who married Miss Mary F. Brooks, 
and is occupied at farming in Allen Village. 

Mr. Prentiss, when a youth of eighteen years, in 
the winter of 1854, made the journey by water to 
California in the hope of restoring his health, and 
which effected the desired result. Since instituting 
his home in Allen Township, he has alwa3-s been 
prominent in local affairs, representing the township 



in the County Board of Supervisors for a period of 
ten years, and for one term was Chairman of the 
board. To the maintenance and establishment of 
schools he has always given his cordial support, and 
has been connected with school affairs for a period 
of seventeen years. In the meantime also he offici- 
ated as Highway Commissioner nine years, and 
once was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not 
care enough about the office to qualify. Politically, 
he is a solid Republican, and his name has been 
prominently mentioned as a candidate for the State 
Legislature. 

"it; OHN S. FOSTER was born in Barnard, Wind- 
sor Co., Vt., Jan. 29, 1826, where his father, 
Moses Foster, was also born. His grand- 
father, John Foster, was a pioneer of Bar- 
nard, where he improved a farm, and resided in the 
Green Mountain State until his death. 

The father of our subject grew to manhood in 
Windsor County, and married Miss Fannie Crowell, 
who was also born in that county, and was the 
daughter of Shiverick Crowell. They were married 
in 1823, and in 1833 removed to Huron County, 
Ohio, where Moses Foster followed the occupation 
of a farmer. He bought 100 acres of timber land 
in Peru Township, near Maxwell. Here he en- 
gaged busily in the improvement of his farm, but 
was stricken down by death at the early age of 
thirty-five years, in 1 835, leaving a wife and two 
helpless children to mourn their irreparable loss. 
Of these children, Martha L., the sister of our sub- 
ject, married Ansel Baker, of Huron County, Ohio, 
and there resided until her deatli. The mother of our 
subject spent her last years with her daughter, and 
departed this life in 1879, at the advanced age of 
eightj'-nine years. 

The subject of this sketch continued to reside 
with his widowed mother, contributing as soon as 
he was able to her support, and receiving his educa- 
tion as best he could in the public schools, until he 
was twent}' j-ears of age. He then came to Michi- 
gan with Loren Davis, and started the first harness- 
shop in Hudson. He continued in the harness 
business the greater part of the time until 1848, 



/ 

t 



■^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 






691 



I 



when, in December of that j'ear, he settled on the 
farm where he still resides. This land which he 
had bought the fall previously was heavily timbered, 
but he went to work with energy-, and felling the 
trees to make room for a log house, he soon had a 
home to which he could bring his bride, and in this 
log house they lived happy and contented for 
several years. Our subject was engaged, as were all 
pioneers of the day in this section of country, in 
subduing nature, clearing land, and breaking prairie. 
But with all their labors they were social and happy, 
their wants were simple, and they were soon able 
to make a comfortable living, and provide for the 
education of their growing families. Mr. Foster 
has been amplj' rewarded, however, for his expendi- 
ture of labor upon his farm, as he now has ninety- 
five acres cleared and under good cultivation, with 
neat and commodious frame buildings, and has also 
fifty-five acres under timber. His first purchase 
consisted of eight^^ acres of land, for which he 
stipulated to pay the sum of $-100, |>300 in hand, 
while the balance should bear interest at seven per 
cent. Mr. Foster completed the purchase price 
during the second year, and after that he devoted 
his time and money to the improvements which are 
now so marked on his farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Foster have traveled extensively, 
and as they have been close observers, while natur- 
ally intelligent, they are now agreeable people with 
whom to converse. In Ju\y, 1887, they started for 
the Pacific Coast, and first stopped at Seneca, 
Keniaha Co., Kan., after which they spent some 
time in Wichita, and then in Sterling, in the same 
State. They then went via the Santa Fe Railroad 
across the mountains to California, and visited the 
principal points of interest on the Pacific Slope. 
They spent two weeks among the beauty and 
grandeur of the Yosemite Valley, their life while 
there somewhat resembling their early experience in 
Hillsdale County, as they were "camping out." 
After a very pleasant and invigorating tour they 
returned bj' the Union Pacific Railroad, and through 
Salt Lake Citj', where they enjoyed a bath in the 
famous lake, and thence returning visited Glenwood, 
Iowa, and Chicago. 

On the 2d of May, 1848, our subject was united 
in marriage with Miss Amy Rush, who was born in 



Farmington, Ontario Co.. N. Y., Dec. 29, 1824. 
Her father, Samuel F. Rush, was born in Cheshire, 
Berkshire Co., Mass., and his father was also born 
in the Bay State, where he was a fjirmer in Ontario 
County, and resided with his children there until 
his death. The father of Mrs. Foster went to New 
York State at twenty-one j'ears of age, and served 
in the War of 1812. He afterward married, in 
Utica, Miss Mary C. Delazenn, a native of that 
place, and the daughter of Michael Delazenn, a 
native of France. After marriage they located in 
Ontario County, where Mr. Rush bought a farm, 
.ind resided until his death, in 1865; his wife died 
in 1857. 

Mr. and Mrs. Foster became the parents of three 
children. Byron D., their eldest child, was born 
Dec. 1 7, ] 848 ; toward the close of the w.ar he en- 
listed, in February, 1865, in Company C, 1 1th Michi- 
gan Infantry,and died in the service of his country, 
at Chattanooga, in May following. His remains 
were brought home for interment. Oscar F.. who 
was born in Pittsford Township, and Josephine 
A., who married C. J. Rumsley, a native of Pitts- 
ford. 

In 1852 Mr. Foster bought a sawmill, and en- 
gaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, in 
which business he continued for seven years. He 
was also engaged for a time with the Barney & 
Ocobock Company, of Sandusky, Ohio, in their 
spoke and wheel factory, and had charge of the 
outside business in connection with their mills. He 
was subsequent!}' in a broom handle and shingle 
factory. 

\|lOHN J. RIGGS. The subject of this biog- 
raphy is the proprietor of a finel}- appointed 
farm of 115 acres, pleasant]}' located on sec- 
tion 4 in Scipio Township, and adjacent to 
the town of Mosherville. Here he has put forth his 
best efforts for a period probably of twenty-five 
years, and has signalized himself as not only a thor- 
ough and skillful farmer, but a useful citizen, taking 
a lively interest in the welfare of his communitj'. 
The friend of progress and education, he h.is been 
a member of the School Board for the past fifteen 
3'ears, and is one of the first men whom his neigh- 



692 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



bors approach when assistance both moral and sub- 
stantial is desired to set on foot the enterprises 
which shall build up the township and increase its 
standing among its neighbors. 

The Kmpire State, which has contributed so large 
a proportion of the best residents of Hillsdale 
County, contained also the early home of our sub- 
ject, he having been born near the town of L^'ons, 
in Wayne County, Sept. 14, 1841. He comes of an 
excellent family, his father being Joseph Riggs, 
also a native of Lyons, and who was born Nov. 12, 
1813. The latter was reared to manhood in his 
native township, and married one of its most esti- 
mable young ladies, Miss Mary Smith, who was 
born also in Lyons, Jan. 31, 1815. While residents 
of their native township there were born to them 
two children, and the fatiier, who had acquired an 
excellent education, engaged first as a teacher in 
the public schools, and subsequently for a time car- 
ried on the drug business. 

In 1842, the parents of our subject determined 
upon a change of location, and coming to this 
county settled upon a tract of land in Scipio Town- 
ship, wiiere the father carried on fanning for about 
two years, and subsequently removed to Litchfield 
Township, where he still pursued agriculture, in 
connection with teaching, until 1863. Then return- 
ing to Scipio Township, he located in the village of 
Mosherville, where his death took place Nov. 23, 
1882. The devoted wife and mother had passed 
away over ten 3'ears before, her death taking place 
Jan. 20, 1872. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Riggs were both active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the 
father held many offices of trust and responsibility. 
The eight children of the household are recorded as 
follows: Hurlbut, during the late war, served with 
credit as a soldier in the Union army, and returning 
home in safety, with the rank of First Lieutenant, is 
now occupied at farming in Mosherville ; John J., our 
subject, was the second son and child; Mary D. is 
the widow of H. J. Culver, late of Detroit, and is 
now residing in Mosherville; Wesley W., a soldier 
in the 27th Michigan Infantry during the Rebell- 
ion, dieil on a boat while en route from the frontat 
Petersburg, Va., to Philadelphia, Pa; his remains 
now fill a soldier's grave at the latter place. Alice 



died in Litchfield when an infant, Feb. 6, 1852; 
Edward P. died in Litchfield. April 1, 1853; Carrie 
died in Scipio Township, June 19, 1872; George 
is engaged in farming in Scipio Township. 

The subject of our sketch was the second child 
of his parents, and remained under the home roof 
until the outbi-eak of the late Rebellion, in the 
meantime completing his studies in Hillsdale Col- 
lege. The second year of the war he enlisted, Aug. 
9, 18(!2, in Company G, 18th Michigan Infantry, 
and served with his regiment one year, when he was 
detached, and assigned to duty at the headquarters 
of Gen. R. S. Granger, where he did good service 
until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Other- 
wise than the hardships and privations incident 
to a soldier's life, he escaped without injury, and 
returning to his home in Scipio Township, engaged 
in farming until about 1873. He then purchased 
a stock of general merchandise, and occupied him- 
self in trade at Mosherville nearly five years, after 
which he returned to his old employment. 

Mr. Riggs was first married in Litchfield Town- 
ship, Feb. 6, 18GC, to Miss Kate K. Mead, who was 
born in Auburn, N. 1 ., and who died at her home 
in Mosherville, May 12, 1876. This union resulted 
in the birth of three children, all sons — Edmund 
H., Leroy J. and Harry M. The two latter are 
deceased, one dying when two and one-half years 
old, and the other when an infant. The eldest is 
now living at home. 

Mr. Riggs, on the 18th of December, 1877, con- 
tracted a second marriage, with Miss Celina, daugh- 
ter of the late James Sturges, a prominent and highly 
respected citizen of Scipio Township, and a sketch 
of whom will be found elsewhere in this Album. 
The present wife of our subject was born in Scipio 
Township, June 28, 1845, and is now the mother of 
two interesting children — Mabel M. and Stanley J. 
Mr. Riggs uniformly votes the straight Republican 
ticket, and besides his connection with school mat- 
ters, has held the office of Township Clerk several 
years. Socially, he belongs to Henry Baxter Post, 
G. A. R., of Jonesville. 

Joseph Riggs held nearly all the offices within 
the gift of the people of his township, and among 
other duties served as Justice of the Peace for 
man}' years in both Litchfield and Scipio Town- 

•► 






-^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



693 



ships. A man active, energetic and progressive in 
liis ideas, he tooli a livel3- interest in educational 
matters, believing that the young were entitled to 
all the advantages iu this respect which could pos- 
sibly be conferred upon them. 



-J^^— 



V¥( OHN SPROWLS is located on 187 acres of 
land on section 24, Hillsdale Township, where, 
in addition to general farming and stock- 
raising, he is also much interested in fruit- 
growing, which industrj', besides jiroving a source of 
wealth to the man who patiently waits, is also a 
matter of enjoyment. His farm, which he has re- 
deemed from the wilderness, he has brought to a 
high state of cultivation, and adorned it with a fine 
set of farm buildings, and tiie machinery necessary 
for the successful prosecution of his calling by the 
modern agriculturist. 

The subject of this biography was born in On- 
tario County, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1833, and is the son 
of Peter and Mahala (Huff) .Sprowls, natives of 
New York, where the father was born Dec. 20, 
180(i. In early life he followed the trade of a car- 
penter and joiner, for which he had a natural taste, 
and engaged in that calling up to about the time of 
his marriage. He then purchased a farm and de- 
voted the remainder of his life to its cultivation 
and improvement, and died Nov. 13, 1880, in 
Adams Township, which had been his home since 
he came to this State, forty-four years previously. 
By strict economy and untiring industrj', he gained 
a competency, and while he was very careful in his 
business transactions, he was always ready to assist 
the needy. He lived to see his surviving children, 
six in number, of his family of eight, well settled in 
life, and all living in this countj' except one daugh- 
ter, Mrs. William Crisp, who resides in the northern 
part of the State. She was at home with all the 
family at the time of her father's death. He died 
of a lingering disease of the stomach, and much of 
the time his suffering was extreme, but throughout 
it all he did not utter a word of complaint; he was 
patient in his affliction, and re.ady and willing to 
die. While the children mourned the loss of a kind 
father, and the wife a dear companion, the com- 



munitj' mourned for one who was upright in his 
dealings, and pleasant in his soci.al intercourse, and 
when his remains were consigned to their last rest- 
ing-place, all who knew him united cordially in say- 
ing "Peace to his ashes." 

The mother of our subject was born May 21, 
1813, and when eleven years of age removed with 
her parents to the State of New York, where she 
was married to Peter Sprowls, Nov. 25, 1830. A 
j'ear later they emigrated to Michigan, and settled 
upon a farm in Adams Township. Soon after the 
death of her husband in the fall of 1 880, she left the 
old homestead and resided with her daughter, Mrs. 
Fuller, until the time of her death. During the pre- 
vious summer she had been in feeble health, owing 
to a disease of the heart, which, in connection with 
an .attack of pneumonia, caused her death. Slie w.as 
a true Christian woman, and practicing the precepts 
of her religion, she adorned the profession. 

There rest, mother, rest, thy life work is done. 

Thy cares and trials on earth are all o'er. 
Thy Father has called thee. "Weary one, come. 

To a glad reunion on the other shore." 
Yes, the Saviour h,as heard thy low. plaintive cry : 

"'J'alie, oh, take me to meet once again. 
My loved ones now waiting for me upon high 

In the home free from soirow and pain." 

The parental family of our subject included eight 
children, who are recorded as follows: Emeline was 
born Oct. 31, 1831, and is tiie wife of John L. 
Buck; John was the second in order of birth ; James 
married Margaret Slingerland; Mary E. is the wife 
of William Crisp, an Englishman by birth ; Caroline 
died Feb. 28, 1848; Julia became the wife of Sam- 
uel A. Haskell, a farmer by occupation, and died 
Jan. 7, 1882; Adeline is the wife of W. B. Fuller, 
a farmer by occupation, and resides in Fayette 
Township; George was born March 17, 1848, and 
died July 11, 18(53. 

John Sprowls was united in marriage, Nov. 20, 
1855, with Miss Elizabeth Williams, who was born 
in Lockport, N. Y., April 9, 1835, and was the 
daughter of John and Mary (Jones) Williams, na- 
tives of Wales, where the former was horn in 1806. 
and the latter in 1 803. The parents of Mrs. Sprowls 
came to America in 1834, and settled in Jefferson 
Township, where they were among the earliest pio- 



■•► 



604 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



iieei-s. In the spring of 1840 they removed to 
Adams Township, wiiich became their home until 
their death, the decease of the mother occurring on 
the 20th of May, 1 856, at fifty -three years of age. 
She was a kind mother and an affectionate wife, and 
few persons indeed at her age had gathered around 
them a larger or truer circle of confiding and lov- 
ing hearts; few have ever manifested more of those 
amiable, cheerful qualities which inspire emotions 
of affection in the breasts of those by whom thej' 
are surrounded. Energetic, generous and noble- 
minded, Mrs. Williams was privileged to live in the 
consciousness that she was respected and appreciated 
by all who knew her, while to her devoted husband 
and children she was endeared by a love of the 
purest and most elevated character. Mr. Williams 
was an energetic, industrious citizen, and though 
not a member of any church, he lived closely to the 
precepts of the Golden Rule, until his death, Aug. 
21, 1874. He was a man well known and much 
respected by his neighbors and acquaintances, who 
will ever remember his good qualities, and cherish 
his memory. Their family consisted of two chil- 
dren: Elizabeth, the wife of our subject, and Ed- 
ward, who mariied Charity Dibble. To the latter 
have been born three children — Carrie B..Edna G. 
and John M. Mr. and Mrs. Sprowls have one child 
only, a daughter, Mary, who resides at home with 
her parents. 

In politics, the Democratic partj' can always 
count on a stanch friend and supporter in the per- 
son of Mr. Sprowls, although he is not an office 
seeker in any sense of the term. He and his esti- 
mable wife are highly esteemed and respected by all 
who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. 



^l^p'RANK M. GIER, M. D., an enterprising 
ilpflfei and successful young physician of Pittsford 
^ "" Township, was born in Ransom Townshi[), 
this county, on the 8th of January, 1859, and is 
the eldest son of Henry W. Gier, a well-known 
resident of this county. The latter, a native of the 
Buckeye State, was born in Medina County, and 
was the son of Henry Gier, Sr., a native of Phila- 
delphia, Pa., and one of the pioneers of Ohio. He 



there cleared a farm, where he lived the greater 
part of his life, but came to Michigan finally', and 
with his estimable wife spent his last days among 
his children here. 

The father of our subject catne to this county 
when a young man, and settled in Ransom Town- 
ship. He had learned the trade of a carpenter, 
which he followed here for a time, but soon pur- 
chased a farm near the village, which he occupied 
and cultivated until about 1860. He then took up 
his residence in Spencer, Medina County, but in 
1863 returned to his farm in Ransom. In 1864, 
during the progress of the Rebellion, he enlisted as 
a Union soldier in Company I, 11th Michigan 
Infantry, and served a few months, when he was 
taken ill, confined in the hospital, and finally dis- 
charged on account of disability. He did not 
regain his health until about three years afterward. 
He then resumed work at his trade, and in 1872 
removed to the village of Allen, but four j'ears 
later returned to Ransom, where he farmed three 
years, then sold out and removed to Quincy, in 
Branch County. Two years later he sold his prop- 
erty there and invested in a stock of furniture, 
but after two years came to Pittsford, where he 
continued in the furniture business until December, 
1887. His store was then destroyed by fire and he 
has not again resumed. He still makes his residence 
here, together with his excellent wife, who in her 
girlhood was Miss Lydia A. Halleck. She was born 
in the State of New York, and is the daughter of 
Israel and Laura Halleck, natives of Ohio and New 
York State respectively, and long since deceased. 

The parental household of our subject included 
four sons, three of whom are now residents of 
Hillsdale County: Will H. is a dentist in Los 
Angeles, Cal. Frank M., at the age of nineteen, 
having received a good education, commenced 
teaching, in which he was employed three terms. 
He then took up the study of medicine in the office 
of Dr. Bates, of Ransom, then became the pupil of 
Dr. H. Wood, of Quincy. Later he attended medi- 
cal lectures in the State University at Ann Arbor, 
from which he was graduated in June, 1884. He 
practiced with Dr. Bates for a short lime in Ransom, 
and then in April, 1885, located in Pittsford. He 
belongs to the Southern Michigan Medical Asso- 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



I 



G9o 



elation, anrl socially, is a member of Leonard Lodge 
No. 2GC, A. F. & A. M., of Waldron; Camp No. 85, 
Sons of Veterans, antl is Surgeon of tlie Michigan 
Division of tlie order. He has distanced some of 
the older competitors in his profession, and the out- 
look is fair for a prosperous future. 



EDWIN FOUST came to liis present farm of 
forty-eight acres, on section 19 in Jefferson 
; Township, in 1870. Upon the theory of 

Horace Greeley, that a moderate amount of land 
well cultivated is more desirable than a large extent 
partially neglected, he has labored with most excel- 
lent results. In addition to tiie raising of the 
cereals and vegetables for his househohl use he has 
given considerable attention to the breeding of 
live stock, and has been finely prospered, besides 
having one of the neatest and most attractive 
homesteads in the township. As a member of the 
community ho is held in high res|)ect, having 
proveil himself a first-class citizen, and without 
openly professing Christianity has endeavored to 
do unto others as he would that they should do 
unto hini. 

Our subject, who is in the prime of life, was born 
in Morrow County. Ohio, Oct. 22, 1840. His par- 
ents, Samuel and Cynthia (Cutler) Foust, were 
natives respectively of Ohio and Vermont, the 
fatlier having been born in Delaware County, Oct. 
5, 181o. He also followed farming and merchan- 
dising to some extent, besides owning anil operat- 
ing a potash and pearlash f.-ictory. He left the 
Buckeye State in IHoS, and coming to Michigan 
purchased land, a |)art of which lay in Cambria and 
a part in Jefferson Township, and which now be- 
longs to our subject. 

The parental household included twelve children, 
eight ()f whom are living, three in Michigan and 
five in Ohio. Samuel Foust endorsed Republican 
principles after the organization of that parly, and 
in religious views was a Baptist. He cast iiis last 
vote in the fall of 1887, and died Jan. 14, 188,S, in 
AVilliams Countj'. Ohio, to which he had returned 
to live in 1873. The mother is also deceased. 

The boyhood and youtii of Edwin Foust were 



■<»■ 



spent mostly at his father's farm, and he received a 
common-school education. He commenced life for 
himself ujion reaching his mnjority, and was mar- 
ried when past the thirty-third year of his age, Dec. 
1, 1873, to Aliss Elizabeth Cope, who was born 
April 30, 1840, in Marion County, Ohio, and is the 
daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Cope. After his 
marriage he worked his father's farm seven years, 
and in 1870 purchased twenty acres, and subse- 
quently added to his real estate by the further pur- 
chase of twenty acres. He is the father of two 
children only: His daughter Etta, who was born 
Jan. 8, 18G5, was married to John Watkins, a- well- 
to-do farmer of Jefferson Township, and they have 
one child; the son, Judson, was born July 2G, 1875, 
and is now taking a course of study in the Mont- 
pelier (Ohio) graded school. 

Mr. Foust, like his father, is a Republican, politi- 
cally, and is one of those upright and straightfor- 
ward citizens who universally command respect 
among their neighbms. 



Robert B. CARRUTHERS,jR.,anenterpris- 

^ ing young farmer of Woodbridge Township, 
is operating ninety-two acies of land on 
section 8. He w:is born in this township, 
June 7. 18.t8, and has since resided here, being 
consequently known to a majority of its |)eople,and 
h.as pursued that coiu'se in life which has gained him 
their respect and confidence. 

The parents of our subject, Robert, Sr.. and 
Helen (Boyle) Carruthers, were natives of Scotland, 
and came to the United .states before their mar- 
riage, becoming residents of Cleveland. Ohio, where 
they were made one in the year 1853. The mother 
died in December, 1870, in Woodbridge Township. 
The father subsequently married Miss Jennie Mc- 
Dougall, and is living in Woodbiidge. By the first 
marriage of Robert Carruthers there were born six 
children, three now living. 

The subject of tiiis sketch acquired a common- 
school educati<.)n, and engaged in farming pursuits, 
choosing these for his vocation in life. When not 
quite twenty-four years of age, he was married, 
Feb. 12, 1882, at Frontier, in Woodbridge Town- 




-i- 



696 



HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



*t 



ship, to Miss Almina F. Boals. Mrs. Carnithprs 
was bciin in Richland County, Ohio. June 14.1859, 
and is tho daughter of John and Sarah (PLTrt) 
Boals, natives respectively' of Pennsj"lvania and 
Ohio. Mr. Boals was born in 1799, was a farmer 
by occupation, a member of the Baptist Church, 
and a Democrat in politics. The psirents were mar- 
ried in Ohio in 1840, and the fatiier departed this 
life at his home in Woodbridge Township, Feb. 4, 
1867. 

The mother of Mrs. Carruthers was born Aug. 
19, 1815, is still living and remains a widow, mak- 
ing her home with our subject. She, like her hus- 
band, is a member of the Baptist Church. Of their 
eleven children the record is as follows: Elijah died 
while in the Union army; Mary is the wife of John 
T. Brayman; Elizabeth, Mrs. James McDougall, 
lives in Woodbridge Township; John, of Amboj' 
Township, married Miss Louisa Phillips; Sarah J. 
died when about nineteen years old ; Charles died 
in early manhood; Emiey married Ollie Noaker; 
Mrs. Carruthers was the youngest of the family-. 
The others died in infancy unnamed. 

Mr. Carruthers has forty acres of land in his 
home farm and forty acres in Cambria Township. 
His family is composed of himself and wife; they 
have no children. Their surroundings are tasteful 
and embrace all the comforts of life, and as a far- 
mer our subject understands his business thor- 
oughly. Politically, he is a zealous Republican, and 
lias officiated as Township Treasurer one year. He 
and his estimable wife are members of the United 
Brethren Church, at Frontier, and Mr. C, especially, 
is interested in Sunday-school work. He has many 
friends, and is building up for himself a good 
record. 



\f RA B. CARD, Postmastei of Hillsdale, a success- 
ful merchant, and an active member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as 
minister, is discharging the various duties that de- 
volve upon him in a praiseworthy manner, with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to the communitj-. 
A man of fair education, and more than ordinary 
intelligence and business capacities, he ranks among 
the leading men of this county. He was a stanch 



Union roan during the late war, and since becoming 
a voting citizen has firmly adhered to the general 
principles of the Democratic party. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Yates 
County. N. Y., Dec. 6,1824. His father, Potter 
Gardner Card, was born in Rhode Island in the 
early part of the nineteenth century, and was the 
son of Job Card, also of Rhode Island, and who 
officiated asa Captain during the Revolutionary War. 
lie made a brave and courageous soldier, delighted 
in harassing the enemy, and in company with three 
others effected the capture of Gen. Gale Proctor, 
chasing him through the cornfield in his night 
clothes. The paternal grandfather married Miss 
Martha Potter, and both lived to a ripe old age, 
spending their last days in Yates County, N. Y. 
The Card family is of English ancestry, and uni- 
formly people who were well-to-do and upright 
citizens. 

The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss AnnaE. Andredge, was a native of Swit- 
zerland, and came to this country with her parents 
when young. Her father, a minister of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Cluirch, was murdered while cross- 
ing the St. Lawrence River, and his body was 
put under the ice, and never recovered. After 
their marriage the parents of our subject took 
u\) their abode in Yates County, N. Y., where the 
father carried on farming until 1837. Then, re- 
solved upon a change of location, he came with his 
family to the Territory of Michigan, and first set- 
tletl on a tract of land in Cambria Township, this 
county. From this he built up a good homestead, 
where he lived until resting from hisearthly labors, 
in Fcbruarj', 1854. The mother survived her hus- 
band for a period of twenty-two years, remaining a 
widow, and entered upon her rest in the winter of 
1876. The live cliildren of the parental household 
are all living: Job, the eldest, is in Cambria, Hills- 
dale County; Ira B., our subject, was the second 
born; George P. is in Cambria; William H. is a 
retired banker at Laingsburg, Shiawassee County, 
this State; Mary E. is the wife of Pardon D. II. 
Willetts, a well-to-do farmer of Reading Township, 
on the west line of the county. 

Mr. Card was a lad of thirteen years when he 
came with his parents to this county, and here he 



-^•■ 






M^ 



a 



HILLSDALE COUMY. 



697 



pursued his studies in the district seliuoi, mostly 
during the winter season, until reaching lii.s miijor- 
ity. Then, desiring a better education, he entered 
Albion College, and studied one term, after which 
he rotuined to the farm and worked with his father 
until the spring of 180.'3. lie novv felt that .igri- 
culture was not entirely his element, and taking up 
his residence in Hillsdale, purchased a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise, and since that time has been 
engaged in trjide, building up a fine patronage, and 
becoming popular with the people. In 1871 he 
was elected Mayor of the city, and the following 
year re-elected. Under his administration occurred 
the great Chicago fire, and he was entrusted with 
the resijonsibility of sending out the first supplies 
from this part of the county to the stricken cit3'. 
Under his supervision several carloads of provisions 
were got together in short order, and started in 
good shape, ftlr. Card has filled all the local offices 
of his township, serving as Trustee for many years, 
and otherwise identifying himself with the welfare 
of the people. In 1878 he was a candidate on 
the Democratic ticket for Congress, receiving over 
9,000 votes, while the Greenback ticket received 
7,000, and the Republican candidate 11,000. 

Our subject was appointed Postmaster of Hills- 
dale in the latter part of 188G, his commission dat- 
ing Jan. 20, 1887. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Gen. Lewis Cass, and during the Rebellion 
wasactj^-e in dissieminating Union principles, while 
at the same time no man was more industrious in 
assisting to gather supplies both of food and cloth- 
ing for the Union soldiers. For a period of eighteen 
years he has lieen one of the pillars of the IMeth- 
odist Kpiscopal Church, and in the pulpit was fluent 
of speech and m.aster of the arguments which carry 
with them both reason and conviction. He served 
two years as President of the Hillsdale Agricultural 
Society, and socially, belongs to the A. F. & A. M., 
at Hillsdale. He assisted in the organization of the 
first State Hank of Hillsdale, of which he is still a Di- 
rector, and officiates as President of the AJichigan 
Mutual Pencfit Association, of Hillsdale, which was 
organized in 1K79, and is one of the solid institu- 
tions of the city. These are but a few of the enter- 
prises to which he has lent his aid and encoura<'e- 



ment. and which had for tlu-ir ol)ject the growth 
and development of Hillsdale County. 

The marriage of Ira B. Card and Mrs. Hannah 
M. Hicks w.as celebrated at the home of the bride 
in Cambria, in Decemljer. 1851. This lady died May 
22, 18.53, leaving no children. His present wife, 
to whom he w.as married in 1855, was fornierl}' 
Miss Mary J. Allen, of Washtenaw Count3% who 
was born in November, 1824, and is the daughter of 
Arnold and Lucy Allen. The parents of Mrs. Card 
were natives of New York, and are now deceased. 
She is a lady of good education, well fitted for the 
position which she occupies as the wife of a promi- 
nent citizen, and presides over their home with 
grace and dignity. Of this union there were born 
three children, of whom oidyone is living, namely: 
Minnie M., the wife of Waller li. Branch, the pres- 
ent Register of Deeds, of Hillsdale County. 



-vtecfix©^^ 



■f^i^yinyv*^ 



<^l IfelLLIAM LICKLY. sqon after his marriage, 
\jj/i ill 1859, settled upon a part of his father's 
W^ old horaeste.ad in Wright Township, which 
he now owns and occupies. Since that time he has 
given to it his best efforts, carefully cultivating the 
soil and erecting substantial luiildings The labor of 
building has been performed largely' by his own 
hands, as he is a natural mechanic of much skill and 
taste. This, it is hardly necessary to say, has saved 
him hundreds of dollars, while at the same time he 
has the satisfaction of knowing that his work is well 
done. 

A native of Erie County, N. Y., our subject was 
born on the Gth of December, 18.'31. His father, 
John M. Lickly, was l)orn in Putnam County, that 
State, and his grandfather, James Lickly. was a 
native of Scotland. The latter removed to Putnam 
County earl}' in life, where his son John M. devel- 
oped into manhood and whence, upon starting out 
for himself, he removed to Erie County. There he 
cultivated a tract of rented land and resided until 
1836. In the sjjring of that year he made his way 
to the Territory of AHchigan, and i)urchiised a quar- 
ter-section of land from the Government in Wright 
Township. Here he created a log house partly* 
covered with liark and partly with shakes, and in the 



>► P .^. 



-4•- 

698 



HILLSDAL?: COUNTY, 



fall of that year went back to New York State for 
his family. They retmiied in September, making 
the journey via the lake to Toledo, and there hired 
a team to take them overland to their future home. 

The family, upon their arrival in Wright Town- 
ship, established tliemi^elves in the new house, the 
chimney of which was constructed of dirt and sticks, 
and the fireplace occupied a large portion of one 
end of the structure. The mother, as usual with 
the pioneer women, did her cooking by the open 
fireplace, and was also skilled in the use of the spin- 
ning-wheel and loom. The spinning-wiieel they 
had brought with them from New York, and the 
mother manufactured from wool and flax all the 
cloth required for years by her family. Deer, wild 
turkej^s and other game were plentiful, and the 
family larder never lacked for choice fresh meats. 
Wolves also prowled through the foiest and fre- 
quently made night hideous. 

For many years the father of our subject could 
not afford a team of horses and was obliged to de- 
l)end upon oxen to do his farming, marketing and 
milling. Soon after their arrival the family' found 
themselves out of breadstuffs, and the father started 
with his oxen in search of grain. He traveled 
nearly to Tecumseh before finding any for sale, and 
by the time he had taken it to mill and returned 
home with the meal, nine days had elapsed, during 
which time the family had been living on potatoes, 
and had but few of these left when the father 
returned. They remembered for many a day how 
sweet was the biscuit which the mother made upon 
that occasion, and how glad they all were to be able 
to sit down to a square meal. The father lived to 
improve a good farm and to see his children com- 
fortably settled in homes of their own. He con- 
tinued at the old homestead until his death, which 
occurred in August, 1885. The mother had died 
in middle life, in 1848, when her son William, of 
our sketch, was a youth of seventeen j'ears. 

The parental household of our subject included 
fourteen children, twelve of whom lived to mature 
j-ears and seven of whom are now living. William 
was the ninth child, and was four years of age when 
the family emigrated to this county. He acquired 
his education in the pioneer school, which was con- 
ducted in a log house, constructed similarly to their 



dwelling, and with home-made furniture. When 
not in school he assisted his father on the farm, but 
upon reaching his majority decided to learn the 
carpenter's trade, which he worked at thereafter some 
of the time each season for many years. He chose 
for his bride Miss Melvina Barber, daughter of 
Homan and Harriet Newell (Mason) Barber, pio- 
neers of this county. The wedding tojk place 
in Wright Township on the 6th of December, 
1850. Mrs. Lickly was born in the town of Spaf- 
ford, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 12, 1840. Of her 
union with our subject there were born three chil- 
dren — llattie L., Albert W. and Ralph M. They 
are now residents of Wright Township. Mr. Lickly 
is a stanch Democrat, politicall3', with strong tem- 
perance principles, and witli his estimable wife is 
a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. 



♦Hh^- 



Vwj AMKS H. PULVER is the senior member of 
I the tirm of J. H. Pulver & Son, coal dealers 
of .loucsville. His father is a native of New 
^(^&/J York, where he was born in Pine Plains, 
Dutchess County, while his mother, who in her girl- 
hood was Miss LeFurgy, was a native of Hastings, 
Winchester Co., N. Y. After marriage they settled 
in Yonkcrs, in the Empire State, where they re- 
mained until their demise. 

The parental family of our subject included six 
daughters and four sons, of whom James Hf was the 
eighth child in order of birth. He was born in 
Yonkers, N. Y., July 7, 1836, and was reared at 
the homestead, engaged in agricultural occupations, 
and pursuing his studies in the common schools, until 
he was nineteen ^ears of age. He then learned the 
carpenter's trade, at which he spent an apprentice- 
ship of two years, and then engaged in business for 
himself, contracting and building from 1861 to 
1876, in the place of his birth. In the latter year 
he came to this county and bought a farm in Fay- 
ette Township, known as the old Scott farm, where 
he lived nine years, and then came to Joncsville, in 
the fall of 1886, and bought out the coal business 
of Tiffany Bros., which he has since conducted. 

Our subject was united in marriage in Green- 
burg, Westchester Co., N. Y., in April, 1860, with 



/ 

t 



L.. 



HILLSDALE COUATY. 



-•► 



699 






Miss Mar}' M. LeFiirgy, who was born in that 
coinitj'. To Mr. and Mrs. I'lilver were born three 
children: Silvia B., Elmer E. and one child, Willie, 
deceased. The parents of Mrs. Pulver were John 
and Elizabeth LeFurgy. 

Mr. Pulver has been Highway Commissioner for 
two years, and discharged the duties of his office in 
a satisfactory manner. He is also a member of the 
American Legion of Honor, and belongs to the I. 
O. O. F. In politics he stands identified with the 
Ucpublican party, and in religion his estimable wife 
is a member of the Baptist Church, in Jonesville. 

^^LFRED SMALL is one of the most active 
(@^Jj! and enterprising farmers of Camden 'J'own- 
ship, and his farm on section 9 is one of 
the best managed and most productive in 
this region of valuable farms. He is an Englishman 
by birth, but his parents left his and their native 
isle when he was three years old, and came to 
America, since which time he has known no other 
home. He was born Oct. 31, 1849, being a son of 
Charles and Louisa Small. In 1)H.53 they conceived 
that they could better their condition by emigration 
to the United States, and ace jrdiugly embarked at 
London on a vessel bound for New York, which 
port they reached after an ocean voyage of eight 
weeks. After their arrival in this country, they set- 
tled in Otsego Countj', N. Y., where the father was 
industriously engaged in farming. In lbC4 they 
migrated with their children to Lenawee Countj', 
Mich., where they remaiiicd until 18(!7. In that 
j'ear Mr. and Mrs. Small removed with their family 
to Camden Township, and here the father departed 
this life Dec. 29, 1871, sincerely respected and 
lamented by all who knew him. The mother of 
our subject is living, at the venerable age of eighty- 
five, and is said to be the oldest inhabitant in Cam- 
den Township. Of her marriage fourteen children 
wei'c born, of whom the following are living; 
Alfred, George, Eilwin, James. Herbert, Henry, 
Thomas, Louisa, Sarah and Amelia. 

The suliject of this sketch was reared on a farm, 
and gained a thorough knowledge of the best 
methods of conducting agricultural [jursuits to a 



successful issue, his father having been a practical, 
able farmer. Thus early imbibing a taste for farm- 
ing, he naturally decided to adopt it for his life 
work. When he was fourteen years old, his parents, 
as before mentioned, left the State where his first 
years were passed in this country, and came to 
Michigan and settled in Lenawee County, whence 
thej' removed a few years later to this township, 
and here he grew from boyhood to manhood. He 
received a fair education in the district schools of 
New York and Michigan, and when about twenty 
3'ears of age began working in the employ of E. 
T. Chester, receiving as compensation for his serv- 
ices ^22 a month, for a year and a half. 

The marriage of Mr. Small with Miss Triphene 
Blair, daughter of Andrew Blair, of Camden Town- 
ship, was celebrated in November, 187.5, and of 
this union have been born three children, as fol- 
lows: Orval A., born May 13, 1876; Ethel S.. Nov. 
21, 1880; Edith L.. Oct. 17, 1884. 

Although our subject is a comparatively young 
man, he has by his energetic and persevering labors 
become the possessor of a fine farm, comprising 131 
acres of arable land, on which he has a neat and 
comfortable set of buildings, and the necessary ap- 
pliances for carrying on agriculture. He is a man 
of decided character, and of keen judgment, and his 
life is guided by sound princijjles and good habits. 
He heartily supports every measure that he thinks 
will in any way contribute to the social or material 
advancement of this township, and while serving 
for three years as School Director, did what he 
could to aid the cause of education. In politics he 
Is a firm advocate of the Republican i>arty. 

<| IftALTERR. JONES. The subject of the fol- 
\rJl lowing notice owns a good farm of eighty 
'^^ acres on section 4, Allen Township, and is 
a native of this county, having been born in Litch- 
field Township on the 6th of June, 1849. From 
earlj' boyhood he h.asbeen familiar with agricultural 
pursuits, which he has followed continuoush' with 
the exception of the brief lime required to complete 
his education in the common schools. 

Mr. Jones is the only son of his parents, their 




u 



-•► 



700 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



t 



other cliildren being five daughters, all of whom are 
liviiii; :in(l residents of Michigan. His father, Gid- 
eon M. Jones, was horn in Eoehestei-, N. Y., and 
the mother, who in her girlhooil was Miss Samantha 
A. Spencer, also a native of that State, was born in 
Ontario County. They came to the West very soon 
after their marriage, settling in Litchfield Town- 
ship, this county, where they lived several jears. 
then removed to Fayette Township, of which they 
were residents for a period of sixteen years. At 
the expiration of this time they took up their abode 
in Alien Township, where the father died in 1876. 
The mother subsequently made her home with her 
daughter in Jonesville, and departed this life Sept. 
9, 1887. 

The marriage of Walter R. Jones and Miss Eliza 
J. Spencer was celebrated at the home of the bride, 
in the city of Hillsdale, Dec. 20, 1882. Mrs. Jones 
is the daughter of John and Lovina (Babcoek) 
Spencer, who are still living and residents of Ontari(j 
County, N. Y. She ha<l two brothers and five sis- 
ters, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Jones was 
born in Canadice, Ontario Co., N. Y., July 23, 
1853, and came to iMichigan with Goodwin Howard, 
of Allen Township, in 1881. Of her union with 
our subject there is one child oniy, a son, Charles, 
who was born Jan. 28, 1884. Mr. .Jones gives his 
attention mainly to his farming pursuits, and his 
family, but at the general elections takes time to 
east his vote with the solid Rei)ublicans of Hillsdale 
County. 



\il UCIAN B. COM AN is actively engaged in 
fainiing near the old homestead, vvhich was 
his birthplace. The Coman family were the 
original settleis of Wright Township, and its early 
history is indissolubly linked with their name, Rus- 
sell Coman, the uncle of our suliject, having erected 
the first house here, and his father having been one 
of the first to enter land here, on which he after- 
ward made his home. As a sturdy representative 
of the family in this generation, we are pleased 
herewith to place in this Album a sketch of the gen- 
tleman whose name stands at the head of this biog- 
raphy. He is descended from a worthy Massa- 
chusetts ancestry. His grandfather, Samuel Coman, 

4 * 




was born in the old Bay State, and being left an 
orphan at an early age, was bouml out to Gen. 
Towne, and lived with him until he was twenty- 
one. IJe married Lydia Palmer, who was born in 
Leydon, Mass. About the year 1800 he left his 
native State, and took up his abode in the wilds of 
Madison County, N. Y., and is honorably men- 
tioned in the history of that county as one of its 
early settlers. He bought a tract of timbered land 
and improved a good farm, on which he and his 
family lived until 1835. In the fall of that 3'ear he 
sold his place there, having determined once again 
to become a pioneer, and started for the Territory 
of Michigan, having been attracted hither by en- 
thusiastic descriptions of the lovely scenery and 
wonderful fertility of the southern part of the Ter- 
ritory, which had not man3' years before been 
opened up for settlement. He came b3' way of 
those great highways of the pioneer, Erie Canal and 
Lake Erie to Toledo, and thence on foot across the 
famous Bean Creek Valley, to the township of 
Wright, whose dense forest solitudes had not been 
broken by the ax of the pioneer. He was accom- 
panied by his son-in-lav, I'almer Hall, and Hiram 
Lucas, and Calvin Pixley, the first settler of Medina, 
Lenawee County, who acted as their guide. There 
was an Indian village at the head of Lime Lake, 
and its inhabitants being away, they occupied some 
of the vacant wigwams one night. Mr. Coman 
selected 610 acres of land on sections 15 and 22, 
and then walked to Monroe to enter the land at the 
Government office. He then went back to New 
York State to spend the winter, and in May, 1836, 
started on his return to his future home, accom- 
panied by his family, and finally arrived here in 
June, and made their home with theirson Russell un- 
til another house could be built, the boys sleeping 
in the wagon. The said Russell had arrived here 
with his family frou> Indiana in the winter of 1835, 
and had erected on the land on section 15 the first 
house in the settlement, into which he had moved 
before the year 1836 opened; it was the typical 
habitation of the pit)neer, a log cabin covered with 
shakes and a puncheon floor. Mr. Coman had soon 
finished a similar structure on the southeast part of 
the southeast quarter of section 15. He and his 
•rood wife were valued citizens of Wright Township 



^^►:lh-^ 



■t* 



HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



,0. i\ 



until their ilealh, on tlie oKl homestead. Mr. Coman 
bore ail honoraMe part in developing the resources 
of Hillsdale County, and his memory is justly re- 
vered. To him and his wife were born thirteen chil- 
dren, all of whom grew to maturity, and were 
married, with the exception of one son, none of 
thorn ever marrying a second time. He divided his 
land among his children, leaving them besides tiie 
heritage of a good name, iiis son Francis gave up 
his life for his country, having enlisted in tiie loth 
Michigan Infantr3', and dying in the service. 

His son Curtis, father of our subject, was born 
in the town of Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., July 
IG, 1804, and was reared in his native countj'. 
When in liis teens he commenced to learn the trade 
of chair-maker, and after he grew to manhood he 
bought a place in the village of Morrisville, where 
he carried on the manufacture of chairs very profit- 
ably for some j'ears. He married Miss Diana Lyons, 
who was born in Colerain, Franklin Co., Mass., 
May 7, 1809. Her father, Jesse Lyons, was born 
in Amherst, Mass. He owned a farm in Colerain, 
and also a cabinet-maker's shop, where he followed 
his trade as cabinet-jnaker a part of the time. He 
married Abigail Ransom, and they continued to re- 
side on the home farm in Colerain until death. 

In the spring of 1836, the parents of our subject 
accompanied the father and other members of the 
famil}- to the Territory of Michigan, and Mr. 
Coman settled on land his father had previously 
taken up, the east half of the southeast quarter 
of section I't. He built a log cabin, covered with 
shakes, and split and hewed the boards for a floor, 
and constructed a chimney of dirt and sticks. The 
first chairs that they had in this cabin were of the 
most primitive sort, and were made bj' splitting the 
logs and hewing the first surface, and inserting three 
legs. Mr. Coman was soon busily om|)loyed in 
clearing away the dense forest growth that covered 
bis 80-scre tract of land, and by j-ears of patient 
toil he developed it into one of the finest farms in 
a region celebrated for its agricultural resources. 
He erected neat and commodious buildings, and 
there were n)any other indications of thrift and 
good management on the part of the owner. While 
accumulating a comfortable property during his 
residence liere of nearly fifty years, he materially 

4* 



assisted in promoting the growth of Hillsdale County, 
and took a just pride in the honorable position that 
it has attained among its sister counties in this grand 
commonwealth. He was a man of more than ordi- 
nary shrewdness and sagacity, and in his death, 
Sept. 11, 1885, Wright Township lost a citizen 
whose life record was that of an upright and honor- 
able man, without blemish. He was for many years 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
but during the last part of his life he became identi- 
fied with the Congregational Church, of which he 
was one of the earliest anil most prominent mem- 
bers. For some time after Mr. Coman settled here, 
Adrian was the nearest point for market, and he 
used to team his wheat there, and sometimes sold it 
at fifty cents a bushel. Those early years were 
fraught with many [)rivations and hard struggles 
for the brave, patient pioneers of this State, and 
they were also a time of great financial distress. 
"Wild cat" money was plentiful then, and at times, 
being afraid that the bank which issued the money 
that he got in payment for his produce, might fail 
before he reached home, Mr. Coman would ex- 
change the money for lumber or for articles that 
might 4je needed at home. Mrs. Coman, the vener- 
able mother of our subject, is living on the old 
homestead in the comfortable dwelling that her hus- 
band had erected. During their long married life 
she was ever a ready helper and vvise counselor to 
her husband, and he was greatly indebteil to her for 
his success in life. She is a valued member of the 
Congregational Church. She is the mother of two 
chihlren living, and three dead: Helen, the wife of 
George Hawcroft, of Kalamazoo, and Lucian B. 

The latter, who is the subject of this sketch, was 
born on the old homestead. Ma}" 26, 1847, and was 
reared and educated in this, his native township. 
He attended the pioneer schools, and assisted in the 
farm work, and grew to be a manly, self-reliant, 
helpful lad, which traits, with the careful training in 
the duties of life that he received from his good 
parents, have developed him into a valued and use- 
ful citizen. He remained with his parents until 
three y^ars after his marriage, and then settled on 
his present farm, joining the old homestead. He is 
enterprising, and possesses much sound judgment, 
and his successful management of his farm, which 



i 



-<•- 



ro2 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



I 



is under an admirahle state of culture, lias given 
iiim an ass-ured position among the jirominent agrj- 
ciiltinists of this locality. To the amiable wife, 
who presides so pleasantly over their cosj' home, 
he was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1871. Her 
maiden name w.ts Annie A. Forrister, a daughter of 
•James Forrister, and she was born in Monroe County, 
Mich., Jan. 1, 1852. Of this union two children 
h.ive been born — Ida J. and Glen Lucian. In 
pc>litics he is a Democrat. On the home place they 
still have the old mill that was brought to this 
township by Curtis Coman when he first settled 
here. 

ff^ HARLES R. CORYELL is a fine reprcsenta- 
fll^L tive of the prosperous Hillsdale County 
^^^ agriculturist, and is pleasantly located on 
section 1, Allen Township, where he devotes his 
attention to general farming and fruit-raising, in 
which industry he is very niucli interested and has 
met with good success. He is a genial and well- 
informed man, with whom it is a pleasure to con- 
verse, as he keeps himself well posted on the affairs 
of the day, and communicates his ideas clearly and 
modestly. 

The father of our subject, George Coryell, was 
born in New Jersey, while the mother, Eliza Sher- 
wood, was a native of Steuben County, N. Y. Tbey 
first settled in L'rbana, Steuben Count}', and after- 
ward removed to Livingston County, in the same 
State, where they lived in Mt. Morris until 1848. 
when they came to Oakland County, Mich. After 
a residence of one year thej' removed to Lapeer 
County, where they resided until their decease. 
Their family included five sons au<l an equal num- 
ber of daughters, of whom our subject was the third 
child in order of birth. 

Charles R. Corj'ell was born in Urbana, in the 
Empire State, Jan. 19, 1825, and receiving a good 
education, was qualified at the age of eighteen years 
to engage in the profession of school teaching, 
which he followed over four years. He was not 
satisfied with the fund of information he had re- 
ceived in )-outh, so he continued to prosecute his 
studies privately, his ardent desire for knowledge 
driving him on to the surmounting of obstacles 

-<• 



which have made man}' students, working under 
more favoralilc circumstances, succumb. He gave 
close attention to his l>of)ks as C)pportunit3' offered, 
.and subsequently attended for two years at the 
State Normal School in Albany, N. Y., where he 
was graduated in 1848. One year later he started 
for the boundless West, and located first in Wa- 
bash. Ind., wjiere he engaged in his profession until 
the spring of 1852, when he went to Minnesota, and 
was appointed County Survej'or by Gov. Gorm.an. 
That part of the country had not been surveyed, and 
the tract of which Mr. Coryell had the supervision 
comprised a very laige area, including the southern 
part of Minnesota and also a portion of what is 
now Dakota Territ(jry. He remained thus engaged 
two years, at which lime his appointment ex[)ired, 
and though he was re-elected for another period of 
two years, he did not accept the tjfHce. He then 
returned to Wabash, Ind., with the intention of 
teaching, but he changed his mind and engaged as 
book-keeper for H. Hanna & Co.. who were exten- 
sive operators in difi'ercnt lines of business. He 
remained thus employed for two years, after which, 
in company with his uncle, R. Helm, under the firm 
name of Coryell <k Helm, he succeedeil the firm of 
H. Hanna & Co., in the warehouse and shipping 
business. At the end of two j'ears this partnership 
was dissolved, and Mr. Coryell came to Hillsdale 
County, in the tall of 1857, and purchased the 
farm owned by James Armstrong, on section 1, 
where he has continued to make his residence, en- 
gaged in dairying, in addition to hisgeneral farming. 
This farm consists of 120 acres of well-improved 
land, provided with commodious buildings and ma- 
chinery suitable for carrying on his operations after 
the n)osl approved methods. In addition to his 
work on this farm he has been engaged in teach- 
ing in Allen and Litchfield Townships, altogether 
about two years. In 1872 he was appointed County 
Superintendent of Schools, and |)reviously to that 
he was School Inspector in Allen Township. He 
has served in these two capacities many years, for 
which he was well qualified by reason of experience 
and education; he has also held the office of Justice 
of the Peace. 

Mr. Cor3ell was united in marriage in Allen 
Township, at the residence of the bride, March 29, 




-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



703 , , 



1854, witli Jliss Diana A., daugliter of James anrl 
Mary (Scahriiiji) ArmstiDiifr, who came from Sen- 
eca County, N. Y., to Bellevue. Oliio, and thence 
to Hillsdale County in 1)S-1<H, and settlc(1 in Allen 
Township, which they made their home until their 
death. 'J'lieir family consisted of four sons and 
three daughters, of wliom Mrs. Coryell, the sixth 
in order of birth, was horn in Yates County, N. \. 
Her union with our subject restdted in the birth of 
five children, recorded as follows: Minnie is the 
wife of Uarrj- Knimons, of Detroit; Kolla J. is a 
graduate of the Michigan Agricultural College; 
George Bert is deceased; Addie K. and Fred G. 
The mother of these cliihlren died at her home in 
Allen Township, Feb. 14, 1879. 

Mr. Coryell has been one of the executive com- 
mittee of the Stale Horticultural Society for several 
years, and makes a specialty of fruit-raising. He is 
a consistent temperance man, and fearless in his 
advocacy of his principles. In politics he votes 
the straight llepublican ticket. 

-^ ^^"^ ^^ 



ON. ENOS A. rOMKOY is the son of Levi 
Pomroy, a native of Amherst, Mass., where 
^ lie was born on the 8th of May, 1792. The 
f(^ grandfather of our subject, Simeon Pom- 
roy. was also a native of Massachusetts, and the 
genealogy of the Pomroy family is traced back to 
Gen. Seth Pomroy, of Revolutionar}' fame. The 
mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss 
EInora Ganiard, who was born in Bristol, Ontario 
Co.. N. Y., Aug. 28, 1798, and was the daughter of 
Peter Ganiard. who was a native of Connecticut. 
Her grandfather, also Peter Ganiard, and his brother 
James, emigrated from the city of La Fleche, France, 
to the island of Hispaniola, one of the West India 
group. Peter Ganiard subsequently emigrated to 
Connecticut, while his brother James was killed at 
the insurrection which took place on that island. 

The parents of our subject marrie<l and settled in 
Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., March 7, ISlti. The 
father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and here 
he plied his vocation until 1840, when he removed 
with his family to the vicinity of Rochester, N. Y., 
where they resided until 1844, and then migrating 



*» II ^« 



to Michigan, settled on section 12, Allen Township, 
Hillsdale Ccninty. On their arrival in Michigan 
the household included two children, both sons. In 
1851 the [larents removed fiom Allen to Litclifield 
Township, where the mother died Dec. 18, 1874, 
while the father died at the residence of his son, 
Enos A., Oct. 27. 1887, when he had attained the 
ripe old age of ninety-five years. 

The parental household of our subject included 
seven children — Simeon G., Nanej- L., Eluora A., 
Jesse L.. Enos A., Mary A. and Hanson S. Mary 
and Hanson died when quite young; Simeon is liv- 
ing a retired life in LeUoy. Osceola Co., Mich.; 
Nancy L. is the wife of A. II. French, of Ontario 
County, N. Y. ; EInora became the wife of John 
Bellamy, and died in Hillsdale Township, this 
county, Oct. 11. 1851, and Jesse L. is farming in 
Allen Township. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Bristol, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., March 16, 1832, and was twelve 
3'ears old when he came with his parents to this 
county. His education was obtained in the common 
schools of his native State and Michigan, and after 
coming here he devoted most of his time to agri- 
cultural pursuits until the spring of 1885. In 1851 
he bought a tract of 145 .acres of land on section 
32, Litchfield Township, where he lived until 1885. 
In 1883 Mr. Pomroy bought a half interest in the 
mills known as the Genesee Roller Mills, the capac- 
ity being 100 barrels per day. The group also 
includes a sawmill. 

Mr. Pomroy was married in Litchfield Township, 
Aug. 28, 1853, to Miss Diana H., daughter of 
James and Agnes M. (Clements) Williamson, of 
Scotch and English ancestry respectively. It is 
supposed the}' emigrated to America from Wales 
in 1820. The father, James Williamson, was born 
Julv 4. 1797, while his wife wjis born on the 28th 
of August, 1795, and they were married in England, 
Jan. 21, 1819. Upon their arrival in the United 
St,'ites they settled in Philadelphia, Pa., where they 
remained until 1824, and then removed toMendon, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., where they continued to live 
until the spring of 1837, when they came to Michi- 
gan, lauding in Detioit. The^- brought with them 
their household effects and stored them in that city 
in a building which took fire, and they lost their 



■•► 



•4^ 
704 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4; 






goods. This so discouraged the father that he al- 
most resolved to return to IS'cw York -State, but he 
concluded to try liis fortune in the West, even under 
those discouraging circumstances. He was a far- 
mer by occupation, and in the spring of 1838 he 
came to Hillsdale Countj- and purchased eighty 
acres of land on section 32, Litchfield Township, 
where he settled with his family, and here the par- 
ents spent the remainder of their lives, his death 
occurring June 21, 1857, and that of his wife 
March G, 1874. The conntrj' was then an almost 
unbroken wilderness, and when we consider the fact 
that Mr. Williamson began without means and with 
a family to support, and in the time he lived there 
.accumulated a comfortable property to leave to his 
descendants, we cannot but honor tbe memory of 
the man who accomplished such results. 

The parental family of Mis. Pomroy consisted 
of nine children, recorded as follows: Rachel died 
when nine montiis old; S.arah L. became the wife of 
Otis Bass, and died in Beloit, Wis., Dec. 30, 1880; 
John is a farmer of Washington Territory ; James 
was also a farmer, and died in Litchfield Township, 
Oct. 23, 1862; Mary J. is the widow of William 
Hedden ; Elizabeth M . was the wife of J. G. Rounds, 
and died in Cambria Township, July 15, 1874; 
Robert C. was a farmer by occupation, and died in 
Litchfield Township. fSept. 17, 1871, while George 
S., who was a clerk by occupation, died in the same 
township, March 29, 1854. Diana H. Williamson 
was born in Mendon, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 27, 
1835. and by her union witii our subject became 
the mothei- of three children, one of whom died in 
infancy. Of the other two, Minnie M. is a school 
teacher and remains .at home, and George S. married 
Miss Cora M. Murdock, and purchasing a half inter- 
est in the Genesee Mills, has since been a partner 
in the firm of E. A. Pomroy & Son. Geoi-ge Pom- 
roy and his wife are the parents of two children — 
Eddevie A. and Hazel M. 

In the fall of 1880 Mr. Pomroy was elected to 
the Legislature over his Democratic and National 
opponents by a plurality of 1,72(5 votes, and served 
during the session of 1881, and the extra session of 
1882. In 1801 Mr. Pomroy was elected Highway 
Commissioner of Litchfield Township, and served 
ten years, while in 1872 lie w.as elected Supervisor, 



and held that office for two ye.ars. In 1876 he was 
again elected Supervisor of Litchfield Township, 
and held the office until he was elected to the Leg- 
islature. He was Chairman on the board during 
1878, and the following year. In the winter of 
1882 the Michigan Millers' Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany was organized at Lansing, and Mr. Pomroy 
has been one of its Directors ever since. 

Hon. Enos Pomroy h.as a fine farm of 145 acres 
in Litchfield Township, upon which he has made 
v.aluable improvements and brought it to a high 
state of cultivation. He has erected thereon a sub- 
stantial and commodious residence, flanked by the 
out-buildings required for the shelter of his stock 
and the storage of his bountiful cr(jps. He and his 
family have enjoyed remarkable health, and Mr. P. 
has the full confidence of all who know liim, as is 
proved by the fact that he has held some of the 
most important offices in the gift of the township 
and county, and that for nineteen j'ears in succes- 
sion he has served tiie people in a public capacity. 
On the occasion of his election to the Legislature 
he received 2,596 votes, while P. S. Sheplierd, the 
Democratic candi<late, received 870, and Jesse 
Smith, the National candidate, 745, thus having a 
majority over both of 981 votes. While in the 
Legislature he served on the Committee on Local 
Taxation and also on the Committee on State 
Prisons at Jackson, and on the Joint Conference 
Committee with the Senate. Socially, Mr. Pomroj' 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His resi- 
dence is near Genesee Mills. 



eHARLES FOUTS, who holds a good position 
among the prominent farmers and stock- 
' holdersof Camden Township, occupies eighty 
acres on section 1, which belongs to his wife, where 
he has a comfortable home, and to which he has 
been giving his undivided attention since the spring 
of 1885. His early home was in the Buckeye State, 
he having been born in Alliens County, April 11, 
1852. 

Simeon and Catherine (Neff) Fonts, the parents 
of our subject, were natives Oi Ohio, and the i)ater- 




IJJLL^iDALE COUNTY. 



705 



iial grandfnllier, Sninuel Fuuts, w:is one of tlio earli- 
est pioiieiMs of Soiilherii Oliio. lie migrated tliere 
at a time wiieii the Indians y^ere troublesome, and 
possesse(i the hardy pioneer si)irit whieli was so es- 
sential to the men of those days. He tilled tlie 
soil and fouy;ht his vvay successfully through life, 
rounding up at a good old age, anil was laid to rest 
within the fort at Marietta. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
three children: Cydnor T., of West Virginia; Mary, 
the wife of M. F. Russell, of Henry County, Ohio, 
and Charles, our subject. The latter was reared to 
manhood in his native county, where he received 
the advant:tges afforded by the district school, and 
has occupied his entire life in farming pursnits. 
Upon the outbreak of the late war his father en- 
listed as a Union soldier in an Ohio regiment, and 
at Harper's Ferry was captured by the troops of 
Stonewall Jackson. He was paroled, however, the 
following day, and at the close of his term of enlist- 
ment returned home in safety to his family. He 
spent his last years in Ohio, dying March 4, 1885. 
The mother died July 4, 1884. 

Mr. Fouts, our subject, was earlj^ in life thrown 
upon his own resources, starting out for himself 
when a lad a little over ten years of age, and work- 
ing two and one-half years for thirty-five cents per 
day. In the meantime at odd spells he employed 
himself at the carpenter's trade together with his 
father. He was married quite late in life, June 20, 
1886, to Mrs. Hannah (Iligley) Cai-penter, widow 
of Orin Carpenter, late of this county, and daughter 
of George and Sally Higley. Mrs. Fouts was born 
in 1844 in Pennsylvania, and came to the West with 
ber husband in 180 1 or 18()2. Her parents were na- 
tives of Penns^dvania, and the father departed this 
life at his home in Wood bridge in 1883. The 
mother is still living, making her home on the home- 
stead in Woodbridge Township. Mrs. Fouts by 
her first marriage became the mother of one child 
only, a daughter, Mary, who is now marrieil and 
lives in Woodbridge Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fouts after their marriage settled 
in Camden Township, where they have since lived. 
Mr. F., politically, votes for the man and not the 
party, and socially, belongs to Lodge No. o5, I. O. 
O. F., at Cambria. 



I^OBFRT LIND.SEY. The career of this 
|L^ gentleman is similar to that of many of the 
/jli\\\ other selfmade men of Hillsdale County, 
wg^ being an illustration of the results of perse- 
vering industry, |)rudent living, and the exercise of 
sound common sense. He commenced in lifedepend- 
ent upon his own resources, and has worked his 
way up to a good |)osition, socially and financially, 
having a good farm, a pleasant home and plenl}' of 
friends. 

The parents of our subject, Robert and Harriet 
(Briggs) Lindsey, were natives of New England, 
the father born in Colerain, Mass., and the mother 
in Windham County, Vt. After marriage thej' 
migrated westward and settled in Oswego County, 
N. Y., where the father followed farming prosper- 
ously' untd resting from his earthly labors, in 1856, 
at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother survived 
her husband a period of twenty-five years, her 
death taking [ilace in Litchfield T(jwnship in 1881, 
when she was seveut^'-seven years old. Robert 
Lindsey had been previously married, and by his 
two wives was the father of f(jn'rleen children, four 
by the first wife and ten by the second. Of the 
latter our subject was the eldest born, and began 
life Jan. 21, 1829, at Sandy Creek, Oswego Co., N. 
Y. He received a limited education, and continued 
a member of the parental household until twenty- 
nine years old. Thereafter, until his marriage, a 
period of four years, he lived with various parties. 

At the age of thirty-two our subject was married, 
Feb. 14, 1861, to Miss Sarah A. Wade, who was 
born in Lysander, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 13, 
1841, and is the daughter of William Wade, and a 
sister of John J. Wade, whose sketch appears else- 
where in this volume. Mrs. Lindsey, after leaving 
the common school, attended Hillsdale College two 
terms, and afterward engaged in teaching. She is 
now the mother of four children, the eldest of 
whom, Hattie, is the wife of Orgen Loveless, of 
Fayette Township: Cora A., Carrie E. and Nora 
continue under the home roof. The farm of our 
subject comprises fifty acres on section 17 and 
twenty acres on section 20. He feels proud and 
gratified at the fact that he voted for Abraham 
Lincoln, and is a warm sujjporter of the Repub- 
lican party. 



i 



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^t 




^^^.ifslr-'' 



HIRAM B. CHAPMAN.- 





IRAM B. CHAPMAN. The career of this 
': gentleman is finely illustrative of the life of 
a selfmade man, one who started out at an 
early age, dejjendent upon his own resources, 
indeed having more than this to contend with, for 
he purchased his time of his father when nineteen 
years old. and was thus $72 in debt. His educa- 
tion had been somewhat limited, but from his nat- 
ural habits of observation and reading, he was 
fairly well equipped for the struggle before him. 
It would take a small sized volume to give the de- 
tails of his experience, the back-sets which he did 
not allow to discourage him, and the natural ob- 
structions which have kept so many lesser men in 
the background. 

Young Chapman, however, was bound to succeed, 
and considered no effort too great, either mentally 
or physically, in striving to attain the object of his 
desires, which was to be a man among men, and in 
the course of time to be able to sit down under his 
own vine and fig tree, looking the whole world in 
the face and owing not any man. His position 
to-day indicates how admirably he has succeeded 
in that resolution ; and he has contributed to this 
countj', in a large measure, the result of his labors, 
and especially to Reading and vicinilj', b}- the in- 
vestment of thousands of dollars within its borders. 



thus building up its reputation as a desirable place 
of residence, beautifying its landscape, and adding 
to the value of its property. 

About 1877 Mr. Chapman erected one of the 
finest dwellings in Hillsdale County, which is lo- 
cated in the village of Reading, which is on the divid- 
ing ridge between Lakes Erie and Michigan, and 
forms one of its most attractive features. He has 
secured wealth and influence, but notwithstanding 
this has retained the simple manners in which he was 
reared, being plain and unassuming, agreeable and 
polite to all who approach him, and personally, has a 
large (urcle of warm and sincere friends. It is con- 
ceded that without question he has accomplished 
more toward building up and advancing the interests 
of Reading than any other man in that township, 
and his name will beheld in remerabiance for gen- 
erations to come, as not only one of its raone3'ed 
men, but as one of its philanthropists. 

Mr. Chapman was born at Sandwich, N. H., Sept. 
15, 1817. While an infant, however, his parents 
left the Old Granite State, taking up their residence 
first in Fairfield, Vt., a few years later removing to 
Orleans County, N. Y., whence, after a brief so- 
journ they pushed on westward to Portage County, 
Ohio. After a brief sojourn there they moved to 
Wood County, that State, and in 11^35 emigrated 



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i 



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hillsdalp: county. 



T 



to the vicinity of Giliraltar, Wayne Co., Mich. 
Iliiani B. accompanied his parents, and occupie() 
himself when not in school assisting ills father in 
farm labor. After leaving the ])arental roof and 
pnrsuiTig his studies briefly in a school at St. Albans, 
^'t.. he engaged first as clerk in a store of general 
merchandise. Then he enibaiked as Captain of a 
sloop on the Detroit River. He was next clerk in 
a grocery store at Detroit, tlicu operated as assist- 
ant surveyor of the Grand Traverse region. At 
last he developed into a pedagogue in Monroe 
County, where he also met tlie future partner of his 
life. Miss Klizabelh Chamberlain, and the}' were 
married April 21, 1 H40. 

The thrift and jirudeiice of oui' subject had al- 
ready begun to assert itself, and notwithstanding 
the fact that he had worked at low wages, he had 
managed to save something, .and had secured sixty 
acres of wild lan<i in Ashland Township, Monroe 
County. Iinniediatelj' after his marriage he put 
up a log house and earned the cash which no well- 
regulated family can live without, by working out 
at fifty cents per day, pulling in all his spare time 
in chopping, logging, and burning off his land. He 
had been exceeilingly fortunate in his choice for a 
companion, the young wife assisting her husband 
by every means in her power, and in due time he 
had cleared forty acres and added also fort}' aci'es 
to his first purchase. In 1»42 he had obtained 
credit for $2.50 worth of goods to clothe his first 
son with, and paid off his indebtedness at the ap- 
pointed lime. His credit, which w.as then est;ib- 
lished, was never afterward abused. 

In 1847, Mr. Chapman believing that he could 
labor to better advant.age upon the soil of Hillsdale 
County, traded his farm for 400 acres of wild land 
lying in the township of Reading, this county, and 
Algansee, Branch County. This was heavily tim- 
bered with black walnut, which at that time was 
saleable only at about *1 per thous-ind feet in the 
tree, and logs which would now be worth ti.50 were 
consigned to the brush heap and destroyed b}- fire. 
Mr. Chapman proceeded as before, putting up a 
log house and clearing his land by degrees. .So en- 
ergetically he worked that he was enabled to i)ut in 
fifty-five acres of wheat the first year. Vov eight 
years following he was busily engaged in clearing 

4*— 






'^ 1^1 



and erecting buildings on his farm. At the pro[)er 
time he engaged in stock-raising, and began to real- 
ize from this and the cultivation of the soil a hand- 
some income. 

The household of our subject and bis estimable 
wife in the course of time included ten bright, in- 
telligent and interesting children, who were named 
respectively: KIbriilge R., Clarence II., Alanson 
W., Adelbert R., Asenelh M., Lury E.. Jay W., 
Almond B., Lottie R. and .Jennie A. 'J'he eldest 
son died March 29, 18C5, when twenty-three years 
of age. Clarence, Alanson and Adelbert. during the 
late Civil War, enlisted as Union soldiers in the 4th 
Michigan Cavalry in 1»C4, and Alanson met his 
death at Pendleton, S. C. Clarence H. is in the 
wholesale boot and shoe trade, with headquarters at 
Hillsdale and a branch house at Kendallville, Ind. 

Adelbert R. Chapman at an early age developed 
more than ordinary abilities, and in 1884 waselectefl 
to the Michigan Legislature, and by his bold and 
outspoken opposition to all unnecessary appropria- 
tions he was dubbcil the "bull-dog of the treasury." 
The Hillsdale Standard about that time came out 
with an illustration of "Hon. A. R. Clia|)mau," rep- 
resenting him seated on a stool before the treasury 
vault with two bull-dog revolvers, apparently read}' 
to defend with his life anj- unnecessary inroads upon 
the people's money. The Standard said at that 
time that "from the opening to the close of the ses- 
sion Mr. C. ranked as one of the most prominent 
and useful members of the Legislature, and was 
well versed in State affairs and institutions. His 
services have not only been creditable, but valuable 
to his constituents and the State." 

Miss Asenelh Chapman lives at home with her 
father, assisting to preside with grace and dignity 
over the domestic affairs; Lury E. married S. W. 
Barre, a luml)er dealer; .Lay W.. a resident of De- 
troit and having a fine home at No. 55."5 Champliu 
street, is engaged in superintending and perfecting 
machinery for cutting one or eight staves for a bar- 
rel, and has already accumulated projjerty to the 
an)ount of |'20,0()0, with a fair prospect of <loubling 
it in the near future. The fourth son, living at 
Hillsdale, and who was the sixth child, is doing a 
good business in harness and saddlery. The daugh- 
ters are all married, with the exception of the eldest. 



J »» ^ B 4» 



708 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



Lottie R. and Jennie A. reside in Reading. The 
children of Mr. Chapman received carefnl liome 
training, and were strong and beantiful with the 
grace which robust healtii and correct habits always 
bring. Mrs. Elizabeth (Chamberlain) Chapman, 
after being for twent^'-Bve years the faithful and 
affectionate companion of her devoted husband, de- 
parted tliis life at her home in Reading Township, 
Feb. 28, 18G5. She was a lady possessing all the 
Christian virtues, and was deeply mourned by her 
family and a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. She truly ranked among the pioneer mothers, 
who patient!}' bore the heat and burden of theda}-, 
and whose name is held in tender remembrance by 
all who knew her. 

Mr. Chapman, .July 1, 1865, contracted a second 
matrimonial alliance, with Miss p]lizabeth A. Morse, 
of Detroit. This lady is the daughter of Gen. 
James and Louisa Morse, who were natives of New 
Hampshire. She was born the 23il d.ay of Decem- 
ber, 18rj, in Haverhill, N. IL,and received her early 
training under the parental roof, where she remained 
until she went to Michigan. Of this marriage there 
have been no children. 

Having for a |)erioil of nearly thirty j-ears en- 
gaged continuously in agricultural pursuits, Mr. 
Chapman, in 18G5, transferred his farm upon a 
lease to other hands and took up his residence in 
the village of Reading, which was a most happy 
occurrence, at least as far .as that village was con- 
cerned, for he at once commenced putting up stores 
and dwellings, making a place for men to come in 
and engage in business, while in company with 
one of his sons he purchased a stock of hardware 
and established a vigorous trade in this line. In 
1868 he engaged in banking, being instrumental in 
organizing and perpetuating the Reading Exchange 
Bank, which is now one of the indispensable institu- 
tions of Reading Township. 

In 1 877 the health of Mr. Chapman became greatly 
impaired, and in orderto afford relief to his body and 
mind, he set out for the farther West, accompanied by 
his wife, and did not stop until he found himself on 
the Pacific Slope. In this tour he visited Salt 
Lake City, Sacramento, San Francisco, Guadaloupe, 
San Jose, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, 
f and looked over into Mexico and the wonders, both 



of art and nature, in that section of country. Mr. 
Chapman, alw.ays a lover of the latter, gathered 
many interesting specimens of Nature's works, \yhich 
he still hoards with jealous care. His experience 
in the western country, among its various people, 
its common citizens as well as among its million- 
aires, was extremely interesting and gratifying. 
From San Jose they drove up into the mountains 
to what is called Saratoga Springs, which are sit- 
uated in a romantic spot, and the water of which is 
said to be an excellent medicine. This is bottled 
and sent out, selling at a good price. Mr. Chapman 
quaintly observes that "all parties, rich or poor, 
visiting the springs, are allowed to carry aw.ay free 
of charge all they can store in their stomachs — this 
being a rare chance after traveling thousands of 
miles." 

Mr. Chapman while in California dined and wined 
with several of the moneyed and influential men of 
that region, and recalls with much pleasure the en- 
tertainment afforded him by Dr. Merritt, of Yazoo 
County, who is the owner of 4,000 acres of Sacra- 
mento Valley land, besides ranches in the mount- 
ains, stocked with 100 brood mares of the finest 
blood, and who numbers his cattle and sheep by 
the thousand. The Doctor met Mr. Chapman at the 
station, and convej'ed him in his carriage to his 
beautiful residence, where, in the absence of their 
trunks which had not arrived, the travelers were 
somewhat embarrassed in not being able to put on 
a change of api)arel before entering the elegant 
dining room, the tables of which were spread with 
the luxuries anil delicacies of the season. The 
Doctor refused to change his linen while Mr. 
Chapman was his guest, tliat Mr. C.'s shirt bosom 
would look as white as his. After dinner the Doctor 
ordered his team and drove over a part of his 400- 
acre ranch, where he had numbers of mule teams 
plowing for wheat. His business office was located 
at Merritt's Station, and there he presented Mr. Cliap- 
man with some of the richest specimens of gold 
quartz he had ever secured, even by paying a good 
round sum in cash. These and many other courte- 
sies were extended our traveler, both by Dr. Mer- 
ritt and Barker Stepiieus, of AV^oodland. 

Our subject, in the course of a long and varied 
experience, has made the acquaintance of many 

m^ 



I 

t 



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■9^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



r09 , i 



eminent men, and especiallj' recalls with pleasure 
the time wlien lie met Horace Greeley, as he stepped 
from a train in New York Cit}", and Mr. Chapman 
was about to take his train for home. The great 
founder of the Tribune was pointed out to our sub- 
ject as he was walking with his back to him. b}' the 
historic hat and old white coat, and Mr. C. made 
good speed until he got near enough to slap him 
on the shoulder, which caused Mr. Greeley to turn 
around and look him square in the face, nots.ivagel}' 
as he might have done, but with that attention 
which he was noted for givhig when lie felt so dis- 
posed. Mr. Chapman briefly announced to Mr. 
Greeley the reason whj' he had thus accosted him, 
and as each was anxious to make his train, they 
parted a few moments later the best of friends. 

Mr. Chapman frequently met the late lamented 
ftHcliigan Senator, Zach Chandler, and Dr. Rider, 
both now deceased, and recalls interviews with 
Piof. Swing, of Chii.igo. and many other men whom 
the country delights to honor. His own career has 
been such that lie lakes particular delight in watch- 
ing the experiences of oilier men, and noting the 
manner in which lliey, like himself, have overcome 
the obstacles in their wa3'. By no means an ordi- 
nary character, he is in many respects radically dif- 
ferent from most people, being original in his ideas, 
and thus in many respects far in advance of his 
fellowmen. The earl}' life of Mr. Cha[)man, his 
youthful training amid hardships and toil, conspired 
to make hini rugged and self reliant without sour- 
ing his disposition or warping the natural generosity 
of his character. His views of life are broad and 
liberal, and the fact that he was obliged to battle 
with adverse elcnieiits at the beginning, has un- 
doubtedly developed in him those latent qualities 
which would never have come to the surface had 
he been reared in the lap of luxur}'. It is to such 
men as he that the present generation is so largel}' 
indebted for that which gives to-da}' the grand op- 
portunities for advancement, mentally, morally and 
intellectuallj', and has enabled them to live amid 
the surroundings calculated to develop both mind 
and manners. May the declining years of these 
sturdy men be smoothed in every way |iossibIe, and 
their memories ever cherished by a grateful posteritj\ 

Mr. Chapman, although never aspiring to the 



responsibilities of office, has alw.ays taken a warm 
interest in State and National affairs. Politically, 
he is a member of the Republican party. In relig- 
ious matters he accords to others what he asks for 
himself, and believes all churches have some true. 
Christlike Christians, as well as the general masses 
but many church members are stumbling blocks 
to true Christianity. Mr. Chapman has now taken 
up his residence in Petoskey, on account of his 
health, but still retains his interest in Hillsdale 
County, and which is now looked after by his son 
A. R. 

ifkM. ORKIS LAMB, ex-Sheriff of this county, 
and a man who has been closely identified 
t with its various interests for a period of 
twentj'-three years, was born in Gran- 
ville, Addison Co., Vt., Dec. 1. 1881. He was the 
first son born to Kber and Zerviah (Foote) Lamb, 
whose household included nine children, five sons 
and four daughters. The parents were also natives 
of Vermont, and descended from excellent old 
English families. The paternal grandfather, Will- 
iam Lamb, carried a musket in the War of 1812, 
and did good service at the battle of Plattsburg. 
The father spent his last years in his native State, 
and the mother, coming West, died in LaPorte, Ind., 
Dec. 16, 18G8. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and 
youth in his native count}', acquiring his education 
in the district school. Upon reaching his majority 
he migr^„ed westward to LaPorte, In(L, where lie 
eng.agey in farming, and in 180,5 came to this 
count/ and secured an interest in the Phillips <fe 
Thonif^ou Mills, associating himself in partnership 
with N. W. Thompson, with whom he operated 
until 1873. In tlie meantime he had taken a warm 
interest in public affairs, and after discharging the du- 
ties of various positions of trust and responsibility, 
was made the nominee of the Repul'lican party for 
Sheriff, and elected in November, 1872, assuming 
the duties of the office soon afterward. In the fall 
of 1874 he was re-elected, serving four years, after 
which he was Under Sheriff for about two 3'eai's. In 
1883 he was appointed Deputy United States Mar- 
shal, under Joseph R. Bennett, of Adrian, and 




A 710 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




also served under S. S. Matthews, of Pontiac, ac- 
quitting himself satisfactoiily during each adminis- 
tration. 

Upon retiring from the duties of otHce Mr. Lamb 
engaged as traveling salesman for the firm of War- 
der, Bushnell & Glessner, of Springdeld, Ohio, 
manufacturers of reapers, mowers and hinders. With 
this firm he continued for a period of seven years, 
and until 18«5. He then became the employe of 
John I3eere & Co., of Moline, 111., with whicli lirm 
he is still connected, and has done good service in 
assisting to still further enlarge the popularity of 
this noted industry. 

Mr. Lamb, wliile a resident of Lidiana, was mar- 
ried, March 5, l«o4, to Miss Eliza, daughter of 
Warren anil Electa Thompson, who were also na- 
tives of Vermont, and came to Michigan in tiie 
l)ioneer days. Mrs. Lamb was born Aug. 5, 1834, 
in Orleans County, N. Y., and by her union with 
our subject became the motiier of three children, 
two of whom died in early infancy. The surviving 
child, a daughter, Martha J., is tlie wife of Edward 
T. Beckhardt, and a resident of Hillsdale; Warren 
T. died when eighteen montlis old, and Nelson 
Stacy when an interesting child of three years. Mr. 
Lamb cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Scott, 
and is a warm supporter of Republican principles. 
Socially, he belongs to Lodge No. 93, A. F. & A. M., 
and also to Eureka Coramandery No. 3, at Hills- 
dale, besides Chapter No. 18, in Hillsdale. 



■^fiOHN FRITTS, a prominent and successful 
agriculturist, resides on section 27 of Read- 
ing Township, where he owns a beautiful 
farm of "280 acres, with all that goes to make 
up a desirable homestead. It contains suitable and 
commodious farm l)uildings for the storage of ciops 
and the pi-otection of stock, and he is in every way 
amplv fitted for the successful prosecution of his 
calling. His propert}' consists of two distinct farms, 
part of the land secured bj' his father when he came 
to Michigan at an early day, and the remain- 
der purchased at a later date. Mr. Fritts came 
to this county in 1844, and beginning on a tract of 
wild land, has carved, bj^ the aid of his own hands. 



tills beautiful home. It had been purchased by his 
father in 1840, who, however, was eng.aged in other 
business and did nothing to develop it. 

The subject of this notice was born in Collins 
Township, Erie Co., N. Y., Oct. 28, 1818, and is 
the son of Francis Fritts, a native of Warren 
County, N. Y. He came of Dutch ancestry, who 
had come from the Fatherland at an early day, and 
settled in Washington County, N. Y.. where the 
grandparents of our subject died at an advanced 
age, respected by all who knew them for their 
integrity and industry. Francis Fritts was reared 
to the trade of a bl.acksmith. and on reaching the 
years of maturity was married in Washington 
County, where he had established himself in busi- 
ness. He had the misfortune to lose the first $100 
he earned after completing his apprenticeship, and 
this at the time he was engaged to his intended 
bride. He continued resolutely at his work, how- 
ever, and at lengtii lived to see the desire of his 
heart accomiilished. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Molly Briggs, was an intelligent young woman, 
who was willing to share with her husband the 
privations which they must necessarily endure 
until their industry should receive its just recom- 
pense, and she nobly assisted in the work of build- 
ing up a home. After marriage they lived for 
some time in Washington County, where the senior 
Mr. Fritts followed his trade, and afterward pur- 
chased land which he worked in connection with his 
trade for some time. Our subject next removed to 
Glenn Falls, N. Y.,on the Hudson River, and after 
the birth of four children, one of whom died young, 
he removed to Erie Countj', accompanied by his 
parents. His father there purchased a tract of land, 
and after a time engaged in the management of a 
dairy, which proved a success. From 1827 until 
1840, they lived in Collins Township, Erie County, 
and in that year the parents of our subject removed 
to Michigan, coming by lake to Toledo, and thence 
across the country by means of teams, and located 
in Reading Township, on an unbroken tract of land. 
Here he spent the remainder of his years engaged 
in the improvement of his farm, which he brought 
to a high state of cultivation, aud rested from his 
labors in 1872, after reaching the ripe old .age of 
eighty-one years. His wife survived him several 



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A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



711 



j-ears, passing away Aug. 4. 1883. at the advanced 
age of eiglit^'-eight years. They were hard-working 
and successful people, and had become well and 
favorably known in this township. 

The parental family of our subject included four 
children, of whom our subject is the youngest, and 
the only one now living. He was reared at the 
homestead in Erie County, and resided there, assist- 
ing his father in the duties of the furm, and in 
obtaining an education, until he arrived at his 
majority. He was united in marriage, in Collins 
Township, Erie County, March 18, 1840, with Miss 
Ruth A., daughter of William and Lydia (Lapham) 
fSisson, natives of Washington County, N. Y., 
where the}' were reared to maturity aud married. 
Mr. Msson followed the occupation of a farmer, and 
after the birth of two children removed to Erie 
County, in the Empire .State, and they were among 
the early settlers in Collins Township. They secured 
a tract of laud which the}' improved into a fine 
farm and made it their home until their decease. 
The father died Aug. 18, 1863, at the age of four- 
score j'ears, and was followed to th" silent land by 
the mother, July 24, 1873, aged eighty-six years. 
They belonged to the Society of Friends, and the 
father was a strong Abolitionist. 

Mrs. Fritts was born in Collins Township, Erie 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 22, 1823, and received a good 
education, remaining with her parents until her mar- 
riage. She was the youngest but one of six chil- 
dren included in the parental faniil}', two sous and 
four daughters, the latter of whom are all yet liv- 
ing. She became the mother of three children, one 
of whom, Chanc}-, died in infancj'; Adelia resides 
at home with her parents, and William S. was united 
in marriage with Ida B. Nicholas, of Camden Town- 
ship, and is now living on a part of the John FriUs 
homestead. They have one child, whom they 
named Gladys C. 

William S. Fritts, the son of the subject of this 
sketch, is now operating 200 acres of the farm on 
sections 22 and 27 of Reading Township, of which 
he has had the direct management for three years. 
The place is well stocked, aud the farm is brought 
to a high state of cultivation. The buildings, 
which are well adapted for the |)uriiose intended, 
are situated on section 27, and Mr. Fritts is well 



prepared to pursue his chosen calling. William S. 
Fritts is a native of this township, and was born on 
the farm wliere he now lives, Nov. 23, 18;')1. He 
received his education in the public schools of the 
township, and resided with his parents until his 
marriage, which important event occurred Feb. 
16, 1882. The lady of his choice, whose maiden 
name was Ida B. Nicholas, was born at her father's 
homestead in Camden Township, March 31, 1864, 
and is the daughter of Charles and Mar}' Nicholas, 
the former still a resident of Camden; Mrs. Nich- 
olas is now deceased. Mrs. Fritts is the sixth in 
order of birth in a family of nine children born to 
her parents, and was reared under the parental roof, 
where she resided until her marriage, since which 
time they have lived on the old Fritts homestead. 
They are very progressive j'oung people, and staml 
high in the estimation of the community. In poli- 
tics Mr. Fritts is a Democrat. 

John Fritts, our subject, has occupied many of 
the public offices within the gift of his townsmen, 
and in his official capacity has acquitted himself to 
the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 



•t^sSsw j»i^ 



<f;*f-»«^«tf-* 



(^5^ ETH W. LYON. When we learn that the 

^^^ subject of this biography is a Miciiigan man 

M/Jl) by birth, it is not surprising that he is now 

the leading merchant of Pittsford, and that 

he is numbered among the self made men who, 

thrown upon their own resources early in life, have 

carved out their fortunes, slowly perhaps, but surely, 

and are men who can be thoroughly relied upon, 

and whose words are considered as good as their 

bond. 

Our subject was born in Leslie, Ingham Count}', 
on the 2d of March, 1850. His father, Henry L3-on, 
a native of Genesee County, N. Y., w!is born Aug. 
5, 1822. and his paternal grandfather. Miles Lyon, 
was born Feb. 7, 17'J1. The latter was the son of 
Samuel Lyon, who was born June 2, 1770, married 
Lucy Briggs May 13. 1 71)0. and died Sept. 11, 1835. 
Miles Lyon died in Wayne Count}', this State, on 
the 25th of August. 1837. 

The father of our subject, one of the early pio- 



n 



M^ 



712 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



neers of Southern Michigan, came to this county 
when a young man. and purchased a tract of timber 
land on section 6, in Pittsford Township. lie made 
some improvements and lived there for a few j'ears, 
then removed to Ingham County and purchased 
another tract of wild land in Leslie Township. There 
he erected the log cabin in which the subject of 
this slcetcli was born. He improved the farm, which 
lie sold a few j'ears later, and then pui-chased near 
the town of Rives, in Jackson County. A few 
years later he sold this also, returned to Ingham 
County and located in the township of Onondaga. 
Henry Lyon returned to this county about the 
year 1868, and settled in the town of Wright. 
From there . in 1885 he removed to the city of 
Hillsdale, where he now resides. The mother, who 
in her girlhood was Miss Poll}' A. Brooks, was 
born July 28, 1829. and died June 1. 18G6. The 
following extract relating to her father, John Brooks, 
the grandfather of our subject, is taken from the 
Detroit Journal: 

"In a farmhouse, one and one-half miles north- 
west of Waldron, Hillsdale County, lives John 
Brooks, who is thought to be the oldest man in the 
State. He was born at Hancock, N. H., June 18, 
1786, and therefore he is one hundred and two 
years old to-day. His ancestry cannot be traced 
beyond New England, but from what has been 
learned he is thought to be of Scotch-Irish descent. 
His early life, or the most of it, was spent on a 
farm. 

"Shortly before the War of 1812 he moved to 
Milford, N. H., where he worked at blacksmithing 
until his brother, being drafted for the war and 
unable to go, he offered to go as his substitute. He 
served for three months as cook in the regiment 
commanded by Col. John Steele, and the war having 
closed, was dischaiged. He has forgotten his com- 
pany and the number of his regiment, but remem- 
bers distinctly many interesting incidents of the 
war. After his discharge he went back to Hancock, 
where he was married, at the age of twenty-eight, 
to Miss Deidemia Brooks, of that place. Shortly 
afterward he moved to Unadilla, N. Y., where he 
lived for some time, and then started for the West. 
He was coming to either Northern Ohio or Southern 
Michigan, and had got as far as Cattaraugus when 

< ■ — 



he met a party returning from the West, who gave 
such a discouraging report of the country that he 
resolved to stop. He settled at Cattaraugus, where 
he worked for twentj' years in a sawmill, and then 
again resolved to come to Michigan. He settled at 
Pittsford in 1843, where he worked a farm for sev- 
enteen years, and then, twentj'-eight j'ears ago, set- 
tled on the farm where he now resides. To himself 
and wife, who died in 1869, were born nine chil- 
dren, five of whom are now living. 

"Mr. Brooks is above the average in weight and 
stature, supple and perfectlj' erect, with an iron con- 
stitution that bids fair for endurance for manj' j'ears 
to come. He seems to enjoy life as well as ever, 
and is never so happy as when he can do .some one 
a favor. His character during his entire life has 
been upright and unblemished, and his habits would 
bear the closest scrutinj'. He prides himself on the 
fact that no profane language ever passed his lips. 
To the Journal he said : 'The worst language I re- 
member of ever having used, and for which I have 
alwaj'S been sorrj', was once when a terribly ugly 
cow I had was acting at her ugliest, I spoke to her 
as being possessed with the devil. I thought after- 
ward I might have said she was a very bad cow 
just as well.' 

"Two years ago, it being Mr. Brooks' one hun- 
dredth birthdaj', a celebration was held in the grove 
on the farm where he lives. Three brass bands, 
various G. A. R. posts, and other organizations 
were present, the attendance in all amounting to 
about 4,000 people, assembled to do him honor." 

The early education of Seth W. Lyon was con- 
ducted in the district school, and later he pursued 
his studies at Eaton Rapids. AVhen eighteen years 
old he commenced as clerk in a drug-store at Mason 
in his native countj'. Three j'ears later he returned 
to Eaton Rapids, continuing as a drug clerk there, 
but a few months later took up his residence in 
Pittsford, and during the following summer em- 
ployed boys to collect roots and herbs, which he 
disposed of to Dr. Wilson, of Ohio. His next vent- 
ure was as track repairer on the Lake Shore Rail- 
road for seven j'ears. 

At the expiration of this time Mr. Lj'on decided 
to re-engage in the drug business, and purchased on 
time the establishment of Myron M. Maxson, at 



-4*- 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTS. 



713 



Pittsforrl. He had no capital, except his knowl- 
edge of the husines!!, but liis close attention to it 
and his straigiitforwaid mctliods soon placed him 
on the highway to pros|)erity, so that he now stands 
at the head of the trade in Pittsford, and is num- 
bered among the substantial men of Hillsdale 
County. Nature had endowed him with sound 
judgment, and each year found him with additional 
capital, which, in 1883, he invested by the erection 
of two fine store buildings. These coveran area of 
60x22 feet each, and are built of brick, two stories 
in height, with stone basement. One of these is 
occupied by a stock of drugs, and in the other, in 
1887, he put a large stock of dr^'-goods, including 
boots, shoes, and everj'thing pertaining to this line. 
Mr. Lyon was married, on the- 29th of August, 
1871, to Miss Charlotte Tiffany, who was born in 
Jefferson Township, this county, July 12, 1853. 
Mrs. Lyon is the daughter of Melvin and Lavina 
(Brooks) Tiffany, who were natives of Michigan. 
The mother is deceased and the father resides in 
Jefferson Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyon there 
has been born one child, a daugliter, Lovila, who is 
now sixteen years of age. Their pleasant and 
tasteful home is located on Main street, and is the 
frequent resort of the cultivated people of the city. 
Mr. Lyon, politically, is a Republican, and socially, 
belongs to Star Lodge No. 93, A. F. & A. M., 
Phcenix Chapter, of Hudson. 



-^-^i^^^'^^-^J^ 



FRANCIS M. COMAR, who is pleasantly 
located on section 3 iu Jefferson Township, 
j^ is pursuing the even tenor of iiis way as a 

well-to-do farmer and stock- raiser ; he has a beautiful 
home with good improvements, and makes a spe- 
cialty of sheep-raising. He is one of the j'ounger 
men of bis community, and only in the twenty- 
ninth year of his age, having been born Dec. 3, 
1859, in Ontario Count}', N. Y. 

Mr. Comar is of Irish ancestry, his parents, John 
and Elizabeth (Curr}') Comar, both having been 
born in County Cork, Ireland, but came to the 
United States while children. They settled in 
Ontario County, N. Y., after theirniarriage, and 
thence came to ISIichigan when their son Fianeis 



was a lad twelve j-ears of age. The father pur- 
chased land in Moscow Township, but witli his 
estimable wife is a resident of Hillsdale, where he 
has made his home principally since coming to the 
West. He is a man of decided views, and a mem- 
ber of the Democratic i)art}-. 

The parental family included eight ciiihlren, six 
of whom are still living, and residents mostlj' of 
Hillsdale Count}'. The father being in limited cir- 
cumstances, Francis M. became in carl}' life inti- 
mately acquainted with hard labor, and had little 
opportunity to attend school, but by his own efforts 
has acquired a fair education. He purchased his 
time of his father the year before becoming of age, 
and w.as the employe of George W. Underwood, 
with whom he remained for a period of five years, 
and in the meantime attended school as opportunity 
afforded. 

When twenty-live years of age, Mr. Comar, 
desirous of establishing a home of his own, took 
for his wife Miss Alzina Allen, to whom he was 
married in Hillsdale April 15, 1884. Mrs. Comar 
was born at Port Gibson, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
Dec. 9, 1865, and is the daughter of George F. 
and Harriet (Haner) Allen, who were also na- 
tives of the Empire State, and of Scotch and Ger- 
man descent. They came to this county after 
marriage, in June, 1866, and when their daughter 
Alzina was less than a year old. The father pur- 
chased a farm in Hillsdale Township, where he 
lived until a short time before his death, wliich 
took place May 26, 1872. His wife now makes her 
home with her daughter, tiie wifi' of our subject.' 

Lorenzo Allen, an uncle of Mrs. Comar, was Cap- 
tain in a New York regiment (luring the late war, 
and lost his life in b.attle. Her i)aternal great- 
grandfather was in the War of 1812, and her peo- 
ple arc direct descendants of Ethan Allen, of 
Revolutionary fame. Mr. and Mrs. Comar after 
their marriage settled in Hillsdale, where our sub- 
ject carried on the harness business a couple of 
months, then removed to his present farm, which 
he cultivated on shares the lirst year, and pnri-hased 
it the second, together with a house and lot in Hills- 
dale. The house he afterward sold, but retains 
possession of the farm, which comprises seventy- 
seven and one-half acres in a high slate of cnltiva- 



n 



'<*• 



■•► 



714 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



tion. In addition to his general farming, hissbeep j 
(Iterations jicld liim a handsome income. 

]\Jr. arid Mrs. C'tmaraie the jaients of onechild 
(r.lj. a f(n. Gccige F.. who ^^as born April 25, 
If-.'-o. Cnr nlj((t. lolilically, is a EcpiiMiian, 
ar.d with his estimable wife a devout mtmLcr of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. They are greatly re- 
spected in their community as representing its best 
eltments. 



-t 



■VW? ONATHAN EAST, a representative farmer 
j and sttck-raiser of Cairdtn Township, who 
^.^^ I is ccmfcrlaMy IccaKd on section 14, is a 
(^/' native of Wood County, Ohio, the date of 
his birth being May 4, 1840. He comes of an 
excellent family, being the son of Francis and 
Nancy (Priest) Fast, the father a native of Penn- 
sylvania and of German ancestry, and the mother 
born in Virginia and of Scotch descent. The 
f.ither (lied Jan. 19, 1887, in Camden Township. 
The mother is living on the old homestead in the 
latter township. 

Christopher Fast, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, served when a young man in the War of 
1812. Francis Fast and his wife settled in Wood 
Count}-, Ohio, fifty j'ears ago or more, entering 
land frcim the Government, and thereafter endured 
the hardships and privations incident to pioneer 
life, subduing the forest, preparing the soil for cul- 
tivation, and building up a home from the wilder- 
ness. Of the nine children who completed the 
household circle, six are living: Betsy is the wife 
of John Frank, of Hancock County, Ohio; Barbara 
married Alfred Loosey, of Muskegon Count}', this 
State; Isabella, Mrs. William Chapman, lives in 
Camden Township, this county ; Catherine is the 
wife of Thomas Williams, of Muskegon County; 
Martin, and Jonathan, our subject, are residents of 
Camden Township. 

Jonathan Fast, soon after the outbreak of the 
late war, offered his services as a soldier of the 
Union, enlisting Aug. 25, 1861 , in Company G, 21st 
Ohio Infantrj', as a private, and was promoted to 
the position of Sergeant, which title he held until 
being mustered out at the close of the war, in 
<■ — ™_^— _^— — . 



August. 1865. During this time he participated in 
twenty-three geneial engagements, being present 
at the battles of Stone River and Chattanooga, the 
siege of Atlanta, the fights at Savannali and Golds- 
boro, and during his continuous service of four 
years acquitted himself with credit and fidelity, 
receiving tlie friendship of his comrades and the 
approval of his superior officers. 

Mr. Fast soon after returning to the employ- 
ments of civil life made his way to this county, 
and settled on his present farm, where he has since 
resided. Although his land had been partially cul- 
tivated, there was still much to do, and it required 
years of unwearying labor to bring it to its present 
condition. He is now the owner of eighty acres, 
all of which he acquired by his own efforts, having 
never been the recipient of any legacy, or receiving 
any assistance beyond the reward of his honest 
labors. 

Mr. Fast cast his first Prrsideutial vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, and affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party. He identified himself with the I. O. O. 
F. in 1874. ar.d after the war became a member of 
the G. A. R. Post, at Camden, in which he has 
served as Commander. 



yklLLIAM PULVER, formerly a prominent 
/ farn)er and stock-raiser of Jefferson Town- 
(y '^ ship, but now retired from active labor, 
occupies the homestead of 100 acres, on section 6, 
in Jefferson Township, a part of which he has given 
to his son. He was among the early settlers of this 
region, and cheerfully performed his part as a 
pioneer citizen, taking a warm interest in the build- 
ing up of his adopted county, and contributing as he 
was able toward its progress and development. 

Mr. Pulver was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., 
Dec. 11, 1826, and is the son of Michael M. and 
Mary (Knickerbocker) Pulver, who were also natives 
of the Empire State, and of Holland-Dutch origin. 
He was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving a 
common-school education, and early in life was 
taught those habits of industiy and economy which 
have been the basis of a well-formed character. He 
was the seventh in a family of ten children, five of 
. »► 



i 



u 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



715 



i^ 



whom are supposed to be living. His father, Mi- 
chael riilver, was born Nov. 25, 17"J2, and was a 
soldier in the War of 1812. The mother was born 
March 2, 1793, and tlie parents were married Sept. 
17, IHIG. Mrs. Mary Pulver departed this life at 
her home in Lenawee County, Mich., in Februar3', 
1854. Her husband survived her over twelve years, 
his death taking place in August, 1866. 

Michael Pulver and his wife were among the pio- 
neer settlers of Michigan, locating in Lenawee 
County as early as 1837. He was a poor man when 
coming here, but was prospered in his labors, ac- 
quired quite an extent of land, and died in comfort- 
able circumstances. Politically, he was a Democrat, 
like his son William, our subject. 

The subject of this sketch was married in Lena- 
wee County, Oct. 16, 1850, and lived for two years 
in Lenawee County. In June, 1852, he came to 
this count}' and purchased 160 acres of land in 
Jefferson Township, a part of which he afterw.ard 
sold. He built up a good home from the wilder- 
ness, and became the father of five children, four 
of whom are still living. His wife, who in her girl- 
hood was Miss Ann Ousted, was born Jan. 12, 
1830, in Sussex County, N. J. Their children 
were named respectively: Charles H., Mary E., 
Thurston C, Ella A. and Frank R. Mr. Pulver has 
built up for himself a praiseworthy record, and as a 
man holding a good position in his communit}', is 
a fit subject to be represented in a work of this 
kind. 

RS. CLARISSA C. (CODY) CLARK, a 
respected resident of Wright Township. 
The active part taken by the wives and 
daughters of the earl}' settlers of Michigan 
in developing it from a wilderness to its present 
glorious condition as a great commonwealth, can- 
not be too strongly emphasized, and should never bo 
forgotten. The venerable lady whose name stands 
at the head of this sketch is a worthy representa- 
tive of that noble army of pioneer women who, 
bravely and without a murmur, left comfortable 
homes in the East to follow their husbands into the 
uncivilized Western wilds, and palii'iitly and lieroic- 



■^•- 




all}' shared with them the hardships and dangers of 
life in the early forest settlements, that the}' might 
assist them to secure better advantages for them- 
selves and their children, and become more pros- 
perous than was possible in their old homes. 

Mrs. Clark was born in Fayette, Seneca Co., N. 
Y., March 28, 1814, and comes of good Massachu- 
setts stock, her parents, Rufus and Martha (Brooks) 
Cody, having been born, reared and married in 
that good old New England State. In the win- 
ter of 1800 they started with their family in sleighs 
for New York, where they settled for a short 
time in Onondaga Count}'. They afterward re- 
moved to Seneca County and located in Fayette 
Township, where Mr. Cody was actively engaged 
in the manufacture of potash until his deatii from 
an accident in the year 1825. He was a man of 
sterling qualities of head and heart, and was highly 
respected in the neighborhood where he had set- 
tled. Soon after his death the mother of our sub- 
ject, who was a very capable, energetic woman, of 
sound common sense, moved to Yates County, 
where she bought ten acres of land in the town of 
Benton. She married a second time, and spent the 
remainder of her life in that town. 

Our subject w.as eleven years old when her father 
died, and she continued to live with her mother 
until her marriage. She received a careful, practical 
training from her mother, and in due time became 
a notable housewife, famous for her skillful man- 
agement of the dair}', and not excelled as an ex- 
pert spinner and carder of flax and tow, therefore 
when she was wooed and won by Amos W. Clark 
she was well qualified for the position of wife. 
Their marriage took place Feb. 14, 1832. He was 
a son of Peter Clark, and was born May 11, 1810. 
At the time of marriage the}' settled in the town of 
Tyrone, where Mr. Clark bought a farm on which 
they lived until 1837. In the spring of that year 
he sold his property in New York, and with his 
wife started for Michigan, via the Erie Canal to 
Buffalo, thence by steamer to Toledo, where Mr. 
Clark hired a team to take them and their house- 
hold goods to Canandaigua, Lenawee County. The 
wagon was so heavily loaded and the ro.ads were 
so bad that they walked most of the way. He 
bouglit a tract of land in Medina Township, and 

—^ 



r 



^ 



71G 



HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



4^ 



built a log cabin, covered with bark, into which 
thcj' moved before it had either door, windows, 
floor or chimney. For cooking purposes Mr. Clark 
built a fire on the ground, which was the floor of 
their humble shelter, and left a hole in the roof for 
the smoke to escape. He soon split puncheon for a 
floor, and built a mud and stick chimney at the end 
of the house, and, as they had no stove, Mrs. Clark 
cooked their savory meals by the fire in that rude 
firephice for some years. Mr. Clark had no horses, 
but bought a pair of oxen, which he used on his 
journeys to mill. Tecumseh being the milling place 
for a long time. Tliey lived in Medina for two 
years, then Mr. Claik traded his place there for a 
tract of land in the northeastern part of section 14, 
Wrioht Townsliip, a small i)artof which was cleared, 
and a log house stood on the land. Before moving 
to Wright, however, he exchanged that place for 
the northwest quarter of the same section, of which 
also a few acres were cleared, and a log house had 
been built thereon. Our subject and his wife lived 
in tliat house until 1861, when he built a larger and 
more commodious frame house, in which he resided 
until his death, March 27, 1873. By his removal 
AVright Township lost one of its most valued citi- 
zens; he always took a prominent part in the admin- 
istration of its public affairs, and held some of its 
highest offices, such as Supervisor, Township Clerk, 
and various other offices of importance, whose duties 
he discharged with zeal and fidelit}', and was thus a 
powerful f.actor in developing Wright Township. 
He was a man of unusual probity of character, a 
firui Christian, and an active member of the Meth- 
odist Protestant Church. He was for many years a 
school teacher, and had been Justice of the Peace 
fourteen j'ears. 

That Mr. Clark became prosperous was due as 
much til the capable co-operation of his good wife 
as to liis own tireless industry. Soon after his 
death she sold the farm, where they had lived for 
so many years, but three years later bought a part 
of it back, and is now living here in the enjoyment 
of the fullest respect and confidence of those about 
her. Slie joined the Methodist Protestant Church, 
of which her husband was a member, but has sev- 
ered her connection with that church, and now 
belongs to tlie Brethren Church. Mrs. Clark has 



witnessed with intelligent interest the wonderful 
development of Southern Michigan from a wild 
region, where the tall old trees of a primeval forest 
had stood for centuries, to its present populous and 
prosperous condition. 



p^ DMUND LAWRENCE. Tiie neat and well- 
M kept farm of this gentleman, pleasantly lo- 
, I' — ^ cated on section 16 in Fayette Township, 
is largeljf devoted to the raising of the fine Cots- 
wold sheep of wliich he makes a specialty, and in 
which industry he has met witli flattering success. 
As a man and a citizen he is genial, companion- 
able, upright and high-minded, a man whom the 
community regards with universal favor. He is a 
stanch Repul)lican, politically, and, with his esti- 
mable wife, a member in good standing of the 
Methoilist Episcopal Church, of which he has offici- 
ated as Class-Leader, Steward and Trustee, and to 
the support of which he has contributed liberally 
and cheerfully. 

Our subject is the offspring of a respectable old 
famil}", and the son of John and Maria (Lasher) 
Lawrence, who were natives of Columbia County, 
N. Y., where they settled and lived a few years 
after their man iage, and whence they removed to 
Wayne Countj', where they spent the last years of 
their lives. The household circle was completed 
by the birth of eleven children, seven sons and four 
daughters, of whom Edmund, of our sketch, was 
the seventh child. He was born in the same 
county as his parents, first opening his eyes to the 
light on the •20th of November, 1828. His first 
studies were conducted in the common schools, and 
later he was graduated from the aca<lemy in Wayne 
County, to which his father had removed when he 
was a lad of eight years of age. 

Young Lawrence continued with his parents in 
Wayne County, N. Y., until reaching his majority, 
and upon starting out for himself made his way 
to this State, arriving in Hillsdale County in April, 
1869. He at once settled on the southern line of 
Fayette Township, where he has since lived. His 
property embraces 120 acres of good land, upon 
which he has effected modern improvements, includ- 



u 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



717 



ing a neat and substantial residence, with barn and 
out-buildings to correspond. A man of thrift and 
iulelligonce, he has operated to good advantage, 
and been wise in his investments. 

Mr. Lawrence was first married in Wayne County, 
N. Y., to Miss Catiierine Sanford. who became the 
mother of three children, all sons, namely : WeUing- 
ton A., John F. and Edward S. The two eldest died 
when about one and a half and twenty years of age 
respectively: Edward is married, and is an engineer 
in Reading Township. Mrs. Catherine Lawrence 
departed tliis life in Wayne County, N. Y., on the 
1 Gth of Januarj', 1 856. 

The second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in Wayne Countj- also, was Miss Mary E. 
Wells, a native of New York, and who died without 
children in Fayette Townsliip, this county, Feb. 2, 
1881. Mr. L. contracted a third marriage, Feb. 
22, 1882, with Miss Elizabeth Jones, who was born 
in Livingston County, N, Y., Dec, 23, 1850. Her 
parents were Lucian and Mary (White) Jones, 
natives of New York, and the former of whom 
dejiarted this life in Livingston Count}', on the 31st 
of Jlarch, 1857. The mother survived her hus- 
band for a period of eighteen yeare, spending her 
last days in Barry Count}', tbis State, where her 
death took place at her home, on the 3d of Novem- 
ber, 1875. The parental household included six 
children, four sons and two daughters, of whom 
Mrs. Lawrence was the eldest daughter and fourth 
child. 

Mr. Lawrence, in April. 1887, was elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace on the Republican ticket, and in 
the discharge of his duties is making a good record 
for himself, and giving satisfaction to liis sup- 
porter's. 

\F_^ ENRY T. CARR is a prominent and re- 
spected citizen residing on section 9, Fa}'- 
ette Township, where he prosecutes with 
marked success his calling of an agriculturist. 
Mr. Carr is the son of Dr. Edson C.ai'r, who was 
born in Vershirc, Orange Co., Vt., Oct. 2i), 1801, 
while the grandfather, John Carr, was born in 
Northwood, N. H., in March, 1759, and was a 
f.trraer by occupation. The great-grandfather of 




our subject, Saunders Carr, emigrated from Scot- 
land in the early part of the eighteenth century, 
and the family first settled in Salisbury, Conn. 

The mother of our subject was Mary W. Beals, 
who was born in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y. , 
Oct. 22, 1807, while her father, Thomas Beals, was 
born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 13, 1783, and her 
mother, Abigail B^ield, w.is born April 7, 1784, and 
was the aunt of Cyrus W. Field, and Hon. Stephen 
J. Field, who was Judge of the United States 
Supreme Court. She w.as also the sister of Rev. D. 
D. Field, of Stockbridge, Mass., and she died in 
Canandaigua, N. Y., Aug. 8, 1872. Mary W. 
Beals married Dr. Edson Carr, in Canandaigua, on 
the 8th of November, 1827. 

The father of our subject was a prominent and 
leading physician in Canandaigua, N. Y., for thirty- 
five years. Prof. Corydon Ford, of the University at 
Ann Arbor, was one of the students of Dr. Carr, as 
was also the late Prof. Moses Gunn, who was Presi- 
dent of Rush Medical College, at Chicago. 111. It 
is said that the medical department of the Univer- 
sit}' at Ann Arbor reall}' emanated from the office 
of Dr. Carr, at Canandaigua. Dr. Carr received 
the honorar}' degree of M. D. from the Medical 
College at Geneva with si)ecial distinction, and was 
invited to a professorship in the institution. He 
made Canandaigua, N. Y., his home, and continued 
in the practice of his profession until his death, 
which occurred Nov. 29, 18G1, while his wife had 
died a few months previously, April 13. The fu- 
neral of the Doctor was attended by all classes and 
sects, and his death was universally regretted bj' all 
who knew him. He was kind and gentle in his 
treatment. sympatheti(' l)y nature, and had acquired 
the title of the "Vielovcd i)hysician." "None knew 
him but to love him, none named him but to praise." 
They were both mondiers in good standing of the 
Congregational Church for man}- 3'ears, to which 
thej' contributed largely of their means, and aided 
by their sympathy and encouragement. 

The parental farail}' of our subject included four 
children, who are recorded as follows: Thomas B. 
is a dentist .at Wilmington, N. C. ; Henry T. died 
when an infant of ten months, and William E., who 
was a dentist by profession, died in North Carolina. 
Henry T.aylor, who was the y(jutigest of the family. 



i' 



I 



718 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



was born in Canandaigua. N. Y., Dec. 2, 1839, aiul 
received the rudiments of an education in the com- 
mon schools. He subsequently attended the Can- 
andaigua Academy, and remained at the Iiome- 
stead until the death of his father, when he became 
the executor of the estate. He afterward bouglit a 
farm near Canandaigua, N. Y., where he continued 
to live until 1867, when he sold out, and removed 
with his family to this county, where he purchased 
a fine farm of 160 acres just outside of the corpora- 
tion of Jones ville. 

While in Canandaigua, N. Y., our subject was 
married, April 23, 1863, to Miss INIaria C, daughter 
of Camp Kelsey, of Jonesville. Mrs. Carr was born 
in Canandaigua, N. Y., Sept. 1. 1848. (See sketch 
of Camp Kelsey for parental history.) Mr. and Mis. 
Carr have three children living — Mary A., Jidson 
K. and Fannie B. One son, Henry T. Carr, died 
Oct. 2, 1877, when six months old. Slary A. is the 
wife of Edward C. Varnum, of Jonesville, while 
Edson and Fannie are at home. 

Mr. Carr has been a member of the School Board 
for several years, and has made agricultural pur- 
suits his occupation. He and Mrs. Carr are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Carr 
has been Trustee for several years, and is at present 
Elder and Trustee. In politics he is ever to be 
found with the Democratic party. 



(^f NDREW J. RAPLEE, who departed this life 
at his home in Allen Township, Sept. 29, 
1883, was a native of New York State, and 
ig>// born near Dundee, in Yates County, July 

17, 1817. His parents, Stephen and Sarah (Adams) 
Raplee, removed from Yates to Steuben County 
when their son was about fourteen years of age, 
and settled in the town of Wheeler, where he grew 
to manhood, and remained until the spring of 1865. 
He then made his way to Southern Michigan, hav- 
ing now a wife and family of five children. He 
purchased a farm of 170 acres in Allen Township, 
where he erected a fine residence, which he occu- 
pied the remainder of his life. 

Mr. Raplee was first married in Wheeler, Yates 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1842, to Miss Amy Merritt, 

■^« 




who died Sept. 4, 1843. He contracted a second 
marriage, Nov. 10, 1844, in Wheeler, with Miss 
Rebecca Gardner, who was born there Sept. 18, 
1823. Of this later union there were born five 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Velo- 
rous is farming in Allen Township, this county; 
Sarah L. is the widow of George Wagner, who died 
in this township in the fall of 1885; Stephen H. is 
carrying on agriculture not far from the homestead ; 
Elizabeth is the wife of Walter Van Fleet, and 
Emma M. resides at home with her mother. 

Mrs. Rebecca (Gardner) Raplee is the daughter 
of Furman and Elizabeth (Myrtle) Gardner, who 
were natives of Steuben County, N. Y., within 
whose limits they spent their entire lives, and where 
their remains were laid to rest. Their daughter 
Rebecca was reared by an excellent mother to all 
housewifely duties, and received her education in 
the district school. She continued under the jiarental 
roof until her marriage with our subject. She has 
been a member of the Free-AVill Baptist Church a 
number of years, as was also her husband up to the 
time of his death. 



^- 



/A,|i' LBERT A. ABBEY, a prominent citizen of 
(@£Jli Camden Township, residing on section 27, 
was born in the northern part of this State, 
Jan. 3, 1847. His parents, Aaron and 
Elizabeth Abbey, were natives of Ohio. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, Shubel Abbey, was born in 
Massachusetts and is still living, being now in the 
ninety-fifth j'ear of his age. He makes his home in 
the beautiful city of Norwalk, Ohio. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Reuben 
Cole by name, served as a soldier in the War of 
1812. Our subject is of Welsh ancestry, and when 
about three years of age was taken by his parents 
from Michigan to Huron Count^^ Ohio, where he 
was reared to manhood. He received a common- 
school education and occupied himself as a station- 
ary engineer, with the exception of the time spent 
in the army, until about thirteen years ago. After 
the outbreak of the Rebellion and when but a youth 
of seventeen years, he enlisted, Jan. 6, 1864. in 
Company I, 9th Ohio Cavahy, and was most of the 




^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ri9 



time mifler the command of the celolirnted loader, 
Gen. Kilpatrick. He participated in manj' of the 
cavalrj' raids in the State of Tennessee and marched 
witii Siierman to the sea. He was also in the fight 
at Goldsboro. N. C, and in all served about eight- 
een months and until tlie close of the war. After- 
ward he spent a sliort time in the oil regions of 
Pennsylvania as engineer, and in the spring of 1875 
came to this county, and for three years was the 
partner of his brother Charles in the manufacture 
of pumps at Camden. Later he turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 
forty acres of good land, while his wife owns a 
like amount in Camden Township. 

The marriage of Albert A. Abbey and Mrs. 
Sdsan (Cartwright) Young took place in Wood- 
bridge Township. Aug. 26, 1878. Mrs. Abbey is 
the daughter of Shuman and Betsey Cartwright, 
who are now deceased. She was born May 1.3, 
1846, in Indiana, and was married to Ephraim 
Young, by whom she became the mother of two 
children: Merritt, now at home.and Libb}',the wife 
of C. W. Abbey. Mr. Abbey, our subject, politi- 
callj'. is in sympathy with the Union Labor party, 
and socially, belongs to Camden Post No. 282, G. 
A. R. 



\- 



■JYIAMES STONE is located on section 34, 
Hillsdale Townshij), where he is engaged in 
^.^^ : the prosecution of his calling as an agricult- 
{^J^ urist. He was born on this section, on the 
22d of March, 1843, and though still a young man 
has already accumulated a fine property, and is in 
the enjoj-ment of all the comforts of life, and can 
look forward to many j^ears of health and happi- 
ness. 

Our subject is the .son of David and Sarah 
(Evens) Stone, natives of England and Wales 
respectively, where the birth of the father occurred 
in 1813. They emigrated to America, and arriv- 
ing in this county in 1831, were among the earliest 
settlers of Hillsdale Township. He purchased land 
from the Government at ^1.2.5 per acre, and then 
with a will set about clearing and improving his 



small farm of forty acres. During the winters of 
1832 and the following year the snow l.iy very 
deep upon the ground, and Mr. Stone and .lolin 
Williams took a contract to cut down the trees on 
ten acres of land l)elonging to another part}-. Ilis 
industry and energy, coupled with good judgment, 
served him so well in this new country, that he 
accumulated a fine property comprising 200 acres 
of land, containing a fine stone residence and a 
good barn. He vvas quite prominent as a farmer, 
and though not identified with any Christian organ- 
ization, he observed the Golden Rule, and was a 
man of strict principles, free from the vicious habit 
of using profane language, and was honest in business 
life, and pure in all social and domestic relations. 
He was a man of sterling integrity, and it could be 
truthfully said of him that his word was as good 
as his bond. "'None named him l>ut to praise." His 
death, which occurred in 1 871, resulted from the 
disease known as Bright's disease of the kidneys. 
He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and in 
politics was a stanch Democrat. The mother of our 
subject was born in 1808, and was a suitable com- 
panion for her worthy husband, cheering and sus- 
taining him through all the trials and privations 
incident to pioneer life in a new country. She still 
survives, in the enjoyment of good health, and is a 
member of the Methodist Jipiscopal Church, with 
which she has been identified in good works .and 
loving fellowship for many j'ears. 

To David and Sarah Stone there were born four 
children — John, James, Mary and Elizabetli. Our 
subject was reared to farm life and received his 
education in the common schools, remaining around 
the parental hearth until his marriage, which oc- 
curred in March, 1869, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Emma Barnhart, a native of New York State, 
where she was born in 1850. .She is a lady of cult- 
ure and refinement, and possesses those sterling 
qualities of womanly integrity and strength of 
character which characterized the original settlers 
of the New England and North Atlantic States. 
Their home has been brightened by the advent of 
two children: Vernon C, who was born June 1, 
1870, and is a well-educated and promising young 
man of prepossessing appearance, residing at home 
with his parents; !Uid ^laud, who was born in 




-^^ 



720 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



1876, and is a briglit and intelligent little girl, giv- 
ing promise of a woman who can take her mother's 
position in society. 

The mother of our subject is the daughter of 
Thomas and Hannah (Reynolds) Evens, the former 
of whom was a farmer, and lived and died in Mont- 
gomery County, Wales. He was a man of fine 
physique and sterling character, and was able to 
speak the English language. He died in 1830, at 
the age of fifty years. The grandmother died in 
1847. Six children were born to U'homas and 
Hannali Evens — David, Ellen, Sarah, Mary, Thomas 
and Pollen. Mary, Thomas and the mother of our 
subject still survive. 

The parents of Mrs. Stone, the wife of our subject, 
were Henry and Lucinda (Barnhart) Barnhart. 
natives of the State of New York, where the father 
was born in 1816. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and removed to Michigan in 1870, where he 
still resides in the city of Hillsdale. The mother 
was born in 1822, and also survives. They became 
the parents of four children — James, Charles, Fran- 
ces and Emma. Though only a mere lad at the 
time, Charles Barnhart enlisted in the war of the 
Rebellion, and died at Washington, D. C, at the 
age of sixteen, of a fever contracted in the army; 
Frances married Ezra Higgins, and has four children. 

Mr. Stone owns 120 acres of the old home farm, 
which, with its well-fenced fields, smiling crops 
and grazing cattle, presents a marvelous contrast to 
its condition when his father settled upon it, and 
began to ply the ax and gi-ubbing-hoe to secure a 
place on which to erect their first log cabin. Mr. 
Stone has a verj' valuable horse named " Billy 
Mont," registered in the stud books, a dark bay 
color, weighing 1,100 pounds at four years old, 
andean already trot his mile in less than 2:40; 
Mr. Stone has owned him since he was a colt a 
week old. Our subject is also a breeder of Scotch 
collies, or shepherd dogs, and has sold $lj,00 worth 
of fine pups of this breed in the last eighteen years. 
The son has educated his dogs to a high degree of 
intelligence, and gives exhibitions of their training 
at the county fairs. 

Mr. Stone adheres to the teachings of his honored 
father in political matters, while his views have 
been strengthened as the result of his oivn experi- 



ence and observation, and he is a stanch and uncom- 
promising Democrat, voting the straight party 
ticket whenever occasion ofi'ers. In religion, he, 
with his estimable wife, is liberal. 

ylLLIAM W. CRANE, a well-to-do farmer 
of Fayette Township, is the owner of a 
fine property, including 239 acres of land, 
a beautiful residence, substantial barns and out- 
houses, live stock and farm machinery, and the 
various other ajipliances of a modern country 
estate. A man of industry and integrity, and a 
long-time resident of the township, he forms no 
unimportant factor in its present growth and pros- 
perity. 

The subject of our sketch was born near Toledo, 
Ohio, Dec. 10, 1840. His father, William Crane, 
was a native of Connecticut, born in 1802, and the 
mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Jerusha 
Whipple, w\'is a native of Massachusetts, and born 
in 1 806. Tiie parents of our subject soon after 
their marriage settled in Manhattan, Ohio, whence 
they came to Southern Michigan in 1842, locating 
in Fayette Township, this county, which, with the 
exception of two }'ears, has since been the home of 
our subject. Here the parents spent the remainder 
of their lives, the father dying in April, 1872, and 
the motlier in November, 1876. William Cr.ane 
was a farmer by occupation, and an honest and 
industrious man, whose upright course in life se- 
cured him the respect of all who knew him. 

The four children of the parental family bore 
tlie names of Helen, William W., Norvel and New- 
man The latter during the late war enlisted as a 
soldier in the Union army, l)ecoraing a member of 
the 17th Michigan Infantry. He was wounded at 
the battle of South Mountain, and lay upon the field 
helpless forty-eight hours before being removed^ 
He was then taken to the hospital at Fredericks- 
burg, where his death took place in October, 1862. 
His remains now fill a soldier's grave in the ceme- 
tery at Fredericksburg. 

William W. Crane received the education com- 
mon to farmers' boys, in the home district, and 
thereafter engaged continuously in agricultural pur- 



I 



I- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



721 



suits. After reaching manhood he spent two years 
in Monroe County, N. Y. He sought for his wife 
one of the maidens of Hudson, Lenawee County, 
this State, Miss Hattie E. Wade, with whotii he was 
united in marriage on the iGth of February, 1879. 
Mrs. Crane is the daughter of John and Jane (Gib- 
son) Wade, natives of Ireland, wiio are still living, 
and residents of Riga Township, Lenawee County. 
Their household included seven children, namelj-: 
Alice, Mary, Hattie E., Leandcr, Lucy, Christian 
and Nellie. Mrs. Crane was born in Allen Town- 
ship, this county, Feb. 9, 185G, and by her union 
with our subject has become the mother of three 
children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Alice 
A. was born Sept. 4, 1884, and Flossy M. Nov. 9, 
18^0. They are bright and interesting j'oung 
girls. Mr. Crane, politically, votes the straight 
Republican ticket, and is classed among the solid 
men of his townshi|). 



-♦»r- 



/^\ IIARLES G. ROBERTSON. The name of 
fl'/^ this gentleman is familiar throughout the 
^^/ educational circles of this county, where 
he is alwaj's welcomed on account of the genuine 
interest which he has evinced in the institutions 
calculated to benefit, both morally and socially, the 
rising generation. Fond of agricultural pursuits and 
the pleasures of rural life, lie is the proprietor of a 
model homestead in Cambria Township, comprising 
120 acres of land, with a neat and substantial farm 
residence, and the otiicr buildings required for his 
comfort ami convenience. Here he keeps high- 
grade Durham cattle. Merino sheep, and Poland- 
China swine, and although not claiming to make a 
specialty of fine stock, has achieved enough in this 
department to entitle him to honoralile mention. 

The property of Mr. Robertson includes not only 
his farm in Cambria Township, but lie has also a 
fine tract of land near Pleasant Lake, four and one- 
half miles south of the county seat of Steuben 
County, Ind. This latter farm comprises 327 acres 
of good land, eligibly located, well watered, and 



convenient to town and market. This also is sup- 
plied with good liuildings, and is operated by his 
brother Cyrus. 

The subject of this sketch, like a large propor- 
tion of the leading men of Hillsdale County, is a 
native of the Empire State, and was born in Grove- 
land Township, Livingston County, Jan. 9, 1831. 
His father, John C. Robertson, was a product of 
New Jersey, and the paternal grandfather, David 
Robertson, a native of New Jersey, was of pure 
Scotch ancestry, of the old Presbyterian stock. 
The latter continued a resident of his native State 
during his boyhood and youth, was reared to farm- 
ing pursuits, and upon reaching manhood married 
a maiden of his own county. Miss Agnes Vance, 
whose ancestors also crossed the Atlantic from 
Scotland, in the Colonial days. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject, after 
their marriage and the birth of several children, 
among them John C, left their native State, and 
sought their fortunes among the earl}' settlers of 
Livingston County, N. Y. Grandfather Robertson 
secured a tract of uncultivated land, where John 
C, ill common with his brothers and sisters, grew 
to man's estate, and assisted in building up the 
homestead. The latter, when read}' to establish 
domestic ties of his own, invited to his heart and 
home Miss Matilda Golieen, who was also a native 
of Livingston County, N. Y. 

In 1825 the father of our subject determined to 
push still further westward, and set out for the 
wilds of Southern Michigan. He made his way to 
Buffalo by the Erie Canal, and at that point em- 
barked on a lake steamer for Detroit, which was 
then a very unimportant village. His route there- 
after lay over a wild section of country, through 
which he made his wa}' by following an Indian 
trail to Ypsilanti, which was then a wilderness, and 
from there to what is now Tecumseh, in Lenawee 
County. At this time there were but eleven families 
in what is now Lenawee County, and who had 
settled there a year before. Seeking companion- 
ship with each other in those lonely wilds, they all 
became acquainted, and each was warml}' interested 
in the personal welfare of the other. John C. 
Robertson secured a tract of Government land, the 
deed or patent of which was made out on pjinth- 



•p ^m ^» 



M^ 



,t 



722 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ment, and signed by President John Q. Adams. This 
document has been sacredly' preserved, and is now 
in the possession of the subject of this slvetch. 

David Robertson and his estimable wife spent the 
remainder of their days in Tecumseh Township. The 
former rested from his earthly labors after having 
rounded up his threescore years, while the mother 
lived to be eighty years of age. Both were zealous 
and active members of the Presbyterian Church, 
people of the highest moral principle, and who 
scorned a mean action with all the strength of 
the character inherited from their sturdy' Scotch 
ancestry. David Robertson took a warm interest 
in local politics, and was an influential member of 
the old W^hig party in that section. He lived to 
see the countrj' settling up around him, and contrib- 
uted his full quota toward the development of its 
resources. 

John C. Robertson, the father of our subject, 
followed the farming pursuits to which he had been 
bred from boyhood, and lived to see Lenawee 
County grow from a few scattered families to a 
population of more than .50,000 souls. The devoted 
wife and mother passed away at her home in Hills- 
dale, in 18G5,at the age of fifty-three years. She was 
a most lovable and high-minded Christian lady, 
and her name is held in tender remembrance by 
her children and the many friends whom her good- 
ness had drawn around her. Mr. Robertson took 
an active part in politics, and in accordance with 
the training of his father before him, perpetuated 
the Republican principles which had been elimi- 
nated from the old Whig partj^ He was one of the 
pillars of the Presbyterian Church, and took an 
active interest in the establishment and maintenance 
of schools, believing that a good education was the 
rightful heritage of every child brought into the 
world. Instead of making his boys in their youth- 
ful days subservient to the interests of the farm, 
he, on the contrary, exerted himself to keep them 
in school as much and as long as possible, and thej' 
were not required to tire themselves out with 
" chores," either before the hour of going to school 
or after returning from it. This course in that 
time and localit3' was very unusual, and is some- 
thing which his children often reflect upon with 
gratitude to so kind and wise a parent. Mr. Robert- 



son spent his last j'ears at the home of his son, 
Charles G., in Cambria Township, where his death 
occurred on the 7th of June, 1884, when he was 
nearlj' eighty-one years old. 

Our subject, when a youth of nineteen years, 
was well qualified to perform the duties of a teacher, 
and entered upon his first experience in this line 
among the common schools of Lagrange County, 
Ind. After a time thus employed near the town of 
Lima, and desirous of adding to his store of knowl- 
edge, and increasing his qualifications, he took a 
course of instruction in the seminary at Genesee, 
N. Y. This completed, he returned to Lima, where 
he engaged in teaching a few years, and then re- 
solved to invest his surplus capital in a farm in 
Hillsdale County, this State. The state of his 
health also made this necessary, but after the 
change had been made, his reputation as an in- 
structor followed him, and he was invited by the 
people of his district to resume his old vocation. 
To this he consented finally, meeting with his 
usual success, and became so popular that his 
services were solicited by the Board of Instruct- 
ors, of Hillsdale, as Superintendent of the Union 
School, which position he eventually accepted, and 
held for a period of twenty-six years, with the 
exception of two years spent on the farm. 

Prof. Robertson, as he is familiarly called by the 
people of Hillsdale and vicinity, was a prime favor- 
ite with his pupils, and is a most genial and com- 
panionable man, both among friends and strangers. 
He has for many years been an active member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and takes a lively interest 
in local politics. He uniformlj' votes the straight 
Republican ticket, and in all matters pertaining to 
the social and moral welfare of the community 
around him, has been one of the leading lights, fill- 
ing generously his appointed pl.ace, and having a 
thought for others of the community around him, 
as well as for his own family and his own welfare. 

The first marriage of our subject, with Miss Mary 
A. Smith, of Lima, Ind., took pl.ace at the home of 
the bride there, in the fall of 1854. This lady was 
born in Marion County, Ind., in April, 1830, and 
had been finely reared b}' excellent parents. She 
came to Cambria Township with her husband, and 
died at their liome here in 1859, leaving two ohil- 



"•^rf 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



723 



f 



flren — William S. and Margaret A. The former 
was for some time a railroad conductor, and died 
at Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1883, leaving a widow 
and one child. The daughter, Margaret A., died at 
the age of seven years, in Cambria Towiii^hip. 

After the death of his first wife, and while he 
was Superintendent of the Union Schools of Hills- 
dale, Prof. Robertson formed the acquaintance of 
one of the lady teachers, ]\Iiss Cordelia Dayton, 
which resulted in their marriage on the 12th of 
September, 1860. Mi'S. Robertson was born in 
Delaware County, N. Y., May 21, 1831, where she 
was reared to womanhood, receiving a good educa- 
tion. She came West in 1855, and followed the 
vocation of teacher in Oberlin, Ohio, three years, 
and in the public schools of Hillsdale two years 
before her marriage. She is a very accomplished 
and intelligent lady, and by her marriage with our 
subject became the mother of six children. 

Charles E., the eldest son of Prof, and Mrs- 
Robertson, married Miss Sarah Mclvee, of Hillsdale, 
and is cashier in the extensive mercantile house of 
Buruliani (k Co., at Lansing, this State; Harley D. 
married Miss Nellie Barnes, and is one of the suc- 
cessful dry-goods clerks of Hillsdale; Frank G. is a 
teacher in the public schools of Branch County; 
John .S. is teaching among the district schools of 
Cambria Township; Mary and Henry continue at 
home with their parents. All but one of the chil- 
dren were graduated from the High Schools of 
Hillsdale, and this one is being fitted for the same 
thorough course of instruction. The family are all 
regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church, with 
which the elder members have been identified for 
many years. 



^-fr-p- 







RANK R. PULVER. This gentleman, who 
may be properly classed among the self- 
made men of Jefferson Township, is quite 
prominent as a farmer and stock-raiser, and has a 
tract of valuable land on section 6. This was the 
old homestead of his parents, and where his birth 
took place Nov. 2.5, 18G1. William and Nancy A. 
(Ousted) Pulver, his parents, located here in June, 
1852, the father purchasing a quarter-section of 



land, which he brought to a productive condition 
from the uncultivated soil, and a part of which he 
subsequently sold, so that thcie remains 100 acres, 
which, under a process of cultivation, yield in 
abundance the richest crops of Southern Michigan. 
The buildings are substantial, and the farm machin- 
ery and live stock reflect credit upon the pro- 
prietor. 

William Pulver, the father of our subject, was 
born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Dec. II. 1826. 
The mother, a native of New Jersey, was born in 
Sussex County, Jan. 12, 1830. Mr. Ousted, her 
father, left New Jersey early in life, and settled in 
Yates County, N. Y., where he lived a few years, 
and thence came to Michigan, locating upon a tract 
of Government land in what is now Cambridge 
Township, Lenawee County. The parents of our 
subject were married Oct. 16, 1850, and removed 
to their present home in Jefferson Township, Hills- 
dale County, about two years later. Heie their 
five children were born, namely : Charles II., born 
Feb. 16, 1852, is a resident of Litchfield, III., and 
the father of two children; Mary E. was born April 
13, 1854, is now the wife of Arthur M. Barrows, 
lives in Jefferson Township, on section 6, and is the 
m(>ther of one child ; Thurston C. was born Jan. 1 1, 
1856, is a resident of San Diego County^ Cal., and 
has two children; Ella A., who was born April 7, 
1858, married E. A. Kcnrick, and died on her 
twenty -second birthday, April 7, 1880. 

The subject of this sketch received the education 
common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and at the 
early age of nineteen years was married, Dec. 25, 
1880, to Miss Mary A. Storms, who hecanio the 
mother of two children, and departed this life June 
27, 1886. Mrs. Pulver was the daughter of Joseph 
S. and Polly Ann (Briggs) Storms, who are now 
living in Jefferson Township. She was a very lov- 
able and estimable lady, and is greatlj' mourned by 
her husband and friends. Their elder child, 3Ieta 
E., was born F'eb. 7, 1882, and Rene A., Aug. 13, 
1884. At the time of his marriage the father 
of our subject gave him forty acres of woodland, 
which he has cleared, and where he has put up an 
excellent house and barn, and was working with 
great hope and courage until the death of his wife. 
Afterward, not being able to content himself at 



^ 



724 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



home, he went to Chicago, where he eraplo5'ed him- 
self a part of the time in the freight ofHce of the 
Rock Island Railroad, but is now living at home. 

The grandpai-ents of Mr. Pulver were American 
born, but it is supposed were of Holland-Dutch 
ancestry. Both Frank R. and his father vote the 
Democratic ticket, but neither of them have any 
aspirations for office. The mother has been a mem- 
ber of the Free-Will Baptist Church for a period of 
thirty-five years. 



4 



WaLLIAM J. KWING, one of the old land- 
marks of Amboy Township, stationed him- 
self here in the summer of 1834, and now 
occupies a good farm on section 31. When erecting 
his first dwelling, a log house, he had to clear away 
the timber and brush to make a place large enough 
to plant it, and his next business was to clear the 
ground around him and bring the soil to a state of 
cultivation. The industry with which he labored 
for years and years has made itself manifest in his 
surroundings at the present time, he being now in 
the midst of all the comforts of life, and the owner 
of 170 acres of fertile land, which 3'ields in abund- 
ance the rich crops of Southern Micliigan. 

The boyhood home of our subject was ten miles 
from the town of Jackson, in Jackson County, Ohio, 
where his birth took place Sept. 14, 1831. His 
parents, Enoch and Susan (Radabaugh) Ewing, 
were natives of Virginia, the father born in Greeu- 
liriar County. His paternal ancestors were from 
Scotland and Wales, and the mother was of German 
descent. The first representatives of tlie Ewing 
family in this country settled in the Old Dominion, 
whence tlie paternal grandparents of our subject 
emigrated, and located among the pioneers of Gallia 
County, Ohio. There Enoch was reared to man- 
hood, but after his marriage settled in Jackson 
County, that State, where he lived until his removal 
to Michigan in 1854. 

The parents of our subject upon coming to this 
county settled in Woodljridge Township, and en- 
dured, in common with the pioneers around them, 
hardships and privations, receiving likewise the 



■^•■ 



reward of their labors in due time. There thej' 
spent the remainder of their days, Enoch Ewing 
departing iience Dec. 9, 1885, and his wife the year 
previous. May 17, 1884. Of their ten children 
eight are still living: Charlotte is the widow of 
Josiah Jenkins, of Woodbridge Township; Jenette 
is the wife of Benjamin White; John, Andrew and 
Leander are all settled in Woodbridge Township, 
in the vicinity of the old homestead ; William J., our 
subject, was the fourth child; Elizalieth is the wife 
of D. C. Cherington, of Van Buren County; Henry 
M. is farming in Woodbridge Township; Isaac and 
Emily died when about forty-six and four years 
old respectively. 

Enoch Ewing was a devout member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and during the later 3'ears 
of his life a solid Republican in politics. He was 
rated among the most useful and energetic men of 
his township, and accumulated 240 acres of land, 
which he divided among his three youngest sons. 
Our subject came to this county with his parents 
in 1853, and staid one year, assisting his fatlier in 
obtaining a foothold and getting the family com- 
fortably settled. Then returning to Ohio he was 
married, Oct. 12, 1854, to Miss Belle Hank, daugh- 
ter of Caleb and Mary A. (Mathews) Hank, who 
were also natives of the Old Dominion. The pater- 
nal ancestors of Mrs. Ewing were supposed to be 
of Scotch ancestry, and on the mother's side she is 
of Irish descent. Caleb Hank was a distant rela- 
tive of Abraham Lincoln; his youngest brother, 
John, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in West Virginia, and lost all his propert}' 
during the Civil War. 

To the parents of Mrs. Ewing there were born 
seven children, six now living, namelj' : Alvin, of 
Kalkaska Count}', this State ; John, of West Virginia ; 
Caleb, of Jackson County, Ohio; Nancy, the wife of 
Henry Ewing, of Woodbridge Township; Rebecca, 
Mrs. George Rice, of Jackson, Ohio, and Belle, the 
wife of our subject. Jane died when twenty years 
old. Mrs. Ewing has been in all respects the suitable 
companion and helpmate of her husband, and the 
comfortable home which they are permitted to en- 
joy is but the due reward of their labors and sacri- 
fices. Mr. Ewing has little to do with political 
matters, preferring to give his time and attention 

m^ 






■^•- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



725 



to his farming pursuits. At the general elections, 
however, he uniformly supports Republican princi- 
ples. As a man of sound sense :in(l temperate judg- 
ment, his opinions .are iield in due respect. 



\j: OEIN AV. V00RIIP:S, son of one of the early 
I pioneers of Hillsdale County, came with his 
I p.arents to tlie Territory of Michigan in 1835 
^^// when a lad of fourteen years, from Ontario 
County, N. Y. The journey was made via the 
Erie Canal and the Inke to Monroe, and thence over- 
land to Logan, Lenawee County, where they settled 
and lived two years. Then, not being quite satis- 
fied with the prospect, the father of our subject 
came over into Hillsdale County and purchased 
eight}' acres of land in Somerset Township. Here 
the father lived and labored with genuine pioneer 
patience and industry, and succeeded in building 
up a comfortable home for his family. He became 
prominent in local affairs, was a strong advocate 
of temperance and education, and in all re- 
spects thoroughly Identified with the best interests 
of his community. A Whig originally, he later 
identified himself with the Republican partj', of 
whose principles he was a warm supporter. 

The subject of this biography was born in Ontario 
County, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1822. His parents, John 
and Jane (Merritt) Voorhes, were natives of New 
Jersey, whence tliey removed to the Empire State 
in their j'outh. They settled in Seneca County 
after their marriage, and there became the parents 
of eight children, all of whom thej' brought with 
them upon their removal to this county. They 
botii lived to be seventy-five years of Jige, the 
father passing aw.ny in 1865, and the mother in 
1875. John Voorh(!S when a young man served 
for a time in the War of 1812. But five of the 
parental iiousehold are now living, are engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, and all residents of this State. 

Mr. Voorhes, of our sketch, assisted his father in 
clearing up the land and establishing the homestead, 
and remained unmarried until the latter part of 
1855. On the 30th of December in that year, he 
took untT) himself a wife .and helpmate. Miss Mary 
Bross, who was born in Adams Township, this 



count}', Aug. 2, 1837, and is the daughter of Luke 
and Theodosia (Britton) Bross, who werenativesof 
New Jcrse}' and came to the Territory of Michigan 
about 1834. They lived after the manner of pio- 
neers, and by tiieir industry and frugality secured 
a comfortal)le homestead. 'J'heir last days were 
spent in Adams Township, the father p.assing away 
in November, 1843, and the mother in M.ay, 1881. 

Mr. and Mrs. Voorhes became the parents of 
seven children. Of these, two, Josephine and Amy, 
died young. Ella E. was born Dec. 26. 1857, is the 
wife of Frank Lockwood, a lumber dealer in North- 
ern Wisconsin, and the mother of one child, a daugh- 
ter, Mj'rna. who was born in September, 1 886 ; 
Betsj' became the wife of William AY. Mercer, who 
is occupied as a farmer in Somerset. Merritt E. 
was born Sept. 29, 1862, and with the younger chil- 
dren continues at home with his parents; Frederick 
G. was born Oct. 8, 1864, and Alma J., July 21, 
1867. 

Mr. Voorhes at the time of his marriage owned 
about eighty .icres of land, which was partially Ira- 
proved, and upon this he has lived now for over 
thirtj' years. The original log dwelling was long 
since substituted b}^ a neat frame residence, while 
the barn and otlier out-buildings, the live stock and 
farm machinerj^ bear fair comparison with those of 
his neighbors. He is pursuing the even tenor of 
his wa3' as an honest man and good citizen, held in 
respect by his neighbors, and sustaining the reputa- 
tion of the family in a praiseworthy manner. 

ABRAHAM COUZENS, late of Fayette 
[(gj/ull Township, was born in Orange County, N. 
Y., Dec. 18, 1807, and departed this life 
,^gj, at his home in Fayette Township on the 

8th of Januarj-, 1887. He received a common- 
school education, learned the trade of carpenter and 
joiner, and was first married, in Homer, Mich., to 
Miss Lydia A. Rogers, by whom he became the 
father of two children — George W. N. and Ellen 
G. These arc also deceased. Mrs. Lydia A. 
Couzens died in Fayette Township while still a 
young woman, Nov. 1, 1842. 

Mr. Couzens contracted a second marriage, May 




>► k <9 





HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4, 1845, with Miss Maliiida Rogers, who was born 
July 22, 1806, and died in Fayette Township, Aug. 
23, 1885. Mr. Couzens came to this county about 
1837, worked at his trade two years, and then set- 
tled on section 18 in Fayette Township, wliere he 
continued to reside until his death. He left a good 
property, including 144 acres of land, with substan- 
tial buildings, and supplied with all the necessary 
machinery, besides a goodly assortment of live 
stock. He held the office of Highway Commis- 
sioner, voted the Republican ticket, but was not 
particularly interested in political matters. 

The recorp of the son born of the first marriage 
of Mr. Couzens is as follows: George W. N. 
upon reaching manhood was married to Miss Sarah 
F. Bowen, and died on the 10th of February, 1867; 
his widow subsequently married George R. Mudge, 
and died Dec. t), 1872. Of the first marriage there 
were born two children : Edwin G., Jan. 29, 1864i 
and Lydia A., Nov. 9, 1865. Edwin G. was mar- 
ried in Fayette Township, Jan. 4, 1888, to Miss 
Anna L. Johns, who was born in Missouri, Jan. 15, 
1869; he votes the Republican ticket. Lydia is 
the wife of James Courtwright, to whom she was 
married in Lansing, this State, Sept. 4, 1883, and 
is now a resident of Faj'ctte Township. 



"tacfi;©-^" 






W EVI GUGGENHEIM, clothier and merchant 
I (i^j tailor of Hillsd.nie, is a native of Germany, 
/I*— ^Y ; which has furnished so many of the enter- 
prising men who have assisted in the development 
of this section of country. He was born in Baden, 
on the River Rhine, April 28, 1 829, while his parents, 
Michael and Rachel (PuUagg) Guggenheim, were 
born in Baden and Switzerland respectively. The 
father was a small farmer and wine grower, besides 
doing some business as a merchant. 

In the fall of 1853 the family of Michael Gug- 
genheim emigrated to America, landing in the city 
of New York after the usual experiences of an 
ocean voyage. Making only a short stay in the 
metropolis, they removed to Buffalo, in the same 
State, whence, in 1858, they came to this county, 
where they settled in the citj' of Hillsdale, and 



resided there until their family grew up and were 
capable of supporting themselves; they then re- 
moved to Chicago, 111., where the father departed 
this life in 1884. Michael Guggenheim was twice 
married. By his first marriage he had two children : 
Levi, our subject, and Caroline, who became the 
wife of Isaac Manheiraer, who was killed by the 
cars in 1879, at the Lake Sliore depot. By the second 
wife, Emily Berheimer, there were four children, 
recorded as follows: Sarah married E. Mayer, of 
Jonesville; Julia is the wife of S. Hirsh, of Chicago, 
111. ; Rachel mairied Jacob Hirsh, a brother of S. 
Hirsh, and also resides in Chicago; while Bertha is 
the wife of Emanuel Phillipsen, and resides in 
Dowagiac, Mich. 

The subject of this notice began his attendance 
at school when he was but six years old, and pur- 
sued his studies until he reached the age of fourteen, 
acquiring during those years, in a country in which 
education is compulsory, and the sj'stem has reached 
the high degree of perfection, the foundation of a 
good education. When fourteen j'ears of age he 
accompanied his parents to tiiis country, .and assisted 
his father in farm work for some years, after which 
he opened a store on his own account, in Hillsdale, 
engaging in the clothing business. He is well up 
in the requirements of his calling, is an experienced 
buyer and an excellent judge of textile fabrics. 
He conducts his enterprise on the cash system, and 
never borrowed a dollar in connection with his 
business, nor has he ever overdrawn his account 
in the bank. He engaged in business for himself 
in 1858, and has applied himself closelj' to his 
affairs. He has bought carefully and with judgment, 
and Inlying as he does for cash, gets his goods at 
such prices as enables him to sell at moderate prices 
and 3'et obtain a living profit. In this day of 
speculation and hj'pothecated securities, it is re- 
freshing to find a financier such as Mr. Guggenheim. 
In 1863 he bought a lot containing a frame build- 
ing, in which he conducted his business until 1885, 
when the old structure was removed and gave place 
to a fine brick block 95x50 feet, and two stories in 
height, in which he at present conducts liis exten- 
sive business. His former cutter, John Baclinian, 
was in the employ of Mr. Guggenheim for a period 
of twenty years, and his present cutter, Mr. George 



I 



•^f^ 



.d 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



727 



Segner, is a skillful .iiid artistic workman. In con- 
nection with [lis business in tiieoily, Mr. Guggenheim 
has two farms in Hillsdale and Jefferson Townships, 
which are operated by tenants. 

The subject of this notice was married, in August, 
1873, to Miss Bertha Graff, of Syracuse, N. Y. 
Of her union vvith Mr. Guggenheim there have been 
born four children, two boys and two girls, as fol- 
lows: Rosa, Clara, Hariy and David, all in school. 
Mr. Guggenheim is a stockholder in the Second 
National Bank, of Hillsdale, and from his straight- 
forward business methods, and his general inflexi- 
bility of purpose and character, he h.as secureil the 
highest esteem of the community in wiiich he lives. 
He is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 32, F. & A. 
M., while in politics he is somewh.at conservative, 
though he votes the Republican ticket. 



-f3= 



^ T 



h , A. 



T-^ 



■£>- 



n SAAC H. GIBBS w.ns born in Madison Town- 
ship, Richland Co., Ohio, June !), 1835, while 

/li his father, Janits Gibhs, was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and his grandfather, of the same name, was 
born in Ireland. Grandfather Gibbs came to Amer- 
ica in Colonial times and fought in the Revolution- 
ary War. He subsequently' settled in West Virginia, 
and from there moved to Ohio and settled in Tus- 
carawas Countj', among the early settlers of that 
section of country. He continued to make that 
place his home until death. 

Tlie father of our subject grew to manhood in 
Virginia, and during the War of 1812 served in 
Ohio, assisting in the maintenance of his country's 
rights. Upon the conclusion of the war he settled 
in the Buckeye State, where he was among the first 
settlers in Richland County. Wheeling and Mari- 
etta were the nearest depots for supplies, though 
their wants were simple, salt being one of the prin- 
cipal necessaries. Deer and wild turkeys, coons, 
squifrels and all kinds of game were plentiful, and 
furnished the family larder with a good supply of 
meat, while the boys had the enjoyment and ex- 
citement of the hunt. The}' could raise corn suffl- 
cient for their wants from the time of their first 
settlement, and meat and corn bread were their 



j staple articles of diet. James Gibbs took up a tract 
of timber land in Madison Township, and remained 
a resident of that township from the time of his 
settlement, in 1814, until his dealli, in 1878. He 
had cleared and im|)roved a good farm, upon which 
he erected suitable buildings, and contributing 
manfull}' his quota, lived to see the country devel- 
oped from a state of nature to a prosperous and 
wealthy commonwealth. The mother of our sub- 
ject, whose maiden name was Nancy Shanks, was 
born in Bradford County, Pa., and died at he 
homestead in 1870, after having heroically- t.aken 
her pait in rearing a large family of children and 
surrounding them with those influences which would 
tend to foster good habits and make them reputable 
men and women. 

The parental family of our subject included thir- 
teen children, ten of whom lived to be men and 
women. Isaac H. was reared in his native county at 
the home of his parents until the age of sixteen 
j'ears, making himself useful about the homestead, 
and acquiring the rudiments of an education at the 
public schools. At the age of 'sixteen he engaged 
to learn the carpenter's .trade, and followed that 
occupation in Richland and Auglaize Counties until 
1 850, when he came to Hillsdale County and located 
in Wright Township. He began by working at his 
trade, but in 1857 he purchased a tract of timber 
land on section 31 of that township, and erecting 
the usual log house, began to clear a farm from the 
wilderness. After he had cleared eigiit acres, how- 
ever, he sold this place and removed to Douglas 
County, Neb., engaging in the employ of the 
Union Pacific Railro.ad Compaii}'. After a resi- 
(ience there of eighteen months he returned to 
Wright Township, and in 18G6 purchased the farm 
where he now resides, on section 5 (T. 9 south). 
His land was then covered with a heav}' growth of 
timber, and he commenced his work of transform- 
ation by cutting down trees to make room for a 
log cabin. A narration of Mr. Gibbs' pioneer ex- 
perience would be a repetition of that of scores 
of other brave and energetic men who have taken 
a prominent p.art in subduing nature, and redeem- 
ing from the wilderness those beautiful and fertile 
farms which, while affording to their owners a hand- 
some competenc}', are the admiration of all who 



^ 



« ► l l"^ 



^- 



728 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



♦t 



have the pleasure of a journey through this part of 
the country. They contended with crude tools, 
almost impassable roads, with markets and mills in 
some cases twenty miles distant, and with inferior 
facilities for education, but in spite of all their 
hardships, thej- were social and happy, possessing a 
vigorous constitution, and providing for tiie wants, 
moral and temporal, of their growing families. Mr. 
Gibbs has now a well-improved farm under a good 
state of cultivation, containing a handsome frame 
residence, which was built in 1884, and substantial 
and commodious out-buildings. 

The subject of this biography was united im mar- 
riage, June 14, 1S57, with Eliza A. Hubbard, who 
was born in Portage Countj-, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1834, 
and is the daughter of Alexander K. and Eliza 
(Borton) Hubbard. Her father was born in Scho- 
harie County, N. Y., May 7, 1 787, and was the son of 
Ephraim Hubbard, who removed to what is known 
as the "Western Eeserve, Ohio, and was an early 
settler in Deerfield Township, Portage County. He 
purchased a tract of timber land and settled upon 
it while deer, wild turkeys and smaller game were 
yet to be found in abundance, and the howling of 
the wolves broke the stillness of the night. He was 
occupied in clearing his land and improving a farm, 
upon which he resided until his demise. The father of 
Mrs. Gibbs was about fifteen years of age when his 
parents removed to Ohio. He remained there only 
a short time, however, and then returning to New 
York State, lived with Capt. Kidd, and attended 
school. He paid particular attention to the study 
of surveying, and after becoming skillful in that 
branch of science, he returned to Ohio and secured 
employment as a surveyor of land. He surveyed 
a great part of thatseetion of country lying around 
Deerfield, but after his father's death bought 
the interest of the other heirs, and took up his resi- 
dence on the homestead. He was industrious and 
energetic, and attended closelj- to his own business, 
in which he exercised good judgment. His usual 
recreation was found in the hunt, and many a wild 
animal fell before his unerring aim. Politic.illj', 
he was a Democrat, and tilled man3- offices of 
trust in the township and county, discharging 
his duties with that fearlessness and ability for 
which he was noted. He was at one time a candi- 



-<•- 



date for the Legislature, and was defeated by one 
vote only. At the time of his decease he was Jus- 
tice of the Peace. 

The mother of Mrs. Gibbs, whose maiden name 
was Eliza Borton, was born in New Jersey, and was 
the daughter of Daniel and Tabitha Borton, natives 
of New Jersey, and pioneers of Columbiana County, 
Ohio. She spent her last j'ears with her children 
in Wright Township, dying at the advanced age of 
eighty-seven years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Oliver H., Paul Sydney and Frank H. Oliver 
married Viola E. Gibbs, and lives adjoining the 
homestead. Mrs. Gibbs is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. G. is 
a Democrat. 

117 ENRY GUISE, a representative farmer and 

~ [1 stock-raiser of Camden Township, and one 
of its most thrifty German citizens, is the 
owner of 100 acres on section 25, where he 
has cultivated the soil to good advantage, and 
secured for himself a comfortable home. He was 
born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Germany, 
June 1, 1833. and was the son of Henry and Julia 
(Snider) Guise, the mother deceased, and the father 
now a resident of Williams County, Ohio. The 
latter is now nearly ninety years of age. The 
mother departed this life at her home in that county, 
in June, 1886, in the ninet}'- third year of her age. 
Our subject emigrated to this country with his 
parents when a lad nine years of age, making the 
voyage on a sailing-vessel. They settled in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., where they lived two years, thence 
removed to Stark County, Ohio, and were residents 
there for a period of fourteen years; from there 
they removed to Williams County, being among 
its early settlers, and where the mother passed 
away. 

Mr. Guise, our subject, was reared amid the 
primitive scenes of early life in the Buckeye State, 
and assisted his father in clearing the land and 
bringing the soil to a state of cultivation. He 
cleared 100 acres himself alone, and has done a 
great deal of hard work during his lifetime. About 



f 



•►^h-*»^ 



^1 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



729 



1863 ho camo to this county and took possession of 
the hinil which hs now occupies, wiiich comprises 
a good farm of 100 acres, where lie labored as he 
had done before in Ohio, clearing from it tlie wild 
woods, and enduring the hardships and privations 
incident to pioneer life. 

Our subject was married, April 1 1, 1«58, to Miss 
Catiierine Zimmers, the wedding talcing place in 
Indiana. They commenced housekeeping in a mod- 
est home in Ohio, and in due time were the parents 
of four children: Fernando J.; Julia A., now the 
wife of William McDonald, of Camden Township; 
Elizabeth and William. Mr. Guise may be properly 
ranked among the selfmade men of Southern Michi- 
gan, his experience in his youth being such as to 
develop the qualities of self-reliance and independ- 
ence of character vvhich he possesses, in a marked 
degree. His comfortable surroundings are the result 
of his own industry and perseverance. He was 
reared in the principles of the Lutheran Church, to 
which he still faithfully adheres, and in political 
matters belongs to the Union Labor party. 



^8e 



f'lvxALENTINE CLARK has been an important 
1/ factor in promoting and sustaining the agri- 
cultural interests of Pittsford Township since 
the days of 1843. At the time of his arrival here 
ten j'ears had not elapsed since the first settlement 
was made at this place, and the part of the township 
in which he settled, and where he has ever since 
made his home, was covered with a heavy forest 
growth; deer were plentiful and often came near 
the house, and there were few indications that it 
would ever become the fine farming country that 
it is to-day. 

Mr. Clark is of English birth and ancestry ; he 
was born in Great Marlovv. Buckinghamshire, En- 
gland, Feb. 14, 1822. His grandfather, Thomas 
Clark, was a lifelong resident of that shire, and his 
father, Henry Clark, was born there March 26, 1792. 
He learned the trade of tailor, and was industriouslj- 
engaged in it at Great Marlow for several years. In 
tlie meantime he had .assumed matrimonial relations 
with Mary Ann Jefferay, who was born near Lon- 
1 r don, England, in Coldbrook, and to them five chil- 



dren had been born, as follows : .Tefferay T., who died 
in 1840; Frederic, who died June 18, 1866, in Pitts- 
ford Tovvnship; Valentine; Reuben, born April 11. 
1825, lives in York, Neb.; Napoleon, born April 
9, 1828, died in Ransom Township Oct. 11, 1886. 
June 6, 1832, Mr. Clark set sail from London for 
America with his wife and children, and landed at 
Quebec on the 8th day of the following August. 
He located at Thorn Hill, thirteen miles north of 
Toronto, and established himself at his trade. In 
1834 he started with his family for the Territory 
of Michigan, going from Toronto across Lake On- 
tario to Lewiston, N. Y'., thence by team to Buffalo, 
from there on the lake to Detroit, where he hired 
a team to take himself and family to Plymouth 
Township, Wayne County. He worked as a tailor 
there until 1842, and then removed to Ingham 
County, where he died in 1843. His family con- 
tinued to live in Plymouth until February, 1844, 
when they came to Hillsdale County, and made 
their home with our subject where he now lives. 
The good mother died here March 9, 1870. 

Valentine Clark was a lad of ten j-ears when his 
parents crossed the Atlantic to America, and he 
still remembers with afifection the old home in 
England, ami has not forgotten the incidents of the 
long voyage on the ocean. He lived with his 
parents until he was old enough to earn iiis own 
living, and then worked out by the month. He 
was active, intelligent, and in 1843, ambitious to 
become a landed proprietor and build up a home, 
he came to Pittsford Township, and in company 
with Edward Howell bought the northwest quarter 
of section 6. This and all the adjoining land was 
heavily timbered, and they were obliged to cut a 
road to their pLace. They built a small log shanty, 
which two months later was burned to the ground 
with all its contents. After that serious loss, Mr. 
Howell returned to Plymouth, .and left our subject 
in sole possession. He liastily constructed another 
cabin, and in February, 1844, his mother joined 
him, and thereafter looked after his comfort until 
his marriage, and continued to make her home with 
him until her death. Mr. Clark entered with ardor 
and untiring industry upon the long and hard task 
of clearing away the forest and preparing his land 
for culture. His labors and judicious management 



^*^^' 



•»-HI^^ 



730 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



have been abundantly rewarded, and he now owns a 
highly productive farm, of which 133 acres are 
under fine cultivation, and he has erected a com- 
modious and convenient set of frame buildings. 
The first year he did not have his land fenced and 
the cattle ran at will, were sometimes lost, and one 
cow was never found. 

Our subject undoubtedly owes a part of his good 
fortune to his amiable wife, who has been to him a 
wise and ready helper, and to whom he was mar- 
ried in 1846. She was formerly Catherine Simpson, 
and Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., was her birth- 
place. Her parents, Elry and Sally (Spencer) Simp- 
son, were natives of New York State, and came to 
Michigan in 1838. They first settled in Wheatland 
in 1840, where he improved a farm, and both spent 
their last years there. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have 
six children, namely: Frederic, who lives in De- 
troit; Mary E. married D. D. Carl; they live in 
Pittsford Township. Ann Maria, wife of T. W. 
Peters, lives in Springport, Jackson County; E". P. 
lives in Adams Township; Emma T., wife of Alfred 
Lawson, lives with her father; Timothy lives at 
home. 

Mr. Clark is in the best sense of the term a self- 
made man, as he started out in the world with no 
capital but brains and energy, and has steadily 
won his way to his present prosperous condition 
with no other aid. His career has been an honor- 
able and useful one, not only to his family but also 
to his fellow-citizens, with whom his genial dispo- 
sition and hearty, cordial manners render him very 
popular. In politics he is actively identified with 
the Democratic parly, of Hillsdale County. 



eOL. FREDERICK FOWLER. Few who 
have ever had occasion to tarry for any 
length of time in Hillsdale County have 
failed to become familiar with the name of this 
gentleman, who is one of its prominent and wealthy 
citizens, and who, in the course of an honorable 
career, has reflected credit upon the section of 
country where he has made his home and been closely 
identified for so many years. He is one of the old- 
est settlers of the county and one of its most suc- 



-<•- 



cessful general farmers and stock-raisers. His 
property embraces over 1.000 acres of valuable land 
in Reading, Camden and Cambria Townships, while 
he also has a fine property in Reading Village. His 
homestead is located on section 24, in Reading 
Township, and embraces 460 acres of land, which, 
with its buildings and appurtenances, forms the ideal 
country home. The residence is surrounded with 
a beautiful grove, planted by Mr. Fowler himself, 
and with its barns and out-buildiugs, its choice fruit 
and shade trees, presents most truly a delightful 
picture to the e^-e. 

Col. Fowler secured the land which constitutes 
his present homestead in 1843, and at a time when 
the face of the country was a wild and unbroken 
tract, traveled very little by the feet of white men. 
For five consecutive years after he came to this 
farm Col. Fowler cleared and put under the plow 
from forty to 100 acres. The whole is now mostly 
brought to a good stateof cultivation, and produces 
in abundance the richest crops of Southern Michi- 
gan. 

The early tramping ground of our subject was in 
Perry Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, where his birth 
took place Feb. 5, 1817. His father, Richard Fow- 
ler, was a native of Massachusetts, and after his 
marriage emigrated with his wife and their small 
family to the Buckeye State, making their way 
slowly and laboriously with an ox-team, and carry- 
ing with them all their eaithly possessions. One 
hundred days were consumed in the journey, they be- 
ing delayed somewhat on account of sickness. They 
traveled in true emigrant style, cooking and camp- 
ing b}' the wayside and sleeping in their wagon at 
night. Perry Township, where the}' located, was 
at that time a dense wilderness, where they lookup 
their residence in the fall of 1816. Although they 
were surrounded with difficulty and danger, they 
persevered in their intention of founding a home, 
and early in the thirties sat under their own vine 
and fig tree, with cultivated fields around them. 

The father of our subject, however, longing for 
newer fields and having a good opportunitj' to sell, 
disposed of his 175-acre farm in Ohio, and gather- 
ing together his family and household possessions 
as before, started for the Territory of Michigan. 
They made their way overland by ox-teams and 
•► 



i 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



731 



f 



located on what is now section 30, in Adams Town- 
ship, and were the first settlers in the township — 
indeed the first permanent settlers between that 
place and Jonesville. In March, 1835, there was 
a road cut through from wiiat is now Jonesville to 
Hudson, our subject, altiiough but a 3'outh of eight- 
een .years, carrying the chain himself. This was a 
time when everyone who was big enough was pressed 
into service, and there was more than plenty to do 
for all. The father of our subject depended greatly 
upon the assistance of his sons, and Frederick, on 
account of the superabundance of work, received 
very limited school advantages. He was bright and 
observing, however, and after learning to read, by 
the aid of instructive books .acquired a good fund 
of information. That early habit of reading has 
never left him, and on .account of this he is now 
one of the most intelligent of men. 

Richard Fowler, the father of our subject, the 
pioneer of two States, lived to see his farm of more 
than 200 acres, in Adams Township, under a fair 
state of improvement, and became prominent in 
local affairs .as one of its most intelligent citizens. 
He wjis strictly temperate, honorable and upright 
in his trans.actions, of irreproachable character, both 
public and private, while his industry and energy 
were proverbial. A scion of excellent old Massachu- 
setts stock, its finer elements had descended to him 
in a marked degree. The paternal grandfather of our 
subject, Medad b3' name, was also a native of the 
Bay State, a descendant of the old Puritan stock 
which crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days^ 
and on the rugged coast of New England imbibed 
the air of liberty and self-s.acrifice. Grandfather Fow- 
ler made liis living as a tiller of the soil, and spent 
his entire life in the Bay State. He married a 
Massachusetts lady, and Richard, the father of our 
subject, was their eldest son. 

Richard Fowler was reared to m.anhood in his na- 
tive State, and there married Miss Anna Hill, who 
was born in Hudson County, and was also of Mas- 
sachusetts parentage. Their eldest child, Henry, 
who died in 1 842 when about thirty years old. was 
born in Massachusetts, and their remaining eight 
children were natives of Ohio. Of these latter, 
Frederick, our subject, was the first born in the 
Buckeye .State, his birth taking pl.ace a few months 



after their arrival. The family all lived to come 
to Michigan, and six of the children are yet living, 
being married and having families of their own, and 
residents mostly of Michigan, Illinois and Kansas. 
Our subject continued a member of his father's 
household until his marri.age. which w.as celebrated 
at the home of the bride, Miss Phebe L. Willets, 
in Cambria Township, Jan. 13, 1842. Mrs. Fowler 
is a sister of Moses Willets, well known throughout 
this vicinity, and a sketch of whom will be found 
elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Lock- 
port, Niagara Co., N. Y., May 14, 1824, and came 
with her brothers to Michigan when a young girl, 
her parents having died in New York. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born six chil- 
dren, two of whom died, aged respectively two 
j'ears and four months. Their eldest son living. 
Henry by name, married Miss Adelaide Bryan, and 
is living on a farm in Camden Township; Helen 
is the wife of Julius C. Merriman, who is farming 
in Cambria Township; Fremont took to wife Miss 
Kate Richardson, and is also ca,rrying on agricult- 
ure in Cambria Township; Frederick R., Jr., mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Devine, and is tilling the soil of 
a portion of Reading Township. 

In July, 1861, after the outbreak of the late war, 
Mr. Fowler, by permission of Col. Kellogg, who had 
received his instructions from .Simon Cameron, 
Secretary of "War, proceeded to organize a com- 
pany for the field, .and in the course of a few weeks 
had secured 112 volunteers. This band of men 
was named Company G. and our subject was pre- 
sented vvith a Captain's commission, and with his 
men assigned to the 2d Michigan CavaIr3^ They 
were detailed to Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, 
Mo., where they remained 100 d.a^'s, and in Febru- 
ary', 1862, were sent to the frontier, Capt. Fowler 
also acting as Major of a battalion at the same time. 
His company was first brought into active service 
in the cavalry charge at New Madrid, Mo., at which 
point they routed the enemy, and now beginning in 
earnest to participate in the conflict, met the enemy 
next at Corinth, Miss., where the 2d Michigan Cav- 
alry' was in the thickest of the fight. Capt. Fowler 
leading his men, and the company suffering greatly 
from heat. 

The regiment then ra.ade its waj' into Kentucky, 



t 



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I 



•4— 
732 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and at Champion Hills the 2d Cavalry also met 
with consideral loss. Soon afterward Capt. Fowler 
was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 
which lie retained until receiving his honorable dis- 
charge, in June. 1 8G3. Upon returning home he 
was welcomed as one who had done his duty bravely 
and well, and was rewarded by his fellow-citizens in 
the most fitting manner, being chosen by them as 
State Senator for the term of 18G4— G.i. He officiated 
as Chairman on several important committees, 
among them that of military affairs. Politically, 
he has always been a Republican. Col. Fowler 
upon leaving the army and while bidding his com- 
rades farewell, told them that if his life was spared 
a few years he would erect a monument to their 
memory and their deeds, and this promise he kept 
in mind for a period of twenty years, until it was 
possible for him to fulfill it. hi 1884, at his own 
personal expense, he erected the beautiful monu- 
ment which now stands prominently in the ceme- 
tery at Reading, and which was put up at a cost of 
$1,500. The shaft is of the finest New Hampshire 
granite, twent\'-eight feet in height, and resting 
upon a flag-stone 10x16 feet. This in turn rests 
on a solid stone foundation embedded in the earth 
six feet, on an elevated mound which is always kept 
green. On two sides of the main shaft is a 1400- 
pound gun resting on solid blocks of granite, and 
on the third section in bass-relief is the State coal- 
of-arms, the crossed swords, crossed guns and the 
American flag on the four sides. Inscribed upon 
another side of the shaft are the names of sixteen 
principal battles in which the 2d Michigan Cavalry 
was engaged, and by special request of his fellow- 
soldiers Col. Fowler caused to be engraved the 
following inscri|)tion : "Erected to the Memory of 
the Soldier Dead by Col. F. Fowler, Second Regi- 
ment Michigan Cavalry." 

In the year 1883 Col. Fowler crossed the Atlantic, 
visiting some of the principal cities of Europe, 
London, Paris and others, which proved a rich ex- 
perience, and to one of his observing mind a val- 
uable fund of infoi'mation with which he would not 
willingly part. He has also traveled over the United 
Stales to a great extent. Physically, he is of com- 
manding stature, a man who would at once be no- 
ticed among a thousand, and of that bright and 



intelligent eye and genial countenance which at 
once discloses capabilitie of a high order. He has 
no use for the idler, and during the vicissitudes of 
a long and busy career has built up for himself a 
recoid of which his children and friends have rea- 
son to be proud. 

Mr. Fowler, in 1857-58, represented this county 
in the Michigan Legislature, and was appointed 
Chairman of the committee on the State Agricult- 
ural College, while at the same time his views were 
uniformly solicited concerning other matters of 
State and National importance. Prior to this he 
had served as Justice of the Peace, and had gained 
a good knowledge of common law. He was elected 
President of the County Agricultural Society, be- 
ing the second President of the organization and 
serving four terms. To all of the enterprises tend- 
ing to build up the county and insure the welfare 
of its people, he has been the ever cheerful and 
ready assistant, and his name will be held in grate- 
ful remembrance long after he shall have been gath- 
ered to his fathers. 



OTIS D. FINCH. The personal traits of the 
original settlers of New England and the 
Northern Atlantic .States were in many waj's 
remarkable. These were men who not only dared 
to have ideas of their own but had the courage to 
advance and maintain them, and to face the logical 
results of such a course. Their descendants of to- 
day have just cause for revering their memory and 
their deeds, and helping to cherish anil preserve 
them, for from their constancy and patriotism, 
through dangers and hardships, they asserted and 
maintained their independence, and have given to 
us a heritage, the grandest on which the sun shines. 
The subject of this sketch is a native of the Em- 
pire State, where he was born in Burlington Town- 
ship, Otsego County, Feb. 14, 1827, the fifth in a 
family of seven children, four sons and three 
daughters, born to his parents, Tripp and Rebecca 
Finch. Mr. Finch is now pleasantl}^ located on 
section 5, in Moseovv Township, where, in the en- 
joyment of a competency of this world's goods, and 
the confidence and esteem t>f his friends and ac- 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



733 



quaintances, he can pass the i-emaiiuler of his da^'s 
in the consciousness tiiat his life has not been in 
vain. 

In 1833 the parents of our subject removed from 
the Empire State, and hazarded the lon<^ and toil- 
some jotirne}' to the boundless West, where they 
settled in this county, in Moscow Plains, and en- 
gaged in their efforts to subdue from the wilderness 
a farm on which they might rear their family' to 
lives of usefulness, and give them that education 
which would fit them to take their position in 
whatever sphere they miglit be called ui)on to labor. 
Here our subject passed his bo3'hood attending 
school in the first house built for that purpose in 
Moscow Plains. He labored under the usual diffi- 
culties experienced by the early pioneers, being 
often kept at home, where his services were utilized 
in guiding the oxen, seven yoke of which were em- 
ployed in breaking the prairie. The family sus- 
tained a great affliction in the loss of tlie wife and 
motiier when Otis D. was eighteen years of age, 
and they broke up housekeeping. The father re- 
moved to Iowa with three of the children, but not 
being satisfied with the outlook there he returned 
to Michigan. 

Mr. Finch ventured out for himself by purchas- 
ing a tract of seventy-five acres of land, which, 
with that conservative spirit that marks the enter- 
prising farmer, he has retained possession of ever 
since. Finding that it is not good for man to be 
alone, and having now reached a position in which he 
could afford to take the important step, Mr. Finch 
was united in marriage, in 1852, with Miss Sarali 
Ann, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Miria 
(Powell) .Strait, the former a native of Steuben 
County, N. Y., while the latter was born in New 
York City. Her parents were married in Steuben 
County, and resided in the Empire State until their 
removal to Ohio, in 1839, which became their resi- 
dence for some five j'ears, where they engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. They then removed to Jen- 
nings County, Ind., about twent3' miles from Ver- 
non, whei-e they purchased a tract of land, but 
were soon after visited by sickness, and becoming 
discouraged they removed to Hanover, Midi., 
where they bought 160 acres of land near Horse- 
shoe Lake in 1849. Upon this tliej' labored, and 



had already effected considerable improvements 
when the father was called awa^' b^' death, Nov. 7. 
1867, at the age of sixty-one years; the mother fol- 
lowed Jan. 22, 1872, also aged sixty-one. 

Thomas Jefferson and wife became the parents 
of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity, 
while three still survive, one son and two daugh- 
ters. Mrs. Finch, the eldest of this family, was 
born March 1, 1833, in Steub?n County, N. Y., and 
had just begun her attendance at the public schools 
when the family removed to Ohio, where she again 
attended the public schools until eleven years of 
age, when her parents removed to Indiana; here 
she again resumed her studies, and owing to the 
good educational facilities of this State and the 
State of Ohio she secured a good education. Her 
union with Mr. Finch was blessed b^' the birth of 
seven children : Mary K. ; Ida M., deceased ; Thomas 
J., Alva C, Frank W., Clarence L. and Claude D. 
Mar}' E. became the wife of H. N, Rowley, of Han- 
over, and they have one child, Ann E. ; Thonms J. 
is employed by a railroad company at Bloomington, 
III., where he resides with his wife, Ida L. (Howe) 
Finch, and their child Floyd ; Alva C. married Car- 
rie Richards, and they have one child, Ilattie E., 
and reside in Moscow Township; Frank W. has the 
management of the homestead ; Clarence L. has 
been at Hanover, attending the Union School, where 
he was graduated with the class of '88; Claude D. 
resides at home. 

Mr. Finch owns seventj'-five acres on section 5, 
Moscow Township, on which the family resides, 
and eight}' acres in Hanover Township, Jackson 
County, making a total of 15.") acres, which he has 
brought to a good state of cultivation. On his 
farm in Moscow Township he has erected a good 
residence, flanked with convenient out-buildings, 
with m.achiner}' required b}' the modern agricultur- 
ist. Mr. and Mrs. Finch are members in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
West Moscow, in which Mrs. Finch is .Steward. 
Thej' are also members of Mo.scow Grange, and Mr. 
F. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, identified 
with Hamilton Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M.; he has 
served for a period of eleven 3'ears as Constable, and 
in politics he finds his ideas most nearly carried out 
liy theGreenback party. 



i' 



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r34 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




bUTHER MINER settled with his family in 
Pulaski, Jackson Co., Mich., in 1 838, wliere he 
remained ahout seven years, when he moved 
to Somerset. Hillsdale Co., Midi. In tracing his gen- 
ealogy we are fortunate enough to have access to a 
recent volume entitled "History of Ancient Wood- 
burj-, Conn.," by William Cothren. He quotes an 
ancient account of the family. This was sent over 
from England to the first Thomas Miner some years 
after he came to this country, and was preserved 
by the descendants of Manassah Miner until within 
a few years ago. when it was deposited with the 
Connecticut Historical Society for i)reservation. 

The first of those who have borne the name of 
Minor, or Miner, was Henry, who lived in the reign 
of one of the Edvv.irds of England, at Mendippi 
Hills, in Somersetshire, England, and died in 1359. 
The name with armorial bearings was given him 
b^' King Edward in acknowledgment of his loyal 
service in providing an escort for the King on 
his way to embark for France. His name is said to 
have been Bullman before it was changed, and his 
business that of a miner. King Edward, in giving 
him a coat of arms, honored his profession by giv- 
ing the name of his trade for a surname. The coat 
of arms given above was procured at the herald's 
office in London, by the first Thomas, of New Lon- 
don, in 1680. There is another account of this 
found in Money's translation from the Gaelic: 

"King Edward now rote to several prominent 
men for help. This miner went to his aid with 70 
men as soldiers and 30 men as servants, for which 
he received the honor of knighthood and other com- 
pensation from the King. 1346." 



Thomas, son of (2) Clement and grandson of (1) 
William, who died at Chow-Mngna, in England, 
Feb. 23, 1585, was b. April 23, 1608, came to New 
England in 1630, and m. Grace, daughter of Walter 
Palmer, April 23. 1634. Thomas Minor came with 
John Winthrop's company to Pequot and settled 
there about 1646-47. He d. at Stonington, Oct. 
23, 1690, aged 83. Grace, his wife, died the same 
year. He was n leading man in the settlements in 
the eastern part of the State. He is the ancestor of 
all bearing the name in this country so far as can 
be ascertained. Clement settled in New London, 
and is the ancestor of most of those bearing the 
name in that vicinity. 

In this history of the family name we propose to 
trace his descendants onlj\ It would take a vol- 
ume of good size to give all the descendants of the 
first Thomas. Luther Grant m. Mary Rynx in 
Somerset, Hillsdale Co., Mich. ; James Harvey m. 
Sarah Durni at Volga City, Iowa, May 12, 1855, 
and has since lived in Richland County, Wis., and 
has three daughters : Alberka D., Carrie and Minnie, 
and one son. Grant Lenox. This Grant m. Nelie 
Lybrand, and has two sons — Will and Harrie, 

Being now through with the history genealogical 
the writer will make mention of a few members of 
the family. Amos, who was born in New London. 
Conn., in 1755, was a Revolutionarj' soldier; he 
was under Gen. Putnam at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, or as then called Breed's Hills. He worked 
in the trenches that memorable night, and was one 
of the small number of men who were concealed 
behind a breastwork made of new-mown hay and a 
post and rail fence, and delivered the first volley of 
musketrj' from their flint-lock guns into the ranks 
of the red coats as they inarched up the hill in solid 
column. The fire was very effective as it was de- 
livered at very close range. It was very interesting 
to hear him detail the occurrences of that da^'. He 
served during the war and received a gunshot 
wound in an arm, which disabled him for life. He 
was a pensioner .and died at the age of 81, and his 
remains are now buried at the main entrance of the 
Palmyra Cemetery in the State of New York. 

Luther Miner was one of the founders of Lock- 
port, in the State of New York, where he lived for 
many years previous to his emigrating to Michigan. 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



735 



He was an active biisiness man of that place. In 
polilifs he w.'is a AVhig anrl a Kcpuliliean, alwaj'S 
aiding his jjaity nnd his friends, hut never asking 
for the iionors of office. After coming to Michi- 
gan he was a hard-wori<ing farmer, enduring tlie 
hardships oi a new country with a large family to 
care for. He was ably assisted by his noble wife, 
Elinor Grant, with whom he lived over half a cent- 
ury. He was a man with strong likes and dislikes 
— never could do too much for a friend, nor forget 
an enemy, always public-spiiited.and always helped 
the right. William P., the youngest son of Luther 
Miner, was the first to organize a company' in Hills- 
dale and .Tackson Counties for three years' service 
in the late war. He received a commission from 
Austin IJlair, then (4overnor. He went with his 
company to Hilton Head, S. C, in 1861, remaining 
in the service until he was unable to do dutj' on 
account of poor health. In 1871 he established a 
general store business at Jerome, Hillsdale County, 
which was continued until 1882. 

This notable family's departure from England 
was not the effect of poverty in an old country to 
better itself in a new one, nor of sij^fched reputa- 
tion fleeing away to find in distance the solace of 
being unknown, nor of uneasj' spirits changing their 
abode on account of tiie mere frenzj' of changing 
something; Init thej- were a part of a great idea 
which time has shown to be far greater than they 
then knew. 

"It is more praiseworlhie in noble and excellent 
things to know something, though little, than in 
mean and ignoble things to have a perfect knowledge. 
Amongst all those rare ornaments of the mind of man, 
heraldic hath had a most eminent place, and hath 
been held in high esteem, not only at one time and 
in one climate, but during all times, and through 
those parts of the world wherean^' ray of Ilumanitie 
and Civilitie hath shined, for without it all would 
be drowned in the chaos of disorder. Neither is 
she so partial, that money shall make the man. For he 
ought not to be accounted a perfect Herauld except 
that he can discern the difference betwixt a coatar- 
moriall, obtained by valour, or purchased by money. 
Senium. Oentilium Palludamentum Cistatanus — 
honorable not mercenary, as appears bj' the coat of 
the Miners. The reason (as Garcilaseo .Sayeth, page 



4.32) is this. Edward, the third, going to make warre 
against the French, took a progress through Somer- 
sett, and coming to Mendippi CoIIes minerary, Men- 
dippi Hills in .Somersett, where lived Henry, a 
miner, wiiose surname was BuUman. his name being 
taken rather a denominatione soci et ab offlcia, who 
with all carefulness and loyaltie, having convened 
his Domestics and menial Servants, armed with Bat- 
tle Axes, proffered himself and them to his master's 
service, making up a complete hundred. Where- 
fore he had his coat armorial (Gules) signifying 
Minius, red — another demonstration of the original 
of the surname, a Fesse id est cinguhnn militare, 
because obtained by valour, betwixt three plates, ar- 
gent, crest, a battle axe armed at both ends, another 
demonstration of the original of the arms, for there 
could be no plates without Mines. It is folly to 
suppose such a surname as Minor to have any 
coat of arms, it being contrary, yea, contradictory 
in terms, that Minor can obtain paternal coats or 
achievements, unless it be presupposed that Major 
was his father. Bartas, a French Herauld. says 
Miner is a word contracted in' Dutch, MIN-HEIR, 
that is my master or Lord, and gives his reason for 
the plates to be dollars or pieces of Eight, abund- 
ance of which will make Hollander (albeit born 
upon a dunghill) to be titled Mein-heir, but ye crest 
reason aforesaid, and Chronologic proves the first, 
and albeit Heraulds differ in the Describing (says 
Fordon, page 342) of this surname, Miner, and 
time, with the various dialects of several counties, 
have almost made it to be another name, yet if 
ignorance would strive to eradicate Ancestrie, it 
can not do it in this coat, the name and colours 
making so much proof with the pl.ace (says Baker). 
1st. the place where the original came from; Men- 
dippi Colles Minerary. 2d, by the field, Minius. 
3d, by the charge Minerall. 4th, by the circum- 
stances and actions upon record, relative to the 
crest, being a battle-axe armed at both ends Min- 
erall. Herauldy is a thing not of yesterday, or 
which may be otherways found out, being already 
condescended upon by all nations, and as it were 
established. Jure Centium, among the Greeks, Ro- 
mans, Germans, French, .Spaniards, English, Scots, 
Danes and Hungarians, <fec. Fridon, the great 
Antiquarian, sayeth that the King's Secretary re- 




-i 



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736 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



•^H^: 



turned the foresaid Henry Miner a compliment for 
his Loyaltie in these words. Oceanus quamvis 
magnijiury multique torrentes siiil ei stipendary. 
Non de dignatur recipere minares Riviloso id est. 
The Ocean (though great rivers pay him tribute) 
disdains not also to receive the Lesser, if Loyal 
Brooks, which by one only urne pour themselves 
into its bosom. 

This Henry died in liie year 1359, leaving be- 
hind him Henry, Edward, Thomas and George 
Miner, of whom little is to be said, save as only 
that Henry married one Henrietta Hicks, daughter 
of Edward Hicks, of Gloucester, of whom as appears 
by the paling of their arms, are the Hicks of Revers- 
ion Castle, in Gloucester, descended, and had issue, 
William and Henry. 

William married one Ilobbs, of Wiltshire, and 
had issue, Thomas and George. Henry, the 2d son, 
served Richard the second, in the year 1384. 
Thomas, in 1399, married one Miss Gressleys, 
daughter of Cotton, in the Countie of Stafford, and 
had issue. Lodovick, George and Mary. Lodovick 
married Anna Dyer, daughter of Thomas Dyer, of 
Stoughton, in the Countie of Huntington, and had 
issue, Thomas, born 1436, and after that twins, being 
twenty-two years after ye birth of the said Thomas, 
and the twins, George and Arthur, who both served 
the House of Austria, the younger married (as 
Phillipe Comins relates) one Henrietta de la Villa 
Odorosa. Thomas married Bridget, second daughter 
to Sir George Hervie de St. Martins, in County 
Middlesex, and died 1480, leaving his son William 
and daughter Anna Miner in tutorage to their 
mother, Bridget, whom she resigned to her father, 
and turned to a MonasteriaJ life in Dutford, where 
she remained during the remainder of her life. 
William married Isabella Hartope de Frolibay, and 
lived to revenge the death of the two young 
Princes murdered in the Tower of London, upon 
their inhuman uncle, Richard the 3d. It was said 
of this William Miner, that he was Flos MiliUae, the 
flower of chivalrie. He left behind him ten sons, 
William, George, Thomas, Robert, Nathaniel and 
John ; the rest are not recorded. The two last went 
over to Ireland, in 1541, when King Henry the 8th 
was proclaimed 1st King of Scotland. Nathaniel 
married f>iie Fitzmorris neigh Caterburgh, in the 



province of Leinster, in Ireland. John married 
Joselina O'Bryan, daughter of Teig O'Bryan, of 

, in County of Clare, whose posteritie remain 

there in the name of Miner, bearing the same coat. 
George married and lived in Shropshire, Thomas in 
Hereford. William, the eldest son, had issue, Clem- 
ent and Elizabeth Miner, and was buried at Chow 
Magna, the 23 day of February, Anno Domini 
1585, and lies interred in the Priests' chancel, about 
four feet from the wall, with this inscription : 
HERE ,, ETH ,,,,,, M 
MYNER ,,, OF ,,, PSH 

OBYT IRMFERRU MDLXXXV 

This and no more is legible upon the stone, with 
the coat expressed in the margin (at the f signe) 
but by the Records and Registry of said church it 
is evident that his name was William Myner, they 
both agreeing in the same date and place, and 
must needs have been the head of the same family, 
as by the paternal coat of arms clearly appear. 

Clement, his son, succeeded his father in Heritage, 
and married, and had issue, Clement, Thomas, 
Elizabeth and Mary Miners, and departed this life 
the 31st of March, 1040, and lies interred in Chow 
Magna, in the County of Somersctt. Clement, Ihe 
eldest brother, married Sarah Po])e, daughter of 
John Pope, of Norton, Small Reward, in the County 
of Somersett, and had issue, William and Israel. 
This Clement was buried at Burslington, County of 
Somersett, and Thom.as, his brother, is now (in 1083) 
alive at Stonington, Connecticut Colony, in New 
England, Anno Domini 1683, and h.as issue, John, 
Thomas, Clement, Manassah, Ephraim and Judah 
Miners, and two daughters, Marie and Elizabeth. 
William Miner, eldest son of Clement Miner, 2d, 
married Sarah, daughter of John Batting, of Clif- 
ton, in Gloucestershire, and lives. Anno Domini, 
1683, in Christmas street, in the city of Bristol, and 
has issue, William and Sarah. Israel, the second 
son, married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Jones, 
of Burslington, in County of Somersett, and had 
issue, Clement, Thomas, Sarah, Jean and Elizabeth, 
Anno Domini 1683. 

And now, having done with the description 
Genealogical, I hope that TOV TIC, etc., etc. 

^ egdaba naian Tima, aug. ugabo. 

And if 1 have used any old or ancient words, 



••►HI 



i- 



^- 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



737 



yea, words diffeiciitly now Sj-Uilpioated, I may ex- 
cusp myself with Qiiintialiaiim Verbosa restuetate 
lepetites non solume maquis assentorcs aliquam 
non sine flft lulalonat, and for the ingenuous 
reader I am not that every Peasant should venture 
his sick-brained opinion upon this essay, knowing 
well thatasy neminem liabet ininiicume praetor ig- 
norantum, but if he will take counsel (an illegible 
Greek qnotation here follows, translated by the 
author to mean, "If thou hast no taste for learning, 
meddle no more with wliat thou understandeth 
not,") and keejjing himself silent, he may pass for a 
wit, while on the contrary, his too much garrulity 
shows his nakedness as much as Prester John, who 
describes himself fromes Logues of Solomon, or 
Fishulf from a seth: but 1 shall be very much be- 
holden to tlie learned reader, who. if he can give 
more satisfaction in the essay, would, for the honor 
of antiquitie (who now lies in profundo Deniocratis 
Putio) mind the Errata chronologieall3', and see if 
he can derive the surname from a longer time, it 
being supposed that Henry Miner's name before 
the King's progress into .Somersett was Bullman, 
but how certain, however, I know not, but leave it 
to some other, whose experience and learning ex- 
ceed mine. Desiring nothing more than that Her- 
aldic should be restored to its pristine splendor and 
truth, and not be abused hj' every common painter 
and plasterer, who, before he will lose a fee. will 
fansie a coat of arms to the loss of their estates and 
goods, and sometimes their verj' names. 

Quid non mortal iuni pcctora coginis aure Sacra 
Fames .'' 

Emblemata ad volunlatem Domini Riges sunt 
portanda et non alius audi Heraldie, stands in need 
of the dose gapcnipsusys, and now I will conclude 
with Kalph Brooks, Esquire, and York Heraldie. 

To make these names alive again appear, 
AVhich in oblivion well nigh buried were. 
That so your children in.ay avoid the jarres. 
Which might arise about their ancestors; 
And the living ?iiight those titles see 
With which these names and houses honored be. 
Yet I have hope of more acceptance from 
Those future times that after we shall come. 
For when beneath the stroke of death I fall. 
And those that live these linos examine sIi.tII, 






Detraction dying, you that do remain 
Will credit me and thank me for my pains. 
Very — si quid nodisti rectius 
Candidas imperti — si non utere mecum. 

This coat of the Miners of Chow, I attest Lo be 

entered at Bath, in Somersett. by Clarenceux. the 

4th of King James the (irst, which visitation is in 

custody of me, 160G. Ai.ex. Cunningham. 

On jwge 644 is recorded, "20 V. Gr.ace (dan. of 

C.'ipt. John Minor, b. Sept. 20, 1670, m. Grant." 

She was the granddaughter of Thomas Minor, the 
emigrant, by his wife, Grace Palmer, dau. of Wal- 
ter Palmer. Grace Minor was ni. to Samuel Grant, 
Jr., of Windsor, Conn., Ap. 11, 1688. Thus the 
above blank is filled. She thus became the ancestress 
of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the President of the U. S. 
The generations upward run thus: — Gen. Ulysses 
Simpson Gr.ant, son of Jesse Root, and Hannah 
(Simpson) Grant, b. April 27, 1822, son of Capt. 
Noah and Rachel (Kelley) Grant, b. ,Ian. 1794; 
son of Noah and Susanna (Delano) Grant, h. June 
20, 1748; son of Noah and Martha (Huntington) 
Gr.ant, b. July 12, 1718; son of Samuel. Jr., and 
Grace (Minor) Grant, dau. of John Minor, of 
Woodbur}-, b. Dec. 16, 1602; son of Samuel and 
Mary (Porter) Grant, b. April 30, 1659; son of 
Deacon Matthew and Priscilla Grant, of Windsor, 
Conn., b. Nov. 12, 1631. 

"Besides the Grant blood, there is intermingled 
in the veins of the General, by successive marriages, 
the blood of some of the best Connecticut families 
— the Huntingtons, the Lathrops, the Porters, the 
Minors, the Putnams — all strong names, and signifi- 
cant of good training and sterling growth." (His- 
tory of Connecticut during the late War, p. 7.')6.) 
The third son of Thomas Miner was Clement, 
from whom Luther Miner's family sprung. Clement 
was born in 1640, and died Oct. 10, 1700. His 
second son was named Joseph, who w.as born Aui^. 
16, 1666. He married Elizabeth Comstoek, March 
12. 1689, and died in 17.54. His eldest S(m was 
named Joseph, who was born March 3, 1690, mar- 
ried Grace Turner Miner, Feb. 26, 1713. and died 
May 31, 1781. Joseph's second son was Jesse, born 
Aug. 13, 1716. married Jane Watrous, Nov. 3, 
1737, and died Nov. 4. 1763; his ninth child was 
Amos, who was born in New London, Aug. 6, 1755; ' 




•^ 



4- 



738 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he married Mary Rowley, Dec. 14, 1780, and died 
Nov. 11, 1836. His sixth child was Luther, the 
subject of this sketch. Ho was Iwrii April 19, 1791, 
and died at Bear Grove, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1871. His 
first wife was Jane Poppleton, to whom he was mar- 
ried May 20, 1814; she died .Jan. 18, 1817. He 
then married Sally Ann Hillam, who died in one 
}'ear. He married Lena E. Grant, March 8, 1819; 
she died Nov. 20, 1870. 

The children of Luther Miner were as follows: 
Bj' his first wife .Jane Maryette was born April 27, 
1815.. By his third wife the following ten: Sally 
Ann, born Dec. 18, 1819; Olive Adelia, June 28, 
1821; Caroline A., Feb. 20, 1823; Clarissa, Aug. 
1, 1825; Andrew Grant. Aug. 21, 1826; Luther 
Grant, Aug. 12, 1827 ; James Harvey, Feb. 4, 1830; 
Theodore, Aug. 2, 1832; Mary Ellen, May 20, 
1836, and William Page, April 30, 1840. The lat- 
ter married, Nov. 7, 1874, Wealthy A. Seeley, at 
Jerome, Hillsdale Co., Mich., and to them was born 
one child, Frederic, Nov. 21, 1S80. 




^ SAAC H. KELLOGG is an extensive and enter- 



prising farmer and stock-raiser of Hillsdale 
li County. The farm which he owns and occu- 
pies on section 4, is one of the oldest in Reading 
Township, having been among the very first to be 
put under cultivation, as it was entered in June, 
1836, by Jefferson Kellogg, the father of our sub- 
ject, an earl}^ pioneer of this township and county. 
It has been in the possession of our subject since 
1863, and contains 120 acres of exceedingly fertile 
and productive land, and is amply supplied with 
an excellent class of buildings. He has it well sup- 
plied with a good grade of stock, and his great 
success in conducting the various branches of agri- 
culture to which he gives his attention, indicates 
that he is a man of more than ordinary business 
capacity, and is well endowed with a sound intellect 
and practical common sense. 

Isaac Kellogg was born in the township of Man- 
lius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1834. His 
paternal grandparents, Henry and Sarah (Reynolds) 
Kellogg, passed their entire lives in that county. 



His grandfather was drowned in 1825, while fishing 
in a swollen stream; he was then but thirty-four 
years of age, his useful career being thus closed in 
the very prime of life. His wife survived him 
until 1843, when she too passed away. Six chil- 
dren were born to them, of whom Jefferson, ihe 
father of our subject, was the eldest. He was 
reared and educated in his native county, and was 
there married, April 4, 1830, to Maria Hoffman, a 
native of New York, and of Dutch ancestry. After 
the birth of two sons, Orlando H. and our subject, 
Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg concluded that the Territory 
of Michigan offered better advantages for them to 
obtain the means of properly rearing and educating 
their children, as it was thought that Mi-. Kellogg 
could better pursue on its alluvial virgin soil the 
calling of a farmer, which he had always followed. 
Accordingly, in the early summer of 183G, they 
were on their w.ay to their future home, traveling 
by lake to Monroe, in this State, and thence to their 
destination in Reading Township. They first found 
a home with Judge .lohn Mickle, who was the first 
settler of tlie township, and Mr. Kellogg, with two 
others, assisted the Judge in clearing a heavily 
timbered piece of land, which formed a part of his 
homestead, and that was the first land cleared in 
the township. In the fall of the year our subject 
located on his own land, which he had previously 
entered from the Government, and by steady appli- 
cation to his work in after years, he cleared 200 
acres of land, and on his retirement to private 
life, in 1863, he had improved a fine farm, and 
had gained a competency. Though scarcely past 
middle age at that time, he has been enabled to live 
in the enjoyment of an ample income, sufficient for 
all his needs, and free from the cares and vexations 
of business. He is an intelligent man, clear, cool- 
headed, and eminently cautious, and has alwaj-s 
been just and honorable in ail his dealings. He is 
seventy-six years old, and now makes his home 
with his youngest daughter, Mrs. John Watson. 
He was for many years an active member of the 
Regular Baptist Church, but of late years has 
identified himself with the Methodist. In politics 
he was formerly an old-line Whig, and later he 
became a Republican, and at the same time a stanch 
advocate of Prohibition. He has held some of the 



-t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■*^ 



r39 



f 



i' 



local offices of the township of Reading. His wife 
died in Litchfield, April 30, 1885, aged seventy- 
two years. .She was for forty years a member of 
the Regular Baptist Church, and was a true Chris- 
tian and a good woman. To them were born 
four sons and two daugliters, all of whom lived to 
maturity and married, and the eldest son is now 
deceased. 

Our subject was the second son and second child 
born to his parents, and was reared on the old 
homestead, where lie still continues to live. He 
received a sound education, and for some years 
was engaged in teaching. He married, in his 
adopted township, March 23, 1862, Miss Phebe 
Herendeen, who was born in Palmyra, Wayne Co., 
N. y., Nov. 11, 1827. She was the first child and 
only daughter of Welcome and Elizabeth ( Burchard) 
Herendeen, natives of Ontario County, N. Y. Mr. 
Herendeen was the first white child born in Ontario 
County, and continued to live there some j'ears, 
subsequently moving to Wayne County, and in 
1845 came with his wife and three children to this 
county, and located in Reading Township, where 
he and his wife made their home until death, which 
occurred when he was over sixty j-ears of age, and 
she was at the age of seventy-eight. They had been 
hard-working people, and led consistent Christian 
lives, be being a Quaker and the mother a Meth- 
odist. Mrs. Kellogg received a good education in a 
seminary at Albion, and was for several years suc- 
cessfully engaged in the profession of te.icher. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg has been born one 
son, Clarence J., who was educated at tiie Hillsdale 
College, and possesses fine business qualifications. 
He owns sixty acres of land in Reading Township, 
which he manages, besides assisting his father on 
his farm. He married Lidia Murray, who was 
reared and partly educated in this township, and 
completed her educati(m in Hillsdale College. To 
her and her husband one child has been born, Mur- 
ray J. 

Our subject and his wife are members of the Free- 
will Baptist Church. Mrs. Kellogg is a woman of 
firm character, and is a thrift}' housewife. Our 
subject has taken an important part in public 
affairs; his fellow-citizens, recognizing his integritj* 
and ability, have often honored him by election to 




office, and he has been Township Treasurer, Justice 
of the Peace for twenty-five years, and has held 
most of the other responsible offices in Reading 
Township. He and his son are Republicans, and 
are firm advocates of Prohibition. 

ARMENUS CUNNINGHAM is classed 
among the well-to-do farmers of Pittsford 
Township, where he owns a good farm, on 
which he has, bj' persistent toil, frugality, 
and excellent management, built up one of the cosi- 
est homes in this vicinity. He was born in Lan- 
caster, Erie Co., N. Y., March 8, 1833. His father, 
Joel Cunningham, was a native of Hoosic, Rensselaer 
Co., N. Y., and his grandfather, Layton Cunning- 
ham, was a native of New England, who early set- 
tled in Rensselaer County, and resided there until 
1810. In that year he started lor the western 
frontier with a pair of horses and wagon, accom- 
panied by his family, and settled in what is now 
the town of Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y. He bought 
a tract of timber land of the Holland Purchase Com- 
pany, and erected a log house, into which he moved 
with his wife and children before there were either 
doors or windows in it. The country was very wild 
and unsettled, and wolves and bears were plenty at 
the time only ten miles from Buffalo. He made that 
place his home until death, in the meantime improv- 
ing quite an extensive farm. 

The fatlier of our subject was but sixteen j'ears of 
age when his parents moved to Erie County, and 
had hanlly reached manhood when the War of 
1812 broke out, and he went forth from that fron- 
tier settlement in the wilderness of Western New 
York to assist his native country. His faithful 
services were rewarded by a warrant from the Gov- 
ernment for 1 GO acres of land, and the last years 
of his life he drew a pension, which at his death 
devolved on his widow, who still continues to draw 
it. After the war closed he returned to Erie 
County, and engaged in farming there for many 
years. He married Celinda, daughter of Nathan 
Dopkins, a pioneer of Seneca County, where she 
was born Dec. 4. 1801. In 1849 Mr. Cunningham 
disposed of his property in Erie County, and came 



h 



740 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



with his family to Hiilsrlale County. He first set- 
tled in Jefferson Township, and later removed to 
Pittsford Township, where he bought a home on 
section 9, in which he lived the remaining years 
of his life, which closed April 14, 1883. His was a 
very long and useful life, he having been born some 
years before the opening of the present century, 
and he and his wife weregreatl}' respected for their 
sterling worth in this commuaitj'. His widow sur- 
vives him at an advanced age, and makes her home 
in Gratiot Count}', Mich. Ten children were born 
te them, all of whom grew up. 

Their son Parmenus, of whom we write, was the 
seventh of their children in order of birth. He was 
eighteen years old when he came with his parents 
to this State. He was reared on a farm in his na- 
tive place, and his education was conducted in 
the district schools. He continued to live with 
his parents until after his marriage, assisting in the 
management of the farm. That important event 
in his life took place Aug. 15, 1853, Miss Francina 
Estes being the lady to whom he was then united. 
She was born in Batavia. Genesee Co., N. Y., Aug. 
15, 1837. Her father, Sylvanus Estes, was born in 
Plymouth County, Mass., and moved to New York 
and settled near Batavia. In 1832 he came to the 
Territory of Michigan, and entered forty acres of 
land from the Government on section 10 of what 
is now Pittsford 'I'ownship, coming on foot to this 
place from Detroit, and after selecting his land 
walked to Monroe and entered it at the Govern- 
ment office. He then returned for his familj' and 
settled with them in Adrian for a year. Subse- 
quently he went back to New York to live, and did 
not settle on his land on section 10 until 1839. 
He first built a log house and later a good set of 
frame buildings, and died at the home that he built 
up here, May 25, 1873, at the age of seventy-nine 
years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ruth 
Ramsdell, was born in Massachusetts. She went to 
California after. his death, and died there Jan. 8, 
1878, aged seventy-seven years. 

In 1862, Mr. Cunningham bought eighty acres 
of land on section 34, Pittsford Township, which 
he farmed successfully for two years, and then dis- 
posed of it very advantageously, and bought the 
place where he now lives. His farm consists of 



eighty acres of fine, arable land, which he has 
under good tillage. He has erected ample and 
conveniently arranged frame l)nildings, and has 
otherwise increased the value of his place by sub- 
stantial improvement. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are the parents of 
seven children — Allen B.,Eva C, Fred S., Edward 
Ernest, Ella M., Affa G. and George R. Allen B. 
married Maggie Niblack; they live in Nebraska. 
Eva C, wife of Edward L. Bailey, and Edward E.> 
live in Silver Creek Township, Merrick Co., Neb.; 
Fred married Carrie Gardner, and lives in Allen 
Township; the rest of the children live at home 
with their parents. Clara M.. the third child, died 
in 1860, at the age of three 3'ears. 

Mr. Cunningham is a man of sound principles, 
strong conviction, and of unsullied character, and, 
with his amiable wife, enjoys the fullest confidence 
and esteem of all in the community. In politics 
he w.as formerly a Republican, becoming a member 
of that party on its formation, but since the .agita- 
tion of the temperance question he has allied him- 
self with the Prohibitionists. 

ON. JONATHAN B. GRAHAM, of Jones- 
ville, was born at Hudson, Conn., Feb. 26, 
1811, and is of English and Scotch ancestry. 
He received the ordinary school privileges 
of those times, and was educated by his parents 
with the idea of becoming a farmer. His tastes and 
inclinations led in a different direction, however, and 
at the age of twenty-one Mr. Graham borrowed a 
small capital, and purchased a stock of goods. He 
engaged several men to travel for him, and traded 
throughout New Y''ork, Pennsylvania and Ohio. He 
was generally successful, and in 1835 extended his 
business into Indiana and Michigan. 

On the 19th of August, 1835, Mr. Graham was 
united in marriage with Miss Maria J. Loomis. In 
November, 1837, Mr. Graham ariived with his wife 
from Connecticut, and settled in Jonesville. He 
weathered the great financial crasii of 1838, and 
afterward devoted his attention to farming, and in 
1851 built his present residence in Jonesville. In 
1853 the Jonesville Woolen Mill was started, and 



•^" 



>► f ^ 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



741 



^i:^ 



Mr. Graliaii) became a stockliolder. and was elected 
I'resident; it was not a paying investment, liow- 
ever, and in 1860 the mill was sold. Mr. Graham 
continued farming until 1868, when he sold his farm 
property, and has since been engaged in active 
business. 

The subject of this notice has held all the promi- 
nent offices in his township, and was elected a mem- 
ber of the Legislature in 184.i. In 18.50 he was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention, which 
met in Lansing, and framed the Constitution of the 
State. He exerted his influence to secure the pas- 
sage of the Ft. Wayne, Saginaw & J.ackson Rail- 
ro.ad through Jonesville, and has always been earnest 
in securing the promotion of the best interests of 
this section of country. 



GRACE L. BISHOP. Among the prosper- 
ous farmers of Hillsdale County, who are 
lk\^ worthily fulfilling their duties as intelligent 
IJ^ and useful citizens, is the subject of this 
sketch, who is steadily pursuing the even tenor of 
his way on his pleasant homestead on section 16, 
Allen Township. He is a native of the State of 
New York, born in Stafford, Genesee County, July 
10, 1821. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Lock- 
wood) Bishop, were natives respectively of Rhode 
Island and New York.- After marriage they estab- 
lished a home in Genesee County, where they spent 
the remainder of their years. 

Their son Horace, of whom we write, w.as reared 
in his native State. He received a fair education, 
and an early training in habits of industry and 
frugality from his worthy parents, who also taught 
him to walk the path of rectitude and honor. By 
his persistent energy and ai)plication to his work, he 
gathered together the means which enabled him to 
form domestic ties in the prime of young manhoo<I, 
and, Jan. -28, 184.5, he was united in marriage in 
Balavia, Genesee Co.. N. Y., to Miss Emeliue Al- 
lison, a native of Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
where she was born May 5, 1828. She was a 
daughter of Joseph and Martha (S.ackelt) Allison, 
both of whom were born in I'ennsylvania. They 
(her parents) settled in Ontario County, N. Y., 



where her father died. Her mother died in Gen- 
esee Countj'. 

Our subject and his wife remained in their na- 
tive State several years after marriage, and there 
four of their children were born to thera. In 1851 
Mr. and Mrs. Bishop decided to leave their old 
home, endeared to them by so many ties and asso- 
ciations, and in the more recently settled State of 
Michigan build up for themselves and their family 
a new home. After their arrival here, they located 
in Allen Township, Hillsdale Count3', being at- 
tracted hither by the beauty of its situation and 
other advantages. Mr. Bishop has been exceed- 
ingl3' prospered since comnig here, and now owns 
one of the rich and fertile farms for which this 
county is so famed. He has it well drained, and 
its broad fields are under careful tillage; it is well 
stocked, and is provided with neat and comfortable 
buildings. 

The pleasant wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop 
has been blessed by the birth of six children, of 
whom the following is the record: Flattie M. is the 
wife of E. A. LefHngwell. of Allen; George E. is 
engaged in the hardware business in Dowagi.ac, 
Mich.; Isaac L. is engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness in Allen: William T. is a traveling salesmen; 
Ada D. is the wife of Augustus M. Dudle}-; Horace 
L., Jr., is at home with his parents. 

Mr. Bishop is a man of solid worth and sound 
integrity, having the respect of all who know him. 
He has always beengreatl3' interested in the general 
and local affairs of his adopted township, and has 
done what he could to promote its welfare, while 
serving as Highway Commissioner and Drain Com- 
missioner. In politics oursuliject alliliates with the 
Republican party, and is a strong supporter of its 
me.asures. 

GRACE N. TURRELL. The name of this 

S] well-known and popular resident of Litch- 
1\^(^ field is familiar to a large proportion of the 
(l^\ people in this part of the State. His career 
has been more than ordinarily successful, as that of 
a man who has taken a deep interest m the affairs 
which relate most nearly to the welfare and progress 
of a community. He is not only commanding in 



'T* 




«*•- 



742 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



stature, but possesses a large and generous mind, 
and has given much time to those matters calculated 
for the best good of the people, taking a deep 
interest in clmrch and Sundaj'-sehool matters, and 
distinguishing himself as one of the most zealous 
workers in this cause in Southern Michigan. He is 
most happily balanced mentally, and has been a 
man who has invariabl}' drawn around him friends 
wherever he is known. 

Our subject is junior partner of the firm of N. 
Turrell <fe Son, who are carrying on a general store 
in Litchfield Village, and form no unimportant 
factors in its business interests. Of his father, Nelson 
Turrell, a sketch will be found elsewhere in this 
volume. Suffice it to say that he was born in Ver- 
mont and married Miss Emily Hawley, a native of 
Connecticut. They settled at Montrose, Susque- 
hanna Co., Pa., where the father began operating 
a sawmill, and whence they removed three j'ears 
later to Cleveland, Ohio. From there they came to 
the West in 183.5, while Michigan was a Territory, 
settling in Lenawee County. Here the father and 
grandfather became large land-owners, but in 1861 
disposed of the bulk of their interests in that sec- 
tion, and came to tliis county', locating in Hillsdale. 
The main reason of this removal was the desire of 
the father of our subject to give his children the 
advantages of the modern schools of the city. In 
the meantime he engaged in general merchandis- 
ing, and our subject upon reaching manhood was 
taken into the business, when the firm assumed its 
present style. The father is still a resident of Litch- 
field, and has now arrived at the advanced age of 
eighty-three years. The mother is seventy-nine. 
Their family consisted of five sons and four daugh- 
ters, Horace N. being the third child, and who was 
born July 28, 1834, in Indepeudence, Ohio. 

Our subject w.as but an infant when brought by 
his parents to Southern Michigan, where he attended 
first the common schools, later attended the Union 
School in Jonesville, and finally became a student 
of Hillsdale College, where he remained one year. 
He next entered Lansing Agricultural College, and 
was also at Leoni College six months. Soon after 
leaving school he began teaching, and for a period 
of ten years was identified with the educational 
interests of both Michigan and Indiana. He in due 



time developed into a Principal, and was very suc- 
cessful. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject w.is his m.arriage, which took place in 
May, 1861, his bride being MissPhebe A. Bunday, 
daughter of Warner and Betsy (Gardiner) Bunda}^ 
natives of New York State, and born in Canandai- 
gua, where they settled after their marriage, and in 
1835-36 came to the Territory of Michigan. Mr. 
Bunday was a teacher during his early life, but 
upon coming West interested himself in farming 
lands, and finally became the owner of 1,200 acres 
in this county. He was a far-seeing financier, and 
lived to a ripe old age, his death taking place in 
1885, when he was eighty-three years old. The 
mother is still living, making her home in Litch- 
field, and has spanned her fourscore years. Their 
family consisted of three sons and two daughters, of 
whom Mrs. Turrell was the youngest girl. She was 
born July 18, 1840, in Somerset Township, this 
countj', and acquired an excellent education. She 
attended the Union School at Ann Arbor. She was 
subsequently occupied as a teacher fo." a perio<l of 
five years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Turrell commenced the journey of 
life together at a snug home in Lenavvee Countj', 
and in due time the little household included four 
children, namely: Ida JL, Minnie A., Jessie B. and 
Bernice B. The eldest daughter completed her 
studies in Hillsdale College; Minnie is now the 
wife of D. R. Hawley. who occupies the position of 
clerk in the mercantile house of his father-in-law ; 
Berenice B. was a student in the Union School at 
Litchfield, being a member of the class of '92. 

Mr. Turrell has been in business since 1863, and 
has built up for himself a good record, socially- and 
financially. The firm of twenty-flve years' stand- 
ing has been distinguished for its straightforward 
and upright course, its promptness in meeting its 
obligations, and its fair dealings with its many 
patrons and friends. Our subject is the originator 
of the ready-pay system, and for a long time pub- 
lished the Ready Pay Reporter. Not alone in busi- 
ness has he distinguished himself, but he is one of 
the most active Sunday-school workers in the State, 
having been for 3'ears Superintendent of the Litch- 
field Sund.ay-school, and largely identified with this 



1 ' 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 

(43 ^ ) 



work throughout this county and State. He was 
the second man elected President of the Village 
Board. The tempei'ance movement has no warmer 
friend than Mr. Turrell. He believes in tlie total 
abolition of the liquor trallic, and is consequently 
identified witii tiie Prohibition party. As a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, he belongs to Frank- 
lin Lodge No. 40, and with his estimable wife, 
is one of the pillars of the Congregational Church, 
at Litchfield. To this society he contributes liber- 
ally, and officiates as a Trustee. 



■~vv -\«jiCfi/©i@« 



>»@J,g!/OT7i»~ A/v^x- 




HRLSTOPHElt CLEMENT is worthy of 
' more than a passing notice in this biograph- 
ical work, not only as an early settler of 
Pittsford Township and Hillsdale County, but as a 
rejiresentative of those noble pioneers, Aaron and 
Elizabeth (Oltman) Clement, his parents, also early 
settlers of this county, whose names are still held 
in aflfectionate remembrance by all who knew them. 
Our subject is a lineal descendant of one John 
Clement, a Huguenot, who fled from his native 
France during the time of the bitter persecution of 
the failliful followers of that religion. He lived 
for awiiile in Holland, and then emigrated to Amer- 
ica in the early Colonial history of this country, and 
settled on Staten Island, where he spent his closing 
years peacefully pursuing his trade, that of a mason. 
He had two sons and two daughters. After his 
death his widow married Benjamin Robinson, and 
moved to Mallwick. The sons of Peter Clement 
were Joseph and Peter, and the latter was the great- 
grandfather of our subject. He was noted as a hold 
pioneer, frontiersman and hunter, who was one of 
the earj^' settlers of Westina, four miles from Sche- 
nectady. He married Nancy N'edder. and they 
reared two sons and three daughters. Their son 
John, the grandfather of Christopher, was born in 
Westina, Sept. .i, 1732, and when he had grown 
to manhood he removed to Canajoharie, Mont- 
gomery Co., N. Y., where he pursued his trade 
of carpenter and millwright until his removal to 
Root Township. The maiden name of his wife 
was Jane Bradt, who was born in 1735, and was a 
daughter of Samuel and Catalina (VanPatten) 



Bradt. Their son Aaron was born during their 
residence in Westina, April 10, 1774, and grew to 
manhood in his native county, where he received 
a good education. In 1795 he removed with his 
parents to Root Township. Montgomery County, 
where he bought a tract of land but little improved, 
and resided there for many years. In the mean- 
time he had secured as his life companion Miss 
Elizabeth Ottraan, and in the home where they 
began their wedded life twelve children were born 
to them. In 1836, accompanied by his son Chris- 
topher, he visited Michigan for the purpose of 
selecting a suitable spot for location, coming via 
canal and lake to Detroit, where he visited a son 
for a few days. They then took a boat for Monroe, 
and from there started on foot to explore Bean 
Creek Valley, where, after looking about for a time, 
he bought quite a tract of heavily timbered land 
in Pittsford Township, on a part of wliich our sub- 
ject now resides. After entering his land at the 
Government office, Mr. Clement returned to New 
York and disposed of his |)roperty there, and in 
1837, in the month of April, wis on his way to liis 
new home, accompanied by his wife and nine of 
his children. They went to Buffalo on the P]rie 
Canal, and were dela^'ed in that city for a week 
waiting for the ice to clear from the lake; from 
there they proceeded by boat to Toledo, and thence 
b3' rail to Adrian, where he was met by his son 
Lycker. who had come all the way from New York 
with a team. From the latter place they made 
their wa3' in the wagon to tiieir destination, and 
when they arrived moved into the log cabin, which 
had been previously built in a rude manner with a 
dirt and stick chimney. There was a log stable on 
the place besides, and twenty acres of the land were 
cleared, the part on wliich the}' settled being in- 
cluded in the southeast quaiter of section 3. There 
Mr. Clement made his lioiiie until his death, .March 
18. 18(j8, having rounded out nearl}- a ccntur}' of 
existence. These years were filled with usefulness, 
not only to his family, but to the entire communitj'. 
His active labors, in hearty co-operation with the 
other resolute pioneers u{ his day, who stood shoul- 
der to shoulder with him in the work of developing 
Hillsdale Count}', were anii)ly rewarded, and he 
lived to see the primeval forest give w.ay to pleasant 



n 



<^ 



744 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



houses, smiling harvest fields, and busy towns. He 
and his devoted companion, ivho preceded him 
Feb. 20, 1856, were held in universal respect and 
esteem for their many sterling qualities of head and 
heart. 

Christopher Clement, of this biographical notice, 
was born in the town of Root. Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., Oct. fi. 1808, and grew to manhood in his 
iiati ve town, attending school as opportunit}' offered, 
and by intelligent and diligent application to his 
studies, gaining a substantial education. He con- 
tinued to live with his parents until the fall of 
1836, when, as before related, he came with his 
father to Michigan, and after the site of their future 
home had been selected, the father returned and 
our subject remained here. He worked out in the 
neighborhood until the winter season, when he 
vigorouslj- commenced the improvement of his own 
land, and finally settled on it in the spring of 1838. 
Mr. Clement was in every way titled to play the 
part of pioneer in a new country, endowed as he 
was with energy, cool courage, ancl steadfastness of 
purpose, coming here in the prime and vigor of 
early manhood, and in the many years that have 
elapsed since he first became a citizen of Pittsford 
Township, he has greatly aided the development of 
its rich agricultural resources, and has been a factor 
in giving it an important place among its sister 
towns in Southern Michigan. In all these long 
years he has not lacked the assistance of a true and 
faithful wife and a loving companion, who has 
S3inpathized with him in his work, and has been an 
invaluable aid to him in building up their present 
pleasant and comfortable home; she has, indeed, 
filled the perfect measure of wife, mother and 
friend, in the unusually long period of over half a 
century of wedded life that has been theirs. Our 
subject and his wife, whose maiden name was Alice 
Fish, were united in the bonds of matrimony Sept. 
28, 1837. She was born in Farmington, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1817. Her father, David 
Fish, was a native of Rhode Island, whence his 
father, Zurial Fish, removed to Farmington, N. Y., 
becoming an early settler of that town, and spending 
the remainder of his life there. David Fish was 
but eight years old when his parents removed to 
Kew York, and he grew to manhood and married, 



in Farmington. Miss Phebe McLouth, continuing 
to live there until 183.i. He then sold his farm, 
and in his turn became a pioneer, coming to Mich- 
igan and settling in what is now Pittsford Town- 
ship, this county, where he bought a tract of 
Government land. He built a log house covered 
with bark, cleared several acres of his land, and 
died there in 1844; his wife, surviving him but a 
few years, died in 1847. Fourteen children had 
been born to them, of whom eight grew to maturity. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clement are the parents of four 
children, of whom the following is the record: 
Elizabeth, the wife of E. W. Benson, lives in Pitts- 
ford Township; Henry lives in Chicago; Kate, the 
wife of Robert Stewart, lives in Anderson County, 
Kan.; Eveline, wife of Philo Long, lives in Pitts- 
ford Township. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clement commenced 
their wedded life in a small frame house which he 
had built on his land, and it continued to be their 
residence until 1870, when he built the commodious 
and conveniently arranged brick house in which 
they have since lived. His farm comprises 160 
acres, 120 of which he has cleared and has under 
good cultivation, and he has erected ample farm 
buildings. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clement are attendants at the 
Free-Will Baptist Church; they are people of rare 
Christian worth, and it is the privilege of their 
many friends to witness in each the spectacle of a 
life fully rounded by its various experiences into a 
serene and active old age. In his political views 
Mr. Clement is an earnest Republican, having been 
a Whig until the formation of the former party. 



>-^s^^»»^ 



«^5<f-*<^5tf-» 



HILIP SCHUYLER GAIGE, an old resi- 
ji dent and prosperous farmer, owns a fine 




farm of 120 acres in Fayette Township, 
which he has brought to a high state of cul- 
tivation, and adorned with substantial and commo- 
dious buildings adapted to the purposes for which 
they were intended. Mr. Gaige was born in Colum- 
bus, Chenango Co., N. Y.. on the 5th of July, 1809. 
The parents of our subject, Wilson and Amy 
(Clark) Gaige, migrated to this State in 1835, and 



^: 



•► i r ^*' 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



r45 



selllerl in Fayette Township, east of Jonesville, 
They subsequently removed to the village of Jones- 
ville, where they spent the remainder of their lives. 
Their family ineluded ei«lit children, five sons and 
three daughters, of whom Miilip S. was the eldest. 

Mr. Gaige, accompanied by his wife, came with 
his father's family to Hillsdale County in 1835, and 
settled in Litchfield 'J'ownship. Soon after his ar- 
rival he purchased a farm, upon which lie lived 
about seven years, and then sold out, and bought 
the farm in Fayette Township upon which he has 
since been a continuous resident. 

Mr. Gaige was united in marriage, in Homer, 
Cortland Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1832, with Miss Emil^' 
Maham, who was a native of Columbus, Chenango 
Co., N. Y. Their union resulted in the birth of 
five children — Malissa, Elizabeth, Victoria, Mari- 
amma and Isabella. Malissa is a resident of Fa3-ette 
Township; Elizabeth became the wife of Daniel 
Howe, of Cambria Township; Victoria died when 
an ifiteresting girl of fifteen years; Mariamma is the 
wife of Liberty- Day, and resides in Fayette Town- 
ship, and Isabella is the wife of Frederick Lakore, 
of the same township. Mrs. Gaige, the mother of 
these children, departed this life in Fayette Town- 
ship, April 15, 1862. 

In politics Mr. Gaige is a Democrat, and is in- 
terested in all matters pertaining to the public weal. 
He h.as served as School Director for several years, 
arid was one of the first Justices of the Peace 
elected in Litchfield Township. In his religious 
belief Mr. Gaige is a Universalist. 




^ AMUEL R. BURGAN and his estimable 
wife, who form a household l)y themselves, 
having no children, occupy a good farm on 
section 36, Litchfield Township, and are a 
very pleasant and intelligent couple, who enjoy the 
esteem and confidence of many friends. They 
have been residents of Michigan since 1874, and 
our subject has contributed his full quota toward 
the building up of his township,. and in establishing 
one of the most comfortable homes within its bor- 
ders. 

Samuel and Sophronia (Manning) Burgan, the 



parents of our subject, were natives of WajMie 
County, Ohio, where thoy were reared and married, 
and whence they removed a few years later to San- 
dusky County, where the father died when middle 
aged, in 1841. being fortj'-five years old. The 
mother survived her husband twenty-three years, 
her death taking place at her home in Sandusky 
County, when she was fifty-five 3'ears old. Their 
family included three sons and three daughters, of 
whom Samuel R. was the youngest, and who never 
saw his father, the latter dying before his birth. 
Samuel first opened his eyes to the light in San- 
dusky County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1841, and resided 
with his mother until after the outbreak of the late 
Civil War. In 18(52 he proffered his services as a 
soldier of the Union, enlisting in Company G, 111th 
Ohio Infantry, being mustered into service at To- 
ledo, in 1862. During his three-years service he 
saw much active fighting. partici])ating in thirty 
pitched battles at the fc>llowing places : Campbell Sta- 
tion, Knoxville, Stone River, Huff's Ferry, Lenore, 
Strawberry Plains, and was all through the Geor- 
gia campaign and present at the battles of Resaca, 
Pumpkin Vine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Lost Mount- 
ain, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, 
Decatur, Peachtree Creek and Atlanta. He then 
skirmished along the line of Hood's army, routing 
the rebel Gener.1l, and subsequently fought at Frank- 
lin and Nashville, where Hood's army was practi- 
cally destroyed. 

Mr. Burgan fortunately escaped wounds and im- 
prisonment, and w.is mustered out with the com- 
rades who remained at Salisbury, N. C, receiving 
his honorable discharge at the same place. Thence 
he returned to his old tramping ground in Ohio, 
where he began farming again, and in 1867 was 
united in marriage with Miss Celeste Hunter, who 
was born Dec. 1, 1843, in Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. 
Burgan is the daughter of John and Rhoda (George) 
Hunter, the father a native of Tompkins County, 
N. Y., and the mother of Vermont. After their 
marriage they settled in Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, 
where the father carried on farming, but later re- 
moved to Fremont, in the same county, where his 
death took place in 1864, at the age of sixty years. 
After the death of her husband .Mrs. Hunter joined 
her daughter in Michigan, is now an inmate of the 



n 



746 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-t 



home of our subject, and is scveiitj'five years old. 
She is the mother of ten eliildren, five of whom 
grew to mature j-ears, and of whom Mrs. Burgan 
is the youngest. 

Our subject and his wife, in 1872, removed to 
Linn Countj', JIo., whence after a brief residence 
of a year they left for Southern Michigan. They 
settled in Litchfield Township in March, l»74.upon 
the farm which they now occupy. This comprises 
120 acres of good land, which has yielded them a 
comfortable living, and where their hospitable doors 
are often open to their many friends. Mr. Burgan 
is a pronounced Republican, and as an ex-soldier, 
a member in good standing of Henrj' Baxter Post, 
G. A. R., at Jonesville. He has officiated as School 
Director in his district for a period of nine years, 
and in other respects signalized liiraself as a public- 
spirited and useful citizen. Mrs. Burgan has stood 
l)ravely by the side of her husband in his efforts 
for providing something for the future, and has 
been equally intelligent and failliful in her duties. 



NDREW K. BUSHNELL, Litchfield's old- 
est living pioneer, looked upon tlie face of 
the country' of this section in its undevel- 
i^ oped state, and before the labors of the 

white man had hardly begun to relieve it from its 
primitive condition. His arrival dates back to the 
spring of 1833, and he located within the limits of 
what is now Litchfield Township, upon a tract of 
wild land, where he began to clear away the forest 
and prepare the soil for cultivation. His neighbors 
were few and far between, and his toils and strug- 
gles were similar to those of many another of that 
time, and which have been fully written of through- 
out this volume. He brought a wide stretch of soil 
to a good state of cultivation, put up barns and 
other out-bnildings, and erected one of the most 
commodious and handsome residences in this region. 
He is now widely and favorably known throughout 
Hillsdale Count}', as one whom its citizens delight 
to honor. 

Our subject began life in Durliam Township, 
Greene Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1811. He was the fifth 
child of Constant and Rhoda (Baldwin) Buslmell, 




who were born, reared and married, in Durham 
Township, Middlesex Co., Conn. Thence they 
removed to Durham Township. N. Y., where the 
father follow-ed his trade of mason, and also carried 
on farming until 1814. Thence thej' removed to 
Lenox, in Madison County, where the father oper- 
ated as before, and where they passed the memora- 
ble "cold season," during which time they would 
have starved had it not been for the abundance of 
fish in Lake Ontario. 

The parents of our subject left the Empire State 
in the spring of 1835, and made their way to the 
Territory of Michigan, where the father purch.ased 
120 acres of land in Litchfield Township, this 
countj'. The mother died four years later, in 1839, 
when sixty -six years of age. Constant Bushnell sur- 
vived his wife a period of thirty-five 3'ears, his death 
taking place at Litchfield, in 1874, after he had 
attained the ripe age of ninety-four years. Their 
family consisted of three sons and five daughters, 
four of whom are living, and are mostly residents of 
Michigan. 

The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
spent in Madison County, N. Y., where he acquired 
a common-school education, and worked with his 
father as mason and farmer until reaching his ma- 
jority. The former business was distasteful, and he 
accordinglj' abandoned it, turning his attention 
exclusively to agricultural pursuits. Upon leaving 
home he made his w.-jy to the vicinity of Rochester, 
where he worked on a farm one year, and in the fall 
of 1833 made his first advent into the Territor}' of 
Michigan, taking up his abode for a brief time in 
Washtenaw County. He soon, however, resumed 
his journey westward, passing through Homer 
down the St. Joseph River Valley, traversed St. 
Joseph County, and continued on to Sturgis Prai- 
rie, eastward into Indiana, where he spent the win- 
ter of 1833-34; then returning via the Chicago 
turnpike to Jonesville, this county, he went up to 
Homer again, and while passing through that sec- 
tion encountered Henry Stephens, who was putting 
up the first log house erected in what is now the 
flourishing town of Litchfield. 

Young Bushnell secured employment with the 
farmers of Homer and Eckford during most of 
that summer, and later borrowed an ox-team and 



«<•- 






-U 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•»- 



747 



wagon, wliicli lie loaiierl with lumber for the pur- 
pose of putting ui) ;i lK)use for himself when he 
should find a desirable location; this he finally 
selected on section 9, in Litchfield Township, where 
he put up, in the fall of 1834, the structure which 
sheltered him and his family thereafter for a period 
of four 3'ears. He first hacl to clear away the trees 
and Itrush for his dwelling, and then prepared four 
or five acres for the sowing of his fall wheat. This 
was harvested by Mr. Riblet, who came to this 
section in the spring of 1835, and made this busi- 
ness a specialty'. Mr. Bushnell realized a fairj'ield 
from his first sowing in Litchfield Township. 
During that fall he returned to his native State, 
where he remained a period of a year, and when 
coming back to this coutity was accompanied by his 
father, sister and brother, the balance of the family 
joining them in the spring of 1836. They all lived 
together in the new house, and to this our subject 
brought a bride in the early part of 1837, having 
been married in January of that year to Miss Janet 
Whitney, whose parents came to this county in the 
j-ear 1836. 

Mrs. Bushnell was born June 26, 1818, in New 
York State, and is the daughter of Jacob and Mi- 
nerva Whitnej-, who, upon coming to the Territory 
of Michigan, settled first in Washtenaw County'. 
Mrs. Whitney died there, and Mr. W. having mar- 
ried again, he and his wife came to this county, 
and to Litchfield Township, where they spent 
the remainder of their lives. The family included 
five children, all by the first marriage. Our subject 
and his wife commenced life together upon the 
farm which they still occupy, and in due time their 
household circle numbered seven children: Mi- 
nerva, the eldest, is the wife of Charles Currier, of 
Butler County, Kan., and the mother of one child, 
a daughter, Janet; Rhoda died when fouryearsold; 
Herbert married Miss Flora Rogers, and is minis- 
ter of the Presbyterian Church at Hastings, Neb.; 
he has eight children, namely: Herbert, Sarah, 
Charles, Robert, Eddie, Floyd, Ray and Theodora 
May. Andrew J. has charge of the homestead ; 
Julia H. is the wife of Lawson Withington, of 
Jonesville, and the mother of one ciiild, J. Roswell; 
jNIary Jane is deceased. 

Mr. Bushnell was at one time the owner of 2G8 



acres of land, but has now onl^' eighty acres. This, 
however, under a course of careful cultivation yields 
abundantly and is the source of a handsome in- 
come. Mr. Bushnell assisted in the erection of 
the first church edifice and the first school build- 
ing ever erected in Litchfield Township, and has 
been closely identified with local affairs, serving as 
Township Collector several terms, and occupying 
various other offices of trust and responsibility. He 
and his estimable wife have been identified with the 
Congregational Church, of Litchfield, since 1841, a 
period of forty-seven j-ears, and wherever there 
was any work to do or financial assistance to be 
rendered, they were the first to be approached and 
never failed to respond. Mr. Bushnell is a strong 
temperance man, was an Abolitionist from boyhood, 
and has been a member of the Republican part}' 
since its birth. There are none more worthy' of 
prominent representation in a work of this kind 
than the subject of this sketch, who h.as built up for 
himself a good record among his fellow-citizens, 
and enjo^'s in an unlimited degree their esteem and 
confidence. 



,ARNHARDT PFAU. Tlie well-cultivated 
farm of this thrifty German citizen of Jef- 
ferson Township is finely located on section 
18, and comprises eight}' acres of land and 
a set of the handsomest frame buildings in that 
part of the township. The premises are particularly 
noticeable for their exceedingly neat and tidy 
appearance, the fences being kept in good repair, 
the machinery of the latest improved pattern, and 
the live stock well fed and sheltered. 

Mr. Pfau came to this county in the early part 
of 1868, was soon afterward married, and pur- 
chased first forty .acres of land in Jefferson Town- 
ship on section 30. Upon this he remained thirteen 
years, where his three children were born. In 1881 
he sold this farm, and purchased the homestead 
which he now occupies. In 1886 he put up his 
present elegant and subtantial residence, besides 
repairing the out-buildings and adding such .as were 
necessary. He is regarded in his communit}' as one 
of its most enterprising men, and reflects credit 
i» 




u 



■•^^Hr"^^* 



748 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



upon bis township by the manner in which he con- 
riiicts his agricultural and business transactions. 

The subject of this sketch first opened his eyes 
to the hght in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Ger- 
many, July 17, 1825. Mis parents, Casper and Mary 
Ann (Blum) Pfau, were also of German biitli and 
parentage, and Barnhardt. in common with the 
children of that Empire, received a good common- 
school education. Wiien about twelve years of age 
he entered a factory for printing calico and domes- 
tic goods, where he worked fifteen years, and from 
that time on employed iiimself near the place of 
his birth until a man tliirty ^ears of age. He did 
not make the progress wliich he desired, and saw 
little prospect of it upon his native soil, conse- 
quently decided to seek his fortunes in the New 
AVorld. Boarding a sailing-vessel at Baden, he landed 
in New York City sixty-four days later, and thence 
proceeded to Boston, where he resided two years, 
erajjloying himself at various kinds of work. 

In 18G0 Mr. Pfau started for the Pacific Slope, 
and for six years thereafter was a resident of Cali- 
fornia. At the end of this time he recrossed the 
continent to his brother in Boston, with whom he 
remained some length of time, and in 1868 turned 
his steps .again westward, coming to this county. 
Here he met his future wife, Miss Mary Fellhauer, 
and after a brief acquaintance they were married. 
May 22, 18G8, at the home of the bride, in 
Hillsdale. This Indy is the daughter of Stephen 
and Marj' (Kalh) Fellhauer, who were also natives 
of Germany, but came when young to the United 
States, and were married in the city of Detroit, 
where Mrs. Pfau was born Aug. 9, 1844. 

Our subject and his wife moved upon their little 
farm of forty acres in Jefferson Township, and in 
due time the household included the following 
children: Louisa, born April 5, 1869; Edward, 
April 23, 1870, and Charles, July 28, 1879. Mr. 
and Mrs. P. labored diligently, hand-in-hand, for 
the building up of their mutual interests, living 
frugally and within their means, and thus laid the 
foundation of their future success. Upon becom- 
ing a naturalized citizen, Mr. Pfau identified him- 
self with the Democratic party, although he has 
very little to do with politics beyond going to the 
polls and casting his vote at the regular elections. 



He was reared in the faitii of the Holy Catholic 
Church, being confirmed at the age of fourteen, and 
is, with his excellent wife, still a member of that 
church. He comes of excellent ancestry, a race of 
people who were noted for their honesty and their 
uprightness, and has inherited the qualities of his 
progenitors in a marked degree. 






r RA HARRIS. attorne3'-at-law and junior mem- 
j ber of the firm of McBain & Harris, of North 
ll Ailams, is also carrying on general merchandis- 
ing, making a specialty of dry-goods, boots, shoes, 
etc. He has been a resident here since the spring 
of 1879. and is the son of John P. and Elizabeth R. 
(Chamberlain) Harris, natives of Chenango County, 
N. Y. The parents after their marriage settled in 
New Berlin, that State, where the father died w-hen 
his son Ira was a little lad six years of age. The 
mother subsequentl}' became the wife of John Field, 
and removed to Columbus, Ohio, where she resided 
until her death, which occurred in October, 1871, 
when she was but forty years of age. There was 
by the first marriage one child onlj', Ira, our 
subject. 

Mr. Harris was born Jan. 10, 1852, in South New 
Berlin, where he remained until coming "West, at 
the age of eighteen years. His father had been a 
practicing physician in good circumstances, and 
Ira was given the advantages of a good education, 
completing his studies in the academy at Oxford, 
N. Y., from which he was graduated in the class 
of '71. Soon after he settled in Columbus, Ohio, 
and was employed in the construction of the Scioto 
Valley Railroad, in the capacity of civil engineer, 
for a period of five years. His next venture was 
his removal to this State. He located in Hillsdale, 
where he entered the office of E. J. Marsh, and 
after studying law for a period of two years was 
admitted to the bar in the spring of 1881. Shortly 
afterward Col. Marsh established a bank at North 
Adams, and Mr. Harris was chosen Cashier, in 
which position he served until 1887. He then 
established his present business, going into partner- 
ship with Mr. McBain, with whom he has since 



U- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



749 1 



oper.ited to excellent advantage and with a steadily 
increasing patronage. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Rosa E. 
Higby was celebrated at the home of the bride iu 
Higby, Ohio, on the 25th of December, 1882. Mrs. 
Harris is the daughter of Sylvester and Hannah 
(Davis) Higb3', natives respectively of Virginia and 
Ohio, and was born in Higby, Dec. 29, 1854. The 
family of her parents included five children, all of 
whom are living, and mostly' residents of Ohio. Mr. 
Higby died at his home in 1886, when seventy 
years of age. The mother is still living, having 
now reached her threescore j-ears. 

Mrs. Harris, lilce her husband, is also well edu- 
cated, being a graduate from the class of '74 
of the D 13'toa Seminary, Ohio. Mr. Harris cast 
his first Presidential vote for Grant, and is a warm 
supporter of Republican principles. 




It 
T 



HOMAS O'HANLON, Supervisor of Allen 
Township, has for many years enjoyed the 
esteem and confidence of a large proportion 
of the people of Hillsdale County. Coming to 
Southern Michigan in 1841 when a young man, he 
settled i« Allen Township and purchased eighty 
acres of land on section 36. He did not, however, 
take possession of his property until the summer of 
1843, on account of sickness, during which time he 
returned to his old home in New York State and 
waited until he should recover. In June of the 
year mentioned he settled upon the land which has 
since remained his home, and where he has built up 
a farm creditable alike to his industry and good 
judgment. 

The property of our subject embraces 120 acres 
of finely cultivated land, which yields abund.antly 
the choice crops of this region, and upon tliis he has 
erected a set of neat and substantial buildings and 
added the other improvements so essential to the 
completion of the model farm. In common with 
the other primitive settlers of this section of coun- 
try, the early years of his life were made up largely 
of incessant labor, while at the same time he pos- 
sessed the broad and liberal spirit whicii induced 
him to take an interest in the welfare and progress 



of the people around him. The establishment of 
schools and the other enterprises calculated tobuihl 
up the township found in him an ever ready and 
substantial supporter. lie became prominent in 
township affairs, and possessing sound judgment was 
frequently called upon to preside at those councils 
which became a feature in every community in the 
general discussion of the matters pertaining to its 
best good. 

On the paternal side of his house the subject of 
this history is of Irish ancestry, his fatlier, Owen 
O'Hanlon, having been born in County Lowe, Ire- 
land, about 1797. After coming to this country he 
married Miss Ann Fitzsimmons, who was born in 
Northumberland County, Pa., and whose father was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. They settled 
near Elmira, Chemung Co., N. Y., but later re- 
moved to Horseheads, in that State, where the 
father died in 1865, and the mother in 1870. Their 
family consisted of six sons, Thomas, our subject, 
being the eldest. He was born in Elmira, Jan. 30, 
1820, and when about two years of age was taken 
into the home of his maternal grandparents in 
Southport, Chemung County', and lived with them 
until reaching his majority. He left them in 1841 
to seek his future home in the West. 

Mr. O'Hanlon was first married in Reading Town- 
ship, this county, Feb. 4, 1847, to Miss Jane Shan- 
non, who was born in Baldwinville, Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 2, 1823. Of this union there were born 
two children only, a son and daughter, Owen and 
Marj-. The former married Miss Eugenia Orr, and 
is carrying on farming in Allen Township. Mary 
is the wife of Daniel Daley, a well-to-do farmer of 
Reading Township. Mrs. Jane O'Hanlon departed 
this life at her home in Allen Township, Jan. 26, 
1863, after having been the faithful and affection- 
ate companion of her husband for a period of nearly 
sixteen years. 

Our subject, on the 4th of April, 1867, contracted 
a second marriage, with Miss Eliza A. Crocker, who 
was born in Hillsdale Township, this countj', April 
4, 1842. This union resulted in the birth of two 
children, daughters — Clara Belle and Jennie. The 
latter died when about five years of age. Clara 
B. is a bright and interesting girl, continuing under 
the home roof of her |)arcnts. Mr. O'Hanlon. po- 



po- 1 r 



u 



••► 



750 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



liticallj% is a Democrat. He has served his town- 
ship as High way Commissioner, and was first elected 
Supervisor in the spring of 1886, being re-elected 
each of the two years following. Socially, he be- 
longs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of 
Lodge No. 117, at Reading. 



\i 



•w-i?#.^^l^^rt^ 



I AMES DIVINE, who is prominent among the 
farmers and stock-raisers of Woodbridge 
Township, lias a good [iropert}' on section 
! 6, comprising eighty acres of land, with 
suitable farm buildings. A native of Cayuga County, 
N. \'.. he was born Oct. 21, 1827, and is the son of 
Joseph and Esther (Wilmuth) Divine, natives of 
Long Island, and the father a farmer b}' occupation. 
Joseph Divine during his early life entered the 
Federal service as a Captain in the War of 1812, 
in which he served from nearly the beginning until 
the end of the conflict. He possessed all the ele- 
ments of a good citizen, and was highly esteemed 
in the community where he spent the greater part 
of his life. He left the Empire State in 1842, and 
coming to Michigan, located in Woodbridge Town- 
ship, where his death took place in 1855. The 
mother survived her husband seven years, her death 
taking place in 1862. She was a most excellent 
lady, and a member in good standing of the Regu- 
lar Baptist Church. The twelve children of the 
parental family were named respectively: Lucinda, 
Selah, Arminda, Samuel, John, Daniel, Josei)h. 
Margaret, George, James (our subject), William and 
Asa. Of these five are living, and mostly resi- 
dents of Michigan. 

Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, 
and continued under the parental roof until twenty- 
one 3'ears of age. He was married, Oct. 29, 1847, 
in Woodbridge Township, to Miss Sarah Stephens, 
who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., July 27, 
1830, and is now the mother of five children, only 
three of whom are living — Fiugene. William and 
Minnie. The deceased are James W. and Melvin. 
Eugene married Miss Antoinette Bryan, April 21, 
1872. This lady was born in Woodbridge Town- 
ship, Feb. 6, 1848, and is the daughter of Ezra 
and Lucinda (Lockwood) Bryan, natives of Massa- 



chusetts, and early settlers of this county. Of this 
marriage there are six children, namely: Ada, 
Edith, Claude, Maude, Herbert and Josie. This 
son commenced teaching when twenty-two years of 
age. after having spent two terms in Hillsdale Col- 
lege. As an instructor he was a marked success, 
and also as a disciplinarian giving good satisfac- 
tion. He has eighty acres of land on sections 5 
and 6 in Woodbridge Township, and has been 
prominent in his coraraunity, officiating as Town- 
ship Supervisor three terms, also serving as Clerk, 
and votes the Independent ticket. He identified 
himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1871, and as 
a farmer is very successful, making a specialty of 
thoroughbred cattle for several years. 

William Divine married Miss Mary Sholty, Or't. 
31, 1875, and she died Oct. 15, 1884, leaving three 
children — Dora, Edna and Floyd; his second wife 
was Miss Carrie States, and of this union there are 
two children. James W. Divine died in George- 
town, Ky., in 1884. He was finely educated, hav- 
ing graduated from the Hillsdale Union School, and 
married Miss Jennie Allen, by whom he became 
the father of one child, a son, Eddie S. He pos- 
sessed fine abilities, and gave promise of a bright 
and useful career. His death was a deep affliction 
to his family, in which they received the symp.athy 
of the entire community. 




jr.., LONZO B. BEAN, one of the most highly 
©tLIII esteemed citizens of Fayette Township, 
deserves more than a passing mention in a 
work of this kind. In the building up of 
a good farm and the establishment of a credit- 
able homestead he has done good service in the 
development of his township, and added to its pres- 
tige as the home of an industrious and intelligent 
class of people. Like many others of the solid men 
about him, he is a product of the Empire State, and 
was born in Livingston County, July 24, 1834. He 
continued a resident there most of the time until 
1874, then decided to cast his lot with the people 
of Southern Michigan. 

The farm of our subject includes the southeast 
quarter of section 8, and was only partially im- 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



\ 



proved when be took possession of it. He has 
roiKiircd the fences, renovated the old buildingsand 
put up new ones, added new farm machinery, 
gathered together a goodly assortment of livestock, 
and supplied the homestead with the various com- 
forts and conveniences of modern life. The esti- 
mahle lady who has been his companion and 
helpmate for a period of twenty j'ears, was in her 
girlhood Miss Abbie Tilton, and became his wife 
on the 14lh of March, 1868, the wedding taking 
place at the home of the bride in Tecumseh Town- 
ship, Lenawee County. This union has been blessed 
by the birth of two children: a son, Claud A., who 
was born Jnlj- 27, 1879, and is now a promising 
youth still making his home with his parents, and 
Lillian, who died when seven years old. 

Our subject is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Smith) Bean, who were natives respectively of 
Pennsylvania and New York, but after their mar- 
riage settled in Livingston County, N. Y., where 
the^" spent the remainder of their lives. The 
mother passed away in the fall of 1880, and the 
father in 1877. The parents of Mrs. Bean, William 
and Matilda (Sisson) Tilton, were natives respect- 
ivelj' of New Hampshire and New York, and came 
to the Territory of Michigan in 1825, settling in 
Tecumseh, Lenawee County, where the mother died 
on the 27th of May, 1867. The father resides on 
his homestead purchased from the Government ou 
his arrival in the Territory. In politics Mr. Bean 
is a Republican. 



^^ 



--v- 



"if OHN .1. WADE. The subject of this sketch 
is a prominent man in his community on ac- 
count of his ability, and the fine property 
of which he is owner, and which occupies a 
portion of section 1 6, in Litchfield Township. As 
a farmer, he is thorough and skillful, and as a busi- 
ness man, prompt, correct and reliable. These 
qualities have contributed to his success, and have 
placed him in an enviable position, socially and 
financially, among his fellow-citizens. 

Our subject is of Irish ancestry, his parents, 
William and Margaret (Jeffrej's) Wade, having 
been born in Count}- Down, Ireland, whence they 



emigrated early in life, after their marriage. The 
father was reared tt> .agricultural pursuits, and lived 
in Ireland until l.s.'!6, when he was twenty-four 
years old, and then decided to seek his fortune in 
the New World. Upon reaching the United States 
he located in Lysandcr, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where 
he worked by the month, and saving his earnings, 
accumulated some property. After an eight-3-ears 
residence in the Empire State, he made his way to 
Southern Michigan, and comingto this county, pur- 
chased fifteen acres of land near David Young's 
Corners. 

Upon landing in this count}-, Mr. Wade had ujjou 
his hands a young family and a cash capital of ^1. 
He went in debt for his farm of fifteen acres, which 
was then an uncultivated tract of land, and upon 
which he labored with persevering industry for 
many j'ears, and in due time received the reward 
of his toil and sacrifices. He became finally the 
owner of 105 acres, which he improved with com- 
fortable buildings, and here his death took place, in 
1865, when he was fifty-three years old. The 
mother is still living, making her home with her 
youngest son William, in Litchfield Township, and 
is now aged seventy-six. Their family included 
two sons and six daughters, all living, and of whom 
John J. was the third in order of birth. He was 
the eldest son, and was born July 8, 1838. in Ly- 
sander Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y. 

Oursubject wasa little boy five years of age when 
he came to this State with his parents, and at an early 
age was taught to make himself useful around the 
homestead while he .acquired his education in the 
district school. He continued under the parental 
roof until 1859, and in the fall of that year started, 
via New York to California, on board the steamer 
" Uncle Sam." Upon reaching San Francisco he 
made his way up the Sac Valle}' to Placerville, 
where he engaged first in surface mining, and sub- 
sequently worked in the Comslock Silver Mines in 
Nevada. He remained in that region six years, 
and returned in the same manner, having with him 
a snug sum of money as the result of his experi- 
ment. During the voyage, however, they encoun- 
tered a heavy storm, and the steamer becoming 
disabled they were obliged to turn back to San 
Francisco, and maile another start six days later. 



4 752 



.t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Mr. Watie, in 1865, came home to stay, having 
received news of tlie deatli of his father. He pur- 
chased fifty acres of the farm which he now owns, 
and on the 22d of February, 1866, was married to 
Miss Sylvia French, who was born in Wyoming 
County, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1841, and was the third 
child of Burton and Mary (Fargo) French, the 
father a n.ative of Dorsej', near Bennington, Vt., and 
the mother of Wyoming Count}', N. Y. Burton 
French was a farmer by occupation, and still lives 
in Wyoming County, being now seventy-one years 
old. The motiier died in 1882 at the .age of sixty- 
three. Their seven children included six sons and 
one daugliter, of whom one died in infancy. 

Mrs. Wade was twenty-four 3'ears of age when 
slie came to this State. She had received a good 
education, having been a student of Alexander 
Seminary in Genesee County, and subsequently 
engaged in teaching in Wj'oraing County. Of her 
union with our subject there were born four chil- 
dren, of whom Franiv died in 1875, when six and 
one-half years old; Ina, born in 1872, died in in- 
fancy ; Ella and Frederick are attending school in 
their home district. 

Mrs. Wade visited her old home in Wyoming 
County, N. Y., in 1875, accompanied by her son 
and daughter, Frank and Ella. The children were 
seized with scarlet fever, and B^rank died there after 
an illness of one week. Palmer French, a brother 
of Mrs. Wade, served as a soldier in the late Civil 
War, enlisting in a New York regiment, and gave 
two years of his time to his country. He was per- 
mitted to return home in safety, and is now a resi- 
dent of Minneota, Minn. In 1860, while in Nevada, 
Mr. Wade was one of the volunteers who banded 
together to defend the frontier against the Piute 
Indians, who were plundering and murdering the 
white settlers. The first company of 100 men was 
nearly all massacred by the savages, only fifteen 
escaping. Mr. Wade belonged to the second com- 
pany, and the affair was subsequent!}' peaceably 
settled with the chief Winnemuck, and depredations 
for the time were suspended. 

The AVade homestead comprises 140 acres of 
finely improved land, with a very handsome mod- 
ern dwelling and a substantial barn, tiie latter 
occupying an area of 56x78 feet, and admirably 



adapted to the shelter of stock, in which industry 
]\Ir. Wade takes much interest. He h.as very little 
to do with political affairs, but votes the Republican 
ticket, and has served as School Director and Drain 
Commissioner. Mrs. Wade, a very estimable lady, 
is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. 



>Jt^ 




•►Hh-<«- 



/JWft ARt^US VAN, a resident of Jefferson Town- 
ship for over forty years, located first one 
mile south of Osseo on forty acres of land, 
fifteen of which are cleared, and the balance 
improved in the course of a few years by its present 
proprietor. He now has sixt3'-two and one-half 
acres under a fine state of cultivation, and which 
constitutes a snug homestead, where he is sur- 
rounded with all the comforts of life. His posses- 
sions are the result of his own industry, as aside 
from the good he.alth with which nature provided 
him, he received no legacy whatever from any 
source. 

.Saratoga County, N. Y., was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, he having been born in 
Ballston, where he remained until twenty-one years 
of age. Thence he removed to Syracuse, where he 
occupied himself at farming ten years, and next 
took up his residence in Huron County, Ohio. He 
was first married in Onondaga County when twenty- 
four years of age, in F'ebru.ary, 1830, to Miss 
Sarah Bennett, and lived in the Buckeye State 
eng.aged in farming intil 1844, coming then to this 
county. 

The father of our subject, Jacob Van, who 
was born in the State of Pennsylvania, was killed 
in the War of 1812, when about forty years of age. 
The maiden name of the mother w.as Rachel Car- 
penter. .She spent her last years in Ohio, dying some 
time after the death of her husband. His maternal 
grandfather lived to the age of ninety-nine years, 
nine months and nine days. He spent his last days 
in New York .State, and had been one of the old 
soldiers in the French and Indian War. Mrs. Sarah 
Van dep.irted this life at her home in Jefferson 
Township about 1850. 

Mr. Van, our subject, contracted a second mar- 
riage, M.^y 12, 1863, with Mrs. Julia Gilbert, who 

•^ 



I 



-^- 




It 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



753 



was born in Berkshire County. Mnss.. Nov. 30, 
181.5, anfl wiiose fatiier, Elijaii Williard, also a 
native of the Bay State, was a direct descendant of 
the old New England Puritans. She was first 
married. April 19, 1839. to Stephen L. Gilbert, in 
Oiiio, and became the mother of seven children, 
namely: Julia; Ellen and Oliver, deceased ; Elmira 
living in .Jefferson Township; Oliver, Charles and 
Annie, deceased. Julia married, in 1883, W. G. 
Langford, who is no^v Judge of the Supreme Court 
of Washington Territory; Elmira became the wife 
of Amos French, March 23, 1878. Mr. Gilbert 
first settled on the farm adjoining the home of our 
subject, which was willed to Mrs. G., and which 
she has given to her children. Mrs. French lives 
on the old homestead. Elijah and Roxy (Allen) 
Williard. the parents of Mrs. Van. spent their last 
years in Massachusetts and Michigan respectivelj*. 
To our subject and his wife there have been born 
no children. Our subject, politicall}', in his early 
manhood identified himself with the old Whig 
party, but on its abandonment cordially endorsed 
Republican principles. Both he and his estimable 
wife are members in good standing of the Free- 
will Baptist Church, in Osseo. 




'jf7 LTHER B. WOLCOTT, a successful general 
I ^ farmer of Cambria Township, located on his 
/Ik^ present homestead on section 11 in the 
spring of 1870. It comprises eighty acres of fertile 
land, well cultivated, and supplied with good farm 
buildings. He became a resident of this township 
fourteen years before, living then on section 12. 
He is a son of one of the earliest pioneers of Michi- 
gan, and was born in Superior Township, Washte- 
naw County, April 28, 1836. 

Nelson Wolcott, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Wayne County, N. Y., and the son of 
John Wolcott, a shoemaker by trade, who left the 
Empire State in middle life, and coming to the 
Territory of Michigan, settled among the earliest 
pioneers of O.ikland County. lie labored to good 
advantage in cultivating the soil, and rested from 
his labors in 1 832, aged about sixty years. He had 



•►-•-4»- 



I 



married in early manhood a Connecticut lady. Miss 
Susannah Lamb, who after his death wedded a Mr. 
Sutton, and passed her last years in Ransom Town- 
ship, this county. 

This branch of the Wolcott family are descend- 
ants of Oliver P. Wolcott, one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. Nelson Wolcott, the 
father of our subject, continued among his native 
hills until twenty years of age, then migrated to the 
Territory of Michigan, and took up a tract of 
Government land in the unbroken wilderness of 
Oakland County. He occupied himself here mak- 
ing preparations for the removal of his father's 
family, and then, returning East, brought them to 
their new home. Two years later he was married 
to Miss Mary Wilcox, who, it is believed, was born 
in AVashtenaw Count}', and who is a daughter of 
Amos Wilcox, a New Englander b}' birth and par- 
entage, and one of the earliest settlers of Wash- 
tenaw Count}'. There a few j-ears later his wife 
died, and Mr. Wilcox removed to Calhoun County, 
where he spent his last years, dying at an advanced 
age. 

The parents of our subject continued residents of 
Superior Township, Washtenaw County, and after 
the birth of five children the mother jwssed away 
in 1842. Mr. Wolcott subsequently disposed of 
his propertj' there, and moved to Ransom Town- 
ship, this county, in 1854. In the meantime he 
had contracted a second marriage, with Miss Julia 
A. Janes, niece of the celebrated Dr. Janes, whose 
advertisements as the dispenser of patent medicines 
have for years been familiar to the American 
people. This lady is still living and makes her 
home with her daughter, near Lansing, tliis State. 
She is now sixty-nine years of age. Nelson Wol- 
cott died at his home in Ransom Township on the 
8th of March, 1856. He was a soli*! Democrat, 
politically, and took an active part in local affairs. 
A warm admirer of the principles of the Masonic 
fraternity, he had early in life identified himself 
with this organization, of which he was a member 
for a period of seven years. He has left a record 
to his children as a husband, father and citizen, 
which they may look u[)on with pardonable pride. 

Luther B. Wolcott began his education in the 
district schools of Superior Township. Washtenaw 




••► 



,t 



754 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



County, being a j'outh of eighteen years when the 
family removed to Hillsdale. He continued under 
the parental roof until reaching his majoritjs and 
then, with very little capital, started out for himself. 
Ahout the first business of the young men of those 
days, who were content with the comforts of life, 
and wasted little time in sighing for its luxuries, 
was to establish a home of their own, and, in accord- 
ance with this fashion, our subject, on the 'iOth of 
December, 1866, was married to one of the most 
estimable young ladies of Cambria Township, Miss 
Adelaide Bates, who was born Feb. 24, 1849, and 
was the daughter of Horatio Bates, one of the 
earliest settlers, and now a well-to-do farmer of 
Cambria Township. They commenced life togetiier 
in a manner corresponding with their means, in 
Cambria Township, where our subject occupied 
himself in tilling the soil, and in due time became 
the proud father of three children. The eldest of 
these, Ada N., is now an intelligent and accom- 
plished young lady, who has made the most of her 
opportunities at school, and purposes to follow teach- 
ing. For this profession, Blanche, the second daugh- 
ter, is also perfected, and has already entered upon 
her duties in one of the district schools in Cambria 
Township; she completed her studies in the Normal 
School at Hillsdale. George Marvin, a lad thirteen 
years of age, continues at home with his parents. 

Mr. Wolcott. in August, 1862, under the call for 
300,000 volunteers to aid in the maintenance of the 
Union, enlisted in Company D, 18th Michigan In- 
fantry, under Capt. Van Vaylor and Col. D. C. 
Doolittle, and went with his regiment to the front, 
being assigned to the Army of the Cumber-land, 
under Gens. Sherman and Thomas. He was in the 
battles of Athens, Decatur, the siege and capture of 
Nashville, and comprised one of the fortunate few 
who escaped capture at the first-mentioned place, 
although experiencing a hairbreadth escape. At 
Decatur he was unhorsed, and for bravery and 
efficiency was promoted to the rank of Second Ser- 
geant. After the surrender of Lee, at Appomattox, 
he received his honorable discharge, June 26, 1865. 
He has occupied many positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility in his township, serving with the 
County Board of Supervisors two years, and was 
eight years Justice of the Peace. He belongs to 



the G. A. R., and is a member in good standing of 
Blue Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M., at Hillsdale, 
with which he has been connected for a period of 
twenty-one years. Politically, he affiliates with the 
Democratic party. 



ORLANDO WHITE. This gentleman and his 
highly intelligent wife present the rare pict- 
ure of people, who, living in the rural dis- 
tricts, have improved their fine opportunities for 
reading and study, and probably are not exceeded 
in this respect by any of the people in this section 
of the State. They take the most wise and sensi- 
ble view of life, keeping pace with the progressive 
ideas of the present age, and find their chief happi- 
ness in the knowledge which they gather from day 
to day from the works both of modern authors and 
those of an earlier period. There are few men bet- 
ter informed upon subjects of general interest than 
Orlando White, and few ladies who excel his wife 
in this respect. 

These excellent people occupy one of the pleas- 
antest homesteads in Cambria Township, which 
emltraces eighty acres of land under good cultiva- 
tion and supplied with modern farm buildings. Mr. 
White came to Southern Michigan in the fall of 
1852, and soon afterward took up the land upon 
which he now lives, and where he has since operated 
with uniform success. His early home was in Barre 
Township, Orleans Co., N. Y., where his birth took 
place Aug. 29, 1825. His father, Bryant White, of 
Massachusetts, migrated to Herkimer County, N. 
Y., when but a lad, with his parents, where he de- 
veloped into manhood and was married to Miss 
Rachel Bates, a native of Montgomery County. 
The young people commenced life together in Her- 
kimer County, and soon changed their residence to 
Orleans County. Subsequently Mr. White secured 
land in the Holland Purchase, where the mother 
died, and he was married to her sister, Mrs. Lydia 
(Bates) Allen. 

Bryant White after his second marriage removed 
to Noble County, Ind., where, with his estimable 
wife, he spent the remainder of his days, they dying 
at the ages respectively of seventy-four and sev- 

^ : ^ 






-4- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



755 



i- 



V 



cntj'-two yi'ars. Tlieir son Oilnndo, of otir sketeli, 
lived in the bouse where he was born until twent}'- 
fivc years of age. He had all this time been learn- 
ing the arts of plowing', sowing and reaping, and 
now considered himself fully competent to estalilish 
a home of his own. On the 28th of May, 1850, he 
was accordingly married to Miss Lydia .J. Allen, 
daughter of George L. and Sally (Bowen) Allen, 
who were natives of Greenfield Township, Saratoga 
Co., N. ^ ., and the father a farmer by occupa- 
tion. Mr. Allen in 1833 took up his residence in 
Montgomery County, where he lived eleven 3'ears, 
and then removed to Farmington, Ontario County, 
where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder 
of their days. The father passed awjiy in 1874, 
aged seveuty-one years. The mother survived her 
husband twelve years, her death taking place in 
1886, after she had arrived at the advanced age of 
eighty-five. 

Mr. and Mrs. White commence<l life together 
with no capital save their willing hands and coura- 
geous hearts, and labored together in their effcn-ts 
to secure a tr.ict of land which they coul<i call their 
own. They took up their abode in Wayne County, 
and for a time worked her father's farm on shares, 
living economically and saving whatever thej' could 
in order to establish a home of their own. It was 
a proud day for them when the3' took possession of 
the eighty acres of land and set up housekeeping in 
the log structure which thej' had built, and which 
thej' occupied thereafter for a period of sixteen 
3'ears. and until their removal into the more modern 
frame dwelling which the3' now occupy. This is 
built in a modern style of architecture, finely fin- 
ished and furnished, and with a view to the comfort 
and convenience of its inmates. The farm is well 
stocked with good grades of horses, cattle and swine, 
and everything about the premises indicates the 
thrift and prosperity which are so grateful to the 
eye, and which give evidence in a forcible manner 
of the tastes and means of the proprietor. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there have 
been born three children, all daughters, the eldest 
of whom, Emil3', is the wife of John M. Warren, 
Jr., a well-to-do farmer of Hillsdale Township; 
Sarah married Mr. Frank F. Green, and lives with 
her husband on a farm in Reading Township, this 



countv"; Mar\', Mrs. .Job Cole, Jr., is the wife of a 
prosperous farmer of Cambria Township. 

Mr. White, religioush', is a radical Universalist, 
and in politics gives his support to the Republican 
party. He has served as Justice of the Peace, and 
occupied various positions of trust and responsibil- 
ity among his fellow-citizens. One of the attract- 
ive features of the pleasant home of our subject and 
his wife is the multiplicity of books — man3' of 
them religious works — which have a place in almost 
every corner. Mr. White has long been a student 
of ancient and modern history, and there are few 
subjects in connection tlierewith upon which he 
cannot intelligently converse. It is seldom that we 
meet a gentleman and lady so thoroughly in accord 
in their tastes and capacities as Orlando White and 
his clear-headed and amiable wife. 

/^^\ ^^- •A-UGUSTA WHEELER. This lady is 
the owner of a neat homestead of fort3' 
acres on section ll, Litchfield Township, 
and one of her distinguishing characteristics 
is her love of and proficiency in music. To this 
art she has given many years of her life, taking a 
full course in her youth, both in the seminar3' at 
Ypsilanti and Lime City. Iowa. stud3'ing in the lat- 
ter place under the instruction of the most able 
Professors of the college there. Next she went to 
St. Louis, where she was the pupil of Prof. Stabb, 
and thereafter pursued her musical studies at Belle- 
ville, 111. The fact that she gave so close attention 
to this art is sutficient evidence of her love of it, 
and it is hardly necessary to sa3' that she is mis- 
tress of tlie piano and organ, and a vocalist of no 
mean qualities. 

Mrs. Wheeler is a native of Ypsilanti, this State, 
and was born March 1 1, 1843. She was the young- 
est of seven daughters who constituted the house- 
hold of John and Elizabeth (Sherman) Swick, the 
former a native of New Jersey and the latter of 
Massachusetts. Her father served under Gen. Win- 
field Scott, in the War of 1812. The parents set- 
tled, after their marriage, first in New Jersey, then 
removed to Little Falls, N. Y., where the father 
pursued his trade of tailor, and was prosperous. 



t- 



•►Hl^^ 



756 



HILLSDALK COIJNTV. 



The parents came to Michigan with their six chil- 
dren, in 1843. settling in Ypsilanti, where the sev- 
enth child, Augusta, was born. She was married to 
Hosea Wheeler, by whom she became the mother 
of two children — .lohnie and Ola. The former is 
now twelve j ears of age, and the latter ten. Mr. 
Wheeler was a native of Vermont, and a farmer. 

Mrs. Wheeler discloses in her manner and ad- 
dress a good education, and much intelligence and 
refinement, and is a member in good standing of the 
Episcopal Church. 



\f) AMES EVANS. The subject of this sketch 
is numbered among the well-to-do farmers of 
Allen Township, who has pursued the even 
tenor of his way there for many years, chiefly 
attending to his own concerns, cultivating the soil, 
and adding the improvements to his farm which his 
judgment suggested, and his means justified. He 
has 120 acres of good land under fair cultivation, a 
plain but comfortable dwelling, a good barn, and 
the appliances most essential to the comfort of his 
family, and the successful prosecution of his farm 
work, the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. 
Mr. Evans is a native of Wayne Count}', N. Y., 
and was born near the town of Arcade, Feb. 16, 
1849. His parents were of Welsh birth and parent- 
age, and emigrated to the United SUites soon after 
their mirriage, settling in Wayne County, N. Y., 
where the father engaged in farming, and lived until 
comii.g to this county, about 1856. Here he settled 
in Allen Township, and with his estimable wife, 
spent the remainder of his days, the father passing 
away March 4, 1873, and the mother Oct. 22, 188C. 
The parental family included two children only: 
James, of our sketch, and his sister Elizabeth. The 
latter became the wife of Norval Crane, and died at 
her home in Fayette Township, Feb. 7, 1873. 

Mr. Evans came to this county with his parents, 
in 1856, and since that time has been a resident of 
Allen Township. He has been an interested witness 
of the changes that have transpired during a period 
of more than thirty j'ears, taking an interest in the 
progress of his adopted county, and contributing his 
share in the development of her rich resources — 



■<•- 



the cultivation of the soil and labors attendant upon 
the life of the agriculturist. He took unto himself 
a wife and helpmate from among the maidens of 
this county. Miss Esther VanZant, to whom he was 
married Dec. 21. 1873, and who is the daughter of 
Peter and Margaret (Sebren) VanZant, natives 
respectively of Virginia and New York State. 
After marri.age the parents of Mrs. Evans settled in 
Steuben County, the latter State, whence they came 
to Michigan about 1854. Here they took up their 
abode in Litchfield Township, where the father en- 
gaged in farming, and where botli parents spent the 
remainder of their lives. The mother, however, only 
lived a comparatively brief time after coming to 
her Western home, her death occurring two years 
later, Jan. 14, 1856. Mr. VanZant survived his 
wife some years, dying Dec. 1, 1869. Mrs. Evans 
was the youngest of nine children born to her 
parents, and began life in Steuben County, N. Y., 
March 17, 1840. She accompanied her parents to 
the West, and remained under the home roof until 
her marriage. Of her union with our subject there 
are six children, all living, the eldest thirteen years 
old, and the j'oungest one year old. They were 
named respectively : William M., Lillie M., Edward, 
Jennie, Charles W. and Nellie. Mr. Evans, politi- 
cally, votes the straight Democratic ticket, and is 
rated among his neighbors as a worthy member of 
the community. 

JOHN STONE, a prosperous farmer and rep- 
resentative citizen of Hillsdale County, is 
located on section 24, Hillsdale Township, 
on 100 acres of well-improved land, on which 
he successfully conducts his agricultural occupa- 
tions, devoting some attention to stock-raising, 
while he also has met with considerable success in 
the industry of fruit-growing. 

Mr. Stone was born in this county, Nov. 26, 1843, 
and is the son of David and Sarah (Evens) Stone, 
natives of England and Wales respectively. The 
father was born in Yorkshire, in 1813, and was 
reared to the occupation of a farmer. He emi- 
grated to America in 1832, landing in New Y''ork, 
and after a residence of two years in that State 



^ 



>► m ^ < ^ - 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



757 



■A 



I 



came to IMichignn, and taking up forlv acres of land 
from the Guvernmont, engaged in the improve- 
ment of a farm. As bis land was tlien in its primeval 
condition, and consequently for some time would 
yield Utile or no reward for its cultivation, Mr. 
Stone engaged in clearing land by the acre for other 
people, and as he was alile added to his original 
purchase, until he had 240 acres, which he brought 
under a fine state of cultivation. Upon becoming 
a citizen of this country, he identified himself with 
the Democratic party, and continued in its ranks 
until the close of his life, in April. 1870, at the age 
of fifty-seven years. The mother of our subject 
was born in 1808, and slill survives, in the enjoy- 
ment of good health, notwithstanding she has 
experienced all the trials, vicissitudes and priva- 
tions incident to pioneer life in Southern Michigan. 
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
with which she has been identified for many years. 

The family of David and .Sarah Stone included 
four children — John, James, Mar}' (deceased) and 
Elizabeth. John Stone is the eldest in order of 
birth of this family, and growing uj) under the pa- 
rental roof was kept busilj' employed assisting in 
farm duties, in the meantime availing himself of such 
opportunity for education as the facilities of the 
time afforded. The log school-house with its primi- 
tive furniture was by this time giving place to the 
more commodious frame building, supplied with 
suitable furniture and apparatus to aid the teacher 
in his work, and Mr. Stone received a better educa- 
tion than was common to those who had already 
reached a school age in the early pioneer days of the 
county. After seeing his wa}' clear to the support 
of a family, he was united in marriage, Fel). 1, 1874, 
with Miss Anna Beevers, who was born in this State 
in 1854, and was educated at the High School. Her 
union with Mr. Stone has been blessed bj- the birth 
of two children: Guy. B., who was born Feb. 10, 
187G, and Lulu V., Dee. 1, 1880. 

Eighteen j'ears ago Mr. Stone ventured into the 
nursery business, and during the last two years he 
has also carried on gardening to a large extent. 
His enterprise has been attended with success, and 
he has an extensive patronage, supplying not only 
the immediate neighborhood, but sending the prod- 
ucts of his nursery to other parts. Politically, he 



affliliates with the Detnocratic party, and is a repu- 
table citizen, enjoying the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow-townsmen, as is proved by the fact 
that he has held the various offices of the township, 
the duties of which he has discharged with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. 

Our subject and his amiable wife are members in 
good standing of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church, 
contributing of their time and means to promote the 
cause of morality in the community in which their 
lot has been cast. 



(^^HOMAS J. RICHAKD.SON. The subject of 
(iM^^\ ''^"* t)'t>o'"''l'''y '-I'lks among the self-made 
^^^ men of Camden Township, and has l)y his 
industry and perseverance accumulated a com- 
fortable property, comprising a good farm of 120 
acres with substantial buildings, a fair assortment 
of live stock, and the machinery necessary for the 
prosecution of agriculture in a jirofitiible manner. 
As a member of the community he is generally re- 
spected, is Democratic in politics, and in favor of 
everything to improve the county and elevate so- 
ciety. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity 
at Reading, and is also a member of Eureka Com- 
mandery No. 3, of Hillsdale. Religiously, he is 
identified with the Presbyterian Church, in which 
he has served as Elder for several years. 

Steuben Count}', N. Y., was the earl}' home of 
our subject, and where his birth took place June 
20, 1821. His father, John, and his mother, Cath- 
erine (Smith) Richardson, were natives respectively 
of Virginia and Maryland, and of English and Dutch 
ancestry. The parental household comprised a 
large family of children, of whom the following 
survive: Henry S., of Allegany County, N. Y. ; 
Thomas J., our subject, and Elizabeth, the wife of 
John Norton, of Rochester, N. Y. 

Mr. Richardson was reared to manhood in his 
native State, receiving a common-school education 
and becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. 
When nearly twenty-seven years of age he was 
married, Jan. 14, 1848, to Miss Amanda Aber, who 
was born in Chemung County, N. Y., March 1, 
1828, and is the daughter of Nathaniel and Ann 



h 



4= 



758 



i 



HILLSDALE COUMTY. 



(Wass) Aber, who were also natives of the Empire 
State, the father of French ancestrv- and the mother of 
Dutch origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Richardson there 
were born ten children, nine of whom are now liv- 
ing, namely: Charles M., of Lansing, this State; 
George RL, of Woodbridge Township, this county; 
Kate, the wife of Fremont Fowler, of Cambria 
Township; John M., of Lansing; E;ilzabelh; James 
H.; Jennie, the wife of W. H. Adams, of Wood- 
bridge Township, and Georgie E. and Thomas, Jr., 
who are at home with their parents. Florence died 
when about four years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson continued residents of 
their native State over twenty years after their 
marriage, coming to this county in the fail of 1869, 
and first taking up their residence in Reading 
Township. Four years later they removed to their 
present, farm. 



jissi 



v^ 



^m^' 



^ 



T52.\eiT 



■^ AM ES PERSON. The subject of this sketch 
occupies a good position among the reliable 
men of Camden Township, and is in the en- 
joyment of a comfortable home on section 
11. By a life of industry and sobriety he has 
acquired a good property, which came into his pos- 
session solely by the exercise of his own persever- 
ance, as he was thrown upon his own resources early 
in life, having nothing to depend upon but his own 
unaided efforts. He is the offspring of an excellent 
Pennsylvania family, the son of Isaac and Marj' 
(Rima) Person, and was born Jan. I'J, 1829, in 
Northampton County. 

The parents of our subject were also natives of 
the Keystone State, and of German ancestry. His 
paternal uncle, Jacob Person, fought in the War of 
1812, and spent his last daj's in Pennsylvania. Of 
the thirteen children born to Isaac and Mary Per- 
son, eight are living, namely : Abraham and George, 
in Pennsylvania; Isaac, in Ohio; David, Adam, 
Rebecca, the wife of Adam Rockel, and Mary A., 
Mrs. J. P. Shaw, in Pennsj'lvania. James, our 
subject, developed into manhood in his native 
county, receiving a limited education, but was fond 
of reading, and on account of this became quite 



well informed. Upon the outbreak of the Rebellion 
he enlisted as a Union soldier, Sept. 22, 18G2, in 
Convpan^' D, lo3d Pennsylvania Infantrj', which 
was assigned to the 1 1 th Corps, Army of the Po- 
tomac. He was soon made a Corporal, and look 
part in the battles of Chanccllorsville and Gettys- 
burg, being at the latter place wounded in the right 
arm, on account of which he now draws a pension 
of $G per month. He remained with his regiment 
until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and 
received his honorable discharge July 24, 1863. 

After leaving the service Mr. Person returned to 
Pennsj'lvania, where he was engaged in carpenter- 
ing, and was married, Nov. 28, 1865, to Miss Sarah 
A. Beidelman, who bore him three children, of 
whom only one is living, a son, Walter, who was 
born July 11, 1880. In the spring of 1866 Mr. 
Person and his vvife came to this county and settled 
on their present farm. This embraces eighty acres 
of fertile land, which he has operated to the best 
advantage, and besides bringing the soil to a fine 
state of cultivation, has a beautiful residence, a 
fine barn, and other buildings convenient for the 
carrying on of agriculture after modern methods. 

Mr. Person is a Republican in politics, and in 
religious matters a member of the German Re- 
formed Church. His inlired honestj' of purpose 
has served to make him popular in his community, 
where he is classed among its most useful citizens. 
As an ex-soldier he belongs to the G. A. R., being 
a member of Post No. 282, at Camden. His good 
sense and judgment have often been a recommend- 
ation to the various township offices, which he has 
uniforralj' declined, preferring to give his time and 
attention to his farming interests and his family. 
When a J'oung man he learned the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for about ten years, and on ac- 
count of this has lieen able to save hundreds of 
dollars, not onlj' in the erection of his buildings, 
but in keeping them in repair. 

Mrs. Person was born in Lehigh County, Pa., Sept. 
13, 1842, and is the daughter of Ephraim and Sarah 
A. (Folk)'Beidelman, who also were natives of the 
Keystone State. Her maternal grandfather, George 
Folk, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and spent 
his last years in Pennsylvania. Her father's house- 
hold included four children, namely : Ei>liraim, Jr., 



^h^_ 



4 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



759 ik 



a iTsiflfiit of Philadelphia, Pa.; Alfred; Amanda, 
the wife of .Josiah Wilt, of Xortliainpton County, 
and Sarah A., Mrs. Person; her parents are now 
deceased. The.v are most excellent and worthy peo- 
ple and members of tiie (iernian Reformed Church. 



"tiieji/fs-^^ — ^ 



^^^WCJTlt- 



ellARLES P. WmiE, of Litchfield, an ex- 
soldier of the Union army with a most 
enviable war record, is the subject of a most 
interesting historj' which is in its main points as 
follows: The scion of an excellent family, he is the 
son of Abraham C. and (L'elinda (Joslin) White, the 
father born in Connecticut near Long Island Sound, 
and the mother a native of Otsego Countj', N. \. 
Canfield White, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, followed the sea, and died on the ocean 
while making his second trip around the world, 
being consigned to a watery grave in the Gulf of 
Jlexico. This branch of the W^hite family sprang 
from old Puritan stock, and their history in the 
United Slates dates back to Colonial times. The 
parents of our subject after their marriage settled 
in Otsego Count}-, N. Y., of which the}- continued 
residents until their removal to the Black River 
countrj-. The father was a carpenter by trade, and 
came to the Territor}^ of Michigan in thesi)ring of 
1833, locating in Scipio Township when there were 
but seven houses upon the present site of Jones- 
ville, none in Hillsdale, and but one in Litchfield 
Townshii). He came alone and sent for his famil}' 
in the fall. He not only constructed his own dwell- 
ing, but that of his companion, Mr. H. Morris, 
while the latter went back to the Empire State after 
the two families. Abraham W'hite continued a 
resident of Scipio Township, working at his trade 
until 1840, and then invested the little capital 
which he had saved in eighty acres of land among 
the woods of Litchfield Township. This he cleared, 
and from the uncultivated soil constructed a fertile 
farm, which remained the home of himself and his 
estimable wif(! the remainder of their lives. The 
father died in 1864 when sixty years of age. He 
was originally an old-line Whig, but upon the 
abandonment of that party cordiall}' indorsed Re- 



publican principles. The mother after the decease 
of her husband continued to live upon the old 
homestead, where her death took place in 1884, 
when she was seventy-two years old. 

Our subject was the sixth child of his parents, 
whose family included five sons and four daughters. 
He was born in Scipio Township, this count}', Aug. 
28, 1838, and was two years of .age when the fam- 
ily came to Litchfielil. He acquired a common- 
school education after the primitive methods of 
those days and completed his studies in Litchfield. 
He subsequently occupied himself as a teacher at 
Sandy Creek, being thus employed in the winter of 
18C0-61. Upon the outbreak of the Rebelhon 
soon afterward he was one of the first to respond to 
the call for troops, enlisting with the three-years 
men, in Com[)any H, 4th Michigan Infantry, at 
Adrian, Lenawee County, and leaving immediately 
for the scat of war. After a few months he was 
taken seriously ill, and comi)elIed to accei)t his dis- 
charge in November following. A year later he 
again joined the Union forces as a member of the 
7th Michigan Cavalry. I)eing mustered into service 
at Grand Rapids. They left for Washington in 
March, 1863, and Mr. White participated in the 
fight at Gettysburg as a member of Custer's brigade. 
On the 6th of July following he was captured by 
the rebels at Stanton, Va.. and confined to Belle 
Jsle Prison from .Inly 24 to February 19 following. 
He was then transferre(l to Andersonville, whose 
horrors he suffered from the 1st of M.arch to Sept. 
8, 1864, being then taken to Savannah, where 
he remained until October 16, and was tiiis time 
transferred to Milan Prison November 23, was 
paroled, and from Annapolis was permitted to go 
home on a fifty-days furlough. 

When the time came to rejoin his regiment Mr. 
AVhite was sent to Canij) Distribution at Arlington 
Heights, thence to Richmond, and from there to 
Harper's Ferry. His next destination was at Point 
Rock, at which place he was on picket duly at the 
time of Lincoln's assassination, and was sent out 
with 9.000 dismounted men to assist in capturing 
the assassin, Booth. They arrived at Cliai)el Point, 
where they ca|)tured Booth seventy miles from 
Washington, ami in the meantime Lee's army had 
surrendered ami |)eace was declared. Our subject 



n 



760 



■•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



rejoined his regiment and participated in the grand 
review at Washington, and was also present on the 
night of Sherman's review; and then the 7th, the 
1st, the 5tb and the 6th Michigan Regiments 
boarded the cars for Parkcrsburg, and thence went 
down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis, 
and from there up the Missouri to Ft. Leavenworth, 
where tlie brigade was remounted and refitted to 
guard tiie United States mail route, scattering along 
at the points requiring protection. Mr. White with 
some of his comrades was stationed at the summit 
of the Rocky Mountains, being relieved by the reg- 
ular brigade, and mustered out on the 1st of 
December, 1865, our subject having been in the 
service three years and seven months. 

Mr. White during his visit home, in 1862, was 
married, in the month of April, to Miss Anna J. 
Harris, of Litchfield, who was born in Washtenaw 
County, and died at her home in Litchfield, April 
12, 1865. Mr. White was sul)scquently married, 
Feb. 23, 1868, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Job 
and Amy Reed, who were both natives of New 
York State and are now residents of Hillsdale, 
having attained to the ripe old age of eighty years. 
Their family included two sons and foui- daughters, 
and Mrs. While, the fourth child, was born June 1, 
1843, in Erie County, Pa. She acquired a common- 
school education, and was fourteen years of age 
upon coming with her parents to Michigan. Of 
this union there were born four children, the eldest 
of whom, Williard J., is a member of the class of '89 
in the Litchfield Union School; Lena E. died when 
fourteen years old; Fred C. is also in the Union 
School, and Maude E., the youngest, continues at 
home with her parents. 

In 1883 Mr. White purchased the interests of the 
other heirs in the old homestead, and in the fall of 
1885 exchanged it for village properly in Litch- 
field, -where he has since lived. Both he and his 
estimable wife are members of the Metiiodist Epis- 
copal Church, at Litchfield. They were identified 
with this church at Sandy Creek for a period of 
twenty-five years, and in which Mr. White offici- 
ated as Trustee the greater part of this time, 
assisting in putting up their church building, and 
being otherwise one of the chief pillars in the main- 
tenance of the society. Politically, he is a solid 



Republican, and it is hardly necessary to state he 
is a member of Stewart Post. G. A. R., at Litchfield, 
of which he is Adjutant, and a charter member; he 
is also a member of Baxter Post No. 219, of Jones- 
ville. His career has been an interesting and varied 
one, and he surely has reason to feel that his life 
has not been in vain. 



-^ 



^: 



*-»I*-^- 



ARVEY N. PROUTY, one of the pioneers of 
Yi jit this county, arrived within its borders with 
/lii^' his parents when a little lad six years of age. 
He is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., 
the date of his birth being Jan. 5, 1 833. His father, 
David D. Prouty, was a native of Vermont, and the 
mother, who in her girlhood was Mary Morey, was 
born in New York. The paternal grandfather 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812. 

Our subject, when an infant of six months, was 
taken by his parents from his native State to Ohio, 
they settling on the Mauraee River, in Lucas County. 
Upon emigrating to Michigan they located in Read- 
ing Township, where the father lived until his 
decease, in 1859. He was one of the early pioneers 
of the western part of tliis county, an energetic and 
capable man, who lent his support to every enter- 
prise tending to develop the resources of the soil, 
and effect the progress of the people. In his death 
Hillsdale County lost one of her best citizens. He 
identified himself with the Whig party when a 
young man, and upon its abandonment cordially 
endorsed Republican principles. 

Seven children completed the household circle of 
David D. and Mary Prouty, of whom the following 
survive: Harvey N., of our sketch, is the oldest one 
living; Martha is the wife of Hiram Gould, of 
Reading Township; Frank, and Ann, the wife of 
Albert Fuller, are also residents of Reading. David 
Prouty was instrumental in the founding of Read- 
ing Village, and probabl}' did more to enhance its 
prosperity than any other man at that time. The 
mother is still living in Reading Township. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood amid the scenes of pioneer life, and was taught 
the habits of industry and economy which have 
been the secret of his success. He received a fair 



••► 



1 ' 

t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



rei 



eduention, and .added to his ijeiicral fund of informa- 
tion b}' a coiiiso of I'oading, "liich lie li.as kept 
up all the years of his life. In ISiti) he visited Cali- 
fornia, and subsequently traveled throui^h Cential 
America. He also spent four years in British Co- 
lumbia, and three months in Alaska, besides travel- 
ing through many of the Western States, and also 
Territories. He was in all about ten years travel- 
ing around and making himself acquainted With the 
general character of the Wcstci'n countr}', and the 
habits of its people. This proved a rich experience 
with which he would not willingly part. When not 
traveling, he was mining and prosi)ecting. In the 
meantime also he assisted in building four miles of 
the military road in Washington Territory, between 
Chehalis and Newaukum. He returned to this 
county in 1865, and settling down as an agricultur- 
ist, in due time acquired his present homestead of 
213 acres, which he has brought to its present con- 
dition by the exercise of persevering industry. 

The 3'ear of his return from the farther West, 
Mr. Prouty was married, June 20, 1865, to Miss 
Ophelia Rounds, who was born in 1848, and is the 
daughter of Lewis and Kmley Rounds, who were 
natives of New York, and are now deceased. Of 
this union there was born one child onlj', a son, 
Arthur, Feb. 6, 1869. Mr. Prouty has been fre- 
quently solicited to hold office, and was at onetime 
the candidate for Supervisor on the Democratic- 
Greenback ticket. His party being in the minority, 
he was in consequence defeated, which, however, 
was not unexpected, but the vote which he received 
indicated his standing with the people, ile holds a 
good position among the representative citizens of 
Camden Township, and in religious views is an 



agnostic. 



-«>-^»t*^'0,^4-<«5*f-.^j- 



iNA ^^^^ WILLETS. However brief the so- 
/// iW J*^^""" '" Cambria Township, there are few 
^ 1^ who visit it to whom the names of this 
91 highly respected gentleman and his worth3' 

wife will not become familiar. He was one of the 
first settlers of this township, and is one of the 
oldest pioneers 3'et living to tell the tale of their 
early struggles. He now has a fine farm compris- 
f ing 160 acres on section 19, the land of which 

^•- - 



he entered from tin; Government, and which 
has been owned consequently only by Uncle Sam 
and himself. The transfer was effected from the 
former to the Jatter by a brother of our suliject, H. 
B. Willets, in June, 1835, and Mr. Willets took 
possession not quite two years later, in March, 1837. 
The country around was at that time mostly a tim- 
ber tract, with neighbors few and far between. 

The first business of the pioneer after he pitched 
his tent in the woods of Cambria Townsiiip was 
to clear the trees from a space large enough to put 
up a log cabin. This effected, he returned to Niag- 
ara County, N. Y., after his wife and child, and 
in due time had them safely housed in their cabin 
home. They took possession on the 3d of August, 
1837, now over fift3' years ago, and the anniversary 
of this event was appropriately celebrated bj' Mr. 
and Mrs. Willetts and forty or more of the most 
prominent old settlers of the count}'. It is hardly 
necessary to say that the contrast between the past 
and the present could be better imagined than de- 
scribed. The wilderness had been transformed into 
a beautiful farm, and the rude log cabin had long 
ago given place to the handsome modern residence, 
replete with all the comforts and many of the lux- 
uries of life. While Mr. Willets stood a gracious 
host at his door to welcome his old friends, they in 
turn tendered their congratulations, and as a slight 
token of their esteem presented him with an ele- 
gant gold-headed cane, l>earing an appropriate in- 
scription commemorating the occasion. 

The subject of this biography was born in P'arm- 
ington, Ontario Co., N. Y., April 13, 1814. He is 
the offspring of an excellent old New Jersey fam- 
ily of Quaker stock .and English descent, and the 
first representatives of whom in this country came 
over with the pilgrims in the "Mayflower." Jona- 
than Willets, the father of our subject, was also 
born in New Jerse}', to which State his ancestors 
had emigrated from Long Island. The latter w.as 
one of a large family' and, it was believed, migrated 
to Monroe County, N. Y., when a young man un- 
married. The lady whom he eventually invited 
to his heart and home w.as Miss Rachel Bunn, who 
also came of a good family. 

Jonathan Willets after his marriage lived several 
years in Ontario County, N. Y., then with his wife 



*t 



<^ 



762 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



nnd childi'pu effectcrl a chnnge of residence and 
located among the hills of Niagara County, in the 
vicinity of what is now the city of Lockport. 
Then it was an unsettled region, before even the 
days of canals. The father, however, onij- survived 
a few \'ears. dying when his son Moses was a little 
lad ten 3'ears of age. The mother followed three 
years later, and thus a family of six childien were 
left in orphanage. Of these but four are now liv- 
ing, nameh': ,]onathan, a resident of Three Rivers; 
George, of Wisconsin: Phebe. Mrs. Frederick Fow- 
ler, of Reading, and Moses, our subject. 

There was left a small propertj' valued at $1,800, 
for the children, and young Willets was thus thrown 
partly upon his own resources early in life. He 
labored bard for light wages, .and by great exertion 
acquired a limited education. It was in those days 
that he learned to economize, and acquired that 
self-reliant and independent spirit which has been 
the secret of his success in b'fe. He continued a 
resident of Niagara County until reaching his ma- 
jority', and was an interested witness of the slow, 
but sure, development of the Emjiire State. He saw 
the first canal- boat pass through the locks at Lock- 
port, and also looked Ujion the face of the j'Oung 
and gallant Frenchman, Gen. LaFayette. who left 
his own delightful land to assist the struggling peo- 
ple of a foreign countrj'. 

Jlr. Willets was first married in Niagara County, 
N. Y., Oct. 10, 1836, to Miss Angeline Alvord, a 
very capaliie and intelligent lady, who had been 
reared well and received a good education. Not 
long after the wedding day they set out for the 
Territory of Michigan, and coming to this county, 
located upon the land which our subject now owns 
and occn[)ies, and where their six children were 
born. The mother performed well her part as the 
wife and helpmate of the toiling pioneer, and lived 
to enjoy the comforts of the home which she had 
assisted in building up. Amid the tears of her 
sorrowing famil3'. and the regrets of the entire com- 
munity, she passed from earth on the 24th of Feb- 
ruary, 185-1. Three of her children are yet living: 
Laviua P. is the wife of Samuel Messenger, a re- 
tired farmer and a resident of Niles, this State; 
Henry H. married Miss Luella Peck, a native of 
New York State, and is operating upon a part of 



his father's farm, in Cambria Township; like the 
lattei'. he is thrift}', intelligent and well-to-do, and 
if permitted to live, will perpetuate in honor the 
labors and the name of his respected sire. Alice 
G., an accomplished young woman of good educa- 
tion and former!}' a teacher in the public schools, 
is now living at home with her parents. The de- 
ceased children are: Perraelia A., who died when 
about fourteen years of age; Charles M., when 
twentj'-five, and Adaline, who became the wife of 
A. C. Bctls, of Hillsdale, and died J.an. 24, 1871. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
marrie<l in Cambria Township, April 10, 1856, was 
formerlj- Miss Sarah Bishop, and was born in Can- 
andaigua, N. Y., Aug. 1, 1820. She is the daugh- 
ter of Stephen and Charlotte (.Smith) Bishop, who 
are now both deceased. They were natives of 
Connecticut, and upright, honest i)eople, loved and 
respected by a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. They spent their entire lives in Ontario 
Count\'. N. Y., where their remains were laid to 
rest. They were the parents of eight children, and 
their daughter Sarah, like the others, acquired a 
good education and received careful home training. 
.She developed into a teacher at an early age, and 
when a j'oung lady came to the home of her brother 
in Michigan, with whom she was living when mar- 
ried. She has proved a most efficient wife and 
mother, and in all respects the wise counselor and 
helpmate of her husband. Of this union there 
were born two children, the elder of whom, Sarah 
B., is a successful teacher in the schools of Marion, 
Ohio; C. Maude is the wife of Lieut. Byron L. 
Reed, son of the Hon. Marsh.all Reed, of Cambridge 
Township, Lenawee Count}', and a sketch of whom 
appears in the Lenawee County Album, recently 
published. Lieut. Reed is at present an attache of 
the United States Revenue Service. iNIr. Willets was 
reared a Quaker, while his estimable wife, with a 
part of the family, is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Politicall}', Mr. W. inclines to Republican 
principles, but reserves the right of a free American 
citizen to support the candidate whom he considers 
best qualified for the office. 

The career of this aged and honored pioneer of 
Hillsdale Count}' indicates him to be a man of 
peculiar characteristics, with decided views and fear- 

— •^ 



t 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



763 



i' 



less in the expression of them. Possessed of un- 
usual intelligence, he h.is been a keen observer of 
what is going on in the world around him, while his 
retentive memory has enabled him to gather a 
storehouse of knowledge, the value of which could 
by no means be estimated in dollars and cents. 
Never hasty in forming his opinions, when once 
formed he clings to them with the tenacity of a 
Marshal Ney. and his word among the men who 
have known him best has always been considered 
as good as his bond. 

When Mr. Willets came to this county the to»vn- 
ship of Fayette included what is now the townships 
of Woodbridge and Cambria. About 1840 it was 
divided and the present township of Cambria was 
included in that of Woodbridge. Two years later 
the regular Congressional township of Cambria 
was marked by boun<lary lines, and received its 
name, which was given it by its first settler, Hiram 
V. Weaver, who emigrated from Niagara County, 
N. Y. He was long since gathered to his fathers. 
School-houses were few and far between, and Mr. 
Willets donated a tract of land, the products of 
which were to be devoted to the establisliment and 
maintenance of the first school in his townsliip. He 
assisted in the erection of the house, which was 
built of logs, and that land to this day is still sub- 
servient for school purposes. 

Our subject, in common with the other pioneers, 
brought with him his trusty rifle as a means of se- 
curing meat for the family consumption, but as a 
hunter he was not an e.vpert, and during his very 
first attempt was lost in tlic woods, and concluded 
th.at afterward he had better relegate this duty to 
some man who understood the luisiness better. He 
hung bis rifle upon a nail, and succeeded in buying 
his venison at a price which fully justified this 
method of obtaining it. During liis labors In the 
building up of a homestead and tlie cultivation of 
his land ho neglected no opportunity to improve 
his mind, and possesses an almost inexhaustible 
store of practical knowledge, which has rendered 
him one of the most interesting of men to converse 
with. An affection of the eyes has prevented verj' 
much reading for the last few years, but he has en- 
<leavored to endure this misfortune with patience, 
atid to use his ears ;dl the more acutely. 




The farm of Mr. Willets comprises 160 acres of 
land, which he has brought to a fine state of culti- 
vation, and the primitive log house, in 1851), was 
abandoned for the commodious and well propor- 
tioned stone structure which is the admiration of 
the country around, and although standing for 
nearly thirty 3'ears is in a i'emarkal)le state of pres- 
ervation. Both within and without it bears the air 
of comfort which is so pleasing to the eye, and is 
flanked by the substantial barn and other out-build- 
ings required for the shelter of stock and the storing 
of grain. Mr. Willets has always taken pride in 
his cattle, horses and swine, and has carried off 
many a blue ribbon from the county fairs. 

-—'* .o^o-^y^^^-o^o. -i,^ 

OSCIUS SOUTHWORTH, a native of New 
England, came to the Territory of Michigan 
in 1836, and after a brief sojourn in Te- 
^jcumseh, Lenawee County', made his way to 
the northwestern part of thiij county and settled in 
Litchfield Township, of which ho was a resident 
until 1870. He then retired from active labor. 
He took up his residence in Allen Township in 
1881, and the family is widely- known throughout 
this part of Hillsdale Counfy as representing its 
best elements. 

The father f)f our subject. Royal South worth by 
name, wjis a native of New England, where he was 
reared and married Miss Phebe Gleason, also born 
there. The}' settled first in Connecticut, whence 
they removed to Massachusetts and from there to 
Oswego County, N. Y., settling in the town of 
Mexico. There the father engaged as a machinist, 
and with his estimable wife spent man}' j'ears. 
The}' finally followed their children to Michigan, 
and the father died in Allen Township, this county, 
at the residence of his son Roscius. The mother, 
who passed away after the decease of her husband, 
died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William 
Porter, in Allegan County. 

To Royal and Phebe Southworth there were born 
six children, and Roscius was the youngest son. 
Three of these are now living and residents of 
Michigan. Roscius was born in Thompson, Conn., 
Aug. 27. 18|.'), and from the records, wisely pre- 



i 



-^■ 



r64 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



served in the family, traces his ancestry baclj to 
the "Mayflower." Upon tliat historic craft, in its 
aclvenlnrous journey across the Atlantic, was also 
a widow of a deceased Southworth. and who subse- 
quently married George Bradford, the flrstGovernor 
of Massachusetts. 

During the younger 3-ears of Mr. Southworth he 
was employed in a cotton-mill in the town of Men- 
don, Worcester County, but left his native State 
when a youth and removed with his parents to 
Oswego County, N. Y. There also he was occupied 
in a cotton factory until 1836, when the familj' 
came to this State. A few years later he became a 
contractor on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern 
Railroad and its branches, with which he was con- 
nected many years. In the meantime he invested 
his spare capital in land in Litchfield and Allen 
Townships, the cultivation of which he carried on 
in connection with his other business. 

Mr. Southworth was first married in Litchfield 
Township, in 1837, to Miss Lucinda Murdock, who 
was born in Oswego County, N. Y., and who died 
the year following at their home in Litchfield. She 
had become the mother of one child, a sou, John, 
who is now following the profession of law in 
Clarendon, Tex. 

The present vvife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in Litolitield, Aug. 10, 1841, was formerly 
Miss Lucinda Wight, who was born in Hope, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1819. This union resulted in 
the birth of five children. The eldest child, Abbie 
N., is now the wife of John 11. Parish, of Allen; 
Thaddeus M. is occupied at farming in the same 
place; Royal A. is engaged in farming in Colorado; 
William VV. is farming iu Kalamazoo County, this 
State; William R. died when twenty months old. 

Mrs. Southworth is the daughter of Thaddeus 
and Lucinda (Washburn) Wight, both of New 
England birth and parentage. The father, a native 
uf Vermont, was born June 8, 1788, and the mother 
was born Aug. 9, 1792. After marriage they took 
up their abode in the Green Mountain State, and 
from there a few years later removed to Saratoga 
County, N. Y. From the Empire State they changed 
their residence to Ohio, settling in Cuyahoga Countj% 
whence in the spring of 1830 they migrated to the 
Territory of Michigan. Coming into Hillsdale 

^« 



County, the Wight family settled near the present 
town of Jonesville, but a year later removed to a 
point two miles west, where the mother died Sept. 
7, 1832. Mr. Wight continued to live on his farm 
there some j'ears, then selling out, took up his resi- 
dence in Litchfield Township, whence he returned 
to Jonesville. where he made his home some years. 
His last days were passed at the home of his 
daughter, Mrs. Southworth, in Allen Township, 
where his decease occurred Jul3' 28, 1859. He 
was the father of nine children, six daughters and 
three sons, six of whom are now living, and mostly 
residents of Michigan. 

The subject of this sketch in early life was iden- 
tified with the Whig party, but later became the 
firm supporter of Republican principles. Mrs. 
Southworth is a lady of fine capabilities, intelligent, 
cultured and refined, and a most admirable repre- 
sentative of one of the best families vvho emigrated 
from New England during the early history of this 
State. She has proved the able and efficient assist- 
ant of her husband in liis labors and business 
affairs, and is universally respected throughout the 
large circle of her acquaintances in Allen and 
Litchfield Townships. In religious matters she is 
prominently connected with the Baptist Church, in 
Allen. 



ON. JOSEPH DIVINE is widely known and 
) honored, not only as a pioneer of Hillsdale 
Lv^ County, but also as one of its representative 
^j citizens. He has been a resident here for 
over forty-seven j'ears, and js prominently con- 
nected with the interests of the fine agricultural 
region embraced within the limits of Woodbridge 
Township, where he ovvns a productive and well 
managed farm. He was born in Cayuga County, 
N. Y., April 1 , 1 820, and is a son of Joseph and 
Esther (Wilmoth) Divine, who were descended of 
English ancestry, and were natives of New York 
and Long Island, born respectively in 1756 and 
1771. His father was a man of great force, physi- 
cally and mentally, possessed gresjt practical sagac- 
it}', and was a great power for good wherever he 
lived, and at his death was much missed in the 
community. He took an active part in the War of 



>^hM» 



■^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



765 



1812. holfling the rank of Captain, and, it is thought, 
served through the entire conflict, and although lie 
was entitled to a pension, he never received one. 
He married in 1 824, and settled in Sterling, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., where he improved a farm. In 1833 
he moved with his family to Ohio, and settled in 
Lucas County, where he made his home until he 
came to Michigan witli his wife and children in 
1843, and settled in this township, where he spent 
the declining years of his life, dying in 1863. 
.Shortly before his death he joined the church. lie 
was a raau of cxceedingl}- kind and generous im- 
pulses, and no one was allowed to go from his door 
hungry, and the sorrowful always found in him a 
ready sympathizer. In politics he was an old-line 
Whig, and a firm defender of his party principles. 
His wife survived him some years, dying in 1868. 
She was a noble type of womanhood, firm in char- 
acter,kind and warm-hearted in manner, and she 
was for fifty years a consistent church member. 
To her and her husband were born fourteen chil- 
dren, whose record is as follows: Lueinda married 
Linas Frost, now deceased; Arminda married Mr. 
Johnson ; Selah married Miss Betsy Kinney ; Samuel, 
deceased, married Miss Lucy Wiltsej'; John, de- 
ceased, married Miss Analeza Bell; Daniel married 
Miss Pamelia French; Asa L., deceased, married 
Miss JerushaBell; our subject; Margaret, deceased, 
was the wife of Levi Manly; George married Miss 
Almeda Young; James married Miss Sarah Ste- 
phens, and still lives in this township; William 
married Miss Rebecca Ransom. 

Joseph Divine passed his early years in his na- 
tive State, and was about thirteen years of age when 
he accompanied his parents to Ohio, wliere the re- 
maining years of his youth were passed. He w.as in 
the prime of early manhood when he came to Miehi- 
'gan, and first identified himself with its agricultural 
interests. His farm on section 6, Woodbridge Town- 
ship, comprises forty acres of choice land, inahighly 
cultivated condition, and capaljjc of yielding large 
crops. He has a comfortable and commodious resi- 
dence and ample barns, and his farm is well sup- 
plied with machinerj' and implements for carrying 
on agriculture with great facility and success. 

Mr. Divine has been three times married. His 
first wife was Amelia Allen, a daughter of the f.amous 



pioneer and first settler of Hillsdale County, Capt. 
Moses Allen, who located in this county in 1827. 
They were married in 1840, but their wedded life 
was of brief duration, as she died in 1842, leaving 
one son, Oscar A. Mr. Divine's second marriage 
was with Miss Dorothy Fish, and she was also a 
daughter of a pioneer family; she died without 
issue. The third marriage of our subject, which 
took place Nov. 1, 1884, was with Mrs. Lois B. 
Stone, 7iee Melendy, widow of William B. Stone. 
By her first marriage she was the mother of two 
children — Charles A. and Fred W. The former 
married Miss Sarah E. Kemp; Fred married Miss 
Carrie B. Cass; both he and his brother are en- 
gaged in farming. Mrs. Divine was born in 
Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 15, 1831, 
and was the daughter of Norman and Sally S. 
(Welch) Melendy, natives respectively of Vermont 
and Connecticut. The father was born in 1 806, and 
was a farmer by occupation: he came to Michigan 
in 1845, and settled in Branch Count}', where he 
died in 1855, and his wife, ^yho was born in 1810, is 
living at an advanced age. and is an esteemed mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. She is the mother 
of ten children, as follows: Richmond, deceased; 
Daniel, living in Kansas; Squire W., deceased; 
Sarah S. ; Emery G.; Edward N. died in the hospi- 
tal at Annapolis, Md.; Mary E., Abby M., John 
M. Four of these were in the army, and Rich- 
mond, who was Judge of the Circuit Court in 
Branch and St. Joseph Counties, served four years 
as Capt.ain and Adjutant General of the 29th In- 
diana Regiment. 

In his long and highly useful career our subject 
has shown himself to be in every respect above re- 
proach, even in the searching light of public life; 
he is broad and liberal minded in his views, and his 
good capacities of mind and heart have fitted him 
for the leading part that he has been called upon to 
play, both in local and State affairs. He has been 
prominent in education.il matters, and has held vari- 
ous township offices of trust and responsibility. In 
1884 he was elected to the high office of Representa- 
tive in the State Legislature, his constituencj' em- 
bracing the voters of three counties, and he served 
two years, displaying the same zeal and devotion to 
the interests of his followinon that had always 



i~ 



u 



766 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 







characterized hira while in the service of the public. 
He was Chairman of the Committee on Religions 
and Benevolent Societies, and also served on two 
other important committees, those of Federal Eela- 
tions and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. 
Our subject has been Justice of the Peace for some 
years. In his political beliefs he has been a firm 
adherent of the Rei)ublican party since its forma- 
tion, and he cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He 
was formerly a church member, but has severed his 
connection with the church, and it may be said of 
him as of others: "The world is his church, the 
needs of humanity his creed, growth its founda- 
tion." 

J]_^ ON. L. .S. PARI\IKLEE..Iustice of the Peace 
at Reading, and one of the prominent citi- 
zensof the county, came to Southern IMiehi- 
gan in 1856, and during his residence of 
over thirt}' years in this section of country, he has 
built up for himself an enviable reputation among 
its people. Like many of the other solid men of 
Hillsdale County, he is a native of the Empire 
State, having been born in the town of Spafford, 
Onondaga Count3', Aug. 20, 1815. 

Joshua Parmelee, the father of our subject, a 
native of Connecticut, was of New England parent- 
age. The first representatives of the family crossed 
over from England to America in 1C35, fifteen 
years after the landing of the Pilgrim fathers, and 
settled in the town of Guilford, Conn., where the 
family lived for many years, and were regarded as 
among the solid people of that region. In England 
the}' were closely allied to royalty. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject died 
when his son Joshua was quite young, and he was 
reared bj' his widowed mother. As soon as of 
suitable years he began an apprenticeship at the 
tanning and shoemaking business, which, however, 
not being in accordance with his tastes, he aban- 
doned after serving his time, and engaged in farm- 
ing. Upon reaching manhood he was married to 
Miss Eunice Smith, who was a native of Massachu- 
setts, and the daughter of an old and highly re- 
spected family, who had been represented in the 
Bay State for several generations. Joshua Parme- 



lee and his young wife left New England soon after 
their marriage, and located in Spafford, N. Y., where 
were born their six children, three sons and three 
daughters, all of whom lived to be married. All of 
the sons and one daughter are yet living, and are 
residents mostly of New York and Michigan. L. 
S., our subject, was the youngest of the boys. The 
eldest, Erastus K., is living near Pamela Station, in 
Barry County, this State, and although seventy- 
nine years of age, is hale and active. Joshua, Jr., 
aged seventy -seven, is a resident of Cattaraugus 
Countj', N. Y., and a farmer b}' occupation. 

The parents in their later years removed to 
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where they spent the 
remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age 
of fifty-four j'ears. He was a man of genial and 
companionable disposition, kindl^'and hospitable in 
his nature, and was faniiliarl}' known to all the 
people around as "Uncle Joshua." His chief char- 
acteristics were his honesty and integrity, and his 
word was considered as good as his bond. The 
mother survived her husband some years, and died 
at the home of her daughter, when more than eighty 
years old. The family on both sides of the house 
were noted for longevity. 

The subject of this sketch was reared under the 
parental roof, acquiring a good common-school 
education, and being studiously encouraged by his 
parents to avail himself of every opportunity for 
the reading of instructive books. Of these he has 
large numbers, and would be entirely' lost without 
his librar}-. When starting out for himself in life 
he served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making, and 
subsequently for a time worked as a carpenter. 
This, however, was not entirely in accordance with 
his tastes, and turning his attention to religious 
matters, he began to preach, and offlciated there- 
after as a minister of the Free-Will Baptist Church 
for a period of nearly fifty years. Although taking 
kindly to the beliefs of the Free- Will Baptists, he is 
liberal in his ideas, and in unison with all churches. 
At the time of the building of Hillsdale College, he 
by his own efforts raised 118.000, and has been the 
means of erecting many church buihlings in the 
United States and Canada. About 1862 or 1863 he 
organized the first Free- Will Baptist Church in 
Chicago. He has preached many funeral sermons 



-^•- 



-•► 



u 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



in tliis coiint3\ and has ever stood on that broad 
anil liberal platform which has made him welcome 
as a minister with any clnirch or with anj' people. 

While a resident of Cattaiaugus Count.y, N. Y., 
Mr. Parmelee was married, May 3, 183.5, to Miss 
Julia A. Jones, wlio was born in Tioga C'onnty, 
that State, June 20, 1816. Her parents. John and 
Naomi (Whitley) Jones, subsequently came to the 
West, and died at Roekford, 111., when well ad- 
vanced in j'ears; the father was a farmer by occu- 
pation. Mrs. Parmelee was very carefully reared, 
receiving a good common-school education and 
excellent home training. Although now seventy- 
two years of age, she is a very bright and active 
old lady, more than ordinarily- intelligent, genial 
and hospitable in her manner, and very pleasant to 
converse with. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee there were born two 
children, one of whom, Martin, died in Reading 
Township, in March, 1878, when about thirty-two 
years of age. At the time of his death he was 
Assistant Postmaster of Reading, lie had been 
married to Miss Augusta Orr, who, after his death, 
became the wife of A. J. Page, and now lives in 
California. Of her first marriage there were born 
three daughters, two of whom are married, and liv- 
ing in Michigan and California; the other is un- 
married, and in California. Horatio Parmelee is 
engaged in the dry-goods and millinery trade at 
Hillsdale. He married Miss Mariila J. Perry, a 
native of Canada, and a graduate of Hillsdale 
Ctillcge. They have three sons, two of whom were 
also gradu.'ited from this college; one is engaged as 
assistant on the San Diego Bee, one in Des Moines, 
Iowa, in the book business, and tlie other is at home 
with his parents. 

Mr. Parmelee has been quite prominent in town- 
ship affairs, and was Postmaster of Reading for a 
period of twelve years. He h.as served as Justice 
of the Peace six. years, and has also officiated as 
Higliwaj' and Street Commissioner. probabl3- for 
twenty years. In 1867 he was elected to the State 
Legislature, and while serving his term, he voted 
for tiic Fourteenth Amendment to the United States 
Constitution. He was on several important com- 
mittees, and was instrumental in securing the right 
of way of the Ft. Wayne & Jackson Railroad 



through Hillsdale County. In politics, as in religion, 
he has ever distinguisiied himself as careful and 
conscientious, allowing himself to be the tool of no 
clique or party, but aiming to follow the line of 
rectitude, whatever might be the result to himself, 
personally, lie distinguished himself as a lively 
Abolitionist, and was one of the first men to bring 
the question before the people in this locality. It 
will thus be seen that his record is one of which 
his descendants will never be ashamed. 




i^'jilRIAHC. FITZSIMMONS. It is said that 
III I a small farm well tilled is better than a large 
^^i^^ll, one partially neglected. This appears to 
be true after an examination of tiie beautiful farm 
on which the subject of this sketch resides, on sec- 
tion 24. of Reading Township. Although it con- 
sists of only forty acres of l;ind, it has been brought 
into such a high state of cultivation, while its ap- 
pointments are so complete and its every foot of 
land so systematically utilized, as to yield to its 
owner a bountiful reward for his good management. 
It is supplied with a beautiful residence, flanked by 
commodious out-buildings, and is in all respects a 
model country home. Here Mr. Fitzsimraons has 
made his residence since the spring of 1865, and 
with his amiable and accomplished wife is spending 
his days enjoying the happiness which a good con- 
science and a contented mind invariably bi'ing. 

The subject of this notice was born on the old 
F'itzsimmons homestead, in this township, Dec. 
11, 1837, and was reared to farm life, remaining 
with his parents until he reached his majority. He 
was the foster-son of Hon. George Fitzsimmons, of 
whom a sketch appears elsew'here in this Album. 
Our subject was educated in the common schools of 
his township, and was united in marriage, at the 
home of the bride, in Camden Township, Jan. 1, 
1859. with Miss Elsie M. Dawson. Mrs. Fitzsim- 
mons was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1837, 
and is the daughter of James and Margaret (Kyser) 
Dawson, both of whom are now deceased. The 
father died in Camden Township. Nov. 7, 1884, 
at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother 



V 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



passed away May 3, 1860, when forty-eight years 
of age. Mr. Dawson came to Branch Count3% in 
this State, in 1842, and settled on a new farm in 
Algausee Township, but a few j'ears later he re- 
moved to Camden Township, where he secured a 
home of eighty-seven acres of land, and there spent 
the remainder of his life. He was born in the State 
of Pennsylvania, and when 3'et quite young removed 
to Ohio with iiis parents, who settled near the city of 
Cleveland, where his mother died. The father sub- 
sequently removed to Illinois, and made his home 
at Mt. Vernon until his decease, which occurred 
when he was within three days of being one hun- 
dred years old ; his wife died at the age of forty 
3'ears. 

James Dawson was reared to manhood near Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and was there united in marriage with 
Margaret .Jane Kj'ser, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
the daughter of James Kyser. Mr. Kyser in later 
years removed to Cleveland. Oiiio, where he died at 
the advanced age of ninetj' j'ears. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Elizabeth J. Adams, was a 
native of Connecticut, and came of New England 
parentage. She also died at Cleveland, Ohio, at the 
age of eighty-seven j-ears. She was for many 
years a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Church, and was a good Christian woman, a living 
example of the faith which she professed. James 
Dawson and wife were active members of the United 
Brethren Church for many years, and adorned the 
sphere of life in which they were placed. 

Mrs. Fitzsimmons, of this notice, received a good 
education in the schools of this county, and was 
for some time before her marriage engaged in the 
occupation of a school teacher. She has borne to 
her husband three ciiildren, one of whom died in 
infancj'. Of the others, Vincent J. resides at home 
and has completed his education in Reading, while 
Bernice is also residing at home, and will soon grad- 
uate from the same institution. Mr. Fitzsimmons 
has a twin brother, Luther, yet living, and they are 
the only surviving members of the family. Luther 
is a hardware merchant in Reading, where he car- 
ries on a good business. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimmons attend the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and contribute of their means to 
its support, while in politics Mr. F. is a Democrat. 



He and his amiable wife are genial and intelligent 
people, with whom it is a pleasure to converse, and 
enjoy in a large degree the confidence of the good 
people among whom they reside. 



^^^^ 




^_^0N. GEORGE A. SMITH, of Somerset 
Township, represented the Republicans of 
his district in the Michigan Legislature, in 
1863, and was twice elected State Senator 
for the districts comprising the counties of Branch 
and Hillsdale. He is now one of the most exten- 
sive farmers and stock-raisers of this section, and 
the owner of 1,000 acres of land, mostly under cul- 
tivation. He is also interested in a store of general 
merchandise and a flouring-mill at Addison, and on 
his farm usually keeps 100 head of graded cattle, 
besides some fine horses. A man public-spirited 
and liberal, progressive, and interested in the wel- 
fare of the people around him. he h.as borne no 
unimportant part in bringing this county to its 
present condition among the progressive commu- 
nities of the State. A Republican in politics, active 
in the maintenance of schools and churches, he has 
also officiated as President of the County Agricult- 
ural Society, and served as Postmaster of Somerset 
for a period of twenty years. He also operates a 
grain elevator at Somerset, and buys largely of 
general produce. 

A native of New England, Mr. Smith was born 
March 8, 18-2.5, in Danbury, Conn., and is the son 
of Azariel and Mary (Andrews) Smith, natives of 
the same place, the father born Feb. 20, 1798, and 
the mother in 1797. They continued residents of 
their native State until 1839, and then Azariel 
Smith started with his wife and six children for the 
undeveloped West. They traveled after the fash- 
ion of that day, bj' canal and Lake Erie, arriving at 
Toledo June 4, 1839, being two weeks in making 
the journey. The father purchased 160 acres of 
wild land from the Government in Somerset Town- 
ship, upon which he lived and labored until life for 
him was ended, passing away in May, 1874. The 
mother had preceded her husband, her death tak- 
ing place in March, 1866. 

Of the seven children born to the parents of our 

~ : -. 9^ 



I 

t 



u. 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



769 



i 



subject five are j'et living, and mostly engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in Somerset Township. The 
parents on botli sides of the house were of English 
descent. Their ancestors first settled in Connect- 
icut, and were mostly engaged in agriculture. John 
Andrews, the maternal uncle of our subject, became 
a large land-owner in Danbur^', and a man promi- 
nent and highly respected in his community. The 
paternal great-grand lather, Joseph Smith, was a 
Captain in the Revolutionary War, and served dur- 
ing the entire struggle of the Colonists for their 
independence. 

The father of our subject put up a frame house 
the first year of his residence in Somerset Township. 
His labors were greatly restricted by ill-health, 
but he was a man of energy and resolution, and 
managed to accomplish considerable, notwithstand- 
ing this drawback. He was active in eliurch and 
school and successful in his farm operations, al- 
though before coming to tiie West he had had very 
little experience in this field of industry, having 
been a comb manufacturer, operating extensively in 
the parish of Bethel, near Danbury, and giving 
emploj'uient much of the time to fifty men. 

The subject of this sketch continued under the 
home roof until nearly thirty years of age, assisting 
his father in redeeming the soil of a new country-, 
and becoming familiar with all the hardships and 
difficulties of pioneer life. In the meantime he 
was married. July 3, 1851, to Miss Catherine B. 
Simonds, who was a native of Chautauqua Countj', 
N. Y., and who after the birth of six children 
departed this life at her liome in Somerset Town- 
ship, Feb. 4, 18G4, at the age of forty-cme years. 
The offspring of this union are recorded as follows: 
Julia O., Mrs. Augustus T. Daniels, is the wife of a 
prominent real-estate man at Topeka, Kan., and the 
mother of three children; Fred S., unmarried, is 
carrying on his own farm, and makes a specialt3' of 
fine horses and cattle; Azariel is a miller bj- trade, 
and cashier of the bank in Addison; he married 
Miss Nellie Branch, and is the father of two chil- 
dren. Mar3' A. is unmarried, and continues at 
home with her jjarents; George LeGrand is pursu- 
ing his studies at OI)erlin College, being educated 
for liie ministry; Stewart C, who continues to make 
his home with his father, also took a course at 

.4m 



Oberlin College, and completed his studies in the 
Troy Polytechnic Institute, graduating in full 
course as civil engineer, which business he is now 
following; 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married on the 5th of April, 1865, was Miss Cath- 
erine B., sister of R. A. Randolph. This union 
resulted in the birth of a son and daughter — 
Frank R. and Catherine B. The son was graduated 
from the Agricultural College at Lansing, and is 
now operating on the home farm. The daughter 
also continues with her parents. The family are 
widely and favorably known througiiout the north- 
eastern part of the county, and enjoy the esteem 
and confidence of a hirt-e circle of friends. 



r^^^- 



JOEL SMITH, deceased, one of the earliest 
settlers of Cambria Township, and late a resi- 
dent of the city of Hillsdale, was a native 
of the Empire State, an<i was born in the 
town of Benton, Ontario County, on the 4th of 
April, 1809. He had thus reached nearly his four- 
score years, and his rich and ripe experience of 
men and the world in genenal was turned to good 
account. It is not onlj- a pleasure, but a source of 
profit, to sit down by the man who began life in 
the early part of this century, and who h.as not 
only watched the growth of liis immediate sur- 
roundings but has kept himself posted upon the 
progress of both continents. Mr. Smith saw many 
of the old evils, the institution of slavery, and the 
narrow methods of education, giving place to free- 
dom and bro.-ider views, and in the place which 
Providence allotted him was no unimportant fac- 
tor in the establishment of those institutions, the 
church and school, which have been mainly instru- 
mental in placing the rising generation upon the 
path which they have begun in honor, and which, as 
a natural result, cannot fail to be still onward. 

Nathan Smith, the father of our subject, who 
was a native of Ontario County, N. Y., was for 
many j'ears connected with the ministr3' of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he began his 
labors before his marriage. The mother, who in 
her girlhood was Miss Jane Scott, was also a native 



t- 



-4•- 



770 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of New York State, and the parents settling first in 
Ontario County, removed when our subject was but 
a lad to Huron County, Ohio, locating in the town 
of New London. The father while pursuing his 
pious labors also carried on farming in a modest 
manner, and the parents there spent their last years. 

The subject of this sketch was next to the young- 
est in a family of eleven children, and in common 
with his brothers and sisters assisted in the labors 
of building up a homestead from a tract of heavily 
timbered land which the father had taken up in 
Huron County. Eleven of the children lived to 
mature years, and of the eleven one now survives, 
and lives in Lima, Ohio. One by one they fled from 
the home nest, our subject among the last of those 
who withdrew from the old rooftree. and which he 
did about the time of reaching his raajoritj'. Having 
in view the establishment of a home of his own, 
he provided iiiniself with a wife and helpmate, 
being united in marriage with ISIiss Nancy Beam, 
May 28, 1827. Theyoungcouple settled on a farm 
in Huron County, but some years later changed 
their residence to Steuben County, Ind., where Mr. 
Smith purchased a tract of wild land, but soon 
found that the soil and climate were undermining 
the health both of himself and his wife, and about 
nine months later they gathered together their 
household goods once more and started for South- 
ern Michigan. 

This later removal was made in the spring of 
1 849, and Hillsdale was then an unpretentious village. 
Mr. Smith selected a tract of land in Cambria 
Township, and here repeated the process through 
which he had gone in the Buckeye State, cutting 
down the trees, uprooting the stumps, and prepar- 
ing the soil for cultivation. Providence smiled 
upon his labors, and the soil responded generously 
to the efforts of the husbandman. Li due time 100 
acres had been brought to a productive condition, 
and Mr. Smith had erected suitable and convenient 
modern buildings. He occupied this farm for a 
period of twenty-one years, then selling out, pur- 
chased land east of the city of Hillsdale, upon which 
he lived and labored twelve years more, and effected 
the improvements which enabled him to dispose of 
it at a snug round sum. In 1882, having novv 
more than numbered his threescore and ten ye.ars. 



he wisely decided to retire from active labor, and 
selling the farm, removed with his family to the city 
of Hillsdale, where he occupied a pleasant home on 
North Manning street. 

The wife of our subject passed away on the 
old homestead in Cambria Township in October, 
1862, leaving six children. Previous to the death 
of the mother the}' had been called to mourn the 
loss of three children who died in infancy, and one 
child has since followed the mother to the silent 
land. Melissa, the widow of Ira McBain, is now a 
resident of Modoc County, Cal., as is also Emilj' 
J., the widow of J.'Kesselring, and Loren A.; 
Louisa, the wife of F. M. LaForgee, is a resident of 
Colusa County. Cal. : Avery A. is Supervisor of 
Cambria Township; Albert Smith is a resident of 
Red Bluff. Cal. 

Mr. .Smith contracted a second marriage, Aug. 10, 
1865, with Mrs. Mary Woods, a native of Norfolk 
Count}', England, and who was born Sept. 5, 1815. 
Her parents, Heurj- and Ursula Pett, were also of 
English birth and ancestry, and spent their last 
days in Norfolk. Mrs. Smith came to America in 
1857. She vvas married in Downham, England, to 
William Woods, and of this union there were born 
six children: The eldest, Henry, is farming in 
Cambria Township, this county; John is a resident 
of Cla}' County, Kan.; Ursula is the wife of Rev. 
Mr. Mitchell, of Worcester, Mass. ; Anna C. is en- 
gaged us a teacher in Decatur, III.; Earl L. is a 
practicing physician at INIanitou Springs, Col., and 
Christopher Woods died in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Of this union of our subject there were born no 
children. Mr. Smith was quite prominent in all 
township affairs. He identified himself with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church during early manhood, 
since which time he continued a zealous and efficient 
member. His estimable wife was reared in the 
Presbyterian faith, to which she still adheres. Mr. 
Smith at the time of the building of Hillsdale 
College contributed generously in work and timber, 
and while a resident of Huron County, Ohio, as- 
sisted materially in the building of Oberlin College. 
Nothing vvas more gratif3'ing to him than to note the 
march of education, and that its advantages are 
placed within the reach of most of those who are 
desirous of availing themselves of them. In the 



"1 



=^- 



-4^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



771 




summer of 188(5 Mr. Siiiitli mnrlc ;i trip to Califor- 
nia, visiting his children, aiirl enjoying iiiniself 
greatly along the Pacific Slope. In the month of 
May, 1888, he passed to his long home, amid the 
universal regrets of the communit3\ 



RS. MARTHA WILSON, a very fine old 
lady, born in Ireland, is living in comfort- 
able circumstances on a good farm situated 
in the south |iart of section 26, in Litch- 
field Township. She lins an intelligent family of 
children, all in good circumstances, and is sur- 
rounded by the comfortable and pleasant things of 
life. To these she is amplj^ entitled, her neighbors 
claim, as she has lived a worthy life and one emi- 
nently worthy of imitation. Her husband, .James 
Wilson, departed this life at the homestead, Jan. 4, 
1878, and was greatly mourned by his family and 
friends, on account of his excellent qualities as a 
husband, father and citizen. 

The subject of this sketch was born in County 
Armagh, Ireland, April 3, 1821. and is the daughter 
of James and Rachel (McC^uoty) Carr, who were 
also natives of that region, and who spent their 
entire lives upon their native soil. Their daughter 
Martha was reared under the home roof, and when 
fifteen years of age was confirmed in the Episcopal 
Church. About 1836 she came to America with 
lior parents, two years after her sister Jane. They 
embarked on a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage 
of four weeks and three daj's arrived at Quebec, 
Canada. Their destination was Dumfries, where 
Miss Carr lived three years, maintaining herself, 
and was then married to Mr. James Wilson, with 
whom she had attended school when a little girl, 
and who had come to America about 1834. Their 
wedding took place at Dumfries, Canada, Oct. 6, 
183'J, and nine weeks afterward they made their 
w.iy to this Stite, which was then young, and set- 
tled in Litchfield Township, this county, where 
Mr. Wilson spent the remainder of his d.iys, and 
where his excellent wife has since resided. 

The husband of our subject was the son of James 
and Aiin Wilson, who were also of Irish birth and 
parentage. He was born in County Armagh, March 



4. 1811, and was earl^- in life taught the habits of 
industry .and the principles that made of him a man 
among men, respected and honored by all who 
knew him. Of this union there were born nine 
children, the eldest of whom, William, died in 
infancy; Mary Jane is the wife of William Rainy, 
and the mother of four children, namel3' : Rachel, 
Hattie, Eddie and Anson; they live in Clarendon, 
Calhoun Count}', this State. Rachel A., Mrs. H. 
L. VanZant, was the mother of two children, and died 
in 1884, in Litchfield Township; Sarah E., the wife 
of Joseph Warrick, is a resident of Litchfield Town- 
ship, and the mother of five children — Mar}\ Walter, 
Fanny, Frank and Annie; James H. has charge of 
the homestead with his brother William ; Maggie 
A. lives with her mother; Thomas married Miss 
Carrie Bailej', and is farming in Eaton County; he 
is the father of a son and daughter — Willie and 
Flossy. Martha is the wife of George Kelly, a 
well-to-do farmer of Litchfield Township. 

Mr. Wilson through his own honest labors became 
the owner of 140 acres of good land, most of 
which lie cleared himself. He put up a beautiful 
residence, together with a barn and the other neces- 
sary buildings, .and with his devoted wife was living 
in Vjright hopes for the future, when his life was 
suddenly terminated by an accident. He was thrown 
from his buggy, the horse becoming frightened by 
the cars, and received injuries from which he died 
a j-ear later. Mr. Wilson, like his wife, was a 
member of the Episcopal Church. Their children 
arc bright, active and intelligent, and have been 
carefully trained in those principles which con- 
stitute them honored and valued members of society. 

ENRY GRAY, residing on section 10 of 
Adams Township, is one of the representa- 
tive farmers and enterprising men of Hills- 
dale County. He w.as born in .Sheridan, 
Geauga Co.. Ohio. March 23, 1839. being a son of 
George and Zyljjha Gra}'. His father, a native of 
New York, was but three years old when his par- 
ents removed to Ohio and settled in Geauga Countj', 
where his boyhood and early manhood were p.ossed. 
In 1846 he removed to Michigan with his family. 



•►-11:^ 



I 



772 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



and purchased a homestead on section 20 of Adams 
Township, whei-e he still resides. To him and his 
wife were born three children, two of wliom are 
now living — William and IIenr3'. (For further pa- 
rental history see sketch of George Gray.) 

David Gray, the paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, died in Mentor, Ohio, the home of our late 
lamented President, James A. Garfield, who was his 
near neighbor for nearly twenty .years. At the 
reunion of the Gray family Oct. 20, 1880, when 
children and grandcliildren gathered together to cel- 
ebrate the one hundred and first birthday of their 
venerable relative. Gen. Garfield, then Presidential 
candidate, was present and made the address of the 
occasion. He spoke in the highest terras of the 
aged man, whom he truly honored for his sterling 
ciiaracteristics, and who had devoted the long j'ears 
of his life to benefiting his country; his efficient 
work in behalf of the oppressed slave was touch- 
ingly alluded to by the speaker, as were also many 
other good causes which he had aided, and on the 
following election day, November 2 of the same 
year, the National hero sent his private carriage to 
convey the old gentleman to the polls that he might 
cast his vote for the good man, whom he loved and 
respected. Mr. Gray had seen every President up 
to that time, and, although he lived until after the 
Presidential election in 1884, being one hundred 
and fuur years of age when he died, his last ballot 
was cast for the martj'red President. 

The subject of this sketch commenced his educa- 
tion in his native State, remaining there until eight 
years of age, when his parents moved to Michigan, 
and from that time his attendance was limited to 
the winter terms of school only. His parents being 
poor in purse, Henry commenced to earn his own 
living when fourteen years old by working out by 
the month, and continued thus employed until 
twenty-three years of age. He had then, by indus- 
try and economy, accumulated sufficient money to 
buy eighty acres of land, on which he and his young 
wife, to whom he had been married two years pre- 
viously, at once settled. Thenceforth they worked 
together, sharing alike the comforts and privations 
of life with cheerfulness, until, the shadow of death 
crossing the threshold of their happy home, the wife 
and mother was taken from her loved ones. The 



maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married 
when he was twenty-one years old, was Lois Ful- 
ler, the daughter of an earl}^ pioneer of Adams Town- 
ship, Joseph G. Fuller. She was to hira a true wife, 
and assisted him in all his efforts to establish a home, 
and to her industry, frugality and wise counsels, 
is a large part of his success due. She died at the 
earl^' age of thirty-six years, having liorne him six 
children, of whom the following is the record : Su- 
san (deceased), William, George, Watson, Jane, and 
Judson (deceased). William, who lives in Adams 
Township, married Nellie Lewis; the others reside 
at home. 

Mr. Gra^' was a second time married, taking as 
a companion Mrs. Emma Shopard, the ceremony 
being solemnized in 1879, December 3, that day 
being the anniversary of his marriage with his first 
wife. Mr. and Mrs. Higlej-, the parents of the 
present wife of our subject, were pioneers of Ran- 
som Township, this county, where their daughter 
Emma was born April 12. 1849, being the youngest 
of a family of three children, two daught'^rs and one 
son. The latter enlisted in his country's defense 
in the great Rebellion, and died from wounds re- 
ceived at the battle of Fredericksburg. The elder 
daughter is now the wife of Dr. Ditmars, of North 
Adams. Mrs. Higley died when Mrs. Gray was 
three years old, and she was sent to live with an 
aunt, Mrs. Doubleday, of Scott, Cortland Co., N. Y. 
She attended the district school of that village, and 
after her aunt removed to Homer, in the same 
State, she became a student at the Homer Aeaden»y. 
Soon after graduation she married William H. Shep- 
ard, of Ransom Township, by whom she had one 
child. Addie, who lives at home. By her union 
with Mr. Gray one more child has been added to 
the pleasant home circle, a son. Harvey. 

Our subject has met with more than ordinary 
success in his chosen calling. He commenced the 
battle of life at the early age of fourteen years, at 
the foot of the ladder, and has worked his way up- 
ward steadily and surely, and can now look back 
upon his past struggles with pride and satisfaction, 
having resolutely overcome all difficulties and ob- 
stacles. He toiled hard to obtain his first eighty 
acres of land, but, having succeeded, other acquire- 
ments came more readily, and he has been the 



-♦•■ 



-•► 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



773 



owner of nuich real estate. Having- deeded eighty 
acres of land to his sons, and otiierwise disposed of 
eighty-five acres, Mr. Gray's farm now consists of 
1H7 acres of higldy jjrodiictive land, on which he 
has erected a coniniodioiis brick dwelling, conveni- 
ently arranged with ample barns and out-buildings, 
which, with the ne.atly kept grounds, are very at- 
tr.active, and show the excellent taste and thrift of 
the owner. 

Our subject has always taken a prominent part in 
local and general affairs, and has been especially in- 
terested in educational matters, having for sixteen 
years served as School Treasurer. In politics he is 
a stanch Republican. Both he and his amiable wife 
are earnest and devoted members of the Congrega- 
tional Church, and give liberally to its support. 
Their pleasant, genial dispositions, and many ster- 
ling traits of character, have won for them the high- 
est esteem and confidence of the entire community. 



^--<21i£'^^^-^^P-»^fS/ZTO». 



^^EORGEJ. BROV 

III ,— ^ has spent his ei 
^^J) he now owns an( 



^^^EORGE J. BROWN, a native of this county, 
entire life on the farm which 
lul occupies. This comprises 
120 acres of good land lying on section 26 of Cam- 
bria Township, where he has good buildings, all 
the necessar3- machiner3', and a fair assortment of 
live stock. As a son of one of the earlier settlers 
of this region, and who inherited in a marked de- 
gree the resolution and industry of his forefathers, 
he is held in due respect by his fellow-citizens. 

Our subject was born March 28, 18.53, and is the 
son of Leander Brown, who was the son of George 
Brown, and both natives of New York Stale. 
Grandfather Brown was a blacksmith by trade, and 
spent his early manhood near the place of his birth. 
Later in life he emigrated to Ohio, where he took 
up a tract of land, in the vicinity of which the town 
of Mt. Vernon was built up, and there continued a 
resident the remainder of his life, dying at the age 
of sixty-five years. His wife, formerly Miss Mi- 
nerva Enos, whom he had married in New York 
State, lived to an advanced age, surviving her hus- 
band several years. 

Leander Brown was a small boy when his parents 
removed from New York State to Ohio. In addi- 



i~ 



tion to becoming familial' with the various em plo3'- 
ments of farm life he learned the trade of carpenter, 
and in the fall of 1 844 left the Buckeye State to 
east his lot with the jjioneei's of Michigan. He first 
located in Jackson County, and was tliere mariicd 
to the mother of our subject, Miss Ann M. Wilbur, 
who was a native of that countj^ and the daughter 
of .fohn Wilbur, also one of its pioneers. John 
Wilbur spent the remainder of his life in .Jackson 
Count}', dying at an advanced age upon the home- 
stead which he had built up from the wilderness. 
The maternal grandmother of our subject was in her 
girlhood Miss Luc^' Fisk, who also died in Jackson 
County when ripe in years. Their daughter, Ann 
M., was reared to womanhood in her native county, 
and by her union witli Leander Brown became the 
mother of two children, only one of whom survives, 
namely: George J., our subject; the other son, Will- 
iam, died when a little lad six years of age. The 
mother passed awa^- at the homestead in Cambria 
Township in March, 187L 

The parents of our subject after their marriage 
settled in Hillsdale County, the father purchasing 
120 acres of vvild l.ind in Cambria Township. Upon 
this he lived and labored until his death, which 
took place June 21, 1883. He was a good man in 
the broadestsense of the term, and was blessed with 
a most amiable and affectionate partner, who assisted 
him greatly in his struggles to maintain his posi- 
tion as a man among men, and to build up a good 
homestead for themselves and those who should come 
after. Leander Brovvn, after the abandonment of 
the old Whig party became a solid Republican, and 
officiated as Justice of the Peace for a nu'nber of 
years, lie left to his son the legacy of a good 
name and the homestead, which possesses for our 
subject a far more than monej'ed value. 

George J. Brown was reared to manhood on the 
farm, acquiring his education in the common school. 
He brought a bride to the old home in 1882, having 
been married, September 28 of that 3'ear, to Miss 
Alma Sturdcvant, who was born in Cambria Town- 
ship, Dec. 10, 1859. Mrs. Brown is the daughter 
of Elias L. and Olive (Leonard) Sturdevant, who 
are natives of New York State ; they came to Michi- 
gan from Ohio in 18.50, and are still living, con- 
tinuing residents of Cambria Township. The father 



■•►■ 



h 



A. 



4^ 

774 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




has carried on farming principally and is numbered 
among the highl3' respected citizens of tliis county. 
Mrs. Brown continued with her parents until her 
marriage. To our subject and his wife there has 
been born one child, a son, Melvin L., Nov. 13, 
1883. Mr. B., politically, votes the Republican 
ticket, and has no aspirations for office. 



#-•# 



ENRY L. PHILLIPS, one of the pioneers of 
^^ Amboy Township, first opened his e3'es to 
the light in Greene County, N. Y., Oct. 22, 
1820. Benjamin Phillips, his father, was 
also a native of the Empire State, while the mother 
was of New England ancestry and born in Con- 
necticut. 

Benjamin Phillips during the early 3'ears of his 
life served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
after his marriage settled in Greene Count}', N. Y., 
where to him and his estimable wife there were born 
six children, namely: Irena, the wife of Rufus 
Benedict, of Huron County, Oiiio; Sally A., the 
widow of a Mr. B.arnum, of Greenwood County, 
Kan.; Henry L., our subject; Harriet, the wife of 
Benjamin Taylor, of Erie Countj'. Ohio; Edwin, of 
Montcalm Count}-, this State, and Betse}-, who died 
when middle-aged. 

The parents of our subject, when the latter was a 
youth of fifteen years, left the Emi^ire State and 
took up their abode in Huron County. Ohio, during 
the period of its early settlement. Young Phillips 
there developed into manhood, acquiring his edu- 
cation in the primitive schools, and in 1845 was 
married to Miss Mary J. Parkerton, who bore him 
the following children : Louisa, now the wife of John 
Boal.s, of Ambo}' Township; Everet, of Hillsdale 
Township; Harriet, Mrs. T. D. Hull, of Pennsyl- 
vania, and Wendell, of Amboj' Township. The 
wife and mother died at her home in this town- 
ship in 1873. Some time after the death of his 
first wife he married Miss Susan Sa3er. of Michi- 
gan. She died in 1885; she had no children. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married June 29, 1886, was formerly Mrs. Jennie 
(Hall) Thomas, wlio was born Nov. 12, 1829, in 
Warren County, N. J., and is the daughter of Elijah 



■^■ 



and Ann (Cummings) Hall, also natives of that 
State. The famil}' removed to Trumbull Count3-, 
Ohio, when Mrs. Phillips was a little girl of five 
years, and where she was reared to womanhood. 
She was married to Henry Thomas in 1850, and 
became the mother of two children: Eva B., now 
the wife of Thomas Mullinix, of Wichita, Kan., and 
Elizabetii M., Mrs. Charles Waldorf, of Cambria 
Township, this county. Mr. Thomas died in San- 
dusky Count3', Ohio, in August, 1873. 

]Mr. Phillips came to this county in 1853 and 
secured the land which he now owns and occupies, 
aud where he has since resided. He built his farm 
from an uncultivated waste, and may be ])roperl3^ 
termed aself-m.ade man, having received no finan- 
cial assistance whatever, carving out his fortune by 
his own efforts, and earning every dollar of his pos- 
sessions. He felled the trees, cleared away the 
brush and stumps, and brought his land to a pro- 
ductive condition, so tliat it now yields him a hand- 
some income. He has made the most of his oppor- 
tunities, educating himself to a great extent, and 
b\' a course of reading keeps himself thoroughly 
posted upon matters of general interest. Polilicall3', 
he is a reliable Democrat, and believes that the 
true principle of Christianit}' is to do unto others as 
he would have them do unto him. 



^\ AMU EL ORR departed this life at his home 
in Cambria Township, Sept. 15, 1861, nearly 
thirty 3-ears ago, l)ut on account of his esti- 
mable qualities as a man and a citizen his 
name is kept green in the memories of those 3'et 
surviving who knew him, and who bear grateful 
testimony to his worth. He came to Hillsdale 
County in 1840, and settled in Cambria Township, 
section 30, taking up a tract of Government land, 
for which he paid $1.25 per acre, and which he had 
secured a few 3'ears previously. 

Of all the elements necessary to the pioneer com- 
ing into a wild and unsettled countr}-, Samuel Orr 
was richly possessed. Hie first home was in a log 
cabin planted in the midst of a dense forest, and it 
required no small amount of courage to undertake 
the task which inevitably lay before him. if he 

— •► 




/ 

t 



■^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



-I; 



woulfl build up a home aud secure a competency 
for liis later ^'ears. He was equal to tiie emergency, 
however, and set himself about the work before him 
with all the natural cnerg}' of his character, allow- 
ing nothing to dissuade him from his purpose. Grad- 
ually the forest trees fell beneath the stroke of his 
ax, and in due time the ground was brought to a 
state of cultivation, and before his death Mr. Orr 
had nearly a quarter-section of land in productive 
condition, and the log cabin had been replaced b3' a 
substantial frame dwelling, witli a barn and the 
other necessary buildings. While laboring thus for 
himself and his family, he ever kept in view the 
welfare of the community, which slovvlj' grew up 
around him, lending a helping hand to the enter- 
prises calculated for the good of the communit3', 
and assisting as far as he was able all who were in 
need. 

The paternal ancestors of Mr. Orr were from the 
other side of the Atlantic, and upon coming to 
America, settled in Vermont, where our subject was 
born April 2.5, 1810, and where the f.ather died 
wlien Samuel was a small boj'. Upon the mother's 
side Mr. Orr was of Irish descent. After the death 
of his father, he was taken into the home of a worth}' 
and respoctalile family, who, when he was of suit- 
able j-ears, sent him to the academy at Burlington, 
where he completed a good education, and for a 
time afterward occupied himself in teaching. This 
profession he followed after coming to Michigan, at 
Dewey's Corners, Springvillo, and Cambridge, in 
Lenawee Count}', and in Woodstock Township, that 
county, met his future wife, Miss Miranda E. 
Sparks, to whom he was married March 1, 1840. 
Mrs. Orr had been one of her husljand's jjupils. 
Nine days after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Orr 
came to their new home on section 30, Cambria 
Township, where, bj' their united efforts, the}' built 
up a good home, and Mr. Orr, after developing his 
laud into a productive farm, turned his attention 
largely to stock-raising. Nothing gave him more 
satisfaction than to watch his well-fed, comfortable 
looking cattle, and he expended much time in their 
care and shelter. He was a favorite among his 
neighbors, on account of his hospitality and his 
genuine kindness of heart, and he was alwsiys ready 
to make sacrifices to oblige them and to insure their 



comfort and well-being. He took an active interest 
in political affairs, voted the straight Republican 
ticket, and officiated as Township Treasurer. School 
Inspector, and in other local offices. Religiousl}', 
he was an Adventist. 

Mrs. Orr, after the death of her husband, assumed 
the management of the farm, which she continued 
for some years, then sold out, and for the last six- 
teen years has been a resident of Reading, sustain- 
ing herself comfortably upon the snug property left 
her, and making her home with her sister, Mrs. 
Dodge, who has a beautiful home in that cit}'. Mrs. 
Orr, like her husband, is also an Adventist in re- 
ligious belief, and the daughter of Austin and Han- 
nah (Cline) Sparks, the father a native of Sheffield 
Township, Berkshire Co., Mass., born June 25. 1798, 
and the mother born in Columbia Township, Dutch- 
ess Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1799. It is believed they 
were married in the Bay State, and after the birth 
of two sons they took up their residence in Rich- 
land Townshi|), Oswego Co., N. Y., where three 
more children were added to the household circle : 
Marcus, who married Miss Louisa McArthur. died 
at his home in Lenawee County, this State, leaving 
two children — Austin and Mary ; Norman married 
Miss Sarah Gage, and died leaving no children; 
Oscar first married Aliss Harriet McArthur, who 
died after the birth of two children, at her honie in 
Brooklyn, Jackson County ; he was then married 
to Miss Kate Wright, and now lives in Reading 
Township. Catherine E. became the wife of Samuel 
C. Dodge, who died Feb. "27, 1884, at his lion)e in 
Reading Township. 

Mr. Dodge was a man of fine business capacities, 
and had been engaged in the book, stationery and 
drug trade for a period of twenty years, but at the 
time of his death had retired from active business. 
He left a fine property to his widow, including a 
handsome brick residence, beautifully located on 
Michigan street, where she lives, having her sister, 
Mrs. Orr, with her. Mr. Dodge was born in Bliss- 
field Township, Lenawee County, Oct. 21, 18.T2. 
His parents removed to Adrian when he was but a 
child, remaining there until 1858, during which 
time he received a good education in the city 
schools. He was a man of irreproachable character, 
of the strictest integrity, and highly esteemed among 

■ •^ 



t 



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776 



HILLSDALE CUU^;TY. 



his fellow-iitizens. Though not a member of any 
cbnich, he canitd outinliis daily life the true senti- 
ments of Christianity in striving to do unto his fel- 
lovvmen as he would have them do to him. Mrs, 
Dodge is a memlier in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church. The two sisters live happily together 
in the beautiful home of Mrs. Dodge, where they 
are surrounded by all that makes life desirable, and 
included among other good things is the friend- 
ship of a wide circle of acquaintances. 



«*p«l RASTUS LAKE, an aged and venerated 
jlU] citizen of Hillsdale County, and now having 
J I — -^ his residence in Allen Village, was born in 
Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y., Oct. 28, 1794. His 
parents, in the winter of 1800, moved to Paulet, 
Rutland Co., Vt., and in 1802 removed to Wash- 
ington County, now Warren County, N. Y., in the 
town of Chester, wheie Erastus spent twenty-eight 
years of his life. There also he vvas married, and 
thence removed with his family in the fall of 1830 
to Erie County in the same .State, whence in the 
fall of 1837 he migrated to the young State of 
Michigan, and here has since remained. 

William Lake, the father of our subject, was born 
in Kent, Litchfield Co., Conn., Sept. 22, 1757. He 
married in early manhood Miss Mary Perkins, a 
native of Canterbury, that State, and born July 21, 
1707. After marriage they settled in Paulet, Rut- 
land Co., Vt., where the father pursued his trade of 
tailor, and where they lived several years. From 
the Green Mountain State they emigrated to the 
vicinity of Milford, Otsego Co.. N. Y., locating 
there about 1793; they left the Empire State seven 
years later to return to their old home in Vermont, 
and from there in the fall of 1802 returned to 
New Y'ork, locating this time in Warren County, 
■where the father exchanged the shears for farming 
implements, and where both parents spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. They passed away ripe in 
years, the father at the age of eighty-nine and the 
mother when ninety-three. 

The subject of this sketch was the fourth child 
of his parents, whose family included eleven chil- 
dren. Of these ten lived to be men and women, 



and two are now surviving; the brother of our sub- 
ject lives in Garrettsville, Portage Co., Ohio. Eras- 
tus was reared to manhood in Warren County, N. 
Y., where he learned the carpenter's trade, but upon 
coming to the West entered upon the more congen- 
ial pursuits of farm life, which he followed until 
advancing years and failing health compelled him 
to retire. As a pioneer of this county he has been 
no unimportant factor in its development and 
progress, having been endowed by nature with en- 
ergy and ability, and taking ever a warm interest 
in the various enterprises set on foot for the wel- 
fare and progress of the people. 

Mr. Lake at the outbreak of the troubles of 1812 
was a youth of nineteen years, and determined to 
assist in the settlement of this difficulty before en- 
tering upon the further business of life. Accord- 
ingly, shouldering his musket, he marched to the 
scene of action in time to participate in the battle 
of Plattsburg, and remained in the service until the 
British were once more driven from American soil. 
He came light honestly by his patriotic principles, 
as his father before him had served as a Revolu- 
tionary soldier for a period of six years. Mr. Erastus 
Lake, on account of his military services in his 
younger years, has since 1878 received a monthly 
pension from the Government. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject was his marriage with Miss Erna Mead, 
which vvas celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Chester, "Warren Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1823. Mrs. 
Lake was born there April 30, 1801, and departed 
this life at her home in Allen Township, March 5, 
1870. Of this union there were born four children : 
Laura A., the eldest, became the wife of L. D. Hal- 
sted, of Cold water, and died there Sept. 24, 1857; 
Hansie L. is the wife of John W. Peirce, of Allen 
Township; William F. is carrying on farming in 
Oceana County ; Charles W. is engaged in merchan- 
dising at Coldwater. 

Mr. Lake upon coming to this county was recog- 
nized as a valued addition to the community of 
Allen Township, and was elected to represent it in 
the County Board of Supervisors four successive 
years. He served two terms as Justice of the 
Peace, was Assessor, Commissioner of Highways, 
and occupied various other offices of trust and 



*f 



•4- 



IIILLSDALK COUxXTY. 



777 



responsibility. He cast his first Presidential vote 
for Monroe, and was a member of the Ro|jublican 
part}' ; at that period there wore two parties, the 
Federalists and Republican. He snbsequently be- 
cauiea Democrat. Although now in the ninety-fourth 
year of his age his faculties have been preserved to 
a remarkable degree, and he retains a vivid recol- 
lection of the interesting and thrilling events of 
bygone da3's. The incidents which he is thus able 
to relate in connection with the early times are 
often listened to with profound interest by a later 
generation, who look upon him with that peculiar 
veneration and respect which are tacitly accorded the 
men who gave the best years of their lives to the 
building up of the Great West, and who will be 
lield in remembrance long after the earthly tene- 
ment has crumbled into dust. 



^«HiH*^ 




^s^'^ TEPHEN DEVILLE was born in Hanover 
Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio. Aug. 8, 
183.i, and is the son of Andrew Devllle, a 
native of Wurteraberg, German}', while his 
grandfather, Sebastian Deville, was born of French 
parentage, and came to America in 1832, settling 
in Columbiana County, Ohio, upon a tract of par- 
tially improved land. There he and the father of 
our subject eng.aged in farming in partnership, and 
remained thus emplo3'ed until the death of the 
grandfather. His wife, surviving her husband two 
years, died at the same place. 

The father of our subject, who was an onl}' child, 
was reared and married In his niitive Germany, 
and ilirectly after marriage he set out with his 
young bride for the New World. They embarked 
at Havre, and landed after a voyage devoid of any 
special Interest at New York. The metropolis was 
not their objective point, however, and they at once 
proceeded by the Hudson liiver and Erie Canal 
to Buffalo and thence to Cleveland, which at that 
time was but an insignificant village. Andrew 
Ueville was there offered land at $14 per acre, 
which is now included in the heart of the cit}'. He 
h.ad friends in Columbiana County, however, and 
so he decided to go there. He liought a tract of 
land, upon which he lived, engaged in Its cultiva- 



tlon, until the death of his wife, after which he lived 
with his children, and died at the home of his 
daughter in Canton, that .State. 

The parents of our subject were blessed with a 
family of ten children, who are recorded as follows: 
Joseph lives in Canton, Ohio; Bridget, Mrs. Llght- 
ner, lives in Crawford County, Wis.; Stephen was 
the third in order of birth; Magdaline became the 
wife of jNIr. Speldle, and lives In Columbiana County, 
Ohio; Sophronia married Mr. Selfert, and died in 
Youngstown, Ohio; Hannah, Mrs. McKean, lives in 
Wheeling, W. V^a. ; Mary A. married Mr. Wernet, 
and lives in Canton; Elizabeth became the wife of 
Mr. Gillespie, and lives in Wheeling. W. Va., and 
two children died in infancy. Stephen grew to 
manhood in his native county, where he was reared 
to farm life an<l educated in the district schools. 
He resided with his parents until his marriage, and 
then, in partnership with his brother, purchased the 
old homestead. The latter was at that time 
engaged as clerk in a store, and our subject man- 
aged and operated the farm 'Until 1865. He then 
sold his interest in the property, and coming to this 
county visited in the township of Wright for some 
time. In April he commenced the work of redeem- 
ing a farm from the wilderness, a serious undertak- 
ing. The land was thickly covered with a heavy 
growth of timber, without any road leading to it, 
but he rented a house until he could build one on 
his own place, which he did during the summer, 
besides clearing about three acres of lanil, and in the 
autumn of that year he took up his residence on his 
own farm, and has resided here continuously until 
the present time. His first purchase consisted of 
100 acres, and he has since added to this until he 
now owns 1.30 .acres, the greater part of which is 
cleared and under a good state of cultivation. In 
1877 he erected a large frame barn, affording 
ample accommodation for tlie pu poses for which it 
was intended, and In 188G he built a beautiful 
frame house of a modern style of architecture, and 
provided with the latest appliances for e.ase and com- 
fort. This homestead is among the finest in the 
township, and Invariably attracts the attention of 
those whom business or pleasure calls this wa}'. 

When Mr. DcviUe had reached such a position 
financially as warranted his assuming additional 



t 



■^^ 



778 



^ ^ m <• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



responsibilit}', he was united in marriage, April 14, 
1863, with the maiden of bis choice, Miss Caroline, 
daughter of Lawrence Ling, who was born in Ger- 
many in August, 1818. His father died when he 
was very j'oung, and his mother married a second 
time and came to America, settling in Columbiana 
Countj', Ohio, where the stepfather purchased land 
in Hanover Township. There the father of Mrs. 
Deville grew to manhood, married, and resided until 
his deatli. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Agatlia Entress, was also born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
manj', and came to America when twentj-fourjears 
of age. She spent her last years with her daughters 
in Wright Township, and died Feb. 25, 1888. Mrs. 
Deville's father died in Hanover, Ohio, in August, 
1871. Their family included ten children, eight of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and set- 
tled in life for themselves. 

The brothers and sisters of Jlrs. Deville were: 
William, who lives in Middletown, Ohio; Catherine, 
wife of John Bagiey, lives in Wisconsin; Joseph 
lived and died in Hanover, Ohio; Mary, wife of 
Mr. Peffer, resides in Wright Township; Dennis 
lived and died in Pittsburgh, Pa, ; Tracy, wife of 
David Williams, resides in Ionia County, Mich. ; 
Charles lives in Middletown, Ohio; two children, 
Lawrence and Elizabeth, died in infancy. 

Three children have come to brigliten the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Deville — Charles F., Minnie A. 
and George Norman — and altogether they form a 
pleasant family group, enjoying in a large measure, 
by their industrious habits and sterling worth, the 
confidence of the community. In politics Mr. De- 
ville affiliates with the Democratic party, and can 
be counted on for his influence and vote on all 
important occasions. 

When we reflect upon the great undertaking in 
which Mr. Deville engaged in his efforts to subdue 
nature, when she appeared in all her ruggedness, 
and the difficulties with which he had to contend in 
a country witliout roads, or the accommodation of 
neighboring markets and mills, and then look upon 
his present homestead, the embodiment of beaut3' 
and comfort, and consider that it is the result of his 
own industry and well-directed energy, we cannot 
but refer to him as an example of what may be 
accomplished by a man who, with an object in view, 



strives with honesty of purpose for its accomplish- 
ment. He surmounted all obstacles, until finally lie 
reached the goal for which he started, and though 
still in the prime of life, is prepared to pass the 
remainder of his days in the enjoyment of a large 
share of creature comforts, the result of his well- 
directed energy. 

(T^EV. WILLIAM F. PRESTON, Pastor of the 
lUif Wesleyan Methodist Churcii, of Wright 
!K\ Township, is a native of Mt. Union, Stark 
^;Co., Ohio, and was born Sept. 27, 1853. 
His father, Caleb M, Preston, a native of Lynch- 
burg, Va., was born Nov. 21, 1817, and was the 
son of Peter Preston, also a native of the Old Do- 
minion. The familj' is of English ancestry, and 
early settlers of Virginia. Peter Preston was 
a manufacturer of tobacco, and lemoved from Vir- 
ginia to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he estab- 
lished a factory and spent his last years. The 
maiden name of his wife, the paternal grandmother 
of our subject, was Abigail Hale, also a native of 
Virginia, and of German ancestry. She accom- 
panied her husband to Ohio and died in Colum- 
biana County. They were the parents of sixteen 
ciiildrcn, fifteen of whom became men and women. 
Caleb M. Preston was seven years of age when 
his parents removed from the Old Dominion to 
Ohio. He grew to manhood in Columbiana County, 
where he was reared to farming pursuits, and being 
converted in his youth, united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and commenced preaching when 
twenty-five years old. His parents were both Abo- 
litionists, and he inherited their ideas. On account 
of disagreements in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
on the question of slavery he left that denomination 
and joined the Wesleyan Methodists at the time of 
their organization. He was appointed to a circuit 
which extended over 200 miles, and could visit 
each parish but once in four weeks. He was fear- 
less in the expression of his views, and earnestly 
set forth the principles which he believed. While 
in Virginia he had advocated his doctrines very 
freely, and on account of the enmity thus inspired 
toward him his friends advised him against visiting 




U- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



779 



the State. lie had one appointment t(3 fill before 
the meeting of the Conference, and deciding not to 
evade his duty he went there. While preaching, a 
dozen men rode up on horseback, entered the 
church, took him from the pulpit, and started with 
him for the county seat to lodge him in jail. Sev- 
eral of his friends went along, mingling with the 
crowd. He watched his opportunity, and suddenly 
turning his horse, put spurs to the animal and gal- 
loped off in the opposite direction. His horse 
proved more fleet-footed than those of his pursuers, 
and he was soon out of their reach. He kept on, 
however, and gained the foot of the mountain about 
dusk. He knew that capture meant confinement in 
jail for an indefinite period, so he pushed on through 
the darkness and a narrow and treacherous road, 
frequently alighting to lead his horse and pick his 
way. 

At 2 o'clock in the morning this '"solitary horse- 
man" reached the house of a friend, where he secured 
refreshments, then, mounting again, reached the 
Pennsj'Ivania line in safety-. He continued his 
pious labors until 1850, and then on account of ill- 
health retired from the ministry, and settled upon a 
farm which he had bought in the vicinity of Mt. 
Union, Ohio. From there, in 1854, he came to 
Michigan, purchasing a farm of 160 acres on section 
33 in Wright Township. There was upon it a log 
house, and about thirty-five acres were partially 
cleared. Here the father of our subject spent the 
remainder of his days, his death taking place on 
the 9th of December, 1883. He had in the mean- 
time cleared the greater part of his land and erected 
good buildings. Soon after going there he resumed 
preaching, and joining the Wesleyan Methodist 
Cenference, continued an active member of that 
church until he could labor no more. He was more 
frequently called upon than any other minister to 
preach funeral sermons in this and adjoining coun- 
ties. He possessed a fluent tongue, was well edu- 
cated and well informed, and a man whose influence 
was always felt in whatever community he lived. 

Mrs. Ann Eliza (Morris) Preston, the mother 
of our subject, was born in Washington County, 
Pa., April 12, 1820. She is still living, .-ind makes 
her home with her son, our subject, in Waldron. 
Her father, Jonathan Monis, was liorn in Bucks 



-4•- 



Count^', Pa., and was the son of Isaac Morris, who, 
it is believed, was a native of the same State. The 
latter moved to Washington County during its 
early settlement, cleared a farm from tlie wilderness, 
and there spent the remainder of his life. His sou 
Jonathan was reared to farming pursuits, and like 
his father was a (Quaker in religion, and an Aboli- 
tionist in politics. In 1830 he went into Ueaver 
County, Pa., where he purchased a farm, and his 
house afterward became one of the principal stations 
of the "underground railroad." Many apoorslave 
called upon this friend of the oppressed, and was 
rested and refreshed on his perilous journe}' to the 
Dominion of Canada. This excellent gentleman 
and his wife both lived to a ripe old age, the former 
dying when eighty -six and the latter when eightj'- 
fonr 3-ears old. Their last years were spent with 
their children in Columbiana County, Ohio, to 
which they moved in 1850. The maiden name of 
the grandmother was Sophia Baker. She was born 
in Chester County, Pa., and was the daughter of 
Aaron and Hannah Baker, who were also probably 
natives of the Keystone State. 

To the paternal grandparents of our subject there 
were born eleven children, all of whom lived to 
reach j'ears of maturit3'. When death invaded the 
family circle for the first time the youngest of these 
children was fifty-two years of age. To Caleb M. 
Preston and his wife there were born four children, 
namely: Almeda, who died in infancy; Mary Ella, 
who died when six j'ears old; William F., of our 
sketch, and Charles Lyndon, minister of the Wes- 
leyan Church, now stationed at Grand Rapids. 

Our subject was but one year old when his par- 
ents came to this county. He pursued his first 
studies in the district school, then took an advanced 
course at New Lisbon, Ohio. Later he was a student 
of Oberlin College, and at last entered Hillsdale 
College, which he was obliged to leave before fin- 
ishing his studies on account of ill-health. In 1877 
he began his labors in the ministry' as a local 
preacher. In 1886 he was regidarly ordained, and 
was assigned to the charges at Waldron and East 
Wright. He was marrieil, Oct. 26, 1878, to Miss 
Lucy May Wilson, who was born in Wright Town- 
shi]), Sept. 25, 1861, and is the daughter of Joseph 
and Maria (Long) Wilson, natives of New York. 



• ^j lf <• 



»► ll ^^ 



780 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




Mr. Wilson wns a Captain in the late war, nnd was 
killed at tlie battle of Stone River. Mrs. Preston's 
mother died when she was seven years of age. Mr. 
and Mrs. Preston have five children— Lulu G., 
Rubj' B., Mabel E., Frank C. and Merna J. In 
politics Mr. Preston is a stanch Republican. 



LBERT WALLS, a retired faimer in com- 
fortable circumstances, and now a resident 
of the flourishing little town of Reading, is 
still the owner of a large property in Hills- 
dale County, while his wife has in her own right 
about 500 acres of land, mostly improved. This 
altogether is the source of a generous income, from 
which they are enabled to live in a manner decid- 
edly' in keeping with their standing as people promi- 
nent in the community. 

The township of Orange, Hancock Co., Ohio, 
contained the boyhood home of our subject, where 
his birth took place Nov. 15, 1850. His father, 
Thomas Walls, w.as a native of the North of Ireland, 
whence he emigrated to the United States when a 
joung man, and was married, in New York, to Miss 
Nancy D. Burns, a native of Vermont. After the 
birth of three children, the parents of our subject 
took up their residence in Hancock County, Ohio, 
selecting a spot of land in Orange Township, when 
there were only three families within its limits. 
The}- lived and labored after the fashion of pioneers, 
and six more children weie added to the household 
circle. 'I he father biought the land to a good state 
of cultivation, and effected the improvements which 
made it valuable and salable, then disposing of it, 
came to Michigan in 1861, and purchased a farm 
in Camden Township, this county. There was upon 
it Some improvements, to which the father added 
during the few brief years of his after life. He was 
called hence in July, 1873, at the age of sixty-seven 
years. He is remembered as a man successful in his 
business, and a citizen held in great respect. The 
mother is yet living, having reached the advanced 
age of eighty -three years, and makes her liome with 
her son Albert. She has retained all her faculties 
in a remarkable degree, and enjoys fair health. 

Mr. Walls, our subject, was the youngest of the 
five sons and four daughters born to his parents, of 



» ► P^^ 



whom two sons and three daughters are yet living, 
all married and settled in comfortable homes of 
their own. Albert was a lad nine years of age 
when became with his parents to this county, where 
he completed his education and became familiar 
with the various employments of the farm. Upon 
setting out to establish a home of his own, he sought 
for his wife one of the most estimable ladies of 
Camden Township, Mrs. Delia C. (Chester) Young, 
daughter of Eason T. and Emeline (Olmsted) Ches- 
ter, who were natives of New York State, and on 
the mother's side of W^elsh ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. 
Chester were reared and married in Oneida County, 
N. Y., where they lived until 1837, then came to 
this county and look up land in what is now Cam- 
den Township, where the}' were among the earliest 
settlers. Thoy struggled in common with the people 
around them to build up a homestead in the wilder- 
ness, and in due time secured ownership to a large 
and fine property. They battled with discourage- 
ments, privations and hardships, but lived to see 
the countrj' around them transformed from the 
wilderness into a highly civilized commuiiit}', and 
the land which the father took up from the Govern- 
ment become a richly fertile tract, productive of 
the richest crops in Southern Michigan. 

Mr. Chester became prou.inent in township af- 
fairs, holding the various local offices, officiating as 
Supervisor for a [)eriod of ten years, and winding 
up in 1844 as a member of the Michigan Legisla- 
ture. Polilicall}', he was a Democrat, and his ex- 
cellent partner a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother departed 
this life at the old homestead in May, 1877. The 
father survived about four j'ears, his death taking 
place there also, in 1881. 

Mrs. Walls was born in Camden Township, this 
county, April 30, 1851, and completed her educa- 
tion in the city schools of Hillsdale. She received 
careful home training from an excellent mother, 
who had besides herself two other daughters and 
one son to look after. These are all still living, 
married, and settled in comfortable homes in this 
vicinity. The first husband of Mrs. Walls was 
Jirah I. Young, of Sullivan County, N. Y., who 
came to Michigan when a young man. He had 
been well educited, and employed himself as a 

1^ 



^ 



^^►41-^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



781 



teacher much of the time until tiie outbreak of the 
Rebellion. He then enlisted in Company I, 143fl 
New York Infantry, in which he was jjjiven at the 
beginning the rank of First Lieutenant, and soon 
afterward a Captain's commission. After a four- 
years service lie returned home, having escaped the 
missiles of the enemy, but contracting an incurable 
disease, from which he suffered until the 4th of 
February, 1873, when he was called home, at the 
earl}' age of thirty years. Notwithstanding his ill- 
health, his energy of character would not allow him 
to be idle, and he accordingly carried on general 
merchandising, which he was enabled to manage in 
a profitable manner. Of this marriage there were 
born two children : M. Ophelia and J. I. Dell, who 
are attending school at Reading. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Walls there has been born one 
child only, a daughter, Emel N., Nov. 10, 1880. 
Their property l3'ing adjacent they occupied, and 
carried on farming successful!}' until wisely resolv- 
ing to turn over into other hands the labors in 
which there was no necessity for them to engage. 
Mr. Walls is a worthy member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, to the support of which he 
has been a liberal supporter, and the children com- 
prising the household circle are unusually promis- 
ing and intelligent. Mr. Walls, politically, votes 
independent!}', aiming to support the men whom he 
considers best qualified for oflice. He has been a 
liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, indors- 
ing in a substantial manner the enterprises liaving 
for their object the general welfare of his township. 

-» -KH-<s9if:J:^>i^-HH.^ 

W.SRAEL WICKES, who owns a farm of I'JO 
I acres in Fayette Townsliip. was for a number 
£ of years extensively occupied in general agri- 
culture, but in 1880 left the farm, .and taking up 
his residence in Jonesville, engaged in the buving 
and shipping of stock, a business which he has since 
prosecuted with fine success. He still retains pos- 
session of ills farm property, which is now operated 
by a tenant under his own supervision, and which 
is the source of a handsome income. 

Our subject is the scion of an excellent family, 
his fatlier being Daniel Wickes, a native of Albany 



i' 



Count}', N. Y., and his mother in her girlhood was 
Miss Lufanny Selovor. who was barn in Tompkins 
County, tliat State. Tliey settled in New York 
after their marriage, and thence removed to North 
Fairfield, Huron Co., Oliio, where their son Israel 
was born Aug. 3, 1834. The parental household 
included three sons and two daughters, of whom 
four lived to mature years and are now residents 
of Michigan. Israel, like his brothers and sisters, 
was reared on a farm and .acquired his education 
mostly in the district school, but completed his 
studies by spending a brief time in Nor walk, Ohio. 

Mr. Wickes continued a member of his father's 
household until twenty-six years of iige, when he 
began farming on his own account, which he carried 
on in North Fairfield Townsliip until the spring of 
1865; then coming to this State and making his 
headquarters at Cold water, he engaged one season 
in buying and shipping stock. In the fall he re- 
turned to tlie Buckeye State, and upon coming b.ack 
to Michigan operated in Branch County as a stock- 
dealer until tlie fall of 1866. His next venture was 
in the oil busiuess at Cleveland, Ohio, where he 
lived two years, and in the fall of 1868 returned to 
Coldwater, where he spent the following winter. 

In March, 1869, Mr. Wickes came to Fayette 
Township and purchased a half interest in what was 
known as the Genesee Mill property, in Jonesville, 
and which is now owned by Enos Poraroy & Son. 
He engaged in milling thereafter for nine years. 
In the spring of 1878 he traded his interest in the 
mill for the Lockwood farm in Fayette Township, 
upon which he moved and lived two years, then 
purchased his present residence in Jonesville. He 
is recognized as one of the most efficient business 
men of this locality, and an important factor in its 
agricultural and industrial interests. A thorough- 
going temperance man, he carries out his principles 
both by precept and example, and has never in- 
dulged himself with even a pipe or a cigar. Politic- 
ally, he has always been an ardent Republican, and 
has taken quite an active part in local politics, 
although never an office-seeker. 

Mr. Wickes w.as first married in North Fairfield 
Township, Huron Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1862, to Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of Abijali Prentice, who was 
born in Ripley Township, that county, in 1838, and 



h 



h 



-•► 



782 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



who by liei- union with our subject became the 
mother of one cliiUl, wiio dierl in infanc.y. Mrs. 
Elizabeth Wickes departed this life at her home in 
North Fairfield Township, Jan. 25, 1864. Our sub- 
ject contracted a second marriage, June 8, 1870, with 
Miss Kittle Baker, who was born Oct. 13, 1849, in 
Jonesville, and is the daughter of A. J. Baker, of 
whom a sketch appears elsewiiere in this Album. 
The children of this marriage, three in number, 
were named respectively : Gertru<le M., Ella A. and 
Israel, Jr. The eldest is thirteen years of age and 
the youngest seven. 




RANK OBERST is an enterprising and capa- 
ble farmer of Camden Township, with whose 
agricultural interests he has, however, been 
identified only a short time, having come here in 
1887, but by close attention to his business, friendly 
and strictly honorable dealings with thijse about 
him, he is steadily winning his way to the trust and 
confidence of his fellow-intizens. and to an assured 
place among the agriculturists of Hillsdale County. 
He is a native of Sandusky County, Ohio, born Aug. 
10, 1850, and his parents were John and Sarah J. 
Oberst, who were likewise natives of Ohio. They 
died when he was quite young. 

The early years of our subject were passed in his 
native State, where he was educated in the public 
schools. When he was eight years of age he suf- 
fered that saddest loss that can befall a child— the 
death of his devoted mother. When he was four- 
teen years old he was depiived by death of the 
care of his father, and he was thus thrown on his 
own resources. In that year, 1864, he went to 
Steuben County, Ind., to live, and there grew to 
manhood. The early death of his father and 
mother, causing him to face the world and its diffi- 
culties at a youthful age, developed in him stabil- 
ity of character, and a manly, self-reliant spirit 
that greatly aided him in his endeavors to become 
prosperous. Before he had attained his majority 
he found work in the employ of Mr. Ira Wilbur, of 
Clear Lake Township, Steuben Co., Ind., and by 
his faithful and efficient service he secured the 
full confidence of his employer, who in a short 



time trListed him in all things, and our subject 
remained with him for seventeen years, the last 
fourteen years occupying the responsible position of 
foreman of his large farm. During these years, by 
prudence and wise economj-, he managed to gather 
together quite a sum of money, and in 1887, having 
determined to lead a more inde|)endent life and 
become a land-owner himself, he turned his foot- 
steps toward the rich agricultural region embraced 
in Hillsdale County, Mich. Here he purchased his 
present valuable farm on section 5, Camden Town- 
ship, being pleased with its locat'on and other 
advantages. It contains 100 acres under good cul- 
tivation, and is amply supplied with substantial 
farm buildings, and has a good dwelling. He has it 
well stocked, and is doing a good business in that 
line. 

Since coming here our subject has assumed matri- 
monial relations, and by his marriage. March 28, 
1888, to Miss Ida A. Snell, procured an amiable and 
accomplished wife to preside over his comfortable 
home. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Worden) Snell, and a native of Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Oberst have received a cordial 
welcome to the social circles of this community, 
and they have made many pleasant friendships 
with the people among whom they have come to 
settle. Mr. Oberst is a man of sound common 
sense, good haliits, and marked decision of char- 
acter. In his political views he strongly favors the 
Democratic party. Our subject owes his position 
in life to his own energies, having had no one to 
assist him in his start in life, and is indeed a self- 
made man. 



-<3= 



EBEN H. DUNTON owns and occupies eighty 
acres of fine farming land on section 2, in 
Reading Townshi[), of which he has been in 
possession for a period of thirtj'-six years, having 
come here in the early part of 1852. His purchase 
was mostly an uncultivated tract, but beginning the 
business of his life in true pioneer style, after years 
of arduous labor he began to realize the reward of 
his industry. He has now one of the most comfort- 
able homes in the township, without perhaps any 



H^^M^ 



■U 






IIILLSDALK COUKTV. 



783 



gveati pretensions to style, but lias simply lived as an 
honest man and a good citizen, meeting liis obliga- 
tions promptl}', and ocfu|iying a good position 
among his neighbors. 

Our subject was born in the city of Syracuse, N. 
■Y., Oct. 30. 1829, and came with his father to Mon- 
roe County, this .State, when an infant of six months. 
For nine years they remained residents of that 
county, and thence removed to Lenawee County, 
which Eben H. left when a young man twenty-two 
3'ears old, and took up his residence in Reading 
Township, this county. His i)aients, Winslow and 
Roxana (Bailey) Dunton, were natives of New 
York, wliile his paternal grandfather came from 
Scotland, and his maternal grandfather was of En- 
glish birth and parentage. The latter was named 
Jonathan, and his wife was Sylvia. To VYinslow 
and Roxana Dunton there were born six sons and 
seven daughters, nine of whom are living and scat- 
tered pretty much all over the United States, and 
are named : Eben H., Austin W., Harriet B., Nellie 
J., Jerome B., Syria R., Daniel, Ransom, Amos T. 

The sul)ject of this biography was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Emma A. Ferris, May 22. 1853, at 
the home of the bride in Reading Township. Mrs. 
Dunton is the daughter of Deacon and Hannah Fer- 
ris, who were natives of New York; the father is 
deceased, and the mother resides in Reading. Of 
her union with our subject there were born four 
daughters and three sons, all of whom are living, 
and with the exception of one daughter, who is a 
resident of Texas, are all at home. The eldest, 
Nellie J., was married to William Mudget, in April, 
1888; she is well educated, and was a teacher 
in the district schools of Hillsdale County' for a 
number of years, being very successful .as an in- 
structor. Cynthia R. has also been a teticher In the 
public schools several years, and Julia A. is prepar- 
ing herself for the same profession. The others are 
Elvin A., Henry P., Edith R. and James A. 

The father of our subject carried a musket in the 
War of 1812, and participated in the battle at Bos- 
ton Heights when the British attempted to capture 
the city. His son, Eben H., imbued with the same 
patriotic principles, after the outbreak of the Rebell- 
ion, enlisted in the fall of 1861, in Company G, 2d 
Michigan Cavalry, and at the battle of Corinth was 



under the immediate command of Gen. Grant, and 
in f.ict with him during the entire campaign of the 
Army of the Cumberland. Later he w.ts with Sher- 
man in his famous march to the sea, and was in 
most of the principal battles of the war. He served 
Uncle Sam faithfully for a period of four years, and 
on account of physical disability now receives a 
pension. He also had one brother with the 1st 
Michigan Engineers, who returned from the army 
in safetj", and is now living in Ark.ans.as. 

Augustus Ferris, a brother of Mrs. Dunton, en- 
listed in 1863 with the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, 
was captured by the rebels, and confined in Salis- 
bury Prison, in Maryland, where he died. Mr. Dun- 
ton, politically, is a strong Prohibitionist, but is 
sensible and temperate in the expression of his 
views, possessing that broad and liberal spirit which 
has respect for the opinions of others. In religious 
matters he is identified, with most of his famil3% 
with the United Brethren Church, while his wife be- 
longs to the Regular Baptist. Their home presents 
the i)leasant picture of quiet country life in the 
midst of plenty, and where 'they enjoy the society 
of man}' friends. 



-^m^ 




HERON D. STONE, of the firm of Stone <fe 
Son, well known throughout Hillsdale as the 
compounders of its most popular drinks, is 
the son of Thomas Stone. He was born in Oneida 
County, N. Y., A>ig. 28, 1852, and is the eldest of 
a family of four children. His early education was 
carried on in the district schools of his native town- 
ship, and completed in the High School at Camden. 
Mr. Stone, in entering upon his business career, 
served an apprenticeship at carriage and house 
painting, in which he became proficient, and which 
he pursued in this city after coming to Michigan, in 
the winter of 1873. In 1880 he became the partner 
of his father in the bottling works, which the latter 
had carried on at different places for many j'ears 
with marked success. The firm is now thoroughly 
established, and manufactures a sui)erior article of 
beverages, which are shipped throughout this and to 
adjoining States. The firm at its hcailquarters in 
Hillsdale gives employment to eight men, and runs 



T- 



-4*- 



784 



-A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



five wagons, tlnis forming no unimportant factor in 
the business and industrial interests of the city. 
Being n)en of the highest integrity and correct busi- 
ness principles, they occupy an enviable position, 
both in the business and social world. 

The marriage of Theron D. Stone and Miss Hat- 
tie Huitt, of Allen Township, this county, was cele- 
brated at the home of the bride. Nov. 1.3, 1884. 
Mrs. Stone is the daughter of Alexander and Mary 
Huitt, who were natives of New York, and are num- 
bered among the most highly respected citizens of 
Hillsdale County. She was born July 15, 1856, in 
Hillsdale County, Mich., and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of two children: 
Flora, born Aug. 25, 1885. and Thomas A., Jan. 
8, 1887. Mr. Stone, with his interesting little 
family, occupies a neat and tasteful residence on 
South street, and is rated among the rising young 
businessmen of the city of whom much is expected 
in the future. 

*5^^H0MAS STONE, senior member of the firm 
of Stone & Son, bottlers of carbonated wa- 
ters .at Hillsdale, is a native of Rochester, 
N. Y., where his birth took place Sept. 2.3, 1826. 
His pai-ents, Simon and Rebecca (Bedel) Stone, 
were natives respectively of Vermont and New 
York, and located after their marriage in Roches- 
ter, the latter State. 

When our subject was a youth of sixteen years 
he removed with his parents to Oneida County, the 
home of the late Roscoe Conkling, and whom he 
often met in after years. From there the Stone 
familj- migrated to Minnesota, taking up tjieir resi- 
dence in LaSueur County, where the parents spent 
the remainder of their lives. The household circle 
included ten children, five sons and five daughters, 
of whom, with the exception of one son, all lived to 
mature 3'ears, and eight are still surviving. 

Thomas Stone was the second child of his par- 
ents and passed his early years in his native county, 
acquiring his education in the district school and 
becoming familiar with the various pursuits of 
rural life. After the removal of his family to the 
Northwest he was married, in July, 1847, to Miss 




Mary N. Tuttle, and the young people began life 
together at a snug home in Camden Township. 
There Mr. Stone established his first bottling works, 
and subsequently opened a branch house at Lyons, 
in Wayne County. N. Y. For many years he car- 
ried on an extensive business, shipping both by 
rail and by wagons throughout the country until 
1875, when he changed his headquarters to Jack- 
son, Mich. 

In 1876 Mr. Stone came to this county, and not 
long afterward established his bottling works in the 
southern part of the city of Hillsdale. Here he lias 
all the appliances necessary for the carrying on of 
his business after the most approved methods, in- 
cluding a good steam engine and boiler, a complete 
set of generators and fountains, with a capacity of 
200 boxes per day. His transactions extend to 
various towns in the surrounding .States, and the 
excellence of his productions has gained for him 
an enviable reputation in this line of business. 

The home of Mr. Stone is located on Shar[) 
street in Hillsdale, where he and his estimable wife 
often entertain their many friends, who are com- 
posed of the best people in the city. The house- 
hold circle was completed by the birth of four 
children. Their eldest daughter, Dora A., is the 
wife of H. T. Forgham, of Grand Forks, D.ak. ; 
Theron D. is married and the partner of his father; 
William D. is married and lives in Hillsdale; Ros- 
coe C. continues at home with his parents. Mr. 
Stone has little time to give to political matters, 
but is an earnest supporter of Republican princi- 
ples. Socially', he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
with which he became identified many years ago in 
Camden, N. Y. 



#-# 



-V- 



-Ti.-^EV. SAWYER B. DOWNER, one of the 
'H^ eaily pioneers of Wriglit Township, came 
/Inll to Michigan in the spring of 1837, and to 
W^Hillsdale County in the spring of 1845; he 
has since continued his residence in this locality, 
and is numltered among its most worthy citizens. 
The town of Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., was his 
birthplace, and he first opened his e3'es to the light 
on the 21st of March, 1816. His f.ather, George 



^ 



"^•- 



••► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



785 



G. Downer, was a. native of Connecticut, ar.d the 
offsprings; of a re|)rcsentative family of New KnglaniJ 
whom it is bolieved were of French ancestry. 
From the dim records yet preserved, it is gathered 
that tiirce brothers crossed the Atlantic to America 
in the Colonial times, and from them sprang the 
Downers of the United States. However that 
may be, they proved useful and reliable citizens, of 
whom their descendants have no need to be ashamed. 

George G. Downer, the father of our subject, 
was reared in liis native State and received a col- 
legiate education, graduating from the storied 
halls of Harvard. He was engaged in teaching 
school for some time afterward, and married, in his 
native State, Miss Susanna Bullock, a native of 
New Hampshire, and the daughter of Sawyer and 
Susanna (Reed) Bullock. After his marriage Mr. 
Downer and his young wife emigrated to New 
York State, where the father bought a large tract 
of timber land in the town of Perrinton, Monroe 
County. Upon it there had not even been erected 
a shelter for his family, but this accomplished, they 
made their home there. While building his home 
they resided for about two months just across the 
lino in AV^ayne County. At the time of his death, 
in Februar3% 1824, he was owner of 300 acres of 
land. 150 of which were under cultivation, with 
gooil buildings. 

The mother of our subject upon becoming a 
widow was left with a family of ten children. She 
occupied the homestead until 1840, then came to 
Michigan with one of her married sons, and spent 
her last years in the township of Medina, Lenawee 
County. Sawyer B. was a little lad of eight years 
of age at the time of bis father's death. He con- 
tinued with his mother until eighteen 3'ears old, then 
went over into Canada, and engaged as clerk in a 
general store at St. Catherines. In 1 SS6 he returned 
to the old homestead, remaining with his brother 
there one year, and then set out for the young State 
of Michigan. This journey was made via tiie Erie 
Canal and the lake to Toledo, and from there by 
cars to Adrian. He secured employment in a hotel 
one year and the following winter taught school in 
Dover Townshii). The next summer he worked at 
c.'irpenteiing witii his brother, an<I assisted in build- 
ing the hotel at Canandaigua. This hou.-e he also 



**^~^P*1 



opened, and officiated as "mine host" for a period 
of two years. With the proceeds he secured pos- 
session of a farm in Seneca Township, upon which 
he lived until 1844, then removed to the land which 
he now owns and occupies. 

This land bears little comparison to the condition 
in which it was found hy our subject. It was then 
covered with timber, and his first task was to cut 
away the trees in order to make room for a log 
house. This structure was built after the fashion 
of those days, with a [juncheon floor and shake roof. 
The people of that day schooled themselves to be 
content with the necessaries of life, wastir)g no time 
in longing for its luxuries. Mr. Downer occupied 
the log house with his family for a number of years, 
and about 1855 the primitive dwelling gave wa3' to 
a more modern residence. He now has sixty acres 
in a good state of cultivation, with neat and sub- 
stantial buildings, and all the appointments of a 
comfortable rural home. 

Mrs. Abigail (Pixley) Downer became the sharer 
of the home and fortunes of our subject on the 15th 
of December, 1839. She was born in the town of 
Scipio, Allegany Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1818, and is the 
daughter of Joseph and Triphena (Kellogg) Pix- 
ley, a sketch of whom will be found in the biog- 
raphy of A. M. Burroughs on another page in this 
work. Our sid)ject and his wife have six children 
living: Susan V. is the wife of Ambrose Hinkle, a 
well-to-do farmer of Ransom Townsliip; Mary, 
Mrs. A. J. Young, lives in St. Joseph County, this 
State; Adeline is the wife of John Fields, of Pitts- 
ford Township; Sawyer P. is farming in Wright 
Township; Amy is the widow of George Broom, 
and lives with her parents; Lois is the wife of W. 
H. Chivers, M. D.. and is a resident of Colon, St. 
Joseph County; Diana R., the youngest, was born 
March 27, 1853, and died Oct. 3, 1872. 

Mr. Downer was converted in 1843, and united 
with the Methodist E])iscopal Church, commencing 
the following year his labors in the ministry. In 
1860 he severed his connection with that church, 
and preached independently- until 1874, when he 
joined the Congregational Church, and subsequently 
the Soutliern Methodist Episcopal Conference. He 
cast his first Presidential vole for Martin Van 
Buren, and affiliated with the Democratic party 



• ^j k 4 * 



4- 



786 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



until 1877, since which time his sympathies have 
been with the Greenbacicers. He has served as 
Supervisor, Treasurer and Clerk, of Wright Town- 
ship, and as Sciiool Director in his district. 

Mrs. Downer continued with her mother until 
her marriage, being trained by that excellent and 
worthy lady in all housewifely duties, learning to 
knit, spin and weave, and becoming familiar with 
all the other employments which have so much to 
do in creating the happiness and comfort of the 
household. She has in her possession a rocking 
chair which she purchased before her marriage with 
money earned by spinning. This article will prob- 
ably be handed down to her children's children, and 
carefully preserved, as it should be, for generations 
to come. 






"^ OHN HALLKCK occupies the old homestead 
of his father on section 28 in Wheatland 
Township, upon which the latter settled in 
(^// 1838, and from which he removed to Pitts- 
ford Township, where, with his estimable wife, he 
spent his last years. It is noticeable for the air of 
comfort and plenty which surrounds it, and our 
subject as a man and a citizen is held in high es- 
teem throughout his communit3'. 

A native of Ontario Township, Wayne Co., N. 
Y., our subject was born Sept. 11, 1829, and is the 
son of James and Mehitable (Chambers) Halleck, 
also natives of the Empire State. They were mar- 
ried in Wayne County, where they lived until Oc- 
tober, 1838, then James Halleck, disposing of his 
real estate, started with his household goods and 
his family for the new State of Michigan. He had 
traded some of his Eastern land for eighty acres of 
wild land on section 28, in Wheatland Township, 
and upon this he put up a log house, cleared two 
acres of land, and lived until 1873. He then traded 
for the farm which his son John now occupies, but 
later sold this and {purchased twenty acres in Pitts- 
ford Township, which continued to be his home 
until his death. 

The parental household included five children, 
but three of whom are now living. John, our suli- 
ject, remained under the home roof until twenty- 
five years of age, and then was married, in October, 



•► i^j ": 



1855, to Miss Henrietta A. Wood, who, like him- 
self, was a native of Wayne County., N. Y., born 
Oct. 6, 1836. The parents of Mrs. Halleck, Asaph 
and Alma (Beers) Wood, were natives respectively 
of New York and Connecticut, both born on the 
10th of June, the father m 1795 and the mother in 
1799. They spent their last j'ears in Wheatland 
Township, Asaph Wood dying Sept. 10, 1847, 
and his wife. Alma, March 7, 1855. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Halleck there were born two 
children only : Wellington M., the elder, was born 
in Wheatland Township, Dec. 19, 1856, and mar- 
ried Miss Maude Crittenden, also a native of this 
township, and born April 5, 1861. Her father, 
Carlton Crittenden, served as a Union soldier in a 
Michigan regiment for a term of three years. Of 
this union there is one child, a daughter, Florence 
A., born Oct. 20, 1886. Miss Hettle Halleck is a 
graduate of Hillsdale College, and now the wife of 
Rev. D. Jones, a minister of the Presbyterian Church 
in Norwood, Mercer Co., 111.; they have two chil- 
dren — Henrietta M. and John L. Mr. Halleck 
takes a lively interest in politics and is a strong 
temperance advocate, but votes the straight Repub- 
lican ticket. He makes a specialty of breeding fine 
horses, and takes pride in exhibiting at the county 
fairs the animals, which uniformly carry off the blue 
ribbons. 




ARVEY E. JERRELLS, of Pittsford Town- 
^ ship, is comfortably located on a good farm 



of 100 acres, situated on section 11. Upon 
this he has brouglit about most of the 
improvements which to-day attract the e3'e of the 
passing traveler, and from the appearance of which 
he judges the proprietor to be a man of thrift and 
industry, who has been successful in his labors. 

Our subject is a native of this State, having 
been born in Rome Township, Lenawee County, 
July 22, 1843. His father, David Jerrells, a native 
of Connecticut, was born April 18, 1806. His 
paternal grandfather, Ebenezer Jerrells, followed 
the sea for a number of years, and was also a 
mechanic of considerable skill. After the invention 
of the cotton gin he went South, and engaged in 



n 



»► ll "^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



787 



f 



the manufacture of this implement. About 1823 
he made his way to New York State, and locating 
in Monroe County, purchased a tract of timber 
land, not far from which the town of Perrinton 
afterward grew up. There )ie improved a good 
farm, and there spent the remainder of his days. 
His wife, formerly Miss Nancy Russell, was also a 
native of Connecticut, and died at the homestead 
near Perrinton. 

David .lerrells, the father of our subject, was 
reared in his native county, where he lived until 
1832, and then emigrated to the Territory of 
Michigan. He first located in Medina Township, 
Lenawee County, but in the fall of the 3'ear entered 
a tract of land on section 21, in Rome Township, 
upon which he erected a log shanty, where he kept 
bachelor's hall until his marriage. After this event 
he put up a substantial log house, and in this 
primitive dwelling the subject of this sketch was 
born. It was fashioned after the manner of those 
days, with a chimney of dirt and sticks, and the 
mother did her cooking by the o|)eu fireplace. She 
also spun wool and flax, out of which was manu- 
factured the cloth for the use of the family. 

The father of our subject had no horses for a 
number of years, doing his farming, milling and 
marketing with ox-teains. He fought his way 
bravely with the difficulties of a new soil and an 
undeveloped eountr}-, and lived to rejoice in the 
advance of civilization, with its attendant conveni- 
ences and blessings. His last days were spent in 
comfort on the homestead which he had labored 
to build up, and he passed quictlj' from earth in 
the month of Ma3', 1884, at a ripe old age. 

The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Alice Luther, was born in Plattsburg, N.Y., 
in 1812, and was the daugliter of William and 
Elma (Allen) Luther, who later came to this State, 
and w'ere numbered among the pioneers of Rome 
Township. She is still living, and makes her home 
with her son Charles, at Rome Center, on the old 
homestead. The seven children born to the parental 
family included four sons and three daughters, six 
of whom lived to mature years, and are all resi- 
dents of this State. 

The subject of this sketch was tlie fourth child 
of his parents, and, in common with his brothers 



and sisters, acquired his education in the pub- 
lic school. He was eighteen years of age upon 
the outbreak of the Rebellion, and the following 
3'ear, on the 25th of August, 18G2, enlisted in 
Company B. 1 8th Alichigan Infantry, and served 
until December, 18G3, when he was compelled to 
accept his honorable discharge on account of dis- 
ability. He had in the meantime, however, seen 
considerable of war, operating in the States of 
Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. 

Upon his return from the arm3' Mr. Jcrrells 
sought the Pacific Slope, and engaged at butcher- 
ing on Mormon Island, Sacramento, two 3'ears. 
Then, returning to the old homestead, he worked 
with his father until his marriage. Soon afterward 
he set out to hunt a location, and after traveling 
through the northern part of the State, rented a 
tract of land near Sturgis, in St. Joseph Count3', 
where he carried on farming for three years. He 
had now a snug little capital, which he invested in 
forty acres of land on section 27 in Pittsford 
Township, this county. Upon this he operated 
three 3'ears, then sold out and purchased eight3' 
acres in Rome Township, Lenawee Count3'. This 
he also occupied three years, then removed to 
Hudson, and after a 3-ear's residence there, pur- 
chased his present homestead. 

The farm of Mr. Jerrells, upon which he has 
wrought great improvement since taking posses- 
sion, embraces a fertile and well-cultivated tr.ict, 
upon which he has labored witii excellent results. 
The lady who has shared his home and fortunes 
since the 4th of November, 1 8li{!, was formerly- Miss 
Matilda E. Britton, who was born in Pittsford 
Township, Sept. 14, 1848. Their only child, a son, 
Ora B., was Ijorn May 22, I S74, and is now at 
home. 

Richard Britton. the father of Mrs. Jerrells, and 
one of the earliest settlers of Pittsford Township, 
was liorn in the town of Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., 
and was the son of Richard Britton, Sr., who 
was a native of England. The latter emigrated to 
New York in the i)ioneer days of Seneca County, 
the moving being made with an ox-cart. Grand- 
father Britton drove a cow along, which kept the 
family supplied with milk during the journe3'. 
Arrived at his destination, Mr. Britton purchased 



I- 




788 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



a tract of timber land, near which afterward sprang 
up the town of Ovid, and where he resided until 

1833. Then selling out, he started with his wife 
for the Territory' of Michigan. Upon their arrival 
at Detroit, to wliich they had made their way via 
the Erie Canal and the lake, they waited for their 
three sons, who were to join them, having come 
overland by team. The family being reunited, theu 
proceeded to Washtenaw County, this State, where 
the father purchased a tract of land in Superior 
Township. Upon this there was a log house, of which 
they took possession, and made themselves as com- 
fortable as the circumstances would permit. In 

1834, accompanied by his two sons, one of whom 
was Richard, Jr., Grandfather Britton started out 
on foot to explore the Bean Creek Valley. He 
selected 640 acres of land in Pittsford Township, 
journeyed on foot to Monroe to enter his iand,and 
from there back to Washtenaw County for his 
family. This land he occupied until his death, 
about 184.5. The maiden name of his wife was 
Abigail Hand. She was also a native of New .Jer- 
sey, and spent her last years at the home of her 
daughter, Fhebe DeLong, in this county. 

Richard Britton, Jr., spent his early years amid 
the scenes of pioneer life in Washtenaw County, 
continuing under the parental roof until his mar- 
riage, which occurred on the 28th of August, 
183G. The bride and groom at once started for 
their new home in Pittsford Township, the land of 
which at that time was heavily timbered. To the 
place which Mr. B. had selected for his future resi- 
dence there had, as yet, never been even a road cut. 
He erected a \og house, where the young couple 
began life together, and then commenced in earnest 
tlie clearing of his farm. After he had thus pre- 
pared a small tract, he walked to Adrian and pur- 
chased some young apple trees, which he conveyed 
home on his back and planted. Some of these trees 
are still standing, and in good bearing condition. 
The lapse of years effected a remarkable change in 
the face of the country as well as the condition of 
this sturdy pioneer. Here he lived and labored until 
his death, which occurred on tiie 19th of Novem- 
ber, 1875. During his career, which had been- 
notable for honest endeavor and uprightness of 
character, Mr. Britton had secured in a marked 



degree the friendship and respect of all who knew 
him. He was a very intelligent man, a great reader, 
and tlKjroughly well informed. Tlie mother sur- 
vived her husband, and was subsequently married. 
Her sketch, as Mrs. Ellen Barkman, appears on 
another page in this volume. 



Vi^ERRY HOPKINS is prominently identified 

jj) with the industrial interests of Hillsdale 

(^ ^ County, as a farmei-, stock-raiser and cooper, 

I i being very prosperously engaged in these 
pursuits on section 11 of Woodbridge Township. 
He was born in New York State, Nov. 29, 1831, 
and is the son of the late David and Olive (Larra- 
bee) Hopkins, natives respectively of Connecticut 
and New York, the fatlier born in 1800 and the 
mother in 1804. In 1836 they came to Michigan 
and located in Rome, Lenawee County, where Mr. 
Hopkins industriousl}' pursued his occupation of 
farmer until his death in 1866. He had received 
his education in the common schools, and was an 
intelligent man, much respected by all for his virtu- 
ous, upright life, and was a stanch adherent of the 
Quaker society. His wife was a Close Communion 
Baptist, and an earnest Christian; she survived him 
some years, dying in 1872. They had seven chil- 
dren, namely: Perry (our subject), Trueman, Lo- 
dema, Susanna, Polly, ALartha and Lucinda. Mr. 
Hopkins also had four children by a former mar- 
riage — David, Russell, Amanda and Nancy. 

He of whom we write, coming to Michigan when 
a small boy in the very early days of tlie settle- 
ment of the southern part of this State, vvas reared 
in the pioneer home of his parents in the township 
of Rome, Lenawee County. He endured with 
them all the privations and hardships of such a life, 
where, though they had plenty to eat, as vvild 
game was abundant, many things now considered 
absolutely indispensable to comfort were sadly lack- 
ing. However, they were unneeded to develop in 
the young lad vigor of mind and body, and a manly 
self-reliance, which enabled him at the age of eight- 
een 3'ears to start out into the world, poor indeed 
in purse, but rich in spirit and energy. He learned 
the cooper's trade and for ten years followed 



-<•- 



-•►■ 



■<^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



it very successfullj', thus acquiring consiileral>le 
property, wliicli enabled him to cslablisii himself as 
a farmer, and in February, 1861, lie purchased 
eighty acres of forest covered land, which now 
forms a part of his present farm. In the month of 
March he commenced to fell tlie trees on his land 
to make room and material to build a log house, 
into which he and his family moved in the month 
of INLay, before it was provided with either door or 
window. Since that time he has steadily made his 
way to an assured success, until now he owns one of 
the finest farms in this county, and has increased its 
area to 160 acres of rich and highlj- fertile land, on 
which he has made man^' valuable improvements 
He has paid much attention to the breeding of high 
grades of horses and cattle, and is quite famous for 
his fine Hambletonians and Short-horns. He has 
erected a fine, commodious brick house, at a cost of 
$3,000, with a slate roof and handsomely furnished 
inside; it has two cellars, and its dimensions are: 
the main part lGx24, two stories in height; two 
wings, 16x16 and 18x21, and a kitchen lOx'21. Me 
built in 1884 a substantial barn at a cost of 11, 500, 
44x68 feet in dimensions, with 20-foot posts, 33,000 
shingles covering the roof, and a basement eight 
feet high under the center, in which are built thirty 
cords of stone. 

Mr. Hopkins was married to Miss Betsy A. Bar- 
num, Jul}- 2, 18o3, and she has since been to him a 
most faithful and helpful wife, to whom much of his 
prosperity is duo. She vvas born Oct. 18, 1830, in 
New York State, and was a daughter of Zar and 
Margaret (German) Barnuui, also natives of York 
State. They came to Michigan in 1 840, and are 
now both deceased. Her father was a farmer and 
also a cabinet-maker. He was an active and es- 
teemed member of the Baptist Church. The mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins has been productive 
of four children, of whom the following is the rec- 
ord : Adolphus died at the age of twenty ; Madora, 
who died Aug. 4, 1880, was the wife of Dr. Stearns, 
of Frontier, having been one of the first teachers iu 
that town, and was very highly educated; Elfred 
was born in Franklin Township, Lenawee Count}' ; 
Orson was born Sept. 10, 1864, and is married to 
Luclla Pointer. Elfred married, Oct. 29, 1884, Me- 
lissa Culbertson, who was born in Ohio, in 1859, 

»► % <• 




and came to Michigan in 1882; they have one 
child, Alice M., born Dec. 29, 1887. 

Our subject and his wife occupy a good social 
position ill this community, and are greatly re- 
spected by the people for their genuine worth and 
integrity, and their hospitable home is ever open to 
numerous friends. In his (lolitical views Mr. Hop- 
kins is an advocate of the Greenback party, while 
his sons are Democrats. 

AVID C. CLARK, Treasurer of Camden 
Township, is in the enjoyment of a pleas- 
ant country home on section 25. His 
farm of sixty acres has been brought to a 
fine state of cultivation, and the neat dwelling, with 
the substantial l)arn and other out-buildings, flanked 
by the thrifty orchard of choice apple and other 
fruit trees, form a most pleasant picture in the land- 
scape of that section. Everything indicates the 
abode of peace and comfort, and our subject and 
his estimable wife have secured their right to these 
blessings by the industry and economy of earlier 
years. 

Our subject was born in Huron County, Ohio, 
Dec. 5, 1835, and is the son of Frederick and Au- 
rilla (Burch) Clark, natives of Washington County, 
N. Y. His maternal grandfather served as a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary War and spent his last 
years in New York State. Of the family of six 
children, the survivors are named respectively: 
Charles W., Oscar V., Perry, and David C, our 
subject, and are all carrying on farming in Camden 
Township. The latter was reared to manhood in 
his native county, of which his parents were among 
the earliest pioneers, and acquired his education 
in the district school near his home. He became 
familiar with the various einploynients of farm life, 
and upon leaving the Buckej-e State engaged for a 
time in the boot and shoe trade at Camden. 

The m.arriage of our subject with MissSamantha 
Cartwright was celebrated at the home of the bride 
in Huron County, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1857. Mrs. Cl.ark 
was born iu Lagrange Count}-, Ind., Nov. 29, 1842, 
and is the daughter of Sluman S. and Betsy M. 
Cartwright, the father a native of New York State 




r 



■*► 




790 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and the mother of Vermont. Her parents came to 
Ohio in their youth, wliere they were married, and 
whence they removed a few years later to Indiana. 
Mr. Cartwrighl had for manj' years been a member 
of tlie Christian Church, and departed this life at 
his home in Camden Township, June I, 1872. 

Mrs. Betsy M. Cartwright, the mother of Mrs. 
Clark, was a most lovable and amiable Christian 
lady, and a member of the Christian Church for 
several years. Her death took place in Clyde, 
Ohio, Sept. 24, 1885, at the home of her sister, 
Mrs. J. F. Brown, her age being sixt3'-flve years, 
two months and twentj'-four days. Upon the morn- 
ing of her death, Mrs. Cartwright and her daughter 
Dell were preparing to take the train for her home 
in Camden, this county. She arose before any one 
else in the house and began making ready for her 
journey. She was ver}' jubilant in anticipation of 
meeting her chll<li-eu and friends in a few hours, 
and ate a hearty breakfast. While her daughter 
Dell went to the depot to get their hagg.ige checked, 
Mrs. Cartwright and her sister's family engaged in 
worship, and while in the act of praying Mrs. C. 
fell to the floor and expired. 

Mrs. Cartwright was born in Fairfield, Franklin 
Co. Vt., June 30, 18-20. She was ten years of age 
when her parents removed to Huron County, Ohio, 
where she remained several years, and at the age of 
fifteen married Sluman S. Cartwright, Dee. 27, 1835. 
After the birth of two children Mr. and Mrs. Cart- 
wright moved to Indiana, and there endured for 
several years the hardships of pioneer life. After 
a time they returned to Ohio, and subsequently 
made several later removals from Ohio to Indiana 
and Michigan, finally settling down in Camden, 
which remained the home of Mrs. Cartwright for a 
l^eriod of twenty -six years. She was the mother of 
fourteen children, seven daughters and seven sons, 
nine of whom are living, namely : Milo A., of Wood- 
bridge, this county ; Miles E., of Reading; Samau- 
tha, Mrs. Clark; Susan M., Mrs. A. A. Abby, of 
Camden; EIans(m, of Woodbridge; L^dia M., Mrs. 
S. W. Drake, of Camden, and Almira, Mrs. Milton 
Hagerman, of Three Oaks, Berrien County; Miss 
Dell and Albert D., of Camden. This lamented 
lady was a kind mother, genial in her nature, re- 
spected by all who knew her, and untiring in her 



efforts to make all around her happy. Four j-ears 
previous to her death she united with the Seventh- 
Day Adventist Ciiurch, of which she continued a 
worthy member until her death. Her remains were 
brought to this county and buried 1)3' the side of 
her husband in Camden Cemetery, the services be- 
ing conducted by Elder Parmelee, at the Advent 
Church at Camden. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Clark there has been born one 
child only, a daughter, Lura, May 3. 1878. Mr. 
Clark in the spring of 1872 came with his family 
to this county and settled in the timber on the land 
which constitutes bis present farm. But a small 
portion of it had been cleared at that time, he even 
having to cut away the brush in order to put up 
his dwelling. He labored industriously for a num- 
ber of years, bringing the soil to a state of cultiva- 
tion, and effecting the Improvements we see to-day. 
In his labors he was ably assisted by his most ex- 
cellent wife, who has ever been his capable iielpmate 
and counselor, and to whose good judgment and 
economy a large portion of his success is due. 

Mr. Clark is now serving his second term as 
Treasurer, and in political matters usuall}' votes the 
Democratic ticket. He Is public spirited and lib- 
eral, and has watched with warm interest the 
development of his adopted county. Mrs. Clark, 
following In the footsteps of her beloved mother, 
is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 
and attends services at Camden. 



-•'*/\. ■'^4l^£I2/GM@^| 



l-y^^&SOety^'vy^^ 




IRAM ROOT, of Scipio Township, was born 
in Stillwater, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 
181G, and is theson of Isaac and Ruth (Hol- 
lis) Root, natives of the same county, where 
they weie reared and married, and where the mother 
spent her entire life. Isaac Root after the death of 
his wife contracted a second matrimonial alliance, 
and came to Saginaw County, this State, where his 
death took place. He was the father of four chil- 
dren, one daughter and three sons. 

Hiram Root was reared on a farm, and has always 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He con- 
tinued a resident of his native county until settling 
in Scipio Township in 1837, and of which he h.as 



t 



■♦- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



a 



r9i 



been a resiflent now for over fifty years. He was 
married in Jonesville, Marcli 31, 1840, to Miss 
Saraii Wliited, who was born in Malta, Saratoga 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 29, 1825. Of that union there 
were born four children — Emma L., Euplicmia ftL, 
Elizabeth M. and Lottie E. Emma is the wife of 
William Watts, of Wood River, Neb.; Euphemia 
married Lyman D. Proper, of Bloomington, Neb. ; 
Elizabeth, Mrs. George D. Walker, is the wife of a 
well-lo-do farmer of Scipio Township, and Lottie 
E. is Mrs. W. M. Watts, of this townshi|) also. The 
mother of these children died at the homestead, 
Sept. 12, 1881; she was a member of the Baptist 
Church. Mr. Root, politically, has voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket for a number of years. 



-if^f-^ti^ 



••^iiS- •'^i^-t 




ARIUS P. CRANE, well known as one of 
* the most prosperous farmers and stock- 
raisers of Hillsdale Township, came to this 
county in 1864, and located on the tract of 
land which he still owns and occupies. This em- 
braces 100 acres of productive land, embellished 
with a good set of frame buildings, a choice assort- 
ment of live stock, and equipped with the necessarj' 
machinery for carrying on agriculture in a success- 
ful manner. Mr. Crane has been prominent in 
township affairs, taking an interest in its growth 
and development, and served as Justice of the Peace 
for a period of six years. He has also been School 
Director and Trustee, and is in all respects a respon- 
sible and reliable citizen, who is filling his niche in 
life in a praiseworthy manner. 

Our subject was born in Putnam County, N. Y., 
Dec. 30, 1816, and is the son of Josiah and Keziah 
(Hall) Crane, natives of the same county. The 
father was a cooper by trade, and also carried on 
farming. The family is of English ancestry, and 
the first representatives in this eountry settled in 
Rhode Island, whence the granrlfather of our sul)- 
ject removed at an early day to New York State, 
and there spent his last days. His son Josiah, the 
father of our subject, departed this life in 1842, 
when seventy-four years of age. The motiier sur- 
vived her husband about six years, her death taking 
place in 1848. She was a member of the Presby- 



terian Church, and reared her children to habits of 
industry and principles of honor. The twelve chil- 
dren of the parental household were named respect- 
ively: Philander, Stella, Cornelia, Oliver, John, 
Susan (who died young), Walter (who died when 
seventy-nine years of age, in 1887). Deborah, Cla- 
rissa, Daniel, Darius (our subject) and Sarah. 

Darius Crane was the eleventh child of his par- 
ents, and in common with his brothers»and sisters 
was reared on a farm, and .acquired his education in 
the district school. While little more than a hid 
he entered a hat factory at Norwalk, Conn., where 
he worked three 3-cars, but not being quite satis- 
fied with this emplo3ment, conmienccd teaching 
school, being then in the seventeenth year of his 
age. In this latter business he was successful, be- 
ing endowed with peculiar tact and judgment, and 
at one time liad for his pupil the boy wjio was subsc- 
quentl3' Gen. Darius Couch, later of Massachusetts. 

Y'oung Crane followed his profession of teacher 
four seasons thereafter, in the winter, and on the 
28th of September, 1837, was united in marriage 
with Miss Hanna Forbes. This lady was born Nov. 
4, 1818, on the island of Corfu, a beautiful spot 
of land in the Grecian Archipelago, and was the 
daughter of a British soldier who died on the Isle of 
Mauritius, sometimes known as the Isle of France, 
while in the prime of life. Mrs. Crane came to 
America when about twelve ^-ears of age to live 
with her aunt. Miss Forbes, and thereafter pursued 
her studies in the academj^ at Lima, N. Y. On her 
native Isle she had become thorough!}- familiar with 
the French language, but has naturally forgotten 
much that she then learned. She came to Michi- 
gan with her husband in 1804, and of her union 
with our subject there have been born eight chil- 
dren: Emily R. is the wife of James K. Fisher, a 
banker of Hillsdale; Kate II. married Spencer O. 
Fisher, a banker and Member of Congress from the 
Tenth District of this State. an<l pros|)cctive candi- 
date for Governor on the Democratic ticket; Anna 
E. is the wife of George W. Kuck, a banker of Ce- 
dar Rapids, Iowa; Albert A. married .Miss Josephine 
Keefer, and is engaged as a lumber dealer in Ba}' 
City, this State; Ambrose W. married Miss Agnes 
Abel, and is one of the druggists of Hillsdale; Mark 
D. married Miss Cline, and otHciates as cashier of 



••► ^ 11 ^> 



M^ 



792 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the First State Bank, of Hillsdale; Ella E. is de- 
ceased ; she was the wife of Charles Ford, a clothier, 
of Bay Citj\ Louie A. is the wife of Jerome G. 
Abbott, a banker of Elkhart, Ind. 

Mr. Crane, politically, is a zealous Republican, 
and with his excellent wife a member in good stand- 
ing of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has 
held the office of Elder for many years. He has 
been identified with this denomination almost since 
bis boyhood, and before coming to Michigan was 
many years a Trustee in the church atKnowlesville. 
Orleans Co., N. Y. He is essentially a self-made 
man. and a forcible illustration of the results of 
frugal living and a course of strict integrity. 



♦J^^— 



/p^EORGE GRAY, of Adams Township, aged 
III g— . now nearly seventy and four j-ears, made 
^^^jj his way to Southern Michigan from the 
Buckeye State in 1846, accompanied- by his wife 
and three children. He selected Wheatland Town- 
ship for the scene of his first operations, but two 
years later removed from there to Adams Town- 
ship, of which he has since been a continuous and 
honored resident. Ripe in length of da3-s and 
experience, he has acquitted himself creditably', 
both in prosperity and adversity, and while ap- 
proaching the sunset of life, is surrounded by the 
esteem and friendship of his entire community. The 
main points in his family history are substantially 
as follows: 

The parents of our subject, David and Esther 
(Cluff) Gray, were natives of New York, where 
they were reared to mature years, and were mar- 
ried in the town of Genoa. They settled upon a 
tract of land near Cayuga Lake, where they resided 
until their son George was about three years of age. 
Thence they removed to Chardon. Geauga Co., 
Ohio, where the father carried on farming until the 
death of the mother, in 1850. She was seventy- 
eight ye.irs of age, and a woman who is remembered 
as having been a model wife and mother, train- 
ing her children caiefully, and looking well to the 
wa^s of her household. 

After the death of his wife David Gray removed 
with his son Martin to Mentor, Ohio, the home of 



the late President, James A. Garfield, with whom 
he contracted a warm friend.^hip, and for whom he 
lived to vote, being then one hundred years old. 
The lamented President was the last Presidential 
candidate for whom he was permitted to cast his 
ballot, although he lived through the following 
Presidential campaign, and until after the inaugur- 
ation of President Cleveland. His death took 
place on the 2d of May, 1885, at the age of one 
hundred and four years, seven months, and nine 
days, leaving five sons and two daughters. Of 
these three are living, and mostly residents of Ohio 
and Michigan. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New York, 
Dec. 18, 1814, and was the fourth child of his par- 
ents. At the time they left the Empire State for 
Ohio, Geauga County, in which they settled, was 
in its infancy, the pioneers being few and far 
between. It is hardlj' necessary to sa3' that his 
school advantages were extremely limited, but he 
was trained to habits of industry and economy, and 
admirably fitted for the future struggles of life. He 
remained a member of his father's household until 
twenty-two years of age, and in the fall of 1837 
was united in marriage with Miss Zilpah, daughter 
of Gad and Lydia Stafford, who were natives of 
Rhode Island, whence they removed to Ontario 
Count3', N. Y., and settled near the town of Man- 
chester, where they lived until their removal to 
Michigan, in 1846. Mr. Stafford died in Wheat- 
land Township, this county, in the spring of 1860, 
at the age of seventy years. Mrs. S. survived her 
husband a period of twenty years, and died at the 
home of her son, in W^healland, in J878, at the 
advanced age of eighty -eight. Mrs. Gray was the 
eldest of their nine children, five sons and four 
daughters. She was born May 1, 1820, in On- 
tario County, N. Y., and was a little girl ten years 
of age when her parents removed to Ohio. She 
acquired her education in the common schools of 
Geauga County, where she made the acquaintance 
of her future husband, to whom she was married 
when seventeen j-ears of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gray have traveled the journey of 
life together for a period of fifty-one years, and 
celebrated their golden wedding in September, 
1887. This was an occasion of general rejoicing, 



^ 



H^ 



-A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY'. 



793 



and was pnrticipated in li^- numerous friends and 
acquaintances, from wlioiu they received man}' con- 
gratulations and wishes for their continued happi- 
ness. They are tlie parents of two sons oiil^': 
William, who is now a resident of Adaius, and 
Henry, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere iu this 
work. 

Mr. Gray carried on farming in Ohio until the 
spring of 1846, then disposing of his interests there, 
made his wa^' to .Southern Michigan, and located 
first in AVheatland Township. Here he lived two 
years, and in the meantime Mr. and Mrs. Gray 
suffered the loss of a dear little girl, Lydia Estiier, 
four years of age. They left Wheatland Township 
to take up their residence on section 20, iu Adams 
Township, where at one time Mr. Gray was the 
owner of 1 20 acres of land. Forty of this he has 
since sold, having now eighty acres, with a substan- 
tial two-story brick residence, a good barn, and the 
various out-buildings required for his use and con- 
venience. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members in good stand- 
ing of the Congregational Church, at North Adams, 
with which they became identified thirty years ago. 
Mr. Gray cast his first Presidential vote for Clay, 
being then a follower of the old-line Whigs, and, 
since 1856 has supported the Republican party. 
He has otficiated in the various school offices of his 
district, and was at one time Constable, which 
position he resigned. He has lived to see great 
changes in the Wolverine State, and his honest, 
upright life affords an excellent example worthy of 
imitation. 





Ifk'A ^^- LOVINA HAINES, widow of the late 
Josiah Haynes, of Wheatland Township, 
owns and occupies a pleasant home on 
section 23, left her by her husband. Her 
childhood days were passed in Scioto County, Ohio, 
where her birth took place May 30, 1821. Her 
parents were Rev. Moses and Betsey' (Winkler) 
Bennett, the former for naany years a prominent 
minister of the Baptist Church. He was born in 
New Jersej', in 1791, and sjjent the lastyearsof his 
life in RoUin Township, Lenawee County, this 
State, where his death took place in 1844, when he 



was flft3'-three years of age. The mother, who sur- 
vived Mr. Bennett man}' years, was married the 
second time, to John Greenlee, and died at the 
home of her son, in Greenville, Montcalm County, 
this State, at the advanced age of eighty-four 
years. 

Josiah Haj'nes was born in Franklin Count}', 
Mass.. Aug. 24, 1808, where he lived until coming 
to the Territory of Michigan, in 1834. He spent 
one year in looking ov>r the country, then returned 
to New Englanil, but a year later retraced his steps 
westward, and took up eighty acres of Government 
land in Blisstield Township, Lenawee County. His 
first marriage was to Miss Malona Osborn, who 
was born in January, 1818, and died at her home 
in Cambridge Township, Lenawee Count}', when 
twenty-eight years of age. Of this union there were 
born three children, two of whom are deceased, and 
the survivor, a daughter, Mary, the wife of Thomas 
B. Bailey, is now a resident of San Jose, Cal. 

The marriage of Josiah Haynes an<l Miss Lovina 
Bennett was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
RoUin Township, April 4, 1844. They took up 
their residence in Cambridge, whence they came to 
Wheatland Township in 1853. Two children were 
the result of this union: Jane A., who was born in 
Cambridge Township, Lenawee County, Aug. 11, 
1848, and is the wife of Augustus Tabor, who lives 
in Hudson; they have a son and daughter. Ida E., 
the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, was born 
in Wheatland Township, Aug. 24, 185G, and is the 
wife of Oscar Havvley ; they occupy the homestead 
with Mrs. Haynes, and have three children, namely: 
Ola M., born May 27, 1875; Lulu B., April 27, 
1880, and Lettie E., April 16, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. 
Havvley are a very accomplished couple, in both 
social and musical circles, and Mrs. H.. like her 
esteemed mother, is prominent in every good work, 
and like her also, an earnest and active member of 
the Baptist Church. Mrs. Haynes has always been 
deeply interested in the Sunday-school, and for two 
years was President of the Ladies' Missionary So- 
ciety, of which she is at present Treasurer. 

The Haynes family were among the first settlers 
of Hillsdale County. The husband of our subject, 
who departed this life on the lOili of May, 1873, 
was the son of Josiah, Sr., and Raua (Kemp- 



*t 



-4^ 



r94 




HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



ton) Hayiies, who spent tlioir last years in Massa- 
chusetts. Tlic Imsband of Mrs. IL, of our sketeli, 
was a man of most excellent qualities of charaoter. 
and his memory is held dear, not only by the mem- 
bers of his own family, but bj- the entire community 
where he had lived for so manj' years, and in the 
development and progress of which he took such an 
active part. In his i)ursuits as an agricnllurist he 
was thorough and methodical, and thus possessed 
the true secret of success. The property which he 
has left to his family constitutes the best monument 
of his thrift and industry, and his worth as a father 
and citizen. 



^Tp^.ELSON P. NYE is a pioneer of Hillsdale 
I // County, who has been for many years oc- 
/lyii^i cupying a prominent position among the 
leading citizens of Pittsford Township. When he 
came to Michigan in the fall of 1838, this part of 
the countiy was in a ver3' wild condition, but five 
years having elapsed since the first land was entered 
for settlement in the township wheie he afterward 
made his home. Primeval forests abounded, which 
seemed all the more grand and gloomy in contrast 
with the few spots cleared and cultivated by the 
earl}' settlers, and on which they had erected their 
primitive log cabins. Deer, turkey's and other wild 
game were abundant, and bears and wolves were 
often seen. Our subject has been an active factor in 
developing Pittsford into one of the finest agricult- 
ural centers of Southern Michigan. His career in 
life is an excellent example of wliat a man can do 
by persistent energy and pluck to elevate his posi- 
tion and gain for himself an honorable place in the 
world. When he came to this State he had but $6 
in his pocket, but he was strong, courageous, and 
willing to work, so that in the succeeding j'ears of 
toil and hardship he persistently made his way to 
the prosperity that he now enjo3's. 

Our subject was born in Plainfield, Otsego Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 28, 1817, and is the son of Joseph 
Nye. His father was born in Connecticut, there 
grew to manhood, and subsequently moved to New 
Y'ork, where he lived in Otsego County for a time. 
About 1820 he moved to Herkimer Count}', and 




later to Bridgewater, Oneida County, and there 
bought improved land, and continued his residence 
in that township until his death, Jan. 21, 1853. 
The maiden name of his worthy wife was Sally 
Clark, who was born in the State of New Y'ork.and 
died there in April, 1858. There were ten children 
born of that union, nine of whom grew to maturity. 
Nelson P. was the seventh child in order of birth, 
and was reared on a farm, continuing to live with 
his parents until twentj' years of age, receiving 
from those good people a careful training in good 
habits, and all that goes to make up a good man 
and a true citizen. After he left the home roof he 
worked out in his iiative State for awhile, being 
emploj'ed on a farm by the month. He then came 
to Michigan, via Erie Canal and lake to Toledo, 
thence on the railroad lo Adrian, wlience he pro- 
ceeded on foot to Bean Creek Valley, where his 
brother Austin lived. He worked for this elder 
brother for a year, and subsequently took jobs of 
chopping fallow — that is, chopping ready for log- 
ging — and clearing land for about five years. After 
he had been lieie three years Mr. Nye bouglit sixt}' 
acres of land at $6 an acre, paying $150 cash and 
the rest at seven per cent interest. Our subject 
married, Aug. 19, 1843, Mary A. Hale, who was 
born in Essex County, England. Her parents were 
John and Rachel (Buck) Hale, natives of England. 
The}' came to America about 1830 and settled in 
Palmyra. N. Y. Mrs. Hale died in New Y'ork soon 
after landing. In 1841 Mr. Hale came to Michi- 
gan, bought timber land in Pittsford Township, 
built a log house, and cleared a farm from the wil- 
derness, on which he lived till a short time before 
his death, spending his last years with Mrs. Nye. 

Mr. Nye did not locate on his land until after 
his marriage, when he and his wife commenced 
housekeeping in the little log house he had pre- 
viously erected. He cleared his entire tract of land 
and bought other land at various times, until he 
now has a valuable farm of 200 acres, all in Pitts- 
ford Township, and besides owns a residence lot in 
Hudson. He has been extensively and profitalily 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nye has been 
blessed by the birth of ten children, now living, 
whose record is as follows: Permilla married Sam- 



u 



-ii^l-4» 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



795 



uel Diekerson, now of Cincinnati, Obio; Louisa R., 
widow of Fiuley Beazel, lives in Ligonier, Ind.; 
Alfred F. lives in Pittsford ; lsal)elle M. nianied 
Frank Gilbert, of Cleveland, Ohio; Tliercsa A. lives 
in Ligonier. Ind; John IL lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; 
IJavid V. lives in Pittsford; Nelson P. lives in 
Cleveland, Ohio; Nettie W. married Augustus C. 
Childs, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Eugene F. lives at 
home with bis parents. 

The substantial worth and ability of our subject 
were early recognized by his fellow-citizens, who 
have often called upon him to take an active part 
in public affairs, and he has always responded to 
their fai'Ji in him by efficiently and honestly' dis- 
charging the duties of the various offices he has 
held from time to time. He has represented the 
township on the Board of County Supervisors; 
has been Township Clerk, Treasurer and School In- 
spector; held the office of Justice of the Peace 
twelve yeaj'S, and in 1884 was Census Enumerator 
for Pittsford Township. He has been a Republican 
from the formation of tlie party, having jMcviously 
been a Whig. Mrs. Nye is a consistent member of 
the Congregational Church, at Hudson. 



y^lLLIAM H. BELCHER. The history of 
the present will be more highly prized by 
W^ the descendants of the people whose record 
lies herein than by those who are the more nearly 
interested at the present time; at least, we are led 
to this conclusion by observing with what care and 
solicitude the men of the present generation collect 
the reminiscences of their forefathers, who then 
had not the facilities of to-day for preserving the 
record of their deeds to posterity. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of one of the 
earliest pioneers of tiiis State, and was born in Rol- 
lin Township, Lenawee County, Oct. 17, 1847._ 
His father, Henry Belcher, was a native of New 
York State, and his grandfather. Elislia Belcher, 
was first known of there as one of its early settlers, 
and engaged in farming pursuits. There also he 
si)ent his last d.ays, and in tiie soil of the Empire 
State was laid to rest. 

Henry Belcher was renrcfl in his native State, 



where he developed into manhood, and when leav- 
ing the home roof made his way to the Territory of 
Michigan, and located among the early settlers of 
Lenawee County. Purchasing a tract of land in 
RoUin Township, he put up a log cabin, and made 
that portion of the earth his home continuous!}' 
until departing hence. Under that lowly roof his 
son William, the subject of this sketch, was born, 
and when of suitiible years commenced .assisting in 
the improvement of the homestead. 

Mrs. Alraira (Parker) Belcher, the mother of our 
subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and probably 
met her future husband first in Lenawee County. 
Of their union there were born nine children, all of 
whom lived to mature years, and seven are now liv- 
ing, being mostly residents of Michigan. AVilliam 
H., like the others, acquired bis education in the 
pioneer school, and remained a member of the 
parental household until after the outbreak of the 
late war. Then, although but a lad a little over 
fifteen years old, he enlisted, March 26, KSG3, in 
Company A, 18th Michigan Infantry, and at once 
proceeded to the front, passing through Louisville 
and Georgetown. Ky.. to Nashville, Tenn., and 
thence to Decatur, Ala., whence they went to 
Athens, where our subject was captured liy the 
rebels and taken to Andersonville Prison. There 
he suffered all the horrors which have been so viv- 
idly depicted as forming one of the darkest feat- 
ures of that struggle which shook both continents, 
and which need scarcely be repeated here. He w.as 
thus confined until A|)ril 8. lSfi.5, and then, after 
the surrender of Lee, was taken to Annapolis, Md., 
and exchanged. Subsequentl}' he was transferred to 
Company A, 9th Michigan Infantry, with which he 
remained until his honorable discliarge. 

Upon his return to his home in RoUin Townshii), 
3'oung Belcher worked out by the month a j-ear in 
that vicinity, and then went up into the lumber 
regions, where he was employed for nine winters 
following, and in summer was engaged in a meat 
market in Kent County until 1872, when he went 
to Pioneer, Ohio, and engageil in the provision 
trade until the spring of 1884. Then reluining to 
Michigan be puicbascd the farm which be now 
owns and occupies on sections 32 and b in Wright 
Township. In 1887 he erected a large frame house 



1 
i 



-IH^- 



796 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in modern style of architecture, and is adding the 
improvements one after anotlier which will make it 
one of the noticeable farms of this portion of Hills- 
dale County. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was mar- 
ried April 17. 1^73, was formeily MissJLiry Stuck, 
who was born in Wright Township. March 16. 1849. 
Her parents were Samuel and Eliza (Silvernail) 
Stuck, who came to this township in its pioneer 
da3's. Samuel Stuck was born in Seneca County, 
N. Y., March 10, 1815, and was the son of Michael 
Stuck, a native of Pennsylvania. The paternal 
great-grandfather of Mrs. Belcher was a native of 
Germany, whence he emigrated when a young man, 
and located in Pennsylvania, where he lived a few 
years, then took up his residence among the pioneer 
settlers of Seneca County, N. Y. He secured a 
large tract of timber land in Fayette Township, 
and ini|)roved a farm, upon which he spent the 
remainder of his life. 

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Belcher was but 
a boy when Ills parents removed from Pennsylvania 
to New \"ork, where he grew to manhood, was mar- 
ried in Seneca County, and settled in Fayette 
Township. Like his father before him, he cleared 
a farm from the wilderness and lived there until 
1837. Then resolving to go West he came to Pitts- 
ford Township, this county, and purchasing forty 
acres of land, here spent his last days, his death 
taking place about Feb. 20, 1888. 

Mrs. Susan (Smith) Stuck, the jiaternal grand- 
mother of Mrs. Belcher, was also a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and spent her last years in Piltsford 
Township. The father of Mrs. B. was reared in his 
native town, and resided there with his parents 
until 1836. That year he first visited the Teri-itory 
of Michigan, and maintained himself by taking 
jobs at chopping and clearing land. Li the fall of 
that year he returned to New York State, where he 
spent the winter, and early in the spring following 
came back to Michigan, accompanied by his par- 
ents, besides a brother and two sisters. They made 
the journey via the Erie Canal and steamer to 
Detroit, and thence overland with an ox-team to 
this county, and located in Pittsford Township. 
INIr. Stuck here entcied forty acres of land, but 
being unmarried continued making his home with 



his parents. He employed himself .is before, work- 
ing for diflferent parties, chopping and clearing 
land until his marriage. Soon afterward he had 
occasion to go to Lanesville, now Hudson, Lenawee 
County, and started on his return home after night- 
fall. He soon found the wolves upon his track, and 
sought shelter in a vacant log cabin upon a high 
beam, upon which he cranled and sat there all 
night. The wolves, in the meantime, there being 
no means of keeping them out of the cabin, sat on 
the ground looking wistfully at him, but being 
unable to reach him, remained until daylight, and 
then "silent!}' stole away." 

At the time of his marriage Mr. Stuck settled in 
Wright Township, in the midst of a timber tract of 
forty acres on section 4, where he built a log cabin 
and commenced housekeeping. Deer and wild 
turkeys were plentiful, also wolves. Mr. Stuck still 
secured his hard cash by working out for his neigh- 
bors, and put in all his leisure time clearing his own 
land and preparing the soil for cultivation. In 
1845 he had about twenty acres in productive con- 
dition, then sold out, and purchased the homestead 
which his widow now occupies. There his death 
took place P'eb. 20, 1888. He had in the mean- 
time cleared the greater part of this latter farm, and 
provided it with a good set of frame buildings, 
besides planting an orchard and trees of the smaller 
fruits. 

The mother of Mrs. Belcher, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Eliza Silvernail, became the wife of Sam- 
uel Stuck on the 20th of July, 1840. She was born 
in Ontario County, N. Y., June 26, 1821, and al- 
though approaching the sunset of life, is in the 
enjoyment of good health and all her mental facul- 
ties unimpaired. 






EV. JOHN SCOTT COPP, A. M., Bun- 
Professor of Systematic Theology in Hills- 
dale College, was born near the city of Ban- 
^gor. Me., Jan. 17, 1843, and was the second 
in the family of four children of John B. and Cyrena 
M. Copp. His mother was a sister of Judge C. B. 
IMills, of Tuscola C(junty, Mich. Both parents 
were natives of the Pine Tree St.ate, where they 




*^hM> 



i 



-#»■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



797 



I 



resided until 1847, when they moved to Ohio, set- 
tling in Ashtabula Count}'. The father and grand- 
father of Mr. Coppwere both ministers of the Free- 
Will Baptist denomination, and labored faithfully 
in the service of the Master. The father of our 
subject died in Genesee County, Mich., in 1855, 
and the mother had died several years before, in the 
State of Ohio. 

In Ohio Prof. Copp's early days were passed, in 
the midst of the great anti-slavery .agitation, which 
resulted in the formation of the Republican party, 
and the emancipation of the slave. During this 
time the fleeing black man often found asylum in 
liis father's house, and was aided in his flight 
toward Can.ada. At the breaking out of the Civil 
War, Mr. Copp entered the army in defense of his 
country, enlisting in Company C, 16th Michigan 
Infantry, as a private, and was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan. He took 
part in the second battle of Bull Run, where he was 
shot through the left shoulder, and was soon after- 
ward discharged, having participated in all the bat- 
tles in which his regiment was engaged while he 
was in the service. His bravery and good conduct 
had won for him the regard of his superiors, and at 
the time he was shot he was acting as Orderly Ser- 
geant. 

Upon his return to Michigan, Sergt. Copp en- 
tered the preparatory department of Hillsdale Col- 
lege, taking the classical course, and gradu.ated in 
1869. He then entered A ndover Theological Semi- 
nary near Boston, Mass., where he took a three- 
years course, and graduated in 1872. Returning 
to Hillsdale, he accepted a professorship in the col- 
lege, taking charge of the department of the He- 
brew langu.age, literature, and churcli history, which 
position he held some three years. He was then 
elected Alumni Professor of Belles Lettres, which 
he held until the spring of 1887, when he was 
elected to the Chair of Systematic Theologj- in the 
theological department of the college, and will 
assume his duties in the fall of 1888. During the 
years 1882 and 1883, he attended lectures at the 
Universities of Berlin and Heidelberg, Germany, on 
Literature, Piillosopliy and Theology. L'pon his 
return he resumed his duties in Hillsdale College. 

Rev. John Scott Copp was married, in 1874, to 



Miss fallen A. Cross, of Wisconsin, and they have 
three children, two sons and one daughter. Prof. 
Copp was elected in 1886 a member of the Modern 
Language Association of America. 



♦ j o <:"< ' 



AMES W. FREED, senior member of the 
firm of Freed Bros., proprietors of the well- 
known flouring-mill in the western part of 
(^^1/ the city of Hillsdale, has been instrumental 
in establishing one of the most important industries 
in this section of country. The mill was put up by 
the gentlemen who are operating it in the summer of 
1886, and occupies an area of 34x50, and with 
engine room 30x50, is three stories in height, with a 
basement built of brick, the upper part of the struct- 
ure being of wood. It is equipped with the most 
modern and approved machinery, including a com- 
plete system of rollers and steam-power, with a 
capacity for putting out 150 barrels of flour in 
twenty-four hours. The product of this mill is of 
very superior quality, and finds a ready market in 
both the East and South, the wheat being mostly 
raised in the State of Michigan, in Hillsdale and 
adjoining counties. 

James W. Freed was born in Stark County, Ohio, 
Nov. 10, 1845, and is the second son and third 
child of William V. and Mary (Davis) Freed, na- 
tives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. 
His maternal grandfather, Henry Davis, was born in 
Delaware, and dicil in 1856, in Ohio. William V. 
Freed died in Stark County, Ohio; his widow sub- 
sequentlj' moved to Woodbridge Township, Hills- 
dale Co., Mich., in the fall of 1858, where she reared 
her famil}', and died at her residence, Oct. 14, 1874. 

Our subject, who was the third of eight children 
born to his parents, acquired a district school edu- 
cation, and continued with his mother until reach- 
ing manhood. He and his brother Henry H. then 
embarked in business together, securing possession 
of a sawmill at Woodbri(lge, which they operated 
until estiblishing their present industry. The}' are 
both practical business men, and what might almost 
be called natural machinists, having, without serving 
a regular apprenticeship, an admirable knowledge 
—^ 



f 



^ 



-«► 



r98 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of machinery, discovering at once any imperfection 
in its worliings, and usually Ijeing able, witliout ap- 
plying to an}- outside party, to remedy the diflB- 
culty. 

The marriage of James W. Freed and Miss Emma 
C. Crawford was celebrated at the home of the 
bride, in Eaton Count3% Mich., Nov. 22, 1884. 
Mrs. Freed was born May 22, 1864, in Ransom, 
Hillsdale County, and is the daughter of Ira E. 
and Li>deraia Crawford, natives of New York. Her 
mother is deceased, and her father is living in Eaton 
County, Mich. Of this union there has been born 
one child only, a daughter, Ora Mabel, who is now 
tliree years old. Mr. Freed, politicaIl\', is a solid 
Republican, and votes the Republican ticliet. He 
occupies a snug home, and in his business, and all 
other relations of life, has the best wishes of hosts 
of friends. 



-i^-i=CT= 



£>' 



OBERT RETLER. one of the highly re- 
spected German citizens of Camden Town- 
y^ ship, is fully worthy of the title of pioneer, 
'f^j as he came to this section of country dur- 
ing the process of its early development. A native 
f)f the Grand Duchy of Badon, Germany, he was 
born Nov. 1, 1827, and is the son of John and Mary 
(Garmeu) Retler, who were natives of the same 
locality and of pure German ancestry. 

Our subject when a mere boy was orphaned by 
the death of both parents, and was then taken into 
the family of (ieorge Garmeu, with vvhom he re- 
sided until a l.ad of nearly thirteen years. Then, 
determining upon a change of condition, he boarded 
a sailing-vessel bound for America, and twenty-five 
days later landed in New York City, alone and 
among strangers. He had been endowed by nature, 
however, with a more than ordinary amount of cour- 
age and resolution, and bravely set out to find em- 
ployment. This he secured with a farmer of Chester 
Count}', Pa., and was a resident there for a period 
of fourteen years. From the Keystone State he 
emigrated to Medina County, Ohio, where not long 
afterward he was first mariied, in December, 1852, 
to Miss Hannah Rich, a native of Pennsylvania. 
This union resulted in the birth of four children : 



Joseph, Stephen ; Elizabeth, now the wife of Leonard 
Gilmore, an(i Lonisa, the wife of AY H. Shineberger, 
of this county. Mrs. Hannah Retler departed this 
life at her home in Camden Township, in March, 
18,52. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, Jan. 
28, 1873. with Mrs. Mary A. Kunkle. who was born 
Aug. 5, 1838, at Seneca Falls. N. Y., and is the 
daughter of Jacob and Saral) (Young) Kunkle, 
natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Vermont. 
When in the eighth year of her age Mrs. Retler 
removed with her parents to Williams County, Ohio, 
where the father died a short time previous to the 
outbreak of the late war, and where the mother is 
still living. Their daughter Mary A. was first 
married in Ohio, in 1858, to Benjamin E. Kunkle, 
and they became the parents of five children, all of 
whom are deceased. Mr. K. served in the army as 
a Union soldier, and was killed in battle near At- 
lanta. Ga., July 22, 1864. 

Mr. and Mrs. Retler are the parents of one child 
only, a daugliter, Sarah F., who was born in 1874, 
and died in infancy. Our subject, politically, is a 
stanch Republican, and has served as Township 
Assessor and School Director. Socially, he is iden- 
tified with the Masonic fraternity, and takes a lively 
interest in all projects for the welfare of the peo- 
ple and the maintenance of those institutions which 
shall tend to their enlightenment. 



<| IfelLLIAM P. NIBLACK, a prosperous repre- 
\/*J/ tentative of the agricultural interests of 
WW Pittsford Township, may truly be denom- 
inated a typical product of pioneer life, as he 
grew up under its influences, coming to Southern 
Michigan in the very early days of its settlement, 
with his parents, who located in Washtenaw County 
when this part of the State was almost a trackless 
forest, save for the trail of the Indians or the paths 
of the wild animals, there being then but one or 
two settlements west of Lenawee County. Life 
under such (conditions, although it was oftentimes 
one of constant struggle for existence, and the 
endurance of hardships of which the descendants 




h 



HILLSDALE COUNTY". 



790 



of those sturdy pioneers wlio to-flny enjoy life in 
comfortable and luxurious homes can have hut 
little conception, nevertheless developed courage, 
keenness, resolution, and a liardy self-reliance which 
boldly surmounted every obstsicle in the pathway 
of civilization: felled the forests, turned the cleared 
tracts of land into broad farms, busy towns and 
flourishing cities; made the waters of the rivers 
turn their machinery to grind their grain, cut lum- 
ber for their houses, and to manufacture other 
necessities. 

Our subject was born in Sparta, Livingston Co., 
N.' Y., Dec. 27, IS'i.^. His grandfather, John 
Niblack. was a native of Monaghan, Ireland, and 
when a yoinig man came to America and settled 
in New .Jersey, where he continued to reside until 
about 1795. Me then moved to Livingston County, 
N. Y., and located in what is now the town of 
Sparta, being one of its earliest settlers. He bought 
timber land and commenced to clear a farm, but 
his sudden death, caused by a falling tree, brought 
his useful life to a close in its prime. His son John, 
father of William, was born in Sussex County, 
N. J., his mother, grandmother of our subject, 
Hannah (Baxter) Niblack. also being a native of 
that .State. He was seventeen years old when he 
left the home of his birth and accompanied 'his 
parents to Kew York. He married Hannah Harri- 
son, of New Jersey, and settled on the tract of 
land which his father had bought, continuing to 
live there until 1832. In that j'ear the same rest- 
less ambition and desire to improve his condition 
that had caused his sire to take up his abode in the 
wilderness of New York, determined the son to 
remove with his wife and four children to the 
forests of the Territory of Michigan, and there 
build up a new home, perhaps under more favor- 
able circumstances. The removal was made by 
team to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat, where 
Mr. Niblack hired a team to convey the family and 
household goods to Washtenaw County. He entered 
320 acres of Government land in .Saline Township, 
and erecterl a log cabin with dirt and stick chimney, 
and immedjalel3' commenced to clear his land. He 
and his wife continued respected residents of that 
county until death, he, in the meantime, being 
extensively and prosperously engaged in farming. 



The subject of this sketch was but nine j'ears of 
age when he came with his parents to Michigan, 
and amid the pioneer environments of his new 
home he grew to a manly, vigorous manhood. This 
life, though rude in some respects, was comfort- 
able; they had plenty' to eat from the grain and 
vegetaliles that they laised, and deer and other 
wild animals were abundant, and the father used 
often to shoot them, standing at his cabin door; the 
food thus provided, which the mother cooked before 
the wide, old-fashioned fireplace, tasted most delic- 
iousl3' to appetites sharpened by the hard labors 
necessar}- in those days; they were |)lentifull\' sup- 
plied with warm clothing, which the bus}- mother 
and daughter s|)un and wove. Nor was their life 
one long round of weary toil with no pleasures to 
break its monotonj'; there were occasional gather- 
ings and mcrr3'-niakings, when the settlers came 
together from a distance to celebrate a wedding or 
some other festive occasion, and the fun flew fast 
and furious. Our subject has a distinct recollection 
of his early life, and can relate manj' interesting 
incidents connected with it.' His education was 
conducted in the pioneer school in a primitive log 
cabin. He lived with his jwrents until his marriage, 
and then continued to reside on the old homestead 
until 1859. He then moved to Hillsdale County, 
and bought a farm in Wheatland Township, and 
lived on it for seven ^'cars. .Subsequentl}- he bought 
a farm on section 5 of Pittsford Township. In 
1854 he puich.ased his present pl.ace, which com- 
prises 120 acres of arable land on sections 5 and 8, 
one of the finest farming regions of PittsfonI 
Township. 

Our subject was married, Dec. 15, 1851, to Miss 
Eunice Lewis, of New York State, who has been to 
him a wise counselor and a read}' helper in his 
work. She is descended from a Massachusetts 
family. Her grandfather, Benjamin Lewis, was 
born in that State, and moved from there to New 
York State, thence to Erie County, Ohio; from 
there to Macon Township. Lenawee Co., Mich., 
and finall}' made his home in Wisconsin, where he 
died. His son Elisha, Mrs. N.'s father, born in Barn- 
stable Count}', Mass., made the various moves with 
his parents until they had settled in Lenawee 
County. He married Deborah Gibbs, of Barn- 



A 



' ^ 800 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Al 



stable Count}-, Mass. She died on the homestead in 
Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County, whither 
they had removed from Lenawee County, and 
where Mr. Lewis was for several years engaged in 
farming. He spent his last years with his daughter, 
the wife of our subject. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Niblack has l)een blessed by the birth of four 
children, whose record is as follows: Maggie is the 
wife of Allen Cunninghaii, of Silver Creek Town- 
ship, Merrick Co., Neb.; Ella lives at home with 
her parents; Lewis lives in Pittsford Township; 
Emma is teaching in Nebraska. 

Mr. Niblack is an eminently practical, sagacious 
man, and is respected for his sound integrity of 
character; in politics he is a Republican; religiously, 
both he and his wife are identified with the Free- 
will Baptist Church. 



0~ YRENUS M. PARKER. This gentleman 
is a representative of one of the finest fami- 
' lies in Moscow Township, and is the pro- 
prietor of an elegant country' home embellished 
with all the appurtenances of modern life. The 
farm embr.aces 160 acres of land, which has been 
brought to a high state of cultivation, and which, 
with its tasteful and substantial buildings and their 
surroundings, indicating cultivated tastes and ample 
means, foi'ms one of the most attractive spots in 
the landscape of Hillsdale County. Everything 
about the premises is indicative of thrift and 
industry, from the finishing and furnishing of the 
residence, to the sleek and well-kept live stock, the 
farm machinery, the orchards yielding each year 
their fruits in abundance, and the lesser appliances, 
all of which contribute to the comfort and happi- 
ness of the home. 

Our subject is the scion of an excellent old New 
England family, his parents being Calvin and Ange- 
line (Mason) Parker, the former born in Massachu- 
setts and the latter in Wayne County, N. Y. 
Calvin Parker emigrated from the Bay State in 
early life, with his parents, to New York State, 
where he found his future bride and helpmate. 
After his marriage he resided In Wayne County 
during the brief period of his subsequent life, his 



death taking place in 1831. This bereavement left 
the mother with four young children, one girl and 
three boys, the youngest of whom was but a j'ear 
old at the time of the father's death. Her eldest 
son, George W., came to this county in 1845, and 
John C, the youngest boj', arrived here the year 
following. Cyrenus came with his mother in 1847. 
The sister was married in her native State and 
settled in Cayuga Count}', where she died while 
still a young woman. 

Cyrenus M. Parker was born in Ca^'uga County, 
N. Y., March 16, 1827, and received but a limited 
education, as his mother had been left without 
property, and the school facilities of those days 
were ver}' deficient in comparison with the present. 
He was nineteen years of age when he came with 
his mother to this county, and the first year worked 
out by the month. At the beginning of the second 
year he rented a farm in Moscow Township, where 
he installed his mother as housekeeper, and re- 
mained with her until she no longer needed his 
filial offices. July 2, 1857, he married a daugh- 
ter of one of the early pioneers of this count}', Miss 
Sarah Amelia Simons, whose father, Schuyler Simons, 
had come to the Territory of Michigan from New 
York State, .and in this county spent the remainder 
of his life. The name of Schuyler Simons was 
widely and favorably known among the people 
where he settled and endured patiently the common 
lot of those about him, while at the same lime 
battling with the elements of a new soil and a 
strange climate. This marriage resulted in the 
birth of four children, of whom Cora, the eldest, 
continues with her father; Ella became the wife of 
William Merwin, of Moscow Township, and is the 
mother of one child, a son, Clyde; Scott is also 
under the home roof; Grant died when three years 
of age. The mother passed away when forty-four 
years old. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Dec. 25, 1873, was formerly Mrs. Lucinda 
(Clapp) Wheelock, daughter of William and Abi- 
gail (Smith) Clapp, and widow of the late Hilen 
D. Wheelock. Mrs. Parker was born Feb. 26, 
1840, in Hanover Township, Jackson Co., Mich., 
to which her parents had emigrated from the Empire 
State in 1837, they having been natives of Dntchess 



n 



h 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



801 <^| 



anrl Ontario Counties respectively. Their family 
incliuled four children, two only of whom are living, 
Mrs. Paiker anrl her sister, the latter a resident of 
Moscow Township, this county. William Ciapp 
carried on farming successfully in Jackson County, 
and died in 1882, when seventy-seven years of age. 
The mother survived herhusliand about six months, 
her death taking place in 188;'>, and her age being 
seventj'-nine. 

Mrs. Parker acquired an excellent education and 
followed teaching some years in her native county. 
There also she made the acquaintance of Mr. 
Wheelock, who was a native of Ohio, a gentleman 
of fine business capacities and sterling worth of 
character. He also had been well educated, having 
been a classmate with James A. Garfield, in Geauga 
Seminary. After completing his studies he was 
employed as a teacher for a period of seven years 
in Michigan, but after marriage settled in Minnesota, 
as a druggist, where his labors were crowned with 
success. He was stricken down in the prime of life, 
however, dying when thirty-nine years old, July 
20, 1871, leaving his widow with four children. 
The eldest of these, William C, is pursuing his 
studies in the Michigan State Universit3', being a 
member of the class of '89, in the pharmaceutical 
department; he was married, in 188r>, to Miss Ella 
Gregan, and they are the parents of a beautiful 
little daughter. Hazel, born Sept. 3, 1886. Carrie 
L. and Francis M. died .at the ages of twenty-two 
and f(jurteen respectively. The former married 
Ernest Laird, in July. 1881, and died Feb. 14, 
1884. She left two children, named Grace and 
Carrie L. Grace died soon after the death of her 
mother. Carrie makesherhome with horgi'andfather, 
Jones Laird. Hilen D. Wheelock, Jr., is a pros- 
perous and energetic young farmer, carrying on the 
old homestead in Jackson County; he was mariied 
in December, 1885, to Miss Alice Arnold, and they 
also are the proud parents of a bright little daugh- 
ter, Carrie A., born Nov. 25, 1886. 

Mr. Parker had also been engaged as a te.icher 
during the winter season in Jackson County. In 
186;3 he i)urchased 120 acres of the old Uncle Aaron 
Spencer farm, in Moscow Township, Hillsd.ile 
County, the land of which had been greatly run 
down, and upon the part which he secured there 



were no buildings whatever. These latter he made 
it his first business to suppi}-. and has bj' a wise 
process of cultivation brought the land to a highly 
productive condition, so that it now yields in abun- 
dance the choicest crops of this section of countrj'. 
This has involved an outlay of hundreds of dollars 
and years of time, and the result, should be looked 
upon vvith satisfaction by him who has been the 
moving spirit. Mr. Parker, in 1884, added to his 
first purchase forty acres on section 1 1 , and in 1884 
completed his present residence, an imposing two- 
story brick structure in modern style of architecture. 
Mr. Parker, politically, is a solid Republican, 
and has served the public several 3-ears as School 
Director and Township Clerk, and in 1884 was 
elected a member of the County Hoard of Super- 
visors, the duties of which position he discharged 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. Socially, he is a member of Moscow Grange, 
in which he has held all the offices, and belongs to 
Hamilton Lodge No. 1 13, A. F. & A. M., of Moscow, 
in which he has officiated as Secretary, Senior War- 
den, and has been Master of the lodge for two years. 
His estimable wife is a member in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A lady of 
more than ordinary ability, she displ.ays great re- 
finement and cultivation, and as the presiding 
genius of her beautiful home fills her position with 
the grace and dignity befitting it. 

LEXANDER FREER, one of the most 
{@'OI prominent and wealthy farmers of Somer- 
set Township, has distinguished himself as 
fi^JI a business man of more than ordinary 

capacities, and from a modest beginning has accu- 
mulated a snug fortune. His boyhood home was 
in Allegany County, N. Y., where his birth took 
place July 4, 1815. and his parents were Jacob and 
Catherine (Pike) Freer, who were natives of Hol- 
land, whence they emigrated to this country. 

Jacob Freer upon coming to the United States 
settled in Allegany County, N. Y.. whence he 
moved to Ontario County, and died there about 
1868. The mother had died in Allegany, when her 
son Alexander was a child six years of age. The 



f 



\i 802^ 



HILLSDALE COUJSTY. 



father survived his wile many years, and was three- 
score and ten years old at the time of his death. The 
household circle included ten children, but two of 
whom are living, our subject and his brother, the 
latter of whom is now a resident of York State, and 
engaged in farming. 

Our subject spent his early years on the farm of 
his father in Allegany County, where he beeamc 
familiar with ail rural pursuits, and upon reaching 
manhood was married, Jan. 1, 1839. to Miss Leah 
Van Gorder, who was born in Sussex County, N. J., 
Nov. 8, 181G. Mrs. Freer when an infant of six 
months was taken by her parents to Steuben County, 
N. Y., where she lived until fifteen years of age, 
and then moved to Canandaigua Village, N. Y. Her 
father was a farmer by occupation, and passed 
away in Bennington Township, when about eighty 
years of age. Her mother, wliose maiden name was 
Sally Loder, was born in Sussex County, N. J.,and 
survived iier husband some years, passing away at 
her home in Canandaigua, N. Y., when seventy-five 
years of age. Their family included ten children, 
of whom nine are living, and five are residents of 
Michigan. 

James Van Gorder, the paternal grandfather of 
Mrs. Freer, was also a native of Holland, and 
crossed the Atlantic in time to carry a musket in 
the Revolutionary War. Afterward he settled in 
Sussex County, N. J., where he had accumulated a 
large property', and a part of which should now be 
in the possession of Mrs. Freer, but which on ac- 
count of a defective title she was deprived of. She 
is also heiress to a large estate in Holland, but which, 
like the other, will probably never be in the posses- 
sion of its rightful owner. Her maternal grand- 
parents, John and Anna (Culver) Loder, it is 
supposed were natives of Scotland, but spent the 
most of their lives in New Jersey, where they were 
prominent in church affairs, and one of their sons 
has been a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for 
a period of over fort^' years. Mrs. Freer inherited 
from her maternal ancestors her love for benevolent 
work, in which she was engaged for a number 
of years until ill-health compelled her to retire. 
With her husband she is an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with which thej' have 
been identified thirty-three j-ears in Somerset Town- 



ship, and in which Mr. Freer has held the offices of 
Steward, Trustee and Class-Leader, besides giving 
much time to other interests connected therewith. 
Mrs. Freer was President of the W. C. T. U. three 
years, and is now Vice President, which oflice she 
also holds in the Ladies' Foreign Missionary Societ}', 
besides having been for a long time identified with 
other organizations. 

Mr. and Mrs. Freer after their marriage settled 
in a modest home in Canandaigua Count3', where 
they lived until they removed to this State. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of four children, 
two of whom, twin boys, died in infancy. Their 
daughter, Mary Jane, was born in Ontario County, 
N. Y., March 22, 1840, and is now the wife of O. 
D. Brown, a prosperous merchant of Somerset 
Township, this county, and they have one daughter. 
The son, Charles H., was also born in the Empire 
State, Dec. 14, 1842; he married Miss Mary D. 
Strickland, and they are the parents of five children, 
one of whom is deceased. 

Mr. Freer votes the straight Republican ticket, 
and while he is an earnest sympathizer with the 
temperance movement, and works for it when 
opportunity presents itself, he does not believe in 
a third party. With the exception of two years 
engaged in the grocery trade, he has followed farm- 
ing all his life. Many years of industry and econ- 
omy have placed him in a position so that there is 
now no longer a necessity for manual labor, but 
being unable to break loose from the habits of years 
and sit down in idleness, he still looks after his 
large farm, and practically superintends all its 
operations. This property is finely located on sec- 
tion 4, and is provided with handsome and substan- 
tial buildings, with a choice assortment of live stock, 
the most modern and improved machinery, and 
everything required in the operations of the pro- 
gressive modern agriculturist. 

F;NRY LANE is an honored citizen of Pitts- 
[(j'l ford Township, where he is successfully en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
He was born in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 20. 1820. His father, Archibald B. Lane, 
was born in Westchester County, N. Y., and there 



>»■ ■ <• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



803 



4i 



grew to inanliood. He removed to Caj'na County 
in its earlj' settlement, and lived for a time in 
Aul)urn, where lie plied his trade of shoemaker. 
Subsequently- he l)ouf;ht a farm in Aurelius, and 
was actively engaged in agriculture until 1828, 
when he went to Onondaga County and bought a 
farm in the town of Clay. In the winter of 1 836-37 
he disposed of his propertj' in New York and m jved 
with his family to Ohio, traversing the whole distance 
with teams, and settled in Geneva, Ashtabula 
Countj', where he bought a farm. 'Ihere was a 
sawmill on the place, and he operated that while 
he managed the farm, and at leisure times made 
shoes for his family and neighbors. He was a man 
of an active, industrious temperament, and with his 
good wife was beloved and respected by those who 
lived about them, and his death, which occurred 
Sept. 13, 1852, was mourned by many. The maiden 
name of his wife was Alice Schofield. She was 
born near .Stamford, Conn., and spent her last years 
with a daughter in Flint, Mich. To her and her 
husband were born eight children, seven sons and 
one daughter. 

The subject of this sketch was the fourth child 
born to his jjarents. He was rather delicate in child- 
hood, and when he was six years of age he was 
afflicted with a fever sore, which made him a cripple 
for a few years. As soon as he regained his health 
he was old enough to render valuable assistance on 
the farm, and at the age of sixteen he commenced 
to run the sawmill, having charge of it until he was 
twenty-two years old, when he started out in life 
for himself. He was first cmiiloyed by a carpenter 
for one month, working foi- $13, wages being much 
lower then than now ; after that he agreed to work 
for the same man for $1.5 a month, but in the fall 
all that he could collect was some homemade cloth 
to make him an overcoat. He spent the following 
winter at home, and then resumed the carpenter's 
trade, and helped to build a church at Geneva. The 
succeeding winter he worked in a cabinet-shop, and 
subsequently followed carpentering and cabinet- 
making for four years. He then turned his atten- 
tion to the manufacture and sale of lumber, and 
put up a steam sawmill at Geneva, which he oper- 
ated with good financial success for several years. 
In the meantime he bought a farm in that town. 



and was also quite extensively- engaged in farming. 
In 1865 he concluded to retire from the lumber 
business, and sold his mill and disposed of all his 
other interests in Ohio. In 1 866 our subject came 
to Hillsdale County an<l bought the pla?e where he 
now resides, and became exclusively engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. He afterward bought 
other land, and at one time had a large farm of 430 
acres, but he has since disposed of much of this and 
has reduced his farm to its present size of 140 
acres, which forms one of the most valuable pieces 
of property in this vicinitj'. It is highly cultivated, 
with ample farm buildings, and a neat and com- 
modious dwelling. Our subject ranks among the 
leading stock-raisers of this localitj', Short-horn and 
Holsteins being his favorite breed of cattle, and in 
sheep the Leicester and Shropshire strains are con- 
sidered bj' him the most desirable. Mr. Lane is a 
shrewd, clear-headed, practical business man, but 
his prosperity is due not alone to these qualities, 
but also to his systematic and careful management 
of every detail connected with his work. 

Our subject was married, Nov. 19. 1849, to Miss 
Clotilda C. Sawyer, who was born in Manchester, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., March 26, 1816. Her father, 
Luke Sawyer, and also her gr.andfather, Thomas 
Sawyer, were natives of Vermont. The hitter 
moved to Manchester in the early settlement of 
that town and county, and bought a tract of tim- 
ber land, where he spent his last years. The 
father of Mrs. Lane was quite young when his par- 
ents left their old home in Vermont and moved to 
Ontario County. He grew to manhood in that 
pioneer home, and there married Rhoda P. Cook. 
She was a daughter of Asher and Uhoda (Phelps) 
Cook. The entire wedded life of jNIr. and Mrs. 
Sawyer was passed in Ontario County*. After her 
husband's death Mrs. Sawyer came to Michigan in 
1850, and spent the last days of her life in Medina 
Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lane .are the parents of three chil- 
dren: Orville B., present Supervisor of Pittsford 
Township; Victor H., Circuit Judge of the Second 
.ludicial District, resides in Adrian, and Willis H., 
at home. Esther Eliza, the only daughter, died at 
the age of four years. 

Our subject is a Republican in politics; he is 



T- 



-4^ 



804 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



I' 



puhlic-spiriterl, and ever ready to lend a liel|)ing 
hand to promote any scheme devised for the benefit 
of liis fellowmen. He and his wife are people of 
courteous and genial manners, whose daily lives are 
guided bj- principles of truth and right, and they 
are justly entitled to the warm place that they oc- 
cupy in the hearts of all in the community. 



r^DMUND J. SM[TH was born in Peninton, 

k) Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 17, 1825. The 
,J^j^ subject of this sketch came to Michigan 
when a young man twenty-one years of age, accom- 
panied by his father, and they located first in Lena- 
wee County, where the latter ])urchased 1^0 -acres 
of land, paying therefor $1,200. The elder Smith 
from this land built np a good homestead ; he died 
March 13, 1882, at his daughter's home in Spring- 
field, Oakland Co., Mich. His wife died at the old 
homestead in Lenawee County, in October, 187L 

Our subject from that time on labored in com- 
mon with the men about him to secure a foothold 
and [irovide for the future, and in this succeeded 
so well that now, after having just passed his three- 
score years, he is enabled to retire from active 
labor and live in ease and comfort upon the pro- 
ceeds of his industry. He took possession of his 
present homestead on the 2d of April, 1867, and 
besides his farm of eighty acres has a house in 
Pittsford, which he occupies most of the time. He 
was not married until quite late in life, when about 
thirty-eight years old, the wedding Uaking place 
Feb. 22, 1864, in Jackson, Mich., his bride being 
Miss Isadora C. Clark, of Jackson County. Mis. 
Smith was born March 8, 1837, in Columbia, Jack- 
son Co., Mich., and is the daughter of Archibald 
S. and Betsy (Stranahan) Clark, who were natives 
of New York, and are now both deceased, 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no chihiren, but reared 
a boy, William E. Shrum, who is in Dickey County, 
Dak. Our subject, like his father before him, votes 
the straight Republican ticket, and while attending 
closely to his own concerns, no man is better pleased 
than he to note the progress and development of 
the great State, which in the course of thirty years 
has been transformed from a wilderness to a highly 
civilized and intelligent commonwealth. 



John I. and Hannah (Marks) Smith, the parents of 
our subject, were natives respectively' of Saratoga 
and Rensselaer Counties, N. Y.. and h.'id a family of 
five children. Two of the j'ounger brothers of our 
subject, Ch.Trles II. and Tunis P., are residents re- 
spectively of Gratiot and Isabella Counties, this 
State, both farming; the latter served three years 
in the Union army and participated in many of the 
important battles of the war, including Gettysburg 
and the siege of Atlanta. His sister, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Covell, is a resident of Oakland County. 

Mrs. Smith was the second born in a family of 
eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Her 
brother William A. is a resident of Jackson County, 
this State, and the father of four children. The 
others .are Isadora C. ; Betsey, now Mrs. Culver; 
Franklin ; and Sarah, now Mrs. Fritz. 



-•w- taaar©-^/' 



»^^s^^*■^^^^^»»-•vv~- 







IDNEY 0. FULLER. The well-appointed 
farm of this thrifty citizen of Cambria 
Township is finely located on section 34, 
and comprises eighty .acres of good land, 
with convenient and sui)stautial buildings. It has 
been the property of Mr. Fuller since the summer 
of 1874. He came to this localit}' from Pine River, 
Gratiot County, this State, to which latter place he 
had removed from Wood bridge Township, this 
county, in 1862. In Pine River he improved two 
farms, and at one time had considerable property in 
the town of Homer, Calhouu County. 

Washington County, N. Y., was the early tramp- 
ing ground of our subject, and where his birth took 
place in Washington Township, June 18, 1823. His 
father, Cornelius Fuller, a farmer and carpenter by 
trade, w.as also a native of the Empire State, and the 
son of Vassel Fuller, an old Revolutionary soldier 
who officiated as Quarternmster during the time of 
his service in the army. After the independence of 
the Colonists had been established he located in 
AVashington Countj', N. Y., where his death took 
place at a ripe ohi age. He had married after set- 
tling in New York a lady of that State, who sur- 
vived her husband one year, and dietl near Ft. 
Edward, also at an advanced age. 

Cornelius Fuller grew to manhood in his native 



^^•• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



805 



Stntp. and learned the trade of carpenter. During 
the War of 1812 he was drafted into tlie army, and 
served the required time. He married Wiss Lydia 
French, of Washinnton, whose fatlier, Jolin French, 
was a Revohilionarj' soldier, and was twice cap- 
tured by the Indians, being with thcni three years. 
During this time he exerted himself to make his 
escape, and finally succeeded by creeping through 
heavy timber and through swamps in the night 
time, going three days without food. He was not 
long a free man, however, being overt.Tl<en by an- 
other tribe of redskins, from whom he escaped in a 
similar manner. He spent his last years in Schuy- 
lerville, N. Y., wliere he was engaged as a miller, 
and died at an advanced age. In the meantime, 
liowever, he had shouldered his musket again, .ind 
fought the enemies of his country in the War of 
1812. 

After marriage the parents of our subject settled 
on a farm near Lawrenceburg, Warren Co., N. Y., 
whence they removed to Saratoga County, later 
to Washington County, and finally to Wayne 
County. About 1845 the parents and four of their 
ten children came to Michigan, and located on a 
tract of new land near Woodbridge Township, where 
they lived a few years, then sold, and purchased 
again in the same locality. The mother died about 
1853 in middle life, in Woodbridge Township. 
Cornelius Fuller spent his last years in Woodbridge 
Township, passing away in 1865. when about seventy 
years of age. He was a Republican during the last 
years of bis life, and the mother was a devout mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. Three of their children 
are now living, and residents mostly of Michigan. 
Sidney O. Fuller was the ninth child of his par- 
ents, and in common with his brothers and sisters 
acquired a common-school education, and was 
reared to habits of industry. He was married, in 
New York .State, to Jliss Marinda Fuller, who was 
born and reared in Wasliington County, N. Y., and 
b3' her union with our subject became the mother 
of two children, Danvers and Matilda, who both 
died young. They have now an adojjted son, 
Albert E. Fuller, who is married, and lives on a 
farm in Cambria Township. 

Mr. Fuller is a man of intelligence, and keeps 
\ r himself well posted on current events, although 



steadily declining to become an office-holder, for 
the responsibilities of which his townsmen have con- 
sidered him eminently fitted, and have often desired 
him to take. He votes the straight Republican 
ticket, and, with his estinial)le wife, is a member in 
good standing of the Baptist Church. 



<^^!^- 



^^ 



<?«f- 




OWARD A. MAX.SON, living on the old 
homestead where he was born, Nov. 22, 1864, 
in the township of Pittsford, is a representa- 
tive of the sturdy young men of the present 
generation, who are zealousi}' upholding the fame 
of Hillsdale County as a great agricultural center, 
and are faithfully performing the work so nobly 
begun by the brave pioneers of Southern Michi- 
gan over half a cenlurj- .ago. 

His father, Austin O. Maxson, was born in Cen- 
terville, Alleg.any Co., N. Y"., March 20, 1818, and 
his father, Joseph Maxson, was a native of .Stephen- 
town. Rensseliier Co., N. Y. ' The grandfather of 
our subject grew to manhood in his native county, 
and when a young man started West to seek a 
home. He penetrated to the wilderness of Western 
New York, and in Allegany County bought a tract 
of land now included in the village of Centerville. 
It was heavily timbered at the time, and he being 
in quite straightened circumstances, sold his shoes 
to buy an ax, with which he soon after cut down 
the first trees from the present site of the village. 
An amusing incident is related of his experience in 
those pioneer times. One warm day after eating 
his dinner he lay down to rest, crawling into the 
bark which he had stripped fron) a large hemlock 
tree. While he slept the sun shone brightly, and 
warped the bark so closely about him that when he 
awoke lie found himself a prisoner, and could 
not extricate himself; he called loudly for help, and 
finally some hunters heard his cries and rescued 
hiiu. When he first went to live in that region he 
was a single man, and while making his first im- 
provements boarded about three miles from his 
land. He afterward erected quite a large frame 
house, and kept a hotel for some years in connection 
with his farm. He married Amelia Ward, a native 



■•► 



■^*- 



806 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of New York State, aiKl in 1837 eoiicluried to go 
West to look for a suitable location, tliat he might 
secure homes for his children. He drove with a 
team to Michigan, and here entered from the Gov- 
ernment the land which the subject of this sketch 
and his mother occupy-. After taking up the land 
he pursued his journey westward, the Territory of 
AVisconsin being his objective point. He entered 
land in Walworth Count}', and soon after returned 
to New York State, settled up Ills affairs there, and 
in 1840 removed to his future liome in Wisconsin. 
He built a saw and grist mill on liis land, and dur- 
ing the remainder of his lifetime was engaged in 
operating his mills and managing his farm, also 
running a store in connection with tliem. He sub- 
sequently bought a residence in Whitewater. He 
and his wife died on tlie old homestead in White- 
water at an advanced age. He was a man of strong 
mental and physical powers, of much capability, 
and full of enterprise and energy. 

The father of our suliject grew to maturity in his 
native State, and accompanying his parents to Wis- 
consin, resided with tliem for some years. In 1846 
he came to Piltsford Township to make iiis home 
on the land wliich his father had taken up liere 
several years before. It was heavily timbered. but 
he soon cleared a space on which to build a log 
cabin, in which he kept "bachelor's hall" until he 
had erected a frame house, and then he boarded 
Willi a tenant. His abilit}' and shrewd manage- 
ment were made manifest in after years by the fine 
farm that he wrested from tlie hand of Nature, and 
by the pros|ierity that he attained. He built up a 
comfortable home, and was enabled to invite a good 
woman to share it as his wife and helpmate. He 
departed this life Sept. 23, 1866. The mother of 
our subject lives with him on the old homestead, 
where she has resided ever since her marriage with 
Mr. Maxson, Jan. 8, I8C0. She is a woman of gen- 
uine worth, and is devoted to the interests of her 
son. 

Mrs. Maxson's maiden name was Helen Lasher, 
and she was born in Germantown, Columbia Co., 
N. Y., March 4, 1834. Her father, German Lasher, 
was a native of the same town, where his father, 
Phillip Lasher, moving from New York City, had 
bought a farm and spent his last years. Mrs. Max- 



son's father was reared in his native State, and mar- 
ried Catherine Phillips, who was born in the same 
count}' as himself. He was a carpenter and joiner 
by trade, and in 1856 was engaged to build a church 
for a Methodist Episcopal society in Walworth 
County, Wis. After that he settled in Janesville, 
but after residing there a few years he removed to 
Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, and still continues to 
make his home there. His wife died in 1840. 

The subject of this sketch is regarded as ayoung 
man of much promise. He early showed stability 
of character, enterprise, and steady self-reliance be- 
yond his years, and at the youthful age of sixteen 
became the manager of this farm. By persistent 
application to his business he has already gained 
a good position among the successful farmers in 
this neighborhood. 



,^=^EORGE R. FITZSIMMONS. son of one of 
[|[ (_- , the earliest pioneers of Hillsdale County, is 
^^^5l located on the old homestead on section 26, 
Reading Township, and operates 240 acres of good 
land. He was born at this place, Aug. 23, 1849, 
and is the son of the well-known .John Fitzsim- 
mons, who came to Michigan with his father's fam- 
ily in March, 1837. 

John Fitzsimmons was born in Dundee, Yates 
Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1818. He was the son of 
George Fitzsimmons, who was also a native of the 
p]mpire State, and was nineteen years of age when 
the family came to Michigan; the grandfather, 
George, had already purchased a quarter-section of 
wild land which is now included in the present farm, 
and John came to this section, accompanied by his 
father. Later, the mother with the remainder of the 
family, set out with ox-teams, taking with them 
their earthly effects, and came via the Canada route, 
the mother engineering the train successfully, and 
in due time joining her husljand and son, on the 2d 
of June, 1837. A little log house had been pro- 
vided for their reception. This was completed 
April 1 9 of that same year. John had the honor of 
cutting down the first tree on the farm, while at the 
same time his father felled another, and the stump 
of the first stood to show the first mark of their axes 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



807 



in this coiinly until a few years ago. The log; cabin, 
a few jeais later, was suhslitiited by something of 
more modern style, but a hoard from it is still pre- 
served b3' our subject, as one of tlie old relics of liis 
grandfather's house. George Fitzsiminons con- 
tinued a resident here until his death, whicli took 
place Oct. 10, 1870, after he had arrived at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty 3'ears. 

Grandfather Fitzsimmons li.ad been a hard-work- 
ing man, and became owner of 560 acres of land, 
most of which he brought to a productive con- 
dition, and eighty- of which now lie within the 
limits of Reading Village. Upon it stands the 
deiiot of the Lake Shore ik Michigan Soutliern Hail- 
road, and also the sash, door and bliml factory 
built by the citizens of the town. Later, he and his 
son Jolm gave the sum of $2,300, besides the right 
of way, as an inducement for the railroad to pass 
through this place. George Fitzsimmons was promi- 
nent in township affairs, represented Reading Town- 
sliip in the County Board of Supervisors for a num- 
ber of years, and officiated as Justice of the Peace 
sixteen consecutive 3'ears. He was elected to repre- 
sent the county in the State Legislature, and sub- 
sequentl3' was a Senator. He was a lifelong Demo- 
crat, politicall3-, and possessed all the elements of 
an honest man and a good citizen. In his death 
the county lost one of its best men. 

The paternal grandmother of our subject, whose 
maiden name was Lydia Raplee, died upon the 
same day that Zach Chandler died, and was past 
eight3' years of age. She was a remarkable woman 
in many respects, as her journey from New York to 
Michigan through a wild, unsettled countr3' and 
alone, save for her children, fairly indicates. She 
■was familiarl3' and affectionatel3' known as '-Aunt 
Lydia" throughout this section, and was a favorite 
among both old and young. Both she and her hus- 
band were ■members of the Regular Baptist Church, 
and contributed largely to its establishment and 
maintenance in Reading. The church edifice is one 
of the largest in this part of the county, and is 
reall3' an imposing structure, and stands as a fitting 
monument to the liberality and piety of George 
Fitzsimmons and his estimable wife. 

John Fitzsimmons, the father of our subject, in- 
herited largel3' of the qualities of both parents, be- 



ing healthy both in body and mind, and growing up 
thus amid the influence of pure home surroundings, 
became well fitted f(jr the responsible duties which 
fell to his lot in life. Ho was twice married, his 
first wife being Rachel, the daughter of Roswell 
Merryman, their wedding taking place in Hillsdale 
Count3-. Of this union there was one child, who 
died young in 3'cars. Mrs. Rachel Fitzsimmons de- 
j)arted hence over fort3' 3'ears ago. His second wife, 
Charlotte A. Merryman, b3' name, was a sister of 
the first, and became the mother of four children, 
three of whom survive, namel3': George R.. of our 
sketch; John F. ; and a daughter, Georgia, now 
Mrs. Burch, of Reading. 

During his entire residence in this county John 
Fitzsimmons was prominentl3' identified with its 
various interests, and especiall)' with those of his own 
township. Being a Democrat in politics, and his 
party in the minority, he held public office but 
seldom, aside from those within the gift of his fel- 
low-townsmen. His personal popularity, however, 
was great, and was particularly manifested upon one 
occasion when he was the candidate for the Legis- 
lature at a special election to fill a vacancy, and 
with the exception of three, received ever3' vote 
polled in his township, and in the count3-, with a 
Republican majority of 2,800, was beaten by only 
twenty-three. One man boasted of having worked 
his wa3' five or six miles on a hand-car to cast his 
vote for -'so good a man .is John Fitzsimmons." 

It was in the service of his community that the 
health of Mr. Fitzsimmons first began to fail, and 
the disease contracted which ultiniatel3- resulted in 
his death, which took place Feb. 8, 1887, when in 
the sixty-ninth year of his age. In his efforts at 
securing and building the railroad through this 
pl.ace. he was subje(;ted to exposure night and day 
frequently, and at times deprived of his natural 
rest, and he gave fully as freel3' of his substance as 
he did his time and services in building up his 
adopted count3'. He was identified with evcr3' en- 
terprise for advancing the interests of Reading 
Township, contributing toward the building of ever3' 
church and other public building erected in tlie vil- 
lage of Reading, whicli in fact is indebted to him 
for its veiy existence, and it is a singular fact that 
while he worked so arduously for the interests of 



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HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



the community, no one ever attributed to liim a 
selfish motive. 

So great was the confidence of the community in 
the integrity of John Fitzsimmons, tliatat the erec- 
tion of the Colby Factory he was constituted one 
of four comprising the building committee, from its 
inception until its completion. From the laying 
of the first Slate road to Hillsdale, on which he took 
a contract; the first plank road organization, the 
securing of the railroad through Keading, the erec- 
tion of all jiublic buildings, he was always the 
trusted, useful, active citizen, one of the first to be 
consulted in the inauguration of any new project, 
and whose judgment was uniformly held in respect. 
He was several times President of the County Agri- 
cultural Society, and at the darkest hour of its ex- 
istence he and Col. Holiowaj' were the two men 
who put their shoulders to the wheel and brought it 
to success. 

In making tlie journey from New York to this 
courity, John Fitzsimmons, with his father, came on 
foot from Rose to Fairport, Ohio, thence by boat 
to Detroit, aud thence, via Jonesville, to the spot 
where is now the Fitzsimmons homestead, aud spent 
their first night with the family of John Mickle, 
near by. The next morning they made their way 
to their new location by aid of trees marked by the 
Government survey, and selected as a building site 
the knoll a little to the southwest of the four cor- 
ners, one mile east of what is now Reading Village, 
and commenced clearing a place to put up a log 
house. Here Mr. Fitzsimmons elected to stay, and 
here commenced the career which was so honorable, 
and the close of which was so deeply mourned by 
the entire ccmimiinity. Notwithstanding the da}^ 
of his funeral was very stormy, the air full of rain, 
and the roads in some places almost impassable, a 
large concourse of people gathered to pay the last 
tiibute of respect to him who had been their friend 
in such a marked manner. The large house and its 
adjoining buildings were filled with people, and the 
funeral rites were taken part in by Eureka Comniand- 
ery, A. F. & A. M., with which the deceased brother 
had been connected for many years as a member of 
Readmg Lodge No. 1 1 7. The Knights Templar had 
charge of the funeral. An addiess was delivered 
by Rev. G. M. Adams, of the Baptist Church, with 



which Mr. Fitzsimmons had been identified since 
early manhood. He was created a Royal Arch 
Mason, Nov. 27, 1863, and a Knight Templar, June 
17, 1864. 

Mrs. Fitzsimmons onlj' survived her husband one 
year, a month and two days, her decease taking 
place March 10, 18S8. She was born in Clinton 
County. N. Y.. March 15, 1828, and came to Michi- 
gan with her father's family in 1839, they settling 
first in Fayette Township, and thence removing to 
Reading the following year. She was one of a 
family of eleven children, four of whom survive 
her, namely: Edwin L. and Julia C. Merryman, 
Mrs. Cornelia Thompson, and Mrs. Mary Merry- 
man, all of Reading. She was married to John Fitz- 
simmons in 1848, and as a pioneer wife and mother, 
was the fit companion of such a man as her hus- 
band. 

Mrs. Fitzsimmons spent Sunday, March 4, with 
her son. John F., in her usual health. On Thurs- 
day following she was poorl}', but went about her 
work as usual, preserving her old-time habits of in- 
dustry. Fridaj' morning she remarked to her 
daughter .she would not get up to breakfast, but 
did not wish a physician sent for. A physician was 
called, how-ever, without her knowledge, although 
no one believed her to be in a dangerous condition. 
She did not rise as she expected, and before 1 
o'clock the same daj' it was evident that she was 
stricken with death. Her son, J. F., was telegraphed 
for, and all the children were with her at. the time 
of her death, which occurred at 12:45, just 
twelve hours after she was believed to be in danger. 
Thus within the short space of little over one year 
had passed away two people, whose history had been 
closely interwoven with that of Reading Township, 
and for whom the entire community mourned. 

George R. Fitzsimmons was reared in Reading 
Township, and completed his education at Hillsdale 
College, after an attendance there of four j'ears. He 
has always been fond of agriculture, in which he 
excels, both in general farming and stock-raising. 
He made his home with his parents until his mar- 
riage, and took for his wife one of the most esti- 
mable young ladies of Reading Township, Miss 
Clara B. Stone, to whom he was married Oct. 27, 
1873. He brought his bride to the old homestead, 



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HILLSDALE COUMY. 



b09 



and they are now the parents of six children, 
namely: Carrie C, Mande C, Mabel V., Grace R., 
Hazel B. and Eva F. Thei' are a bright and intel- 
ligent little grou[), and pursuing theirstudios in the 
Reading schools. 

Mrs. Clara B. Fitzsimmons was born in Burling- 
ton, Vt., Jul}' 29, 1854; her education was com- 
pleted when she was eighteen years of age, at 
Waterbury, Yt., and before that time slie was dc- 
I)rived of the care of her father bj- death. He was 
a native of Vermont, and died in 18G9. The motlier 
lives in Burlington, Vt. 

John F. Fitzsimmons, the brother of our subject, 
was graduated, like the latter, from Hillsdale Col- 
lege, and subsequently took a course in the law de- 
partment of Michigan State University, at Ann 
Arbor. Having in view the practice of law, he was 
admitted to the bar, and practiced until failing 
health compelled him to retire. He married Miss 
Lizzie Gilmore, of Hillsdale, and is now engaged in 
the .agricultural implement trade at Hillsdale, and 
is also a successful farmer. They have one child, 
a son, Clare G. 

Orville G. Burch, the husband of Georgia A., the 
sister of our subject, operates a part of the home- 
stead. Mrs. B. completed her education in Hills- 
dale College, from which she was graduated with 
honors in the class of '72. She is the mother of 
one child, a daughter, Lora A. The sons of John 
Fitzsimmons, politically, have followed in the foot- 
steps of their honored father, being solid in Demo- 
cratic principles. 



ARKER BUELL SHEPARD. The prop- 
erty of this representative farmer of Mos- 
cow Township embraces eighty acres of 
finely cultivated land, pleasantly located on 
section 21. He has a good residence, which he put 
up in 1873, and remodeled the barn, besides ef- 
fecting the other improvements naturallj- suggested 
to a man of intelligence and enterprise. During 
his residence of over thirty years in this vicinity he 
has been prominent among the affairs of his com- 
munit}', representing his tt)wnsliip in the County 
Board of Supervisors, and holding various other 




offices of trust and responsibility. His agricultural 
operations have been carried on with the judgment 
and forethought necessary to success, and his entire 
career has been eminently' creditable and praise- 
worthy. 

Mr. Sliepard is the offspring of an excellent fam- 
ilj'. being of English ancestry on his father's side, 
and inheriting from his mother the best elements 
of her forefathers, who were of Scotch descent. {lis 
paternal grandfather emigrated to the United States 
in time to participate in the War of 1812, while his 
maternal grandfather carried a musket during the 
Revolution, arraying himself on the side of the 
Colonists. The parents, Aaron and Hettie (Parker) 
Shepard, were natives respectively of Connecticut 
and New York, the former born near the city of 
Hartford, and the mother in Ontario County. 

Aaron Shepard, when a little la(1 four years of 
age, emigrated with his parents from New England 
to Madison County, N. Y., whence thej' removed 
afterward to Livingston County, continuing in the 
latter the remainder of their lives. The mother 
died when middle aged, in 1851, being fort\-fonr 
years old. 'I'he father, surviving a period of nine- 
teen j-ears, died at his home in New York State in 
1870, aged sixty-eight years. The family included 
seven sous and two daughters, of whom Parker B. 
was the eldest. He was born near Minda, Living- 
ston Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1828, and while making 
himself useful about the homestead received the ad- 
vantages of a common-school education. 

When twenty -one years of age oui- subject com- 
menced working out by the month, and later he 
invested his cajjital in a farm near Dover, in his 
native county. He was married, Nov. 16. 1853, to 
Miss Elmira Renox, who w.as the youngest child of 
Andrew and Ellen (Blood) Renox, and was born 
Oct. 10, 182«. Mr. and JL's. Shepard settled upon 
the farm of our sul>ject in Livingston Conntj', but 
three years later Mr. S. st;irted for the West, and 
crossing tlie Mississippi traveled over a goodly por- 
tion of the State of Iowa, with the view of locating. 
The outlook in the Ilawkeye State, however, not 
being what he desired, he returned east as far as 
Southern Michigan, and decided to settle in Mos- 
cow Township. He soon afterward purchased the 
farm which he now occu[)ies, and where he has since 



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810 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



lived, giving to its care and cultivation his close 
attention, with most excellent results. 

During the Centennial Exposition, in 1876, Mr. 
hhepard, in company with Ids brother Myron, of 
Stillwater, Minn., journeyed to Philadelphia, took 
in the wonders of that summer in tlie Quaker City, 
and also visited the National Capital, Mt. Ver- 
non and the tomb of Washington, also New York 
City. He considers that this tour was fully worth 
the time and money expended, and proved an ex- 
perience with which he would not willingly part. 
Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and although 
there is in his county a large Republican majority, 
his standing in the community is indicated by the 
fact that he was elected Supervisor twice in succes- 
sion, and has held other offices under the same con- 
ditions. 

The parents of Mrs. Shepard, who are both de- 
ceased, spent the greater i)art of their lives in New 
York State. Her father was born in Schenectady 
County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming. The 
mother was born near the city of Dublin, Ireland, 
and emigrated to America with her parents when a 
child of seven years. They settled near Princeton, 
Schenectady Co., N. Y., where she was married to 
Mr. Ilenox, and lived until after his decease. She 
subsequently made her home with her daughter, 
Mrs. Shepard, for a time, but later returned to 
Princeton, N. Y., where her death took place at the 
home of her son, in 1864, when she was eighty- 
three years old. The parental household included 
ten children, six of whom lived to mature j'ears. 
Four are now living, and residents of Michigan and 
New York. 

Mrs. Shepard acquired a common-school educa- 
tion, and under the careful training of her excel- 
lent mother became amply fitted for her future 
position in life. The eight children born of her 
union with our suliject are recorded as follows: 
Elizabeth is the wife of James S. Winfield, of Mo- 
sherville, Mich., and the mother of four children — 
May I., Elmer J., Verne anil Myra; Mar^' died 
when one j'ear and three months old ; Francelia 
is the wife of John Knapp, of North Adams, and 
the mother of two children — Forest and Ella J. ; 
Douglas continues the assistant of his father on the 
farm ; Minnie was married to Arthur Mumford, of 



Moscow Township, and is the mother of two chil- 
dren — Etola and Jennie; Nellie, now Mrs. Eugene 
Straight, of Stony Point. Mich., is the mother of 
four children— Leon, Ross, Clyde and Ida Ma3'; 
Harvey married Miss Minnie Cf.rne)', of Hillsd.ile 
County, Mich., and has chaige of the home farm; 
Leona is the wife of William Straight, of Moscow 
Township, aijd the mother of one child, a son, 
Glenn. 




HOMAS C. CORTWRIGHT, a successful 
general farmer, residing on section 15, Read- 
ing Township, owns 120 acres of land, 
most of which is well improved and well stocked 
with good grades of domestic animals. Mr. Cort- 
wright formerly lived on section 31, where he pur- 
chased ninety-five acres of wild land, which he 
made his home for some time and developed into a 
fair state of improvement, erecting thereon good 
buildings. In 1884 he removed to his present farm, 
which is very advantageously situated, and contains 
a stream of living water, which much enhances its 
value. After selling his first farm Mr. Cortwright 
removed to Atchison County, Kan., where he 
operated a large farm very successfully for a period 
of two years. 

Mr. Cortwright is a native of Owasco, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., where he was born Jan. 13, 1834, and 
is the son of Isaiah Cortwright, a native of Orange 
County, of the same State. Isaiah Cortwright was 
united in marriage, in Cayuga County, with Hannah 
Depuy, a descendant of the celebrated stock of 
that name that figured in the history of York State. 
He followed the occupation of a farmer, and after 
his marriage settled on a farm in Owasco Town- 
ship, Cayuga County, where he made his home until 
his death, which occurred when he was about seventy 
years of age. His wife subsequentl3' came to Michi- 
gan, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
Maria J. Smith, of California, Branch County, when 
almost eighty years of age. In religion she was a 
consistent member of the Pi-esbyterian Church, and 
she and her husband were worthy and respected 
members of society. 

Our subject was the fourth son and sixth child 
in order of birth of the ten children, seven sons and 

— ^ •^ 



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HILLSDALE COUJSTY. 



811 



three daughters, inchideil in the parental family. 
All lived to attain their majority but two, who were 
accidentally killed: James was kicked and killed by 
a horse in Camden Township, while Philip was 
accidentally thrown from a buggy in Sacramento, 
Cal. Mr. Cortwrigbt was reared and educated in 
his native township, and came to Michigan in the 
spring of 1855, purchasing his first land on section 
31 of this township, after working in a sawmill 
for about three years. 

Finding that it was not good for man to be 
alone, and having reached such a condition in life 
as warranted his assuming greater responsibilities, 
Mr. Cortwright was united in marriage with Cordelia 
Dopp, of this township. Mrs. Cortwright was born 
in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., whence she re- 
moved when a child to Ohio. At the age of ten 
years she came to Michigan, and was educated In 
the common schools of tiie township of Reading. 
Three children have come to brighten the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Cortwright, though one, Florence 
Adelle, died when young. Mary E. received a lib- 
eral education at Ft. AVayne, Ind., and is an experi- 
enced school teacher; Newton 1. remains at the 
homestead and assists in the management of ihe 
farm. 

In politics Mr. Cortwright is a solid Democrat, 
and can always be counted upon by his party. He 
has achieved his success largely by his own unaided 
efforts, and affords a good illustration of what maj' 
be accomplished by well-directed effort. Mr. and 
Mi's. Cortwright are worthy and respected citizens, 
and give their support to Christianity. 



•Wi^ 



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j^^ TEWART CRAWFORD, formerly a well- 
^fe^ known and successful farmer of Reading- 
(li£_J|) Township, was a worthy and representative 
citizen. He was a resident of this town- 
ship from 1859 until his death, which occurred at 
his home, March 24, 1H«7. The farm is located on 
section •25, and was secured at the time Mr. Craw- 
ford came to this county. It consists of 160 acres 
which he brought to its present high state of im- 
provement, and erected thereon a good residence 
and substantial and commodious otit-lMiildini;s. His 






farm alwaj's showed the hand of thrift and industry, 
and was kept well stocked with the best breeds of 
sheep, cattle and swine. His son, pydwin Crawfoid, 
is now making a specialty of raising Poland-China 
swine. 

The subject of this biography was a native of 
Erie County, Pa., .and was born April 13, 1826. He 
came of Scotch ancestrj-, who were noted for their 
industry and energy and for their almost invariable 
success in life, no matter what the vocation. In his 
early life Stewart received such an education as was 
obtainable in the common schools of his native 
county, and was reared to the occupation of a 
farmer. When quite young he had tlie misfortune 
to lose his father, and was thus largely dependent 
upon his own resources, but he bravely battled with 
the trials of life, and possessing in a large degree 
the qualities which characterized his ancestry, soon 
attained success. While residing in Erie County 
ho met and led to the altar Julia M. Nash, of the 
same county, where she was born June 9, 1827. She 
was the daughter of J. J. Nasji, who lived and died 
in his native State, where he was successful in ac- 
cumulating a competency. He came of an old and 
respected family, and bj' his exa?nplary life in 
public and private, won the esteem of his many ac- 
quaintances. 

Mrs. Crawford was reared to womanhood at her 
father's home, and after her union with our subject 
they managed the old Crawford homestead in 
Pennsylvania for some time and subsequently re- 
moved to Williams County, Ohio, where they pur- 
chased a farm, upon which they resided for a period 
of nine years. He then sold his interests in Ohio 
and came to Reading Township, where bj' hard 
work and good management thej' met with good 
success. Mr. Crawford was modest and unassum- 
ing in his manner, rather retiring from than seeking 
public notice. In politics he was a stanch Repub- 
lican, and was a prominent and intelligent citizen, 
though he avoided all public recognition of his 
merits. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford consisted 
of four children, one of whom died in infancy, 
while the others are recorded as follows: Clarence 
E. is married, and is engaged on a farm belonging 
to P. O. W.alker, in Ellis County. Kan.: William G. 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



.a 



is coniHcterl with his biotiier. Clarence E., in man- 
aging tlie f'anii, and nianicd ]\]i?s Flora Harsh, a 
resident of Ellis Connty, and a native of the 
State of rennsylvania; Edwin R. manages the 
old homestead in Reading Township, and is a 
slcilled and practical farmer and stock-raiser. He 
has recently made some improvements on the farm, 
erecting a large grain and stock barn, 36x60 feet, 
and is well equipped for the successful prosecution 
of the work in which he is engaged. He grows in 
abundance all kinds of cereals common to this cli- 
mate, and is a young man of great energy and 
pr(jmisc. He also owns in AValker Township, Ellis 
Co., Kan., a partially improved farm. 

lid win R. Crawford chose for his wife Miss Rosa 
Sayles, of Cambria, and Ihcir union has been blessed 
bj' the birth of one child, whom they named Artiuir. 
In polities Mr Crawford stands identified with the 
Republican party, to which he always gives his 
cheerfu 1 support. 



ARTIN H. Ki^NYON, an enterprising and 
skillful farmer of Pittsford Township, where 
he is worthily fultllling his obligations as 
an honest man and a good citizen, is a 
native of this State, born in Hudson, Lenawee 
County, Juh' 31, 1842. He is of New England 
origin, his father, .Syjvester Ivejyon, having been 
born in Hinesburg, Vt., Dec. 4, 1808. He was 
reared in his native .State, and May 10, 1834, was 
married to Eliza Goodrich, a native of Williston, 
Vt., born Feb. 22, 1814. Three days after their 
marriage they started for the Territorj^ of Michi- 
gan, via Erie Canal and lake to Detroit, and there 
Mr. Kenyon hired a team to take himself and wife 
to Tecumseh, where he obtained work on the Terri- 
torial road leading from Detroit to Chicago. A 
short time after his arrival he started on foot to 
explore Bean Creek Valley for the purpose of 
selecting a suitable place for location. He visited 
the present site of HuJson Village, the only build- 
ing there at that time being a log house. He was 
pleased with the countrj-, and at once bought of 
Beriah Lane a tract of timber land, adjoining the 
present site of the village. After pa_ying for the 




same, Mr. Kenyon had but a few shillings left, and 
returned to Tecumseh to earn money enough to 
support himself and wife through the winter. Late 
in the fall of that year he built a log house on the 
west side of his land, and moved into it before 
there was either floor or roof. Afttr completing 
the house, he commenced clearing the land, cutting 
the first ti'ees, and raising a crop of corn and pota- 
toes among the logs and stumps in 1835. He 
improved a good farm from the wilderness, and 
remained a continuous resident thereuntil his death, 
March 2!), 1879. During that time he took an 
active interest in the welfare of his town and 
county, and lived to see the almost trackless forests 
developed into a beautiful farming countr\-, and a 
thrifty village of nearl}' 3,000 inhabitants spring 
up beside him. His widow survived him but a 
few mouths, dying Dec. 24, 1879. They were well 
and favorably known among the early pioneers of 
Lenawee County as people of rare capacity, intelli- 
gence, and high moral worth. Of the children born 
to this worthy couple three are now living — Sarah 
A., Louisa ami our subject. Sarah married G. G. 
Williams, of Vanderbilt, Mich.; Louisa is the wife 
of J. V. Muuger, of Hudson. 

Martin, of whom we write, was the youngest 
chihl of the family*. He attended the pioneer 
schools of his native town, and assisted his father 
in clearing the land and cultivating the soil, thus 
receiving in early years a practical knowledge of 
the work which he was to make his life occupation. 
He remained an inmate of the parental household 
until his marriage, when he built a house on the 
home farm, to which he took his bride. Her 
maiden name was Lydia Kellogg, a native of 
Columbiana County, Ohio, born in the town of 
Perry, June 16, 1844. Her grandfather, David 
Kellogg, was a native of New York State, and 
became an early settler of Cleveland, Ohio, where 
he bought a tract of timber land, which is now 
included within the limits of that large city. He 
subsequently* sold it, however, and bought another 
tract of land in Stark County, where he re- 
sided until after his wife's death. Ho then spent 
the remainder of his life with his son Oliver, the 
father of Mrs. Kenyon. Oliver Kellogg, who was 
born in the city of Cleveland, spent his early 

■► 




t 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



813 



4 



j'cars in his native State, and after marriage lo- 
cated in Columbiana County, where he haci previ- 
onslj' bought a farm. In 1856 he removed to 
Michigan, and settled in Hudson Township, where 
the death of his wife occurred Oct. 8, 1881. He 
spent his last years with his daughter in Pittsford 
Townshi|), dying Dec. 4, 1887. The maiden name 
of his wife w.as Elizabeth Dunlap, daughter of John 
and Nancy Dunlap, natives respectively of England 
and Ireland. They came to America in 1806, and 
settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, where they 
spent the remainder of their lives. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs, Kenyon has been 
blessed by the birth of tiiree children — Hiram, Syl- 
vester and Lizzie. IMr. Kenyon remained in the 
home he had first established until 1872, when he 
bought his present farm. He has greatly increased 
its value by the many improvements that he has 
made since it came into his possession, and it now 
ranks among the best in the township. His resi- 
dence, built in 1882, is a commodious brick struc- 
ture, and his large frame barn and f>ut-buildings 
meet all the requirements of the modern and pro- 
gressive farmer. He has been inius\ially prosper- 
ous in his business and farming opcr.atious, and has 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 



ON. LENARD MILLER, who resides in a 
y] pleasant home in Fayette Township, near 
Jonesville, is a prominent citizen of Hills- 
^^ dale County, and is actively identified with 
its agricultural and stock interests. As a clear- 
sighted man, of rare energj- of character, well gifted 
mentally and physically, he has always been influ- 
ential in shaping public affairs, and h.as often been 
called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill positions of 
trust, whose duties he has discharged with conspic- 
uous abilitj'. 

The father of our subject was Elisha Miller, who 
was born about the year 1780, in Pittstown, Rens- 
selaer Co., N. Y. He married Miss Nancy Baldwin, 
who died in Seneca Count}' when her son Lenard 
was about six years old, and as his father also 
departed this life when he was young but little can 
be learned of his history, excepting that he w.as a 



farmer by occupation. They had three sons who 
lived to grow up, but our subject is the onlj' sur- 
viving member of the family. He w.as born in 
Romulus. Seneca Co., N. Y., March 3, 1820. He 
was reared on a farm in that county until he was 
nineteen years of age. He attended the common 
schools, but his education w.as completed by a short 
course at Ovid Academy, in his native county. He 
left his native State at the age just mentioned, and 
in the spring of 1839 came to Moscow, Hillsdale 
County, and worked out the first season for the 
sum of 112 a month, and he also taught school for 
awhile. He was eng.aged in that profession until 
he bought a tr.act of eight}' .acres of unimproved 
laud in Scipio Township. He, being then unmar- 
ried, had not established a home of his own, but 
lived in different places, most of the time with 
the late O. B. Blackburn, a relative, in Moscow. 
After the death of that gentleman he settled up 
his estate. He remained there until 18.52. when he 
located on his farm in Scipio Township, where he 
continued to live until he removed t(j his present 
residence, in 1864. He has 'been chicfl}- engaged 
in agricultural pursuits; h:us dealt large I3' in stock, 
and h.as carried on extensive farming operations on 
his large and valuable farm, comprising 360 acres 
of land in Fayette and Scipio Township,s. He has 
bought and sold stock for many 3'ears, and while 
living with Mr. Blackburn, in 1848, he bought the 
first drove of cattle which was purchased in Hillsdale 
Count}', and drove them to the State of New York. 
The time consumed in going to that State and re- 
turning from it was just three months to a day. 
Since that day he h.as lived to witness wonderful 
improvements in the shipment of cattle from point 
to point, and a marvelous extension of the cattle 
business into distant p.arts of the country that were 
then unsettled and scarcely known" of. In 1865 
Mr. Miller purchased the Jonesville foundry, which 
he operated very successfully for eight years, in 
the meantime managing his agricultural interests. 
Mr. Miller was married, Dec. 3, 1854, in North 
Adams, Hillsdale County, to Miss Abigail Pope, 
daughter of William H. and Hannah (Kendall) 
Pope. They were natives of London, England, 
and emigrated to America about the year 1834, 
and after staying for awhile in New York State, 



i 



-4•- 

814 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



came to North Adams, and were among the earliest 
settlers of that township, continuing to reside there 
until death. The^' had five children, two sons and 
three daughters, of whom Mrs. Miller and her sister 
Emma, the widow of Lewis Ostram, are the only 
survivors. Mrs. Miller was born in Sj'vacuse, N. Y., 
Nov. 20, 1 834, and was but an infant when her par- 
ents removed to Hillsdale County. To her and her 
husbaml have been horn five children, namely : Clara, 
Harvej', P]dgar, William and Mabel. Clara is the 
wife of D. W. Winfleld, and lives in Butler County, 
Kan.; Harvey married Miss Laura Allen, and lives 
in Scipio; Edgar married Miss Elizabeth Kesselring, 
ami lives in Scipio; William and Mabel live with 
their parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are people of genuine cult- 
ure and worth, and occupy an honorable position 
in the social circles of Hillsdale County. Mr. 
Mdler has been called upon to represent his fellow- 
citizens in the State Legislature, being elected to 
that position in the fall of 18(i0. He has also held 
the otKce of Supervisor of Scipio Township for 
three terms, and that of Justice of the Peace for 
one terra, besides tilling other minor offices. 



D 



ELSON R. MASTERS is a farmer and an 
extensive dealer in live stock, residing in 
y^ ) Wright Township. He was born in thevil- 
l.age of Mt. Gilead. Morrow Co., Ohio, Feb. 24, 
1844. His father, the Hon. Ezekiel Masters, was a 
native of the same county, of which his father was 
a pioneer, spending his last years there engaged in 
his occupation of farming. The father of our sub- 
ject grew to manhood in his native county, and 
there married Miss Mary Oliver, likewise a native 
of Morrow County, where the^' continued to reside 
until 1840. They then moved to Fulton County 
and settled in Franklin Township, where Mr. blas- 
ters bought a large tract of timber land, and built 
a log house for their residence; th.at continued to 
be their home for many j'ears, and in the mean- 
time he cleared an extensive farm comprising 380 
acres, erected substantial frame buildings, and 
planted an orchard. In that pleasant home he was 
bereft of his amiable and talented wife, who. like 



himself, possessed fine musical tastes; she died in 
1858. In 1809 Mr. Masters rented his farm and 
moved to Pioneer, where he became a railroad con- 
tractor ; he had lived there but a short time, however, 
when he vvas stricken with rheumatism, and during 
the last fourteen years of his life was confined 
to his bed. He died in October, 1886. The Hon. 
Ezekiel Masters vvas a man of more than ordinary 
abilit3-, dignity of characterand keenness of intellect, 
which characteristics made him a leader among 
men, and during his long residence in Fulton County 
he was often called to t.ake an active part in the 
administration of public affairs; he filled various 
town and county offices, and represented his district 
in the State Legislature two terms. In his early 
years he was a Whig, but afterward became iden- 
tified with the Republican part^' as one of its 
founders. 

The subject of this sketch was two years old 
when his parents removed from the home of his 
birth to P'ulton County; he there grew to manhood 
and received his education in the early schools of 
■ that county. His musical talents, which he inherited 
in a marked degree from his parents, were carefully 
cultivated, and he is a fine singer, plays with skill 
many different instruments, and when a young man 
commenced to teach vocal music. As soon as large 
enough he began to assist in the farm work, thus 
gaining a thorough practical knowledge of the call- 
ing which he afterward adopted. He lived with 
his parents until 1802. and then, though but eight- 
een years of .age, he enthusiasticall_y determined 
to enlist in the service of his beloved country to 
assist in the preservation of her institutions, and on 
the 17th of August was enrolled as a member of 
Company A, 07th Ohio Infantrj' ; he served in the 
Eastern division of the army for a j'ear and a half, 
and was then transferred to the Army of the James. 
He took part in twentj'-two different engagements, 
among which were the battles of Ft. Wagner, 
Hatches' Run, Bermuda Hundreds, siege of Charles- 
ton, and the battles around Richmond and Peters- 
burg. He was honorably discharged from the army 
with his regiment at Fortress Monroe, Va., in July, 
1805, and returned home. 

Mr. Masters was married, in September, 1800, 
to Miss Ruth Hannah Van Buskirk, of Loudoun 



r^U 



^ 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



815 



Coiintj'. Vn. ; lier father, Dnniel Van Buskirk, was a 
native of Ponnsylvanin. He married, in Monroe 
County, Ohio, Miss Harriet Taylor, a native of Vir- 
ginia, and a daughter of Josejjh and Lydia Taylor, 
also natives of that State. After marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Van Biiskirk removed to Loudoun County, Va. 
and lived there until 1859 ; they then returned to 
Fulton County, Ohio, and settled on a tract of land 
whieh he had bought some years before, and im- 
proved a farm. He now lives in Fayette. Ohio. 

At the time of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Masters 
settled in Franklin Township, Fulton County, and 
resided there until 18G9, and then removed to Pio- 
neer, lu that town Mr. blasters was extensively 
engaged in milling, and buying and shipping stock 
until 1877. In that year he bought a tine farm on 
section 7 of Wright Township, which he still occu- 
pies, and he has carried on quite a business in stock 
dealing. During winter evenings he teaches sing- 
ing school, and is deservedly popular as an in- 
structor. The pleasant hoTue of himself and wife 
is the center of refinement and culture, and is an 
attractive resort to the large circle of friends that 
the}' have gathered about them since their residence 
here. The household circle is completed by the 
presence of three children — Well)}- L., Hattie L. 
and Luella M. 

Mr. Masters is a member of the Republican party, 
and is a stanch sup|)t)rter of the principles which he 
fought for, and which his father so ably advocated; 
he is identified with the DeGolyer Post No. 110, 
G. A. R. He and his wife are members in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



eALVIN JOHN.SON, residing in his comfort- 
able home on section 25, Camden Township, 
is well worthy of the respect in which he is 
held, as, starting out in life with no other inheritance 
or capital than stout muscles and a hardy frame, he 
has, by sheer force of will and steady toil, worked 
his way up to his preseut honorable position in the 
farming community of Hillsdale County. He was 
born in Greene County, N. Y., March 8, 1822. 
IHs parents were He/.eklah and Cornelia Johnson, 
natives respectively of Connecticutand New York. 



His father was a v.aliant soldier in the War of I 81 2. 
In the spring of \Xi]C> he aud his wife left their old 
home in Ohio, where many years of their lives had 
been spent, and, coming to Michigan, took u|> their 
abode in Branch County, where the father died in 
1876, having rounded out a life of long duration 
and usefulness. The mother of our subject still 
niakes her home in Branch County, and has noiv 
reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years. 
In an early period of the history of the settlement 
of Huron County,, Ohio, they had settled in its 
primeval forests, and became identified with the 
sturdy pioneers who were active in developing its 
varied resources, and for over thirty years they 
were respected and esteemed residents of that coun- 
ty. Theirs was the usual lot that falls to the early 
settlers of a new country, privations, sacrifices and 
hardships, not unmingled, however, with pleasures 
and comforts, and they weie quite successful in 
their endeavors to build up a home. Eight chil- 
dren were born to them, nil of whom are living, 
namelj' : Lewis, Jefferson, Addison, Aldcn P., Da- 
vid, Mariette, Emcline S. and Calvin. 

The early life of our subject was passed in his 
native State, wheuce he removed with his par- 
ents to Ohio when he was in his ninth j'ear, and 
there the reraaiuing days of his boyhood and early 
manhood were ()assed. His schooling was confineil 
mostly to the winter sessions of the subscription 
schools of Huron County, but b}- dint of hard study 
he gleaned a fair education. At other times he 
was obliged to .issist his f.atherin the hard task of 
clearing his land and preparing it for culture. The 
free, active life of a farmer suited his vigorous 
temperament, and he chose th.at as his life work 
after he had attained manhood, and for several 
years was engaged in that occupation in Ohio, with 
good financial returns for his labor. 

In October, 1 845, our subject secured the active 
assistance of a good wife by his marriage with Miss 
Pha'be Showers, a native of Greene County, N. Y. 
To them have been born three children, of whom 
two are living — Albert A. and Lina 1). 

In 18(){5 Mr. Johnson moved with his family to 
Michigan, and for four years rented land in Read- 
ing Township, Hillsdnic County. At the expira- 
tion of that time he purchased the eighty .acres of 



_^M ^* 



816 



-A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



land that form his present farm. He has placed 
fifty acres of it under good cultivation, and lias by 
many other improvements g.reatl}' increased its 
value, so that it stands among the best in the 
neighborhood, and is provided with a good set of 
buildings. 

Tbe life record of our subject is exceedingly 
creditable to him, showing him to be industrious, 
shrewd in the management of his interests, fair in 
his dealings, and of good repute among his fellow- 
men. In his political views, he strongly favors the 
Democratic party. 

^j^^ AMUEL M. SMITH, an honored citizen of 
^^^^ Moscow Township, where he is engaged in 
l\l/\u) agricultural pursuits on section 22, is an 
inventor of some distinction, having in- 
vented a horse-power drain-tile machine, the first 
that could be called a practical horse or steam- 
power machine, and which made quite a revolution 
in the manufacture of tile. He comes of good 
Quaker antecedents, his parents, Edward and Eliza 
(Mosher) Smith, being Quakers, and his father being 
a minister of that sect. They were of English 
descent, his father's ancestors being early settlers 
of Massachusetts, and his mother's settling in Rhode 
Island aL a very early period of its Colonial history. 
His father was a man of high character and stand- 
ing in the conimunit}', but he was cut off from a 
career of usefulness in the opening years of man- 
hood, being but twenty-six years of age when he 
died, leaving to our subject the precious legacy of 
a pure and spotless life. Mrs. Smith was subse- 
quently twice married ; her second husband, Abra- 
ham Mosher, was killed by a runaway' accident. 
Her third marriage was to Greothnian Allen, who 
also preceded her. Mrs. Allen remained a resident 
of New York until her death, which occurred at 
Union Springs, Ca^-uga Co., N. Y., at the age of 
sixty-four. By her first marriage she had two sons, 
one daughter by her second, and another daughter 
b}' her third marriage. 

Our subject was the eldest child of liis parents, 
and was born July 7, 1820, in Nassau Township, 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y. When he was a year and a 



half old his i)'\rents moved to Columbia County, 
and there when he was four years old he suffered 
the loss of his father. He continued to live with 
his mother until he was twenty-one years of age, 
receiving from her careful instruction in the duties 
of life, and forming good and useful habits under 
her supervision that have made him a good, useful 
citizen. He received his education in the public 
schools of Columbia County, where he remained 
until he was fifteen. He was a lad of more than 
ordinary intelligence and versatilitj' of talent, with 
a natural inclination for mechanical pursuits, al- 
though he also liked the life of a farmer, to which 
he was bred, assisting in tiie labors of the farm as 
long as he remained under the home roof. In 1840 
our subject took unto himself a wife, who has been 
to him an invaluable hel|)mate. Mrs. Smith's 
maiden name was Sophronia U. Huff, a daughter 
of John and Elizabeth (Win.agre) Huff, natives of 
Rensselaer County, N. Y. Her grandfather Huff 
was of German extraction, and was a Revolutionary 
soldier, serving under the Marquis de LaFayette. 
Her parents both died in Cayuga County, N. Y., 
the father in 1840, at the age of sixtj'-two, and 
her mother in 1868, .aged eighty-four. They were 
the (larents of five sons and five daughters. 

Mrs. Smith was the seventh child in order of 
birth, and was born Sept. 26, 1822, in N.assau, 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y, and was brought up in the 
place of her nativity, receiving a substantial educa- 
tion in the common schools. In 1836 her family 
removed to Union Springs, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and 
there she first met and subsequently married Mr. 
Smith. Of their union the following children have 
been born: Elizabeth, deceased; Edward. Seth 
H., Mary, Sarah E., a child who died in infancy, 
Willard H., Phoebe; John H., deceased; Asa P., 
Nelson M., Lillian and Abel S. Edward is a manu- 
facturer in Battle Creek. He enlisted with the 
Ellsworth Zouaves of New York in 1862, was sub- 
sequently captured by the rebels and sent to Ander- 
son ville, where he was elected by the boys as 
overseer. He is married, the maiden name of his 
wife being Rebecca Creque, and has two children — 
Edia and Merritt. Seth married Ellen Pardee, and 
to them have been born two children— Etha and 
Lowell ; be is the inventor of egg crates and a butter 



^ 



°*^rf"" 



-;- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



817 



plate niacliine, which lie sold on rojalty, the income 
l)eing ^MO per nionlli. Mary is the wife of Milton 
Veeder.of Gratiot Countj' ; they haveseveii children : 
Sarah, deceased; Llewellyn, Samuel. \Villar<l, So- 
phroiiia, Eiuina and Seth. Sarah is the wife of 
Albert Buck, of whom see sketch in another part of 
this volume. Willard H. lives in iMoscow Town- 
ship; ho married Cornelia Smith, and they have 
three children— Bessie, Eddie and Arthur. Phcebe 
is the wife of Justice Salter, of Gratiot County; 
they have four children, namely: Augusta, Luc}', 
Ellen and Edith. Nelson M. is a manufacturer in 
Mancelona; he married Miss Minnie Pease, and 
has two childien — Ralph and an infant unnamed. 
A.sa is an engineer in an oremill, in Wauseon, 
Ohio; he has been twice married; the maiden 
name of his first wife was Kate Beard; to them w.as 
born one child, Eugene. His second marriage was 
to Miss A<ldie Carter. Lillian is the wife of George 
A. Smith, of Moscow. Abel S. lives at home with 
his parents. 

About three or four years after his marriage Mr. 
Smith liecame interested in the manufacture of 
drain tile, being the third man in the United 
States to eng.age in that now im|)ortant branch of 
industry'. It was while thus employed that his 
active, thoughtful mind conceived and |)Ianned the 
machine which we mentioned in the first part of 
this sketch, which was a great advance on the old 
machinery formerly used, and might almost be said 
to have revolutionized the methods of making drain 
tiles. He obtained a patent on his invention, .Jan. 
10, 1860, and continued with great profit the suc- 
cessful manufacture of drain tile until he closed 
out his business in 1867. Shortly after he came to 
Michigan, having decided to locate in this State 
and turn his attention once more to agricultural 
pursuits. He arrived first in Mosherville. He 
traveled extensively through Kalamazoo, Calhoun 
and Jackson Counties, but was most pleased with 
the beautiful scenery of Hillsdale County, and its 
salubrious climate, and at last decided to buy a 
farm in Adams Township and make his home there. 
He subsequently became engaged as a contractor, 
and assisted in the construction of the Hillsdale & 
Ypsilanti Railway, superintending the grading of 
i several cuts from Hillsdale to Moscow, and also of 



forty cuts in Washtenaw and Jackson Counties. 
Ilis son Seth was emplo3-ed as a contractor with 
him, and through some dishone.sty they lost |;l,200 
by their contracts. 

Mr. Smith now confines his attention to the 
culture of his farm, which contains eighty acres of 
highly fertile ami productive soil. He has a con- 
veniently arranged, comfortable dwelling, and an 
ample set of farm buildings, and has been in everj' 
way highly prospered in his agricultural undertak- 
ings. Our subject is a very intelligent, well-in- 
formed man, and occupies a high position in the 
respect of his neighbors. In his views of matters 
in general he is liberal and independent, especially 
so in politics, always voting for principle and the 
men whom he regards as best fitted for office, with- 
out regard to their party affiliations. He has always 
taken an active interest in National and local affairs, 
and while a resident of New York was a prominent 
figure in public life, and held several offices. He 
was greatlj' interested in educational matters, anil 
taught school in Seneca (^ounty, and was a school 
officer in Adams 'lownship. Mrs. Smith is an 
esteemed and worth}' member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and quietl}' and unostentatiously 
carries her religion into her every-day life. 



^EBULON WILLIAMS, who very nearly ap- 
proaches being the champion stock-raiser of 

^ Hillsdale Count}-, has been located on section 

1 6, Wheatland Township, for the last fourteen years, 
and makes a specialty of English draft and coach 
horses, together with thoroughbred Short-horn cat- 
tle. In both of these he exhibits some of the finest 
animals to be found in Southern Michigan, and is 
in the habit of carrying off the blue ribbons at the 
State and county fairs. 

Mr. Williams is the offspring of a fine old family 
of Welsh ancestry, and was born in Monroe County, 
N. Y., June 13, 1!<25. His fatlier, Hon. Zebulon 
AVilliams, Sr., was one of the i)ioneer settlers of 
this county, and a native of Haverstraw. N. Y., where 
his biith took place Jan. 24, 1795. When little more 
tlian a youth, he located in the town of Phelps, On- 






:*► i <• 



8U 



,t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



tario County, where, in 1820, he was married to 
Miss Eliza Lewis, who was born in Jlaryland, Dec. 
25, 1799. 

The f.ather of our subject followed his trade of 
carpenter, but also carried on farming to some ex- 
tent in his native State until 1834. In tlie spring 
of that year, with his wife and six children, he 
started for the Territory of Michigan, and located 
first in the vicinity of Adrian, then but a hamlet. 
Four years later he purchased nearl3' a section of 
Government land, and in 1838 took possession, 
and with the aid of his three sons, transformed a 
portion of the wilderness into a highly improved 
farm. Here he spent the remainder of his daj's, 
passing away at the ripe old age of seventy-seven 
years. He was a man valualile to his communitj', 
taking an active interest in the welfare of the peo- 
ple around him. After holding the various local 
offices, he was elected to the State Legislature, and 
there, as in the other relations of life, discharged his 
duties in that careful and conscientious manner 
which wns one of the distinguishing traits of his 
character. A small volume migiit be written of the 
incidents in which he bore an important part, of his 
energy and enterprise, and the peculiarities which, 
although a terror to his foes, tended to build up 
for him many warm and ardent friendships. In 
early life a Whig, he later became a Republican, and 
was never known to miss voting, being carried to 
the polls to deposit his last vote five days before his 
death. He passed avvay on the lOtli of November, 
1872, mourned by the entire community. 

To Zebulon, Sr., and Eliza Williams there were 
born the following cliildren: Louisa M., Julius, 
Zebulon, Jr., John L., Richard W. and Sally M. 
Of these five are living, and residents of Wheat- 
land. The mother died Aug. 19, 1844. The sub- 
ject of this sketch passed his boyhood and j'outh after 
the fashion of the sons of pioneer farmers, remaining 
a member of his father's household until reaching 
nianhood, and on the 18th of November, 1849, was 
united in marriage with Miss Lois, daughter of 
John F. and Mary (Gilbert) Sawyer, who was born 
in Brandon, Vt., Dec. 14. 1828. The father of Mrs. 
Williams was also, like his wife, a native of the 
Green Mountain State, and was born in Monkton, 
June 2, 1802. He died in Orleans County, N. Y., 



in 187."). The mother was born in Brandon, Sept. 
5, 1805, and died in Albion, N. V., Sept. 24, 1854. 
Isaac Sawyer, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Will- 
iams, was a native of New England, and was born 
Nov. 22, 1770. He was the son of Edward Saw- 
yer, whose father was John, and whose grandfather, 
Thomas, a native of England, was born in 1619, 
and came to America when a young man twenty 
years of age, in 1639. Some of the brothers served 
in the Revolutionary War. The family were largely 
represented throughout the New England and Mid- 
dle States, where they possessed much vvealth and 
influence. 

The seven children of our subject and his wife 
are recorded as follows: John F., born Aug. 24, 
1852, married Miss Mary Harford, and they have 
one son; Pollen, Mrs. Albert Campbell, was born 
Oct. 1, 1856, and is the mother of one son and five 
daughters; Eliza, Mrs. William Wood, was born 
Feb. 28, 1 854, and is the mother of one girl ; Charles 
H., born Oct. 14. 1858, married Miss Nellie Liver- 
more, anil is tlie father of one boy, Orpheus A., 
who was born March 8, 1883; his wife was born 
Sept. 23, 1859, in Wheatland. Lincoln G., born 
July 13, 1860, died June 14, 1884; Mary L., Mrs. 
H. Pratrick, was born April 4, 1862, and is the 
mother of one child, a girl; Carrie M. was born 
Nov. 26, 1867, and is at home with her parents. 
Mr Williams, politically, votes the straight Repub- 
lican ticket, and keeps himself well posted upon 
matters of general interest. 



ylLLIAM R. KIDDER, of Reading Town- 
ship, came to this county during its early 
settlement and took up a tract of land on 
sections 4 and 9 in Reading Township, and of 
which he still retains possession. There has been a 
great change over the lace of the country since 
that time, the transformation being effected by just 
such men as the subject of this sketch, persevering, 
energetic and industrious, and who determined to 
leave no stone unturned toward building up a home 
for themselves and attaining a good position in the 
world of men. Mr. Kidder began life in this region v 



•►^1- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



— •► 
819 



.1 



(Imins: the Tenitoiinl days, in 1836, coming here 
with (I yoke of oxen nnd .i w.igtjn, whidi ccnvejtfi, 
besides his wife .inil two children, all his wf>rklly 
eflfects. He is now among the jirominent and well- 
to-do farmers, and has accumnlated from ihe soil a 
competence, and is now practically retired frc m the 
more laborious duties of life. He occupies one of 
the pleasantesl homes in Heading, a good brick resi- 
dence, with ample grounds, and which presents the 
picture of comfort and plenty which is so delight- 
ful to look upon. 

Besides his residence property Mr. Kidder re- 
tains possession of his faim, which comprises 180 
acres of prime land, which he brought up from the 
wilderness to a good state of cultivation, and where- 
on he erected a substantial set of frame buildings. 
Upon coming to this county, however, he first took 
up his residence in Litchfield Township, where he 
purchased eighty acres of wild land and paid for it 
by cutting wood and making rails. Of the latter 
he split 13,600 the first winter, besides cutting con- 
siderable firewood. He occujiied his first purchase 
a period of four years, then desiring a better qual- 
ity of land, traded for eighty acres on section 9, in 
Heading Township, receiving $200 to boot. With 
this surplus cash he purchased forty acres more on 
section 9, and subsequently made additions to his 
real estate until he was at one time the owner of 
380 acres. He lived in the county and carried on 
farming until April, 1881, when he took up his 
residence in Reading, but has, as usual, the super- 
vision of his farm, w Inch is operated now by a ten- 
ant. 

Mr. Kidder was one of the most industrious and 
energetic men of his time, working early and late, 
and overcoming grievous obstacles in the pursuit 
of his one idea to buihl up a homestead for his fam- 
ily, and at the same time make a worthy record for 
the after contemplation of his children. For this 
life tiisk he was eminently fitted, being the de- 
scendant of a sturdy and vigorous race of people. 
He was born in Delhi Township, Delaware Co., 
N. Y., Sept. 4, 1812, and upon the very day 
on which he first opened his eyes to the light, his 
father, James Kidder, was fighting the British at 
Sackett's Harbor. James Kidder was a native of 
Connecticut, and the son of John Kidder, who 



crossed the Atlantic from England prior to the 
Revolutionary War, and arrayed himself on the side 
of the Colonists, assisting them seven years, during 
their desperate struggle for lilierty. Later he 
fought with ihem against the French and Indians, 
and again in the War of 1812. In the Revolution- 
ary War he was a drum major, and after la^-ing 
aside his weapons for the more peaceful pursuits of 
agriculture, he took up his residence in New York. 
His last days were spent in Genesee County, where 
his death took place at the age of eighty-six years. 
He was a hale, hearty and vigorous old man, and a 
few days before his death walked fifteen miles on a 
pleasure trip. He was not only a valiant soldier, 
but a remarkable man in many other respects, his 
predominant characteristics being his nerve and 
courage, which never failed him under the most try- 
ing circumstances. In early manhood he married 
Miss Nanc}' Curtis, a Canadian girl of English de- 
scent, who also died in Genesee County when over 
sixty years old. 

James Kirlder, the father of our subject, left 
Connecticut, when ayoung mail, for Ontario County, 
N. Y., where he was married to Miss Margaret Row, 
who was of Holland- Dutch ancestry. Her father, 
William Row, was also a soldier in the wars already- 
mentioned, through which he went unharmed, and 
afterward settled in Ontario County. Vt., where his 
death was caused by the falling of a tree upon him 
when he was over sixty years of age. The wife 
and mother, whose maiden name was Polly Scher- 
merhorn, survived her husband many years, dying 
also in Ontario County when about ninety years 
old. 

James Kidder and his wife after their marriage 
located in Delaware County, N. Y., where they lived 
for a number of years, and where their four elder 
children were born. William R., of our sketch, was 
three years old when his parents removed to what 
afterward became Gainesville Township, in what 
was then Genesee, but is now Wyoming County, and 
a part of the Holland purchase. Here the house- 
hold circle was completed by the birth of ten more 
children, the family circle now embracing six sons 
and eight daughters, of whom three sons and three 
daughters are yet living, and are now mostly resi- 
dents of the United States. 




^ 



820 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




The subject of tin's sketch was born Sept. 4, 1 812, 
and until nineteen years of age spent his early life 
in his native county. Ho now purchased his time 
of his father and started out on his own account, 
employing liiniself at whatever he could And to do, 
working hard and with little rest in liis dtsijerate 
efforts to obtain a foothold. His leading idea was 
to be somebody in the world; to have a home of 
his own, and to make for himself a worthy record 
among his fellowmen. He was first married in 
York Township, Livingston Co., N. Y., to Miss 
Caroline Wooster, who was born and reared near 
Painted Post, in that State, and when a young 
woman went with her parents to Livingston County. 
Here the young peoi)le lived until after the birth 
of two children, then came to Michigan with their 
ox-team, as we have alreadj' described. 

In their journey to tiie West Mr. Kidder and his 
family were twenty-six days on the road, and landed 
first in .Jonesviile, Fayette Township. Mrs. Kidder 
worked side by side with her husband in building 
up their pioneer home, and as tiie result, was for a 
Ijeriod of fourteen years a helpless invalid, and 
died Aug. I, 1865. She had become the mother 
of six children, tlie eldest of whom, a son, William, 
is now working in the mines of California; Caro- 
line, the eldest daughter, is the wife of G. O. Her- 
endean, a well-to-do farmer of Great Bend, Kan. ; 
Homer married a Southern lady, and is carrying on 
merchandising in Doming, Nevv Mexico; Nelson 
married Miss Celestia Reed, and is farming in Liv- 
ingston County, Mo. ; Ethan married Miss Nellie 
Saxson, and is operating with his brother in Dom- 
ing, New Mexico; Arcena is the wife of Daniel 
W. Mickle, a prosperous farmer of Reading Town- 
ship. 

The present wife of Mr. Kidder, to whom he 
was married April 22, 1862, .at the home of the 
bride in Reading Township, was formerly Miss 
Sophia Southworth, who was born and reared in 
Chautauqua County, N. Y. When she was fourteen 
years of age she came with her parents, Eppaphras 
and Hannah (Reed) Southworth, to Michigan, they 
settling in Reading Township, where they spent the 
remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1868 
and the mother in 1878 Of this marriage of our 
subject there are two children : C. Belle, who is a 



teacher in the scliools of Quincy Township, Branch 
County, and Daniel G., who continues at home with 
his parents. Mrs. Kidder and her daughter are 
members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. Politi- 
cally, our subject is a Republican, and socially, is a 
Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Reading Lodge. 

/^^ IMEON DUNN. The subjcctof this sketch 
^^^^ is in possession of one of the finest farms in 
%J__M Hillsdale County. He came to Michigan 
during its Territorial days, arriving here in 
the spring of 1836, and first took up 240 acres of 
land in Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, but 
two years later sold out and purchased the same 
amount in Ingham County. With this .also he soon 
parted, and coming to the embryo village of Mos- 
cow, in this county, tried the experiment of black- 
smithing aliout eleven years, with excellent results. 
He invested his capital thus acquired in oigiity 
acres of land in Somerset Township, of which he 
has since been a resident, and has increased his real 
estate by the purchase of more land, until his farm 
now embraces 440 acres. He has given throe of 
his sons eighty .acres each, and has eighty acres re- 
served for another boy. As his children became of 
suitable age to leave the district school, and enter 
upon a higher course, he leased his farm, and once 
more took up his residence in the town of Moscow, 
where the children completed their studies, and then 
all returned to the old farm, where the parents and 
the rest of the children now live. The first rude 
dwelling, however, has been substituted for one of 
the finest residences in the county, which is set 
in the midst of well-kept grounds, with an abun- 
dance of choice shrubbery, and the embellishments 
which naturally suggest themselves to a gentleman 
of cultivated tastes and ample means. 

The Dunn family is of Scotch ancestry, one branch 
of which settled in New Jersey during the Colonial 
days, and in Sessex County, of which State Levi 
Dunn, the father of our subject, was born and 
reared. When twenty-two years of age ho removed 
to Livingston County, N. Y., and there married, 
for his second wife. Miss Sarah HoUstander, who 
was born in that county, where her parents spent 



^ 



-<— 



HILLSDALP: COUNTY. 



821 



4^ 

..1 



I 



their last years at tlie home of their rlaiighter Sarah, 
passing awaj- at a ripe okl age. Grandfather lIoU- 
stander served as a soldier in the French and Revolu- 
tionary Wars, where ho received an honoralile wound. 
and on account of which he subsequently drew a 
pension. Later, Levi Dunn carried a gun in the 
War of 1812. He continued in Livingston Countj-, 
K. Y., until his death, which occuricd at the age of 
fifty-seven 3'ears. The mother subsequently came 
to this county, and spent her last d.ays in Moscow 
Township, with hei' husband, where her death took 
place about 1 844, when she was sixtj' years old. Of 
this marriage of Levi Dunn there were born five 
children, of whom Simeon, our subject, is the only 
one living. His first wife was Ellizabeth Smith, by 
whom he became the father of eight children, who 
arc all now deceased. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Simeon 
Dunn, Sr., was also a native of New Jersey, to- 
gether with his wife, Sarah. He spent his entire 
life in his native State. Grandmother Dunn, after 
the death of her husband, removed to Livingston 
County, N. Y.. with her son Levi, and died at a 
very old age. The father of our subject was mostly 
eni|)loyed as a nailuiaker. Simeon Dunn, our sub- 
ject, who was born in Livingston Count}-, N. Y., 
Oct. 1, 1815, continued under the home roof until 
a youth of eighteen years, then worked out by the 
month three summers, and attended school during 
the winter season. A few days after reaching his 
majority he was married, Oct. 8, 1836, to Miss 
ilaiy A. Thatcher, who was born in New Jersey, 
ilay 14, 1816, and was the daughter of Daniel and 
Marian Thatcher, the former of whom died in New 
Y'ork State, and the latter in Michigan. Of this 
marriage of our subject there were born two chil- 
dren: Sarah A., Feb. 5, 1838, and died April 22, 
1839, and Mary A., born March 7, 1840, and who 
died three months later. The mother died in Liv- 
ingston County, N. Y., whither she had gone for 
her health, on the 7th of March, 1840. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, March 
22, 1842, with MissLuamy Weaver, who was born 
in Niagara Count}-, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1824, and after 
becoming the mother of a family of four children, 
departed this life at her home in Moscow Township, 
this county. The children of this marriage were: 



Allen W., born April 27, 1844; John W., Sept. 6, 
1847, and twin children, who died in infancy un- 
named. One son of our subject is Superintendent 
of Jackson Prison, and the other is a farmer in 
Jackson Count}-. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married March 1, 1848, was formerly Miss Mary, 
daughter of Elias and Reltecca (Reynolds) Alley, 
who are natives of New York, and are now resi- 
dents of Somerset. The children of this marriage, 
eight in number, are recorded as follows: Eliza A., 
born Jan. 16, 184!), died Aug. 14, 1851; Scott S., 
born March 18, 1851 , died Jan. 27, 1856; Esther 
A., born Feb. 7, 1856, is now the wife of George 
Eddy, a prosperous farmer of Michigan, and they 
are the parents of one boy; Abbie L., Mrs. O. 
Davison, who n-as born Dec. 3, 1857. is the mother 
of a son and daughter; Mary E., Mrs. Dewit Kerr, 
was born Sept. 24, 1859, and is the mother of two 
children; Thomas W. was born .Sept. 6, 1861, mar- 
ried Miss Mary Sutfin, is carrying on farming in 
Somerset Township, and is the father of one child, 
a daughter; George B., born' Aug. II, 1864, was 
married to Miss Lucy Haskell, is farming in Somer- 
set Township, and is the father of two boys; Joseph 
B., the twin brother of George B., died on the 25th 
of August, 1864, when fourteen days old. 

Mr. Dunn soon after his first marriage, in 1836, 
made his w.iy to the Territory of Michigan, and his 
subsequent course we have already indicated. In 
addition to his handsome residence, he. in the sum- 
mer of 1882, put up a commodious barn, and has all 
the other out-buildings and the farming implements 
necessary for carrying on agriculture after the most 
approved methods. He cast his first Presidential 
vole for Andrew Jackson, and has since advocated 
Democratic principles, although he has steadily re- 
fused to confine himself to parly lines, having con- 
scientiously given his support to the men whom he 
considers best qualified for office. Many years ago 
he united with the Congregational Church in Som- 
erset, in which he has offlciated as Deacon, and filled 
other responsible offices, forming one of its chief 
pillars. Socially, he is a. member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to Fayette Lodge No. 16, in 
which he has been Warden, and while a resident of 
Jonesville w-as also connected with the lodge there. 



■*► 



M^ 



822 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




A man liberal aiKl [)iiblic-spiiitefl, actively alive to 
tlie welfare of hisconimuiiity, there liave been few 
worthy enterprises to which he has not cordially 
lent a helping hand. His eldest son, John W., 
served as a Union soldier during the late war, in 
Company I, 7th Michigan Cavalry, which was 
under tlie command of Capt. Richards. 

^ ANIEL A. KELLY, of Reading Township, 
came to this county in 1874, and took up 
his abode on his present farm of 173 acres, 
wiiieh is finely located on section 15. He 
has brought the land to a good stale of cultivation, 
and during his residence here of fourteen yeais has 
industriously occupied himself in effecting the im- 
provements which to-day are viewed by the passing- 
traveler with unmixed respect for the hand and 
the will which have built up one of the most desirable 
homesteads in the western part of Hillsdale County. 
Our subject is a native of Groveland Townshij), 
Livingston Co., N. Y., and was born March 19, 
1852. His father, Michael Kelly, a native of the 
same place, w.as there married to Miss Matilda 
Johnson, whose birthplace was also in Groveland 
Township, and who was of Irish parentage. Dan- 
iel Kelly, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Bucks County, Pa., and of 
substantial .Scotch ancestry ; lie grew to manhood 
in the Keystone State, and when twenty-tvvo j'ears 
(jld made his way to Livingston County, N. "i ., 
where he took up a tract of Government land, and 
settling there with his wife proceeded to build up a 
homestead. Grandmother Kell}' was in her girl- 
hood Miss Mary Roup, also a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, and whose family for generations had been 
residents of that State. The grandparents spent 
the remainder of their lives in Livingston County, 
dying at an advanced age, Mr. Kelly in August, 
18G1, and his wife in Januar3', 186 J, both having 
attained their fourscore years. Grandfather Kelly 
for a short time carried a musket in the Revolu- 
tionary AVar, and was at the city of Buffalo during 
its destruction by the LJritish. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Mi- 
chael Johnson by name, was a native of Ireland, and 



married Miss Matilda Crossett, near the home of his 
youth. They emigrated to America when young 
people, and located in Groveland Township. Liv- 
ingston Co., N. Y., among the pioneer settlers of 
that region. Grandfather Johnson took up a tract 
of Government land, and pnjceeded after the man- 
ner of the pioneers al)out him to battle with the ele- 
ments of a new counlr}'. Bears, wolves and deer 
were plentiful, and the savage beasts of the forest 
frequently carried off his pigs and other sm.all live 
stock. Ml-. Johnson was not a man, however, to be 
dismayed under any ordinary difliculty, and with 
the assistance and encouragement of his courageous 
helpmate he struggled successfully' with the ele- 
ments about him, building up a good home, and 
there the grandparents spent the remainder of their 
lives. 

Grandfather Johnson is remembered as a man of 
more then ordinary' capacity, and was prominent in 
his township. He and his estimable wife were 
members of the Presbyterian Church, having come 
from the North of Ireland, to which a [lortion of 
their Scotch ancestors were driven during the time 
of the religious persecution of an earlier daj-. The 
property which Michael Johnson accumulated in 
Livingston County, N. Y., is still held by one of 
his sous, who is now nearly eighty years of age. 
What has been said of the Johnson family will 
properly apply to the Kellys as early settlers of the 
Empire State; they .acquired land from the Govern- 
ment, and it is now held by the youngest and only 
surviving son and child of Daniel Kelly, George 
W.. who is now about seventy j'ears old. 

Michael Kell3', the father of our subject, was the 
second son and third child of his parents, and de- 
parted this life at his home in Groveland, in 
August. 1880, at the age of sixty-nine ^ears. He 
was a successful farmer, and adhered loyally to the 
religious faith of his forefathers. The wife and 
mother survived her husband a short time, her 
death taking place in June, 1885, after she h.ad 
reached the advanced age of sixty-nine years. 
Their family consisted of six sons and one dauglv- 
ter. With the exception of one they are all living. 
Mieh.ael J., during the late Rebellion, enlisted in 
the Union army, and was seriously wounded at the 
battle of Pea Ridge, from the effects of which he 




^ 



■^*- 



A 



lULLSDALK COUNTY. 



823 



died before being able to get home, and was buried 
somewhere in Missouri. He was first a member of 
Conipaii^y G, 4tii Missouri Infanlr}', wiiich later 
consolidated with Company D, olHli Illinois In- 
fantry. Mr. Kelly was shot through the leg, which 
he would not have amputated, and died from the 
effects. 

Daniel Kelly, the subject of this sketch, was the 
eldest son and third child of his parents; he w.as 
reared and educated in his native township, becom- 
ing familiar with farm pursuits, and acquiring those 
habits of industry which have been the secret of his 
success. In August, 18G1, a few months after the 
outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company 
L, 8th New York Cavalry, under command of Col. 
Sam Crook, and who was succeeded by Colonel, 
and afterward General, B. F. Davis, of the Armj' of 
the Potomac. This regiment was assigned to the 
2d Brigade, and detailed very soon into active 
service. Mr. Kelly participated with his comrades 
in about fifty engagements, including the battles of 
Gettysburg, Boonesboro, Spottsylvania. and was 
also in front of Richmond. These, it is hardly nec- 
essary to state, were the hardest-fought battles of 
the war, and his regiment was in the thickest of the 
fight. Mr. Kelly eidisted as a Corporal, and a few 
months later was given the position of Sergeant, 
with which title lie was mustered out at the close of 
the war. 

Mr. Kelly received his honorable discharge at 
Clouds' Mills, in Virginia, June 7, 1865. Although 
experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, he was fort- 
unately neither wounded nor captured, and was per- 
mitted to return home safel^'. He now resumed 
his farming pursuits, and was married rather late in 
life, Nov. 25, I8G9, to Miss Frances Robertson. 
This lady was born in Tecumseh Township, Lena- 
wee County, this Slate, June 24, 1842, and spent 
some of her youth in Indiana; she acquired a good 
education, and made her home with her parents 
until her marriage. Of her brother, C. G. Robert- 
son, a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly there were born four chil- 
dren, namely: [lenry R., Hattie M., Frank H. and 
Daniel S., the eldest seventeen years of age and the 
youngest eight; thej' are at home with their par- 
ents. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly continued residents of 



New York State until 1872, then removed to Indi- 
ana, and two jears later came to this county ; they 
settled upon their present farm in 1874. Our sub- 
ject, like his forefathers and with his estimable 
wife, is a strict adherent of the Presbyterian Church. 
Politically, he is a solid Republican, and socially, 
belongs to Phil Sheridan Post No. 4, at Reading. 



^^ MITH WILBUR. The name of this gentle- 
^^^ man is familiar to nearly all the residents 
(ll/_^j of Reading Township, where he has a snug 
farm of eighty attres, pleasantly located on 
section 12. 'J'lie land is mostly in excellent con- 
dition, provided with good buildings, the residence 
neat and comfortable, and the barns and outhouses 
finely adapted to the care and shelter of the Dur- 
ham cattle and Poland-China swine of \vliicli the 
proprietor makes a siiecialty. The air of thrift 
and comfort about the premises indicates at once 
the energy and industry of the proprietor. 

Mr. Wilbur purchased his present farm in 1859, 
of Warren P. Chaffee, lately deceased, and who 
passe(1 away at his home in Adrian at the advanced 
age of ninety-six years. He had been one of the 
first settlers of Lenawee County. Our sidjject was 
born in Wayne County, N. Y.. Feb. 27, 1820, and 
when fourteen years of age became a resident of 
Montville Township, Medina Co., Ohio, where he 
remained with his parents until 1859. His father, 
Smith Wilbur, Sr., was born in Massachusetts, and 
lived in the Bay State until reaching manhood. 
Then, migrating to New York Stale, he was married 
in the township of Fennor, Madison County, to a 
lady who died at the birth of her first child, a son, 
who was christened Thomas. This son grew to 
manhood and followed farming, and married Miss 
^Martha Palmer, after which he settled in the city of 
Rochester, where he became a successful business 
man, dealing largely in real estate. He is still liv- 
ing, ripe in years, and is ranked among the wealthy 
and prominent residents of that city. 

Smith Wilbur, Sr., married for his second wife, 
also in Fennor Township, Jliss Nancj' Faulkner, 
who was born and reared in Rhode Island. .She 
then removed to New York State with her grand- 



•►HH^ 



n 



-^*- 



824 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



parents, who settled in Pittstown. Soon after their 
marriage the parents of our subject became resi- 
dents of Waldron, Wayne Co.. N. Y., where the 
father began the cultivation of a tract of un- 
developed land, and where he succeeded in building 
np a good homestead. This he gave in exchange 
later for a tract of timber land in Medina County, 
Ohio, which comprised 325 acres, and for which he 
received a difference of $G00 in tiie estimated value 
of the land. He removed there in 1834, and in 
the wilderness of Medina County the second time 
improved a good faim. 'J his remained the home 
of the family for a number of years, and until 
after the death of the father, which occurred in 
August, 1865, in Reading Township, this county, 
while he was making a visit to his son. He had 
numbered more than his threescore years and ten, 
being at the time of his death seventy-six j'ears 
old. The mother after the death of her husband 
left the farm, and spent her last years at the home 
of her son Oscar, in the town of Weymouth, pass- 
ing away in 1876 at the advanced age of eighty- 
six years. 

Our subject was the fifth child of Smith and 
Nancy Wilbur, whose family included six sons and 
two daughters, namely: Halsey, Gideon; Polly, 
who died when eighteen years of age; Desdemona, 
who is the wife of Riley Smith, of Medina County, 
Ohio; Smith, our sul)ject; Ransom, who is married 
and a resident of Oniro, Wis.; Oscar, of Way- 
mouth, Ohio, and Russell, of Coldwater. this State. 
Halsey is married, and occupied at farming in 
Wayne Count}', N. Y.,and Gideon lives near Way- 
mouth, in Medina County, Ohio. They are all 
well-to-do and worthy citizens. 

Smith Wilbur, our subject, was married before 
leaving Ohio, Oct. 26, 1842, to Miss Rebecca Cur- 
ran, who was born iu Spencer Township, Tioga Co., 
N. Y., Jan. 27, 1824, and came with her fathei-, 
Jacob Curran, to Ohio. They located in the north- 
ern part of the State, near Cleveland, where the 
father engaged in farming, but later removed with 
his family to Medina Count}', where Mrs. Wilbur 
was reared to womanhood. Mr. Curran spent his 
last years near Elyria, in Lorain County, where his 
death took place in 1847, when he was sixt3-eigbt 
years old. The mother, Mrs. Lydia (Hugg) Cur- 



ran, survived her husband about ten years, her 
death occurring in Michigan, in January, 1849, when 
sixty-eight years of age. They were most excel- 
lent and worthy people, and earnest adherents, re- 
ligiously, of the Baptist faith. 

After their marriage our subject and his wife lo- 
cated on a farm in Medina County, where they 
lived until 1859. Mr. Wilbur then sold out, and 
coming to this county secured possession of his 
present farm, which he has since occupied. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilbur have no children, with the ex- 
ception of a foster son, Charles Wilbur, whom they 
reared as their own, and who is now a resident of 
Homer Township. Calhoun County, this State, where 
he owns a good farm. He married Miss Prudence 
Peck, of Reading, this county, and they are the 
parents of one child, a daughter, Mabel. 

Our subject, politicall}', is a conscientious member 
of the Democratic party. He cast his first Piesi- 
dential vote for Polk, is a man slow to make up 
his mind, but this done, clings to his convictions 
with the tenacity which has marked his career in all 
his other transactions. Mrs. Wilbur, who was 
reared a Baptist, continues faithful to the doctrines 
in which she was trained b}' her honored parents, 
and many years ago identified herself with the Free- 
will Baptist Church, of Reading. 

^ .^^ s- 



i^ 



W^ILLIAM DIVINE, a retired farmer in com- 
fortable circumstances, is at present a resi- 
dent of Cambria Mills, where he is taking 
life largely at his ease. He established himself in 
the business of general merchandising here in 1880, 
continuing until 1885. Previous to this time he 
had been one of the most prosperous farmers of 
Woodbridge Township, where he owned ii good 
propert}', and which he disposed of upon changing 
his occupation. 

Mr. Divine came to this county with his father 
in 1843, from Lucas County, Ohio, having first 
moved there from New Y'ork, where his birth took 
place in the town of Sterling, Cayuga County, 
March 11, 1830. His father, Joseph Divine, a 
well-to-do farmer of the F^mpire State, traced his 
ancestry back to Germany. He was born in East- 



HILLSDALE COUNT V. 



«2.» 



eni New York, where he received a good education, 
and during the troubles of 1S12 was Captain of a 
compan}- in tiic United States army, lie acquitted 
himself as a brave and faitliful soldier and met the 
enem^' in several important engagements. In tlic 
battle at Otsego he was wounded in the leg by a 
ball from the enem}', which, however, only disabled 
him for a brief time, but on account of which lie 
afterward received a pension. 

The father of our subject, after laying down his 
musket, settled in the Black Kiver country, and 
not long afterward was married to Miss Esther Wil- 
mott, who was a native of Long Island and of New- 
England ancestry. .She traced her descent back to 
the old Pilgrims, and was justly proud of her line- 
age. After their marriage Joseph Divine and his 
wife continued residents of New York State for 
some j'ears. From the eastern i>art of the State 
they subsequently removed to Cayuga County, 
where they sojourned for a period of twenty-five 
3'ears. The father in the meantime built up a fine 
farm from an uncultivated tract of land. From there, 
in lb32 or 1833, they emigrated to Ohio, settling 
in the woods of Lucas County, near what was sub- 
sequently the site of the cit}- of Toledo. There the 
father proceeded as before, battling with the ele- 
ments of a new soil, from which he improved a good 
farm, and which he lelt ten 3'ears later to cast his 
lot with the early settlers of the young Slate of 
Michigan. 

The father of our subject, locating in Hillsdale 
County, purchased eighty acres of land in Wood- 
bridge Township, in 1843, and here labored the re- 
maining years of an unusually active life. After 
reaching the ripe old age of eighty-six, he passed 
away about 1858. In his young manhood he was 
a stanch Whig and violently opposed to the institu- 
tion of slavery. His aged partner survived him 
but three years, dying also at the homestead in 
Woodliridge Township, at the age of sevent}'- 
seven. They had lived respected by all who knew 
them, and left to their children a record of which 
they will never be ashamed. Religiously, they 
were members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. 

William Divine was the youngest of a family of 
nine sons and three daughters, of whom onl^- five 
sons are living. He attained his majority in Wood- 



' bridge Township, and was married there, in 1859, 
to Miss Rebecca Ransom, who was born in New 
j York about 1828. and came to Michigan with her 
j parents, Ilubbel and Sarah Ransom, about 1841. 
; They settled in tlie vicinity of the [jresent site of 
j Jonesville, where they resided until their decease. 
1 Mrs. Divine took kindl3' to her books in her child- 
hood days, and began teaching when little more 
than fourteen 3'ears of age, being thus engaged un- 
til her marriage. Her death took place in 1873, 
at Mendon, St. Joseph County, this State, where 
she had gone to receive medical treatment. Of her 
union with our subject there had been born two 
children: Clara M., now the wife of Henrj' Stum- 
ball, a well-to-do farmer of Woodbridge Township, 
and Montgomery L., who married Miss Eva Cox, 
and is engaged as a clerk. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in Cambria, was formerly- Miss Marah M. 
(Cone) Seaman, who was born in New York State 
and came with her parents to Michigan when but 
a child. She was married to Mr. Seaman, and be- 
came the mother of one cliil'd only, a daughter, 
Stella, who is now the wife of Otis Marvin, a pros- 
perous farmer of Cambria Township. Of her uniijn 
with our subject there have been born four chil- 
<]i-eu — Myrtle M., Ruby M., Frank M. and Robert 
A., the eldest of whom is twelve years of age, and 
the youngest one. Mr. Divine prides himself in 
being a zealous member of the Republican party, 
and has represented AVoodbridge Township in the 
County Board of Supervisors four years, and served 
as Township Clerk the same length of time. Both 
he and his excellent wife are members in good 
standing of the Free- Will Baptist Church, as also 
w.as the first lady who bore his name. 

BNER AV. PEARCE is now living in retire- 
f®0| meut from the active duties of his business 
/Flfi '"IS an eminently successful farmer, stock- 
imH raiser and dairyman, in his pleasant home 

on section 6 of Cambria Township. He was for- 
merly associated with the late William S. Hosmer, 
and the record of their lives furnishes a most be;iu- 
tiful example of a faithful and lifelong friendship, 



■•► 



t 



-4*- 



8-26 



^ ^^ ► ^ B <* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



»► m^ *- 



such as is seldom witnessed. Coming to this State 
together in the prime of manhood, accompanied hy 
their wives, who weie sisters, the^' woiked side by 
side, and built up a home which sheltered both their 
families, vvjiere their days were passed quietly and 
amicably, and b}' their united labors improveci one 
of the fine.«t farms in this part of Hillsdale County. 
They were devoted to each other's interests, and 
shared alike the gains and losses of their business. 
Their strong attachment and sincere friendship was 
only brokL-n bj' the death of Mr. Hosmer. 

They were both of New Engl.and birth and par- 
entage. Mr. Pearce was born in Torrington, Litch- 
field Co., Conn., Aug. 23, 1813. and was a son of 
Christopher and Merc3' (Brownell) Pearce, of Rhode 
Island. His father's father was a farmer and a life- 
long resident of Rhode Island. After marriage 
Christopher Peaice removed to Connecticut, and 
made his home for some years in Litchfield County, 
where he was actively employed at his trade of 
blacksmith. Our subject was reared in his native 
count}', where he lived until he was seventeen years 
old, when the whole family moved to Vienna Town- 
ship, Oneida Co., N. Y. In 1^58 Christopher 
Pearce and his wife came to Michigan, whence their 
Son, our subject, had pieceded them several years 
before. They took up their home in Jouesville, 
this counlj', and there the remaining da3's of their 
honored and useful lives passed quietly by, the 
mother dying Oct. 30, 1851), at the .ige of seventy- 
one, and the father April 9, ISGO, at the age of 
seventy-five. They were devoted members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in 
politics Mr. Pearce was a Democrat. Our subject 
is the second son and child born to his wortliy par- 
ents, thej' having had six children, five sons and one 
daughter; the latter and one son are deceased. Of 
the four surviving sons, two are living in Michigan, 
one in Iowa, and one in ilinnesota. 

Mr. Pearce, of this sketch, was married in Vienna 
Township, Oneida Co., N. Y.. Nov. 11, 1838, to 
Miss Thankful TuttJe, a daughter of Deacon Orman 
and Abbie (Barnes) Tuttle. Her parents were natives 
of Connecticut, but married in Oneida County, N. 
Y., where the remainder of their lives was spent, 
and there they reared a family of eleven children, 
of whom five daughters and two of the three sons 



are living, one of the daughters now being eighty- 
three years old. The parents were worthj' mem- 
bers of the Presbj'terian Church, and in politics the 
good Deacon was for many years a stanch Repub- 
lican. Mrs. Tuttle died at the home of her husband 
in Oneida County, at the age of fifty-six years. 
After the death of his wife the Deacon was again 
married, and had one child by that marriage. His 
chihiren were reared and educated in the county of 
which he was so many years a prominent citizen. 
He died on the old homestead, having rounded out 
a life of seventy-eight years. 

As the lives of Mr. Pearce and Mr. Hosmer subse- 
quently became so intimately' connected, we will here 
incorporate a short sketch of the latter. AVilliam .S. 
Hosmer was boin in Craftsburj', Vt., May20, 1809, 
.and when five years of age accompanied his parents 
to Oneida County, N. Y., where the remaining 
years of his boyhood and early manhood were 
passed, engaged first in helping his father in the 
farm work, and later in his trade of carpenter,' 
which he learned at an early age, and continued to 
follow until he came to Michigan. He married, 
Dec. 13, 1830, Alma Tuttle, daughter of Deacon 
Tuttle, of Vienna, N. Y., and of their union two 
sons and four daughters were born, of whom one 
son and two daughters are 3'et living. The following 
is their record:' Emile A. (deceased) was the wife 
of Edwin Phelps, of Hillsdale, and was the mother 
of two children ; Hiram married Miranda Vanda, 
and is now deceased ; Sophia died at the age of fif- 
teen ; Mary is the wife of Angus Abbott, and they 
are now living on a farm in the township of Read- 
ing; Abner P., living on the homestead, marrieil 
Alida Clay ; Juliette M. is the wife of W. Cooper, 
and they are now living on a farm in the township 
of Re.ading. The eldest daughter, Emile A., was a 
school teacher before her marriage. 

In 1844 these two brothers-in-law, of whom we 
write, determined to cast in their fortunes together, 
and with their families come to the young and 
growing .State of Michigan, and here build up a 
new home. On their arrival here they settled on a 
tract of land which forms the farm on which our 
subject still resides. It comprises 217 acres, all 
under the best cultivation, and on which they 
erected a handsome and commodious residence, in 



u 



^ M ^m 

■^^'^r^^* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



827 



which both families still make their home, and the 
place is well supplied with substantial and conveni- 
ent farm buildings, and various kinds of machinery 
for successfullj' carrying on farming. Thus the 
long years wherein they so faithfully toiled together 
brought them a full measure of success, and to- 
gether they lived to enjoj' it until the death of Mr. 
Hosmer, June 20, 1883, sundered the tie that had so 
long bound them together, only, perhaps, that it 
may be united "where the broken circles of life 
shall be rounded to the perfect orb." He was a 
good and true-hearted man, and is greatly missed 
in this communitj', as well as by the members of his 
own household, to whom he was ever a devoted 
husband and kind father. Mrs. Ilosmer is still a mem- 
ber of the family, and a part owner of the farm, 
which is still conducted under the name of Pearce 
& Hosmer, and is under the skillful management of 
her son Abner. It is but a just tribute to tlie wives 
of our subject and his friend to say that tlio}' had 
in them faithful and cheerful helpers, to whom no 
small part of their comfort and prosperit3' is due. 

Mr. Pearce is honored and respected in this town- 
ship as a man of unswerving rectitude, and he has 
often been called upon to fill local offices. In poli- 
tics he has for many years been a faithful member 
of the Democratic partj", as was also Mr. Hosmer. 



v 



* 



<S IfelLLIAM W. COOPER, who is now en- 
gaged in general farming on section 1, 
Reading Township, where he has recently 
located, is a native-born citizen of Hillsdale County, 
Scipio Township being the place of his birth, and 
May 30, 1854, the date thereof. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Eliza Banker, was also 
born in this count}', her birthplace having been 
Hankers, which w.os named in honor of her father 
and his sons, who were its earliest settlers. The 
father of our subject, Abraham Cooper, was also 
an carl}' settler of Hillsdale County, coming here 
when he was quite a young man. He has had a 
varied, and in some respects, an exciting career, 
and his character has been molded bj' a wide ex- 
perience and some bitter hardships, which men of 
less determined will and less liiirdy physique would 

■^ 



scarcely have survived. He xvas born in the State 
of New York, and there matured to a strong, steady, 
self-reliant manhood, ever ready to do and to dare. 
He learned the trade of railway engineer in his 
native State, and is now engaged in that calling on 
the Eastern Minnesota & Manitoba Railway, with 
his headquarters at Minneapolis. After locating 
in Michigan, he opened a hotel, and also managed 
a farm in connection with it for some j'ears, meet- 
ing with very good success. At one time he was a 
soldier in Ihe regular array, serving in that capacity 
for seven year.*. During that time he took an 
active part in many hard battles with the Indians, 
narrowly escaping destruction. His soldier life was 
one of bitter suffering at times, and often of ex- 
treme danger. His regiment encountered some 
terrible snowstorms, in which niau}" of his com- 
rades were frozen. Atone time they were snowed 
up in the Rocky Mountains for three da^'s, with 
nothing to eat, and nearly every man and horse 
was frozen, and he lost all of his toes but one, 
and otherwise was badly froz,eu, but his fine and 
vigorous constitution triumphed, and he survived, 
and recovered from the injuries received during 
his exposure in that awful time. His military rec- 
ord is an exceedinglj- honorable one, showing him 
to have been courageous and faithful in the dis- 
charge of his duties, and would l)e full of interest 
to our readers did we have s|)aco for it. He is now 
sixty years old, and, notwithstanding all that he 
has passed through, is still very stout and rugged, 
and as capable of acomplishing a good deal as 
many a younger man. In 1885 Mr. Cooper had 
the misfortune to lose his wife, who died at their 
home in Minneapolis, Minn., at the age of fiftj'- 
three. She had been to him a true and devoted 
companion, and a wise mother to their children. 

Our subject was reared and educated in this 
county, and received a careful training from his 
parents that well fitted him for a useful career. 
He was intelligent and active, and as he grew 
to manliood evinced good talents for business. 
He started out in life for himself in the liverj- busi- 
ness at Homer, Calhoun County, this StsUe, and 
very successfuU}' prosecuted that business in that 
town for four years; the rest of his life has been 
spent in this count}', although ho has an interest in 



j w ^ m ^> 



i 



' i 8-28 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^•^T^ 



fin agricultural store in Homer. He has for some 
nine years represented the firm of D. M. Osborne 
& Co., of Auburn, N. Y., as an agent for their 
binders and other machines. He has been very 
successful in that line of business, and has given 
perfect satisfaction to tiie cfmipan}'. He devotes 
much time to his farm, wliicii is located in a very 
pleasant part of the township, is exceedingly pro- 
ductive, and is admirably adapted to the purposes of 
general farming. Mr. Coojjer is proving himself, 
b}' his judicious management of his agricultural 
interests, to be as practical and wise a farmer as 
he has already shown himself to be shrewd and 
capable in other branches of business. 

Mr. Cooper was married, in Cambria Township, 
to Miss Etta Hosnier, in September, 18«2. She is 
the youngest daughter of William Hosmer (for full 
history see sketch of Abner W. Pearce). She was 
born and reaied in this county, and leceived a 
good education. She is devoted to her husband's 
interests, and makes their home |)leasant and at- 
tractive. One child, Kay, has been born to them. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper attend the Frce-Will Baptist 
Church, at North Reading, and contiibute liberally 
to its support. Mr. Cooper is a Republican in 
politics. He is a fiee-iiearted, generous man, of 
genial and easy manners, of gooil habits, and fine 
business qualifications. 



^=!^EORGE SCHRUTT. The pleasant farm 
III (^-^ homestead of this gentleman overlooks Baw 
^^il) Bees Lake, on the Steamburg road, and lies 
on sections 1 and 2 of Camliria Township. It 
embraces 112 acres of fertile land under good cul- 
tivation, with a substantial set of farm buildino's, 
and in its appointments is indicative of thrift and 
industry and all the other comforts of modern life. 
Our subject took possession of tliis proi)ertv in 
1877, and has since made it his home. A native of 
Pennsylvania, he was born in Erie County, .Julj' 4, 
1833, and is the son of George .Schrutt, Sr., whose 
birthplace was in the sunny land of P'rance, near 
the Switzerland line. He was reared in the latter 
Republic, and married there Miss Catherine Plague. 
After the iiirth of one child, thej-. in 1831, set out 



for America, but the child, Frances, died, and was 
entombed in an ocean grave. Upon landing on 
American soil they located in the vicinity of Mc- 
Kean, where the death of the father occurred in 
Jul}', 1835, very suddenlj-, while he was mowing 
with a scythe. He was a very industrious, hard- 
working man, and probably had overtaxed his 
strength, dropping lifeless in the field. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Schrutt was 
married to Frederick Shultz, who was born in the 
Mohawk Valley, and was probably of Holland par- 
entage. He also died in Erie Count}', and his 
widow then married John Miller. They came to 
Illinois, and Mr. Miller died a few years later. The 
mother of our subject then joined her son in Michi- 
gan, and died at his home in Scipio Township, Dec. 
28, 1870. 

George Schrutt, our subject, is the only surviving 
member of his family. He grew to manhood in 
Erie County. Pa., learning the trade of carpenter, 
and was married, Jan. 5. 1854, to IMiss Emeline 
C. Chellis. This lady is the daughter of Stewart 
and Catherine (Foster) Chellis, natives respectively 
of Vermont and Canada. They were married in 
Erie County, Pa., where the mother died. The 
father engaged in farming and also oper.ated a saw- 
mill; in 1 8()4 he removed to Clinton, DeWitt Co., 
III., where he married the second time, and there 
died ill the fall of 1881, having arrived at the age 
of seventy-eight years. The second wife's maiden 
name w.as Susan Krusucker; she died in Illinois. 

Both the grandfathers of Mrs. Schrutt served as 
soldiers in the War of 1812. Grandfather Chellis 
was subsequently murdered for his money, while 
crossing Lake Champlain. Mrs. S. was reared to 
womanhood in her native county, her birth having 
occurred in Erie County, Dec. 5, 1830. Of her 
union with our subject there were born nine chil- 
dren. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth J., is the 
wife of Oliver O. Stickler, and resides in Hillsdale, 
where Mr. S. carries on blacksmithing; George S. 
is engaged at home; Levi W. remains at home with 
his parents; Henry N. is at home; Carrie O. resides 
in Albion ; Lewis A., Florence, Claude F. and 
Minnie M. continue under the home roof. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schrutt, after their marri.age, lived 
in Erie County, Pa., until 1803. During the sum- 



■^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



829 



nier of that year they made their way to this State, 
and locating first in Scipio 'rownsliip, continued 
tliere until Mr. Schrutt enlisted as a Union soldier 
in the 27th Michigan Infantry, 2d Company of 
Sharpshooters, and which was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac. He participated in the battle of 
tlie Wilderness, and met the enemy in various minor 
engagements and skirmishes, and with his company' 
was one of the foremost in the battle of Spottsjd- 
vania. While behind a breastwork a shell struck 
the topmost log, which fell upon Mr. S., who has 
since been a cripple. He suffered greatly for about 
four years after his return from the service. Mr. 
Schrutt has very little to do with public affairs, but 
votes the Republican ticket. His estimable wife is 
a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. 
The children have been subject to religious train- 
ing, and the famil}- are all Christians. Mrs. Schrutt 
has in her possession a wineglass of Scotch manu- 
facture, which was used by iier grandsire during 
the Revolutionary War. 

'l^DWARD E. CARTER is an industrious and 
fel prosperous farmer owning a goodlj' farm 
j*'--^ ' pleasantly located on section 21, Moscow 
Township. He is the son of William and Almira 
(Ooddard) Carter, who are now worthy citizens of 
this township. His father was born in Sussex 
County, England, and his mother was born in Or- 
leans County, N. Y. ; they are aged respectively 
sixty-nine and sixty-three years. After marriage 
they settled down in Orleans Count3-, but subse- 
quently moved to Canada. After a residence of 
several years in the British Dominion they finally 
returned to the United States, and in 1868 located 
in Hillsdale County. Of their marriage seven chil- 
dren have been born, three sons and four daugh- 
ters. 

Our subject was the eldest of the children born 
to his parents, his birth taking place in Orleans 
County, N. Y., Ang. 6, 1845. He was six years 
old when his parents removed from their home in 
New York and took up their abode in Canada, 
where he grew to a strong and vigorous manhood, 
receiving a careful training from his parents and a 



sound education in the excellent schools of his Ca- 
nadian home. He was twenty-two 3'ears of age 
when he finally returned to the "States," and became 
a citizen of the land of his birth. He made his 
home in Moscow, and for the first two years of his 
resi<lence in this State worked out. In 1871 he 
had accumulated sufficient property to justify his 
marriage and the establishment of a home, and he 
was united to Miss Emily Borden, daughter of Jo- 
seph and Mary Borden, who were for many years 
residents of Moscow Township. They are now 
dead, the father dying in 1883 at the age of seventy- 
three, and the mother in the year 1881 .at the age of 
sixty-eight years. Mr. Borden was twice married, 
and had four children bj' his first m.arriage and three 
b}' his last, one son and two daughters. Mrs. Carter 
was his second child, and wjis born in Allen Town- 
ship, Feb. 4, 1852. She was educated in the com- 
mon schools, is a woman of much intelligence and 
capability, and h.as been of much assistance to her 
husband in l)uilding up a comfortable and cosy 
home. 

Mr. Carter lias owned the farm he now occupies 
for ten years, and by the exercise of excellent 
judgment, untiring industry and frugality, he has 
pl.aced it in a fine state of till.age. so that it j'ields 
him large crops. His buildings are in good order, 
and everything about indicates thrift and good care 
on the part of the owner. As a good citizen should, 
our subject takes a deep interest in public affairs, 
and does all that he can to promote the prosperity 
of Moscow Township. He is a firm believer in the 
l)rlnciples of the Republican party, giving them his 
cordial and hearty support by voice and vote. 

^p^iJEORGE H. Rn)OUT, who owns and occu- 
(|| (^— , pies 140 .acres of land on sections 18 and 7 
^^^1, in Wheatland Township, has here established 
one of the finest homes in Hillsdale County. He 
is a gentleman in the prime of life, having been 
born Nov. 28, 1845, and is a native of Eaton 
County-, this State. His father, Ezra Ridout, a 
nsitive of New Jersey, spent. the early years of his 
life in that State, but upon reaching manhood 
made his waj- into the State of New York. In 1«43 



t' 



=T* 



••»> 



830 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he left the Empire State, and came to Eaton 
County, Mich., whence after several years' resi- 
dence he removed to Wisconsin, and settling near 
Whitewater, there engaged in mercantile business, 
and spent the remainder of his life. 

Mrs. Jane (.Jennings) Ridout, the mother of our 
subject, died when tlie latter was onl}' five j-ears 
old, and the family record has not been preserved. 
George IL was roared mostly liy his maternal 
grandparents. His grandfather, William Jennings, 
came to this county in the pioneer days, settling in 
Wheatland Township, where he carried on farming, 
and died at tiie ripe old age of eigiity-seven years. 
His wife, Bets}% was also well stricken in years 
when called from earth. 

Young Ridout became familiar with farm pur- 
suits early in life, and when twentj'-three years of 
age was married to Miss Alice R. Tucker, on Kew 
Year's Day, 1868. This lady was born in Wheat- 
land Township, Sept. 7, 1850, and was the daughter 
of Harry C. and Olive (Gallup) Tucker, the former 
a native of Connecticut, born June 8, 1803, and 
the mother a native of Canada, born Jan. 17, 1819. 
Mr. Tucker was also a pioneer of Hillsdale County, 
and died at the homestead which our subject now 
occupies, on the "id of March, 1884. Coming here 
in 1837, he took up a tract of wild land, which by 
a process of tiiorough cultivation was transformed 
into one of the finest farms of Southern Michigan. 
His wife, Olive, passed away some years before the 
decease of her husband, dying also at the old place, 
April 20, 1878. In politics he was a Democrat. 
He and his wife were both members of the Chris- 
tian Church. He was well versed in the Bible— 
probably few, if an}', persons who ever lived in the 
township were more familiar with that sacred 
volume than he. Alice R. was their only child. 
Her paternal grandparents, Purley and Rebecca 
Tucker, were also natives of New England, and 
died in the State of New York, in Cayuga Count}', 
at an advanced age. They were the parents of 
eleven children, ten of whom grew to mature years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ridout are the parents of one child 
only, a son, Earl H., who was born at their present 
home, Nov. 13, 1879/ Our subject, in addition to 
his general farming operations, makes a specialty' of 
fancy blooded carriage horses, and going quite 



extensively into registered Merino sheep. His 
choice head of cattle is mostly of the Durham and 
Jersey breeds, and the swine are Poland-China. The 
farm buildings of the Ridout homestead .are .among 
the best in Whe.atland Township, and give abun- 
dant evidence of the excellent taste of the pro- 
prietor. The hospitable home of our subject and 
his amiable lady is the frequent resort of the intel- 
ligent people of the township, among whom they 
are general favorites. Both are prominentl}- con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Ridout, politicall}', is a Prohibitionist, although 
having little to do with politics. Mrs. R. is 
President of the L.adies' Aid Society, of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, of AVest Wheatland, and of 
the Township Sund.iy-School Convention of Wheat- 
land and Adams Townships. 



'i,^,EV. PETER JAMES SLANE, Priest of St. 
ijL^ Anthony's Catholic Church, at Hillsdale, 
/Jli\\\ where he has labored efficiently for the last 
w©ten years, w.as born in the North of Ireland, 
in County Tyrone, Oct. 8, 1855, where he spent 
the early years of his life, and whence he emigrated 
to America with his parents when a lad ten 3'ears 
of age. The latter, James and Mary (Bradley) 
Slane, were of pure Irish descent, and born in the 
same county as their son. The father was a grocer 
and hardware merchant, and upon coming to the 
United States settled in Philadelphia, where he re- 
mained until 1873, and then returned to the old 
home in Ireland, where he now resides. 

Father Slane commenced his regul.ar education 
in the schools of the Quaker Citj', and later entered 
Mt. .St. Mary's College, near Baltimore, Md., where 
he completed the common branches, and then be- 
came a student at St. Vincent's College, near Phila- 
delphia, a noted theological seminar}', which was 
conducted under the auspices of the Benedictine 
Fathers, where he prepared himself for his future 
calling. On the 29th of June, 1878, he was or- 
dained Priest, and subsequently assigned to Hills- 
d.ale. He also ofUciated a short time at Dexter. 
Father Slane, a close student and extensive reader, 
became noticeable for his erudition, and in 1878 





i:^"«'-'»i**aaii6«w»afei 



51- Anthony's Church-P J. SlanEtRector, Res. 113. BroadSt., Hillsdale. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



833 



was appointed to St. Anthony's P.iiisli, Hillsdale, 
wliic'ii was greatly in need of an ellieient pastor in 
order to erect the residence buildings, and which 
he effected in the course of a couple of years. His 
congregation had heretofore worshiped in an old 
frame l)nilding on the site of the present one, and 
the next duty seemed to be tlie putting up of a 
suiUible church edifice. The erection of this was 
completed in the summer of 1883, and both in rais- 
ing funds and the style of the structure Father 
Slane has exhibited his eminent fitness for his posi- 
tion. St. Anthony's Church is located on the east 
side of tile pulilic square, and the church buildings 
altogether probably cost not less than 830,000. The 
congregation is composed of 200 families, averag- 
ing six members each, and under the efficient man- 
agement of Father Slane the parish is in a highly 
prosperous condition. He is not onl}- popular 
among his own people, but his intelligence, his 
learning, and his devotion to his life work, have 
gained him the respect of the entire community. 
A view of the church building is given on an adjoin- 
ing page. 



<3= 



4-0- 




f 



T 



s-^ AMUEL COLE is a worthy farmer of Pitts- 
ford Township, of which he is an early set- 
tler. He was born in West Town, Orange 
Co., N. Y., July 25, 1811, and is a son of 
George Cole, a native of the same town. His 
grandfather, Benjamin Cole, was a farmer, and 
so far as known, spent his entire life in Orange 
County. The father of our subject was reared in his 
native county, and there marrieil to Jane Loring, 
also of Orange County, and they continued their 
residence there until about 1815. They then moved 
with their family to Phelps, Ontario Co.,N. Y.,and 
there being then no railway's or canals, the removal 
was m.ade with teams. Mr. Cole bought a tract of 
timber land and cleared a good farm, on which he 
lived until a few years before his death, which 
occurred in Palmyra, whither he had removed after 
selling his property in Phelps. He vv.as quite a 
capalile, shrewd business man, much given to 
speculation, and used to buy horses which he took 
to Orange County, and there sold them orexchanged 

-^« 



them for wagons, which he would take back to 
Ontario County, and there dispose of them very 
profitably. His widow si)ent her last years with her 
daughter in Indiana. 

The subject of this sketch was but four or five 
years of age when he went with his jjarents to On- 
tario County to live, and there he grew up to a 
har<1}' and vigorous manhood, continuing to reside 
with his paienls in that and Wayne County until 
1834. In the meantime he was united in the bonds 
of malrimon}- to Miss Mar^' Barnard, of Sodus, 
AVayne County, Sept. 12, 1832, being the date of 
that important event. In the year 1834 Mr. Cole 
left his home in New Ycjrk, and with his young wife 
started for the Territory of Michigan, coming by 
those noted highways of travel over which so many 
of the pioneers of Southern Michigan passed, the 
¥A-iti Canal and Lake Erie to Monroe, where the^' 
hired a teamster to take them to the Bean Creek 
Valley. Their way led through a wild, uninhabited 
region to land which Mr. Cole had entered from 
the Government on a previous visit to Hillsdale 
County, and which he owns and occupies to-day. 
On their arrival at the present site of Hudson tliey 
took possession of a vacant log cabin belonging 
to Mr. Lane, ivhioli tiiey occu|)ipd until Mr. Cole 
could build a house of his own, which he immedi- 
ately set about doing, and had it ready for occu- 
panc}' the following oth of February. When the^- 
first came here there was no other settlement around 
them for miles, and wolves, bears, deer and other 
wild game were i)lenty. There was no railway in 
the Territory at tiie time, and Adrian was the near- 
est market, where wheat sold at thirty-seven and 
one-half cents per bushel, and oats at about ten 
cents a bushel. Our subject and his wife were dis- 
satisfied with their rough surroundings, and in the 
month of April, 183"), retui-nedto New York State, 
"oing with an ox-team to Toledo, from there on a 
steamer to Buffalo, and thence to Wayne County, 
where Mr. Cole purchased a team and engaged in 
teaming between Palmyra and Canandaigua. Three 
years later they came back to Hillsdale County. and 
settled in the log cabin that he had previously 
built, and which was still standing. Our subject 
then commenced the improvement of his laud, and 
put in a cro|) on the small tract of five acres that he 




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834 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



4 



had cleared when he first settled on it. He has been 
a resident here continuously since that time, and 
with the helpful assistance of his excellent wife has 
accumulated a fine propert}'. He has about seventy 
acres of land cleared, and has erected a substantial 
set of frame buildings He and his companion are 
spending the declining j-ears of their lives in the 
ease and comfort of a cosy home, beloved and 
respected b}' all in the community for their kindly 
ways and sterling worth of character. They are 
the parents of three children, namely : Philena, wife 
of Jack Rush, of Pittsford Township; George, who 
lives in tlie village of Pittsford, and Jane A., wife 
of Aaron Conselyea. who lives with her parents. 

The wife of our subject was born in Sodus, 
Wayne Co., N. Y., June 6, 1818, and is a daugh- 
ter of Silas Barnard, who was born in Utica, Oneida 
Co., N. Y., and moved from there to Sodus in the 
early settlement of that town, and died there about 
1820. The maiden name of his wife was Kuth 
Carey, a native of Utica, and daughter of Rufus 
Carey. Her father was a native of Massachusetts, 
and was for many years a sailor; he spent his last 
years in Wayne County. Mrs. Cole's mother mar- 
ried a second time, and resided in Lyons for some 
years. She spent her last days with Mrs. Cole, 
dying here in 1857 at the age of eighty-one. Polit- 
ically, Mr. Cole is a Democrat. Mrs. C. is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 

, EUBEN STRAIT, residing in Moscow Town- 
ship, is the son of Thomas J. and Miria 
(Powell) Strait, both natives of New York 
&gj State, where the latter was liorn in the city 
of New York. Grandfather Strait joined the Colo- 
nists in the Revolutionar}' War, which wrested from 
the mother country this great heritage which we at 
present enjoy. 

The parents of our subject settled in Steuben 
County, now Schuyler, in Tyrone Township, and 
resided there until the birth of our subject. In 
1837 they removed to Ohio, and settling on a farm 
in Butler County, remained there five 3'ears, after 
which they removed to Indiana, where they spent 




another five years in Jennings County. They then 
came to Michigan and settled in Jackson County, 
where the father bought a farm in Hanover Town- 
ship, upon which the parents resided until their 
decease, the death of the father occurring Nov. 7, 
1867, and that of the mother Jan. 22, 1872. They 
became the parents of seven children, three sons and 
four daughters, of whom our subject w.as the second 
in order of birth. 

Reuben Strait was born Oct. 27, 1834, in Tyrone 
Township, Steuben Co., N. Y., and was brought by 
his parents to Ohio when an infant of three years. 
Here he attended the public school at Bloomfield, 
Butler County, and received the rudiments of an 
education, which he supplemented by his attend- 
ance at the common schools in Indiana, after his 
removal there at eight years of age, and subse- 
quently in the schools at Hanover. 

On the 30th of ,Iune, 1853, Mr. Strait was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of William 
and Abigail (Smith) Clapp, the former a native of 
Dutchess County, N. Y., and the latter of Ontario 
County, in the same State. After marriage the 
parents settled in Macedon Center, Waj'ne County, 
thence removed to Jackson County, Mich., in 1837, 
where they settled on section 31. in HanoverTown- 
ship. Here they devoted themselves to the cultiva- 
tion and improvement of their farm, and the care 
and education of their family, and resided until 
their death, which occurred for the father in 1882, 
at the age of seventy-seven j'ears, while the mother 
died in April of the next j'ear, at seventy-eight 
years of age. Mr. Clapp was a prominent, liberal- 
minded and public-spirited citizen, largely interest- 
ing himself in, and contributing of his means, as well 
as aiding by his influence, all measures having for 
their object the improvement of the condition of 
the people among whom he lived, socially and 
financially. With a view to securing better facili- 
ties for market and travel, he donated the right of 
wa\f through his property to the Ft. Wayne & 
Saginaw Railroad Companj'. and contributed in 
addition )fel,000. 

The parental family of Mrs. Strait included four 
children, one son and three daughters, of whom 
Mary was the second child, and was born Jan. 27, 
1H35, at Macedon Center, Wayne Co., N. Y. At 



•Mh««: 



^ 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



835 



the tonfler nge of two and ono-hnlf years she marie 
tlie fatiguing journey with lier parents, hj' the usual 
route, to tliis State, where she received such educa- 
tion as the facilities of the time and f)lac(> afforded, 
receiving in addition those practical lessons in 
domestic economy from her excellent mother which 
resulted in maiiing her so ca|)al)le and invaluable a 
helpmate to Mr. Strait. By her union with our sub- 
ject she became the mother of nine children: Will- 
iam, who died in infancy; Josephine B., Eugene 
B., Thomas J., William U.. Jennie A., Levi S., De 
Witt C. and Ralph Waldo E. Josephine became 
the wife of James Buchanan, and they are the par- 
ents of four children — Wayne J., Marj' A., Albert 
and Ethel M.; Eugene B. is engaged in farming on 
section 31, Hanover Township, and chose for his 
wife Miss Nellie Shepherd, by whom he has four 
children — Leon, Ross, Clyde and Ruby; Thomas 
J. resides on section 30, Hanover Township; he 
married Effle Densmore, and the3' have one child — 
Mary E. William H., who has the management of 
the homestead, married Leona Shepherd, and the}' 
have one child — Glen; Jennie became the wife of 
Willard Conkling, of section 1, Scipio Township, 
and they have two children — Mark and Grove; 
Levi S. is a teacher, and will attend college at 
Ypsilanti ; De Witt C. is a member of the class of 
'88 at Hanover, while Ralph Waldo is at home. 

Through the indomitable energy and persever- 
ance which seem to characterize in an especial 
manner the natives of the E-mpire State, coupled 
with that honorable dealing in the various relations 
in life which also appears to be hereditary with 
that people, Reuben Strait has gained for himself 
the esteem and confiilence of all who have the 
pleasure of his acquaintance, while he has secured 
for himself and his family a large share of the good 
things of this life. He owns 178| acres of land on 
section 31, Hanover Township, eighty acres on 
section 30, and sixty on section 29; forty-five and 
one-half acres on section 31, IGl acres on section 
29, fifty-six and one-half acres on section 6, Mos- 
cow Township, and sixty-five acres on section 5 of 
the same township, making a total of 64G^ acres, 
most of which is well-improved land under a good 
state of cultivation, and nearly- all cleared. He has 
jirovided commnflious and convenient linildings. 



and is equipped with all the modern appliances 
which have so revolutionized the work of a farmer 
in the conduct of his farm. 

The good judgment, straightforward business 
principles, and the statesmanlike qualities of Mr. 
Strait, have not been overlooked in his community. 
He has been a school ofTicer for man}- ^-ears. and 
Highway Commissioner for some eight or nine 
years. He was elected Justice of the Peace over 
the Hon. G. C. Wyllis, and in the fall of 1S82 was 
nominated bj' the Democratic Senatorial Conven- 
tion, running against Hon. Ezra L. Coon, of Hills- 
dale. He was a candidate in 1884. and was 
nominated by the United Greenb.ack and Demo- 
cratic Convention, as a Representative in the State 
Legislature, running against Des'ine in the Ninth 
District, composed of Branch and Hillsdale Coun- 
ties. In politics he was a Democrat up to the time 
of the National Greenback movement, when he 
became identified with that body, and has since 
been a member of the party that organized it. 
Sociall3% Mr. Strait belongs to the Pomona (Grange, 
and has been through the Chairs in the Mt)SCOw 
Grange. He was Master of Hamilton Lodge No. 
113, F. & A. M., of Moscow, and held this position 
for nine 3'ears. 

In the life of Reuben Strait we find an excellent 
example for young men just embarking in the field 
of active life, of what may be accom[)Iished by well- 
directed effort with honesty of purpose. He relied 
largely upon his own efforts and judgment to win 
for him success, and while he has met his reward in 
the accumulation of wealth, he has won a large 
measure of that more desirable qualit}', the respect 
and esteem of his fellow-beings. In the discharge 
of his numerous |)ublic and official duties, as well 
as in those of a domestic nature, he has ever been 
characterized by that most important factor in the 
successful life of an^' man, honesty, adhering closely 
to the dictates of his conscience. 



(^T M. RI.SING, a successful general farmer 
^jO of Hillsdale County, is i)leasantly located 
on ten acres of land within the limits of 
■mj Reading Village. He also owns fifty-one 

acres adjoining the town, which he has brought to a 



i 



■*► 



■^•- 



836 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



high state of cultivation. He has been in possession 
of this property since 1880, at wiiich time he 
removed from his former home of 120 acres on sec- 
tion 15 in the same township, where his family had 
located May 31, 1837. At that time the father of 
our subject settled on 640 acres of land, which he 
had obtained from the Government in 1835. This 
land at that time was an unbroken wilderness, and 
in 1838 he purchased 240 acres additional on sec- 
tion 14, for which he paid $5 per acre. 

John Rising, the father of ouf subject, was a 
native of Oneida County, N. Y., and came of an 
old and worthy family, while his father, Josiah 
Rising, was a farmer by occupation, and was a 
private soldier in the War of 1812. He married 
Huldah Miller, a Connecticut lady, who came of 
New England parentage, as did also her husband. 
Some years before their death the parents of our 
subject removed to Westmoreland Township, Oneida 
Co., N. Y. This county was at that time com- 
paratively new and undeveloped, and Mr. Rising 
contributed his full share toward its advancement; 
his death occurred at the advanced age of about 
ninety years. He served as a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary War, and wiien his son John was drafted 
in the War of 1812, he himself answered the call, 
remarking to his son tliat he was better acquainted 
with army life, and would take his place. His wife 
survived him some years, and lived to be over 
ninety years of age. They were worthy and hard- 
working people, and though they did not accumu- 
late a great store of this world's riches, they had 
the enjoyment of a better heritage — the esteem and 
respect of tlieir neighbors. 

John Rising was the eldest of the large family 
born to his parents, .and was reared to agricultural 
pursuits, at the same time attending the schools 
of his native county. He continued to reside in 
Oneida County until he came to this State, bring- 
ing with him his wife, whom he had married in 
Westmoreland Township, and their family of six 
children. Mrs. Rising, whose maiden name was 
Lucinda Wright, was born in Oneida County, and 
came of a good American family. She resided 
chiefly in her native county, receiving such educa- 
tion as was obtainable in the schools of her town- 
ship, until her marringe with Mr. Rising. In 1837 



they took their memorable journey to the West, 
and began to hew for themselves a home in the 
woods of Reading Township, where the father had 
entered a tract of land from the Government. 
John Rising lived to see a well-improved farm 
developed from the wilderness, and died at the 
home of our subject, in 1872, at the ripe old age 
of eight3'-two years. In religion he and his wife 
in early years were Congregationalists, but thej' 
subsequently transferred their allegiance to the 
Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Rising was a 
Republican. Mrs. Rising died some years before 
the decease of her husband, at the age of fifty-one 
3'ears. She was an industrious, prudent woman, 
performing well her part in tlieir efforts to pro- 
vide a home for their growing family. 

The subject of this sketch was reared at the 
homestead in his native county, and received his 
education in tlie common schools, while also being 
initiated by his father into tlie duties of farm life. 
He was united in marriage, Sept. 19, 1839, with 
Miss Ann C. Morey, who was born in Cayuga 
County, in the Empire State. March 25, 1813. 
While still a young child her parents removed to 
Van Buren Townsliii), Onondaga County', and she 
received a ver3' good education in tlie public 
schools, which, even at that time, were noted for 
their efflciencj'. When quite young she engaged 
in the profession of teaching, which she resumed 
after her arrival in this county in 1838. She 
taught the first school ever conducted in Reading 
Township, in which she successfully labored during 
the first year after her arrival. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rising became the parents of two 
children, whose loss by death they have since been 
called upon to sustain. Ann became the wife of 
Henry George, and died in 1886, leaving one child, 
Rodney R. Mary J. was also married, her husband 
being F. Terpenning; she died about 1875, and 
left one child, a son, George A. Mr. and Mrs. 
Rising have been industrious and worthy members 
of society, and have met with a large measure of 
success. 

Mr. Rising is the only surviving one of the 
original members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of Reading, and Mrs. Rising is also a charter niem- 
))er of the Baptist Ciiureh. The practical qualities 




-4»- 



-•► 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



S37 




r 



of uur subject hiive been appreciated and turned to 
goo(1 account by his fellow- townsmen, who have 
elected him to some of the most important ofHces 
within their gift, includinji^ those of Justice of the 
I'eaee and Commissioner of Ilighwaj's. Mr. Rising 
was formerly a Republican, but, believing in the 
suppression of the manuf.aclure and sale of intoxi- 
cants, he has now entered the ranks of the Prohibi- 
tion party. 

ERRY KNAPP, jirobably liio oldest living 
)1) settler of Wheatland Tijwnsliip, is the son of 
^' Stephen Knajip, who came with his family 
to the Territor}- of Michigan in 1834, and 
put up the first barn in Wheatland Township, whicii 
structure is still standing, and located on the pres- 
ent farm of our subject on section 14. The father 
from a tract of wild land built up the homestead 
which his son Perry now occupies, and where he 
spent the remainder of his life after coming to the 
West, passing away in March, 186(5, at the ripe old 
age of nearly fourscore j'ears. The mother had 
died when a young woman. 

Our subject was born in Monroe County-, N. Y., 
Aug. i2, 1822. His parents, Stephen and Jane 
(Freelove) Knapp, were natives of Rockland County, 
N. Y., where they were married, and in the Em|)ire 
State became the parents of six children, four girls 
and two boys. The mother of these children died 
in Monroe Count}', N. Y. Stephen Knapp was 
afterward twice married, and by tiie two last wives 
had nine children, making by the three marriages 
fifteen children. Both the paternal and maternal 
grandparents of our subject spent their last days in 
New York State. 

The paternal grandfather, Jared Knapp, was born 
near Horse Neck, Conn., Feb. 20, 174'J, and mar- 
ried Jane Williams, whose birth took place March 
10, 1751. He died June 19, 1812, and she passed 
away in Ju\y, 1829. They had moved to Rockland 
County, N. Y., where were born to them ten chil- 
dren, nine boys and a girl, of whom Stejihen. the 
father of our subject, was the tiftli child, his birth 
taking place Aug. 18, 1786. All lived to mature 
years. Stephen Knapp followed wagon-making 

^» ___ 



there al)out ten years, and was a man who naturally 
became a leader in the community wherever he 
lived. He was well posted upon political matters, 
and although never as|)iring to ofliee, filled many 
positions of trust and resi)onsibilit3'. His death 
took pl!.ce March 29, 1866. James Knapp, the only 
full brother of our subject, is a well-to-do farmer of 
Wheatland Township, living about half a mile 
north of Perry. 

The stibjeet of this sketch left home when eight- 
een years of age, his father giving him his time, 
and making his way to the 3'oung town of Adrian, 
this State, he commenced work in abrickj-ard. Two 
years later he took up carpenterii g, and thereafter 
followed this for about twenty years in Toledo, 
Ohio, and Southern Michigan. In 1853 he crossed 
the plains to California, driving stock west of the 
Missouri River, the trip occupying II.t days. He 
remained on the Pacific Slope two and one-half 
years, then returned and located on the farm where 
he now lives — the old homestead of his father — 
which he purchased of the heirs a few years after 
returning from California. 

Previous to this, however, Sept. 29, 1848, our 
subject had been united in marriage with JHss 
Sarah J. Church, who was born in Wayne County, 
N. Y., Feb. 15, 1828, and is the daughter of 
Lorenzo and Susan (Halleck) Church. Mrs. Kna])p 
was reared to womanhood in the State of Michigan, 
having come West with her parents in the year 
1838. The four children born of her union with 
our subject are recorded as follows : Frank J., who 
is now traveling in tiie interest of a carriage fac- 
tor}', vvas born Dec. 27, 1849, and married Miss Ella 
Bishop, by whom he has become the father of one 
child, a daughter, Mary, born Oct. 17, 1882; Jessie 
F. was born Feb. 7, 1856, and married Elmer D. 
Sabin, of Wheatland Township; Fretlerick C, who 
is manager of the National Tea Com pan}', in P^ast 
Saginaw, was born April 4, 1866, and remains in 
single blessedness; Lydia was born April 10, 1864, 
and died on the 4tli of August following. Mrs. 
Ella Knapp, the wife of Frank J., the eldest son of 
our subject, was born in W.ayne County, Pa., Dec. 
7, 1848. 

The present residence of our subject was put up 
by him in 1866, and the improvements which are 



^ 



838 



■•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



viewed to-da^' with admiration by the passing 
traveler have been mostly effected through his own 
personal supervision. The land, exceedingly fertile, 
has been carefull3' cultivated, yielding the richest 
crops of Southern Jlichigan. Mr. Kiiapp has been 
connected with the Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties 
Farmers' Union and Horticultural Society, of which 
he is now President, and has held every office 
except that of Treasurer in Wiieatland Grange No. 
272. In politics he is a Republican. 




L. WEBB, who owns and occupies a farm 
of 100 acres on section 24, in Allen Town- 
ship, where he has lived for the last nine 
years, is a native of this State, having been 
born in Hudson, Lenawee County, Sept. 12, 1849, 
and is the fourth child of Hon. Martin H. and 
Susan (Guy) Webb, who were natives of New York 
State. ]\Irs. Webb was tlie sister of Oscar F. Guy, 
of this county, and a sketch of whom will be found 
elsewhere in this work. The parents were married 
in Jonesville, this State, and settled in Hudson 
Township, Lenawee County, where they lived about 
three years. Thence they came to Pittsford Town- 
ship, this county', and after a residence of six years 
on the farm, took up their abode in the city of 
Hillsdale, where the death of the mother occurred 
in April, 1875. 

Hon. Martin H. Webb survived his wife a little 
over four years, his death taking phice in Novem- 
ber, 1879. He was a man of considerable force of 
character, and quite prominent in local aft'aiis. Be- 
sides holding other positions of responsibility and 
trust, he officiated as Judge of the Probate Court 
of Hillsdale County for a period of twelve or four- 
teen years. The parental household included live 
children, three sons and two daughters, four of 
whom are living, and residents mostly of Michi- 
gan. 

The early life of our subject was spent upon the 
farm, where he acquired the arts of plowing, sow- 
ing and reaping, and his education was completed 
in the Union School at Hillsdale. AVhen nineteen 
years of age he started out for himself, working for 
the farmers of his neighborhood, and at the age of 



twenty-four was married, June 18, 1873, to Miss 
Alvira White, at the home of the bride in Hills- 
dale Township. He then purchased a farm in 
Jefferson Township, where he carried on agricult- 
ure six years, then, selling out, purchased the farm 
of which he is now owner. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of Eugene 
H. and Alvira (Hart) White, who were natives of 
the Empire State, whence they removed in early 
life to this county, and settled upon a farm in Hills- 
dale Township, where the death of the mother took 
l)lace in May, 1850. Mr. White is still living, and 
resides in Dakota. They were the parents of two 
children, only one of whom, Mrs. AVebb, is living. 
She was born in Hillsdale Township, May 13, 1856. 
She acquired her education in the common schools, 
and continued a member of the parental household 
until her marriage with our subject. Of this union 
there have been born five children, namely: Martin 
IL, Susan A., Edgar A., Floyd B. and Ernest E. 
The eldest is thirteen years of age and the 3'oungest 
two. 

Mr. Webb gives most of his attention to his own 
affairs, having little to do with politics, but uni- 
formly votes the Republican ticket. 






C!^EORGE W. FOOTE, who became a resident 
— . of the city of Hillsdale in 1884, and is favor- 
^J^ abl3' known to a large proportion of its citi- 
zens, is a native of the Buckeye State, and was 
born in Huron County, July 11, 1842, being the 
youngest of a family of three brothers, the sons of 
Walter and Tamezin (Ford) Foote, who were both 
of New England birth and anccstr}'. AValter Foote 
was born in Connecticut, and his wife, the mother 
of our subject, in Massachusetts. They were mar- 
ried in Wayne County, N. Y., and settled among the 
pioneers of Huron County, Ohio, where the father 
engaged in farming pursuits, and where the boy- 
hood of his son, George W., was spent. 

The parents of our subject continued residents 
of Ohio until their death. George W. pursued his 
first studies in the district school, and completed 
his education by an attendance of tvvo terms at 



'^•- 



-•►■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



839 



T 



the far-fanierl Obcrlin College. He was a youtli of 
iiiiu'teeii j'ears at the outbreak of the late Rebellion, 
an<l enlisted as a Union soldier in Company E, .^otii 
Ohio Infantry, the regiment being under conunand 
of Col. J. C. Lee. It was assigned first to West 
Virginia, and then to the Army of the Potomac, 
an<l the company and regiment were subsequently 
commanded by Gen. John C. Fremont, when he 
made his first memorable tour of the Shenandoah 
Valley. Here young Foote encountered the enemy 
witli his comrades, in the fight at Cross Kej's, and 
was in the second battle of Bull Run under Gen. 
Pope. The regiment was next sent to Fairfax 
Court House and Munson Hill, in the vicinity of 
Washington, D. C, and rested for the winter near 
the city of Fredericksburg. 

In April, I8G2, the .55th Ohio was assigned to the 
command of Gen. Hooker, with whom they marched 
up the Rappahannock in time to engage in the bat- 
tle of Chancellorsville, and there our subject re- 
ceived a gunshot wound, which necessitated his 
confinement in the hospital, first at Brooks' Station, 
whence he was later transferred to Washington, 
where he remained until his honorable discharge, 
July 9, 18G3. 

Upon iiis return to his olil home in Huron County, 
Ohio, Mr. Foote, although incapacitated for hard 
labor, directed the operations of the farm, and made 
his home with his parents for six years following. 
In 18G9 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Eckel- 
bery, whose parents were natives of Pennsylvania, 
and settled in Huron County, Ohio, during its pio- 
neer days. Mr. and Mrs. Foote began life to- 
gether in a modest farm dwelling in Fitchville 
Township, Huron Countj', an<l continued residents 
of Ohio until their removal to this State. There 
also were born their three children: George Wal- 
lace, Dec. 30, 18(;9; Walter Ford, Aug. 24, 1875, 
and Robert Everette, Dec. 14, 188G. Mr. Foote, 
politically, is a solid Republican, and socially, a 
member in good standing of the G. A. R., at Hills- 
dale, and the A. F. & A. M., at Hillsdale. He was 
elected Justice of the Peace in the city of Hillsdale, 
in April, 1888, and is acquitting himself with satis- 
faction to all concerned. His three sons are residents 
of Hillsdide, and are at home with their parents. 
The family residence is pleasantly located on Howell 

■^« 



street, and its inmates are generally respected by 
the community. 

Walter Foote, the father of our subject, was born 
in Connecticut, Dec. 29, 1799, and departed this 
life at his home in Ohio, in IKGG. The mother Wixs 
born in Massachusetts, Oct. 28, 1810, and passed 
awa}- six years after the death of her husband. 
Their eldest son, John M., was born in 1830, in 
Huron County, Ohio, and ilied March 29, 18oG, in 
Ohio. The second son, Ira, was born in 1834, and 
died in Ohio on the 29th of March, 1862, leaving 
one daughter. 

I^ENRY M. KEEFER, proprietor of the Ree- 
fer House, is conducting the hotel which was 
built by his son, Charles E., in 1885, and with 
yi which the latter is still connected. He was 
born in Monroe Count}', N. Y., Sept. 13, 1828. and 
is the son of George and Caroline M. (Seeley) 
Keefer, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New 
York, and came to Michigan in 183G. The father 
purchased land first in St. Joseph County, whence 
he removed in the spring of 1841 to Hillsdale 
County, arriving in Allen Township on the 2d of 
April. Upon the forty acres of land which he pur- 
chased from Abraham Keefer, he lived and labored 
until 1860. During this time he took a trip to 
California, where he remained three years, then 
selling out, took up his residence in the city of 
Hillsdale, where his death occurred in 1864. 

The parental household of our sultjcct included 
six children, of whom Henry was the second son 
and child. He remained a member of the home 
circle until a youth of sixteen years, and then com- 
menced an ajjprenliceship at the tailor's trade, un- 
der the instructit)n of Elijah Ilatton, with whom he 
continued four years. In 1850 he established in 
business in company with William Waldon, with 
whom he continued six jeais, as partner and em- 
ploye, and then purchased the entire business. 
This he conducted until the fall of 1860, when he 
sold out, and two years later became a traveling 
salesman for the firm of W. S. Isherwood <fe Bur- 
dick, of Toledo, Ohio. At the expiration of a year 
he became similarly occupied for the firm of E. L. 

— .^ 



h 




,t 



840 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Block & Co., of Cincinnati. In 1863, rteterniinerl 
upon a change of dceupation, he moved with his 
family upon a farm in Hillsdale Township, where 
he followed agriculture for a period of six years. 
Then leasing the farm, he returned with his family 
to Hillsdale, of which city he has since been a 
resident. 

The next business venture of our subject was the 
purchase of a restaurant, which he conducted until 
1877. In 1883 he engaged in the coal and wood 
business, which he continued until 1886, then sold 
out and took possession of the hotel with which he 
has since been connected. This is a fine three-story 
brick structure, and occupies an area of 80x150 feet. 
The rooms are commodious, elegant and well ven- 
tilated, with a large and convenient office, on the cor- 
ner of Howell and North streets. The hotel contains 
fifty-four good sleeping rooms, and is in all re- 
spects conducted after m<jdern methods. It is 
ceiitrall}' located and illuininatefl with an arc elec- 
tric light. The traveler once stopping here will 
visit it the second lime. 

Mr. Keefer was married, Oct. 20, 1850, to Miss 
Elraira C. Fowler, of Hillsdale, and the daughter 
of Archibald Fowler, one of the earl^' settlers of 
this county. Her mother was formerly Miss 
Lucinda Clark, and the parents were natives of 
Maryland and New York. They are now deceased. 
To Mr. and Mrs. K. there were born two children, 
both sons. The elder, George H., was graduated 
from the medical department of the University of 
Michigan, and practiced four years, then went to 
New York City, and there graduated from the 
American Veterinary College, and is practicing as a 
veterinary surgeon in Phoenix, Ariz., where he en- 
joys a good patronage. Charles C. is the jjartner 
of his father in the management of the Keefer 
House. Our subject owns a good farm in Hillsdale 
Township, just west of the c'ty, which is operated 
by a tenant, and is the source of a snug income 
annually. 

John Keefer, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was born in the town of Bethlehem, Lu- 
zerne Co., Fa., and was the son of a gentleman who 
emigrated from the Fatherland, it is supposed, prior 
to the Revolutionary War. He settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, and there spent the remainder of his life. 



John Keefer grew to manhood in his native State, 
where he learned the trade of carpenter, and whence, 
some years after his marriage, he came to the Ter- 
ritory of Mieliigan, accompanied b}' his son George. 
They arrived in St. Joseph County on the 16th of 
March, 1836, and the father only lived until the 
following year, his death occurring Sept. 11, 1837, 
when he was sixty-three years old. He had married 
in early manhood Miss Catherine Hatts, who was 
also a native of Bethlehem, and who, after the 
death of her husband, came to Michigan with her 
son John, in 1839, and kept house for him, he be- 
ing unmarried, until his death in 1840. Grand- 
mother Keefer then made her home with her 
children the remainder of her days, and lived to be 
ninety-four years old. She passed away in 1871, 
and her remains were laid to rest by the side of 
those of her son John, in Sand Lake Cemetery. 

John Keefer and liis wife were the parents of thir- 
teen children, ten of whom lived to mature years. 
The oldest daughter, Catherine, Mrs. Wulp, who 
died in Pennsylvania, in 1833, was the mother of 
six children; John died in Allen Township, this 
count}', about 1840, and was buried in Sand Lake 
Cemetery; George and Henry died in the city of 
Hillsdale, the former Nov. 24, 1864, aged sixty- 
two, and the latter in April, 1876. Sarah, de- 
ceased ; Abraham is a resident of Lawrence County, 
Kan. ; Elizabeth, Mrs. White, died in Hillsd.ale, in 
1 875, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery ; 
Reliecca lives in Jamestown, Ind.; Phcebe died in 
the city of Rochester, N. Y., about 1867; and 
Samuel died at Works' Range, El Dorado Co., Cal., 
on the 26th of August, 1851. 

George Keefer, the father of our subject, was 
married in New York State to Miss Caroline Mi- 
nerva Seeley, daughter of Dr. John Seelej', who w.is 
a native of Elizabethtown, N. J., and died on the 
4th of August, 1809, with 3'ellow fever, while on 
his way home from New Y'ork City to Danbury, 
Vt. The maiden name of Mrs. Seeley was Sarah 
Blanchard. She was born in Providence, R. I., in 
1776, and was the daughter of William Blanchard, 
who was of French birth and parentage. The lat- 
ter married Miss Betsy Kyle, a native of Ireland. 
Mrs. Sarah Seeley, the maternal grandmother of 
our subject, died in Milford, Oakland County, this ^ 



^ 



HILLSDAJ.E C0U>;TY, 



a 



841 



Stitc. Dec. 22, 1804. aged cislity-eigiit years. Of 
lier in.iriiage with John Seeley tliere were Itoni Uvo 
t'hildren only, a son and daiigliter, the former of 
whom died at the age of three ye.irs. and the latter, 
Caroline Minerva, was married to George Kcefer, 
March 17, 1825, in Danville. Livingston Co., N. Y. I 
These latter were the parents of seven children, 
namely: Francis T.. Henry Martin. Saraii Eliza- 
beth (Mrs. Gregory'), Adaliza Eloda, Ophelia An- 
toinette (.Mrs.Whitmore),.Iohn Alexander and Jane 
Love. Adaliza E. was horn in Scottsville, Monroe 
Co., N. Y., in 1835, and died there at the age of 
one year; Jane Love died in Allen Township, this 
count3', when five years old; P'rancis T. died May 
18, 1852, at Mus(pieto Canyon, El Dorado Co., 
Cal., at the age of twenty -six years. He left a widovv 
and three sons — George V., Harve3' and Francis. 

Jf OHN F. TAYLOR, familiarly known through- 
I otit AVheatland Township as Frank Taylor. 
|| is one of the honored pioneers of Hillsdale 
'' County, to which he came late in the summer 
of 1850. He purchased first eighty acres of unculti- 
vated land, to which he subsequently added thirty 
more, and h.as now 100 acres thoronghly cultivated 
ami in a productive condition. The handsome 
f.-iniiiy residence, which invariably attracts the eye 
of the jiassing traveler, was erected about thirt^'- 
onc j^ears ago, and continues in a remarkable state 
of preservation. The barn and other ont-ljuildings 
are substantial and fully adapted to the purposes of 
general farming an<i stock-raising. Of the latter 
industry Mr. Taylor has made a specialty and met 
with fine success, being in the habit of frequently 
carrying off the blue ribbons at the various county 
fairs. He takes pride in his cattle and horses, of 
which he can exhibit some of the finest specimens 
in this part of the county. 

Our subject was born nearly seventy-four years 
ago, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., tlie ex.act date 
being Sept. 4, 1814. His parents, Justus and Pa- 
tience (Pierce) Taylor, were natives of New En- 
gland, to which their ancestors had come, it is 
believed, prior to the Revolutionary War. Justus 
Taylor was born Aug. 7, 1786, and coming to the 



•-^h-^ 



West during his early manh()od, took up his resi 
deuce in Warren County, Hi., where he followed 
the trade of carpenterand joiner, in connection with 
a moderate amount of farming, until resting from 
his eartlih" labors. His death took pl.icc in Mon- 
mouth, that county, on the 30th of August, 1839. 
His wife. Patience, was born Jan. 21, 1788, and 
died May 2H, 1826, when her son John F. was a lad 
twelve years of age. 

All the grandparents of Mi'. Tnjdor were natives 
of New England, but during middle life came to 
the West, and it is supposed spent their last i\siys 
in the State of New York. John F., our subject, 
continued a resident of his native county and a 
member of his father's householil until twenty-one 
years of age, at which time he had become a full- 
fledged carpenter and joiner, under the instruction 
(jf his excellent father. He comnienceil working in 
the shoj) at the age of fourteen, and early in life 
began to la}' his plans for the future. Upon be- 
coming his own man he left the parental roof, and 
making his way to the Territoiy of Michigan in the 
f:dl of 1835, settled in the embryo town of Adrian, 
where he worked at his trade until changing his 
residence to this count}'. Li Adrian he had formed 
the acquaintance of Miss Barbara Hump, who be- 
came his wife on the 14th of August. 1837. the wed- 
ding being celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Wheatland Township. Mis. T:iylor was born in 
Columbia County. N. Y., Jul}' 2, 1819, and is the 
daughter of Barllett and Mary (Swift) Bump, who 
were also natives of the Empire State, whence tley 
came to this county during its early selllemenl. 
The father secured a tract of land in Wheatland 
Township, where he built up a comfortable home- 
stead, and where he lived with his estimable wife 
until both were well stricken in years. 'J'lie mother 
died about 1 87 1 , when seventy-six 3'ears of age, and 
the father in 1880, at the age of eightj'-seven. 
Their fainil}' iiuliided four children, all of whom 
are living. Mr. Bump was for twenty -one years 
Justice of the Peace in Vv'lieatland Township. 

Our subject and his wife commenced life together 
in Adrian, where tliey lived for a period of thirteen 
years, aiifl then changed their residence to Wheat- 
land. During the days of his acti\e business life. 
Mr. Taylor was quite prominent in local aflfairs, 



/ 

T 



-4^ 

|A 842 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



+' 



rci)i('senting lii» t(>wii?hi|) in tlic County' B<i:iifl of 
Siipeivisois. serving as School Director, and occiiiij- 
iiig other ijositions of trust and respousibilitj'. 
Originally a Whig, npon the aliandonment of the 
old party he cordially endorsed the RepuWiean 
principles, which he has since suppoited. Although 
not connected with any religions organization, he 
and his faniilj- attend church, aiid are in all*!espects 
the friends and promoters of morality and good 
order. 

To our suliject and his wife tliere were given 
four ciiildren, of whom the record is as follows: 
Percival 11., who was born Dee. 1 1. 1840. is a rail- 
road man, and a resident of Merced, C'al. ; Mortimer 
F. was b(irn Apiil 7. 1 843, has for several j-ears been 
a farmer of "Whitman County. W. T..and is engaged 
extensivcl}- in stock-raising; Henry B. was born Kov. 
15, 1844, and is farming in AVheatland Township; 
be married Miss Rose Bacon. and they arethepareiits 
of a son, a bright boy twelve years of age. Addie 
M. was born March 1, 1847, and continues at home 
with her parents. Mr. Taylor has been the witness 
of many changes since coming to Southern Michi- 
gan, and is regarded with that passive respect which 
is involunlaiily accorded to those who are the 
subjects of such a long and most interesting experi- 
ence. A fine lithographic view of the handsome 
home and fine stock of Mr. Taylor is shown else- 
where in this work. 



SA L. C'RAJSE. Prominent among the 
W/lJi business men of Hillsdale County, and oc- 
(Ij cupying a leading position among the most 
^1 enterprising citizens of North Adams, is the 

subject of oursketch. He is of English origin, and 
the annals of the Crane family tell of an ancestor 
who came to America with the brave band of Pil- 
grims in lG20onthe "Jlayflower," and settled in the 
old Bay State. The maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, vvho was born, reared, and spent several years 
of his married life in Massachusetts, removed to 
Lenawee County, Mich., with his family, in 1832, 
and taking up Government land, became a pioneer of 
Adrian, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
Albert Crane, the father of our subject, was born 




in Taunton. Mass.. and came to Jlichigan with his 
parents. He married Miss Dency Foster, a native 
of Erie, Pa., and they estidilished a home for them- 
selves in Madison Township, Lenawee County, 
where they remained until 18.i4. '1 he following 
two years thej' spent in Pittsford '1 ownship, and in 
1856, deciding to make another change, they moved 
to Moscow Township, this county, and are still re- 
siding in their pleasant home in that place, spending 
their declining-years in comfort, being nowseventy- 
three and seventy-one years of age, respectively. 
They have two children : Mane A., wife of J. B. 
Nullen, of Moscow Township, and Asa L. 

The suliject of this biographical notice was born 
JVIaj' 29, 1851, while his parents were living in 
Madison Township, and was consequently three 
j-ears of age when the3' n.ade their first change of 
residence, and five years old when they settled in 
theii' present home. He went to school one summer 
in Pittsford Townslii)), and was a regular attendant, 
when his health [lermitted, at the public schools of 
Moscow during his boyhood. He became the head 
of a household Oct. 17, 1870, being then united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Alice, 
daughter of Enoch and Alice (Kenyou) Clegg, both 
natives of Lancastershirc, England. They were 
married in Taunton, Mass., and remained there sev- 
eral years, and then removed to Providence, R. L, 
where Mrs. Clegg died in 18G3 at the age of thirtj-- 
seven years, leaving seven children, two boys and 
five girls, of whom Mrs. Crane is fourth in order of 
birth. Mr. Clegg subsequently married Mrs. Ann 
Jally, by whom he had one child. He was a ma- 
chinist by trade, and aself-made man in every sense 
that that term implies. He was very successful in 
his work, and at the time of his death owned con- 
siderable property in Providence, li. L, and in 
Taunton, Mass. 

Alice Clegg. the wife of our subji'ct, was born 
in Taunton, Mass., July 17, 1852. and received iiev 
education in the graded schools of that city. When 
she w^as eleven years old her mother' sdeatli occurred, 
and her elder sister having left home, the household 
w'ork devolved upon her, and notwithstanding her 
extreme youth, she was soon mistress of the situa- 
tion, and became a self-reliant and tidy little house- 
keeper, and the experience thus early acquired has 






•► m^ 



_t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



«43 



devflopeil lier into a notable housewife. Slie was 
married in lier native city, and afterward accom- 
panied her husband to Miciiignn. The first twelve 
years of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Crane spent 
on a farm ; they then moved to North Adams, where 
Mr. Crane engaged in carpentering. He subse- 
quently, in partnership with Mr. C. J. Knapp, 
bought out Fuller & Huff, and lins done a large 
l)usiness in drugs, and also in the grocery trade. 
Me is a man of progressive ideas, an energetic and 
ambitious temperament, and a good financier, m.aking 
him an important factor of his communit}', where 
he and his wife occupy a high social position. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Crane have been born two children — 
Artiiur L. and Kditli A., both of whom are attend- 
ing school. 

In the winter of 1887-88, in company with two 
congenial companions. H. C. Langdon and O. C. 
Smith, our subject made a most enjoyable trip 
tiirougli the Pacific States and Territories, visiting 
the principal points of interest in Kansas, Colorado, 
New Mexico, Arizona and California. Mr. Crane 
is a member of the Michigan I'liarmacj- Association, 
and in |)olilics is prominently identified with the 
Republican party. 



e^VERY A. SMITH, Supervisor of Cambria 
(SlO' Township, and one of its most tlirifty 
(H farmers and stock-feeders, and one of the 
largest shippers in the count}', is finely 
located on sections 9. 10 and 1,5, where lie has ICO 
acres of land with good improvements, and all the 
appurtenances of a first-class country- estate. He 
has spent the greater part of his life iii this vicinity. 
and is one of its most progressive men. He began 
at an early age to take an interest in the affairs 
which most nearly concerned the welfare of the 
community, and while closely watching the best 
methods of carrying on agriculture, also kept him- 
self tiioronghl}' posted in regard to matters con- 
cerning tlie welfare of the people about him. He 
is endowed with th.Tt rare commcidit^' — good com- 
mon sense — which is one of the best legacies which 
nature can bequeath U> her children. 

Mr. Smith makes a specialty of feeding and 




shipping stock, and from this industr}- realizes an- 
nually a handsome income. Recently, in comprinj- 
with a Mr. Wood, of Cambria, he rented a large ice 
house, and exjjects to put within it 3,000 tons 
annually. It will thus be seen that he possesses 
the broad and liberal ideas which have been the 
main source of the world's progress, and to such 
men as he is Southern Michigan indebted for her 
present position among the common wealths of tiie 
West. In the various other enterprises calculated 
to develop her resources and lend credit to her 
standing, he hassignnlized himself as aleailing man, 
and is thus rated in his community. 

The birth of Mr. Smith occurred near the little 
hamlet of Fremont, in Steuben Count}', Ind., forty- 
seven years ago, on the 'ioth of .luly, 1,S4I. His 
father, Joel Smith, was likewise an agricullnrist 
during all the years of his active life, but retired 
from its more arduous labors, and spent his l:\st 
(Lays in comfort and quiet in a pleasant home in the 
city of Hillsdale, dying May 25, 1888. He w.as 
born in the Empire Stale, whence he emigrated to 
Ohio when a young man. casting his lot with the 
early pioneers of Lorain County. He assisted in 
raising the first house in the now im[)(irlant city of 
Oberlin, and for years was a prominent num in 
county affairs. There alsi) he made the acquaint- 
ance of Miss Nanc}' Beam, who was born in J^orain 
Countj', of which section of country her parents 
were early settlers, having emigrated there from 
New York State soon after their marriage. 

Joel .Smith and his young wife not long after 
their marriage made their way to Steuben County, 
Ind., and by their united efforts eliminated a liunic- 
slead from a tract of its uncultivated land. Upon 
this, however, they only remained until 184G, 
leaving a farm which is to-day worth $100 per 
acre. While residents of .Steuben County, Joel 
Smith was for a number of years oliliged to haul 
his wheat to Adrian, Mich, which was then his near- 
est and best market. Frequently after a jourucj' 
consuming six days he would receive but forty- 
six cents per bushel for his wheat, from which he 
was enable(] to save but ver^' little after his ex- 
penses had been paid. Sometimes he would have 
enough to buy a liaircl of .salt to bring Icu-k home, 
but this was an experience shared by all the pio- 



t 



844 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




neci's. iiiifl liflvinp' put tlieir liandstothe plow tliey 
had no thought of tmniug liack. 

.loel Sniilli upon coming to tin's county, in 18IG, 
puich!is(fl school land on section IG in Cambria 
Tovvnsliip, at Government prices, where he pitclierl 
his tent and resolved to remain. This proved 
a most wise determination, for after he had labored 
a series of years, tilling the soil, jjutting up build- 
ings, planting fruit trees, and adding all the em- 
liellishments natural!}' suggested to a man of sound 
sense and industiy. he was enabled to sell his 
oi'iginal purchase for the snug consideration of 
$75 per acre. He next bought a farm in Hills- 
dale Townshij). which he occupied until advanc- 
ing years adnmnishcd him it would be wise to 
retire fx m active lalnr. and then sold out once 
more and repaired to the city of Hillsdale, where 
he passed away as above stated. Allhougli seventy- 
nine years of age when he died, he was well pre- 
served in mind and body, and able to relate many 
interesting incidents which weie listened to with 
deep attention by the children of the present 
generation. 

The devoted wife of Joel Smith and the mother 
of our subject passed to her final rest at her home 
in Cambria Township, in August, 1864, whenfift^'- 
two years of age. She was an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, and possessed those 
lovable and womanly qualities which endeared her 
U) a large circle of fiiends. Three of the eight 
children born to herself and her husband died in 
childhood, and four of the living are residents of 
California. The eldest of the survivors, Melissa 
L., is the widow of Mr. Deering, whom she married 
in California, and who died in about 1880; she is 
now a resident of Modoc County, that State, and 
owns a valuable lanch in the Sacramento Valley. 
The next chilil, Albert, is married and a resilient 
of Red Bluff, Cal.: Emily J. is the widow of J. 
Kesselring, and is still a resident of the Golden State, 
to which she emigrated after her marriage, in 1853; 
Louisa is the wife of M. Laforgee, who is carrying 
on a prosperous business in Germantown, in the 
Sacramento Vallej'. 

Mr. Smith received a good common-school edu- 
cation, and before reaching man's estate, the Civil 
War being then in progress, enlisted as a Union 



soldier in Cfimjiany K, 10th Micliignn Infantry, and 
in due time waspr< motcd to the rank of ?"ir.>t Lieu- 
tenant. Owing to the .ibsence for some time of 
the Captain, Lieut. Smith was placed in command, 
and going to the front with his coin|)aiiy took 
part in all the battles of the t uniberiiuid cam- 
paign. At the expiration of his fiistteim of en- 
listment he was veteranized. Duiinghis army life 
he participated in many of the im])ortant battles of 
the war, among them that of Shiloh, Chickamauga, 
siege of Corinth, the battle at luka. Miss., the engage- 
ments at Stone Kivei', Missionarj' Ridge and Buz- 
zard's Roost, and although experiencing many hair- 
breadth escapes, the bullets often jiiercing his 
clothing, he fortunately suffered no serious injury. 
During the Atlanta campaign he, with his company, 
was under constant fire for 104 days. 

Lieut Smith, who was discharged in the fall of 
1804, was married in December following to Miss 
Lotla A., the accomiilished daughter of Samuel 
Morgan, a native of Connecticut, who emigrated to 
Michigan and was for some years a resident of 
Rome Township. Lenawee County. In that township 
his daughter Lotta was born Aug. 12, 1843, and 
was but a little child when her parents came to this 
county. The father, who during his years of active 
labor was engaged iu agricultural pursuits, u\)on 
his retirement remained in Hillsdale Township, 
where his death occurred in September, 1887, when 
he was well advanced in years. The mother is still 
living and makes her home on the old homestead. 
She is a bright and intelligent old lady, and able to 
tell of many interesting occurrences concerning 
pioneer life in Southern Michigan. 

Mrs. Smith under the training of her excellent 
mother developed those amiable and graceful quali- 
ties which have fitted her to adorn a handsome 
honie, and is greati}' respected by all who know 
her. She is the UjOlher of three children, of whom 
the eldest daughter. Fanny A., is the wife of John 
Beatty, who occupies a good farm in Cambria 
Township; they have one child, a son, Arthur. 
Myrtie, now an accomplished young lady living 
with her parents, was graduated from Hillsdale 
College when sixteen years of age. Their son 
Charles is now a student of that institution. 

Mr. Smith is a man of great energy, genial and 



n 



u 



" ■» II » 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



845 



coni|)ai)i()ii!ilile, aiu' iiivaiialily makes a good im- 
pression upon strangers. I'olillcally, lie is a solid 
Republican, and asi<le from his present office lias 
served as Treasurer of Cambria Township two 
years, besides occupying other positions in which 
the people would only place a man in whom they 
had confidence. A member of the Mas(jnic frater- 
nitj', he belongs to the K. T. Commandery, and 
has been one of the most valued members of J. 
Dickinson Post, G. A. R., at Hillsdale. 



^LBKRT CRANK. The country home of 
@fLl || this gentleman, which is pleasantly located 
|l; on section 23 in Moscow Townsiiip, is espe- 
cially noticeable for its highly cultivated 
fields, its neat and substantial buildings, the Sue 
assortment of live stock — cattle, sheep and horses — 
the thrifty apple orchard and the finer fruit trees 
adjacent to the dwelling. It would be diflicult to 
conceive a more desirable homestead, or one which 
bears upon the face of it clearer evidence of the 
thrift and prosperity of its proprietor. Mr. Crane 
has been endowed by nature with fine business 
capacities, and excellent judgment as an agricult- 
urist, and in his career as a general farmer and 
stock-raiser li.as been more than ordinarily suc- 
cessful. 

The representative of an old and excellent family, 
our subject was born Aug. IG, 181.5, in Taunton, 
Mass., and was the second of ten children, the off- 
spring of Turner and Phebe (Arnold) Crane, who 
were also natives of the Bay State, the father born 
in Taunton and the mother in Norton. Both were 
of English ancestry, and after their marriage settled 
in New Hampshire, whence, a few j-ears later, they 
removed to Wayne Count3', N. Y., and from there 
came to the Territory of Michigan as earl}' as lJS3;i. 
The father had learned the trade of a tanner during 
his early life, but upon coming West necessarily 
changed his occupation, and settling upon a tract 
of land in Madison Township, Lenawee County, 
began the cultivation of the soil and the building 
up of a homestead among the pioneers of .Southern 
Michigan. He, however, did not live to fully carry 
out his plans, his death taking place ten years later, 



in .June, 1843, when he w.as fifty-four j'ears of age. 
The mother survived her husband a quarter of a 
century, her death taking place in 1SC8, when she 
was seventy-two years old. 

Of the ten children born to Turner and Phebe 
Crane, seven are now living and residents of Michi- 
gan. The first recollections of our subject were of 
his early home among the Massachusetts hills, from 
which he was taken when a little lad. He acquired 
a common-school education, and was seventeen 
years of age when the family started for the farther 
West. The journey from Palnij'ra, N. Y., to Adrian, 
occupied ten d.ays. Albert left the home roof soon 
afterward and commenced working in a distillery 
in the embryo town of Adrian, being thus engaged 
until reaching his majoritj-. In 184.5 occurred one 
of the most imijortant events of his life, luiniel}-. 
his marri'ige with Miss Dency, daughter of Daniel 
and Rebecca (Richmond) Foster, who were natives 
of Ontario Count}', N. Y., and Dighton, Mass., 
respectively. This family also, like that of the 
Cranes, was of English descent. Daniel Foster 
settled in Ontario County, N. Y., after his marriage, 
whence they removed first to Pennsylvania and 
from there to Medina County, Ohio, becoming resi- 
dents of the latter State in 1825. They came to 
Lenawee Count}', Mich., twelve years later, and the 
father settled first in Dover Township, of which 
the family continued residents until I8(!l. then 
came to this county, settling in Hillsdale Township, 
where the father passed away in I 8G2, when seventy- 
six 3'cars old. The mother had died early in life, 
in Pennsylvania, when Mrs. Crane w.as but eleven 
years old. The famil}' circle included fourteen 
children, ten sons and four daughters, thirteen of 
whom grew to mature years. 

Mrs. Crane was the third child of her parents, 
and was born June 25, 1817, in Ontario County, 
N. Y. She was a little girl of seven years when 
her parents removed to Pennsylvania, and thirteen 
when they became resiilcnts of the Bucke^'c State. 
She was a maiden of seventeen when they came to 
this State, and completed her education in the High 
.School at Northville. She had made good use of her 
opiiortunities, and being competent as an instructor, 
engaged in te.aching for some time before ln'r mar- 
riage. She takes a pardonable pride in the fact 

»► 



4~ 



u 



H i T^ II 4> 



846 



HILLSDALE COUMTY. 



lliat licr iiialeiiial graiulfallici-. nfler beiiiiigiailiiatod 
from Yale Colli'ge, entered the Kevolutioiiary aimy 
and was Colonel of a regiment under Gen. Wash- 
ington. His brave and efficient service assured him 
a position in the front ranis, and lie enjoye<1 the 
honor and satisfaction of being cliieflj- instrumental 
in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne, whose sword was 
handed over to Col. Richmond as his legitimate 
trophy. This relic is now preserved by the Rich- 
mond family as an oliject of interest with which 
they woidd not willingly part. 

The two children who came to bless the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Crane are recorded as follows: JLarie 
A. is the wife of .lolin B. Nutten, a prosperous 
farmer of Moscow Township; they have seven chil- 
dren, namely: Albert, George F., AVesley L., May 
and Maude (twins.) Gertrude, and .lohn B., Jr. Asa 
Crane married Miss Alice Clcgg, and they have two 
children, a son and a daughter, Arthur and Edith. 
They reside in North Adams, and young Mr. Crane 
is retired fiora business. The family is one of the 
most prominent and highly respected in this portion 
of Hillsdale County, where Mr. Crane, by the 
establishment of one of its most creditable home- 
steads, constitutes no unimportant factor in the 
devehjpment of its resources. 

^r LFRED GODFREY. Since coming to this 
^//_\ country from his native isle in 1M70, this 

jlflMi gentleman, by sheer energy, hard labor, 
(§» ^"'' '"^ determination to succeed, has placed 

himself in an honorable position among the well-to- 
do farmers of Hillsdale County. He is now the 
owner of one of the most productive farms in this 
region, beautifully located on section 20, Moscow 
Township, on which he has erected one of the 
handsomest dwellings in this vicinity, and a fine set 
of barns and other out-buildings, his well-kept 
place being an ornament to the township. Mr. 
Godfrey is of English parentage and birth. He is 
a son of Thomas and Alice (Hivens) Godfrey, 
natives respectively of Merlon and Scranton, Ox- 
fordshire, England. During some period of their 
married life they settled in the city of London, 
and while he remained in his native country, for a 



number of years Mr. Godfrey was employed in a 
wire factor}'. In 1870 the family emigr.ated to 
America, and coming to Michigan, Mr. Godfrej'^ 
in the same year, bought a farm in Moscow, and is 
now |)rosper(jusly engaged in farming here. Both 
himself and his wife have gained the entire respect 
and confidence of the community, as honest and 
industrious peo[)le. He is now sixty-three years 
old, and Mrs. Godfrey is sixty-four years. Eight 
children have been born to them, seven now living, 
three sons and four daughters. 

The subject of this sketch was born .lune 20, 
1853, at No. 5 Peartree street, G(jswell Road, Lon- 
don, England. Ilis educational advantages were ex- 
tremely limited, but his sound judgment, good 
comuK^n sense, and intelligent observing powers, 
have stood him in good stead. At the early age of 
nine years he commenced to learn the carpenter's 
trade, and subsequently was employed at that and 
various other occupations. He was a lad of more 
than oi'dinary keenness and capability, and had a 
great desire to better his condition and make a 
home for himself. Consequently he determined to 
try his fortunes on American soil, and sailed from 
Liverpool, Feb. 12, 1870, landing in New York 
three weeks later. His destination was Hudson, 
Mich., where he had relatives, an uncle, who was a 
farmer, and he worked for him for one season, 
gaining a good practical knowledge of farming. 
He afterward came to Moscow Township, where 
he rented land for six years, and was industriously 
encaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1871 Mr. 
Godfrey took an important step toward the ac- 
complishment of his cherished desire to establish 
a home, by his marriage with Miss Jane Underhaj', 
daughter of William and Jane Underliay, all natives 
of Devonshire, England. She is an only child, and 
was born Nov. 18, 1851. She was but five years 
old when she left her old English home and came 
to this country with her parents, who located in 
Allen Township, Hillsdale County. There she was 
educated in the public schools. To her and her 
husband have been born nine children, namely: 
Jennie, Fred, George, Christine, Alice, Lottie, 
Harry, Minnie and Frances Folsom. 

Mr. Godfrey, by unwearied industry and good 
mana'i^ement, together with the active assistance of 



liU 



I 



-^•- 



HILLSUALE COUNTY. 



847 



liis oxcclk'iit wife, in a few j-ears had aceuinulated 
enoiigii iiioiK'V to buj' a good fann, which conliins 
140 acres of l;iii<l. which he has brought into a high 
state of culture. lu 1885 lie erected a large and 
commodious resilience, full two stories in heigiit, 
and also Imilt ample barns. lie has his farm well 
stoeked, is engaged in general farming, and feeds 
and ships stock. 

Mr. Godfrey is regarded as in ever}' way worthy 
of respect, both as a j'oung man of enterprise and 
business talents, and as a good citizen, wiio takes a 
warm interest in the affairs of his adopted country, 
and in him the Democratic party has an ardent 
supporter. Socially, he is a Granger. 



?!r*^*~w~ 



<S[ I^ILLIAM CASE, one of the practical and 
\&J// l>'"'\?''PSsive farmers of this county, is pleas- 
\y^ anlly situated on section 17, of Seipio 
Township. His father, Horace Case, was born in 
Canandaigua Count}', N. Y., in 1801, and S|)ent his 
earlier years there, removing to Michigan in 182.'> 
or 1826. He became a pioneer of Lenawee County, 
being one of the very earliest settlers of Franklin 
Township. He remained in that place until l.s;5,i, 
when he removed with his family to this county, 
and settled in Seipio Township, thus becoming one 
of its pioneer settlers. He |)urchased a tract of 
land comprising 440 acres, and improved a valu- 
able farm, remaining a resident here until his death 
in September, 18(12. During his life of more than 
a rpiarter of a couturj- in this county, he saw many 
and wondrous changes, and took an active part in 
the prouK^tion of its growth and development. He 
was a man of indisputable integrity, straightfor- 
ward in all his dealings, and had the c(»nfiiience and 
resiiect of all who knew him. He was a soldier in 
the Black Hawk War, where he did good service. 
He was twice married ; the maiden name of his first 
wife, mother of our subject, was Cynthia Moore, 
also a native of Canandaigua, N. Y. She was a 
faithful helpmate to her liusband, and cheerfully 
toiled and slnred with him all the hardships of a 
pioneer life. She lived only a few years after their 
removal to Seipio, <l3'ing in October, 1842. She 
had borne her husband eight children, namely: 

4» 



Willis and William (twins'), Candace. Sarah, Edna 
C. N., Horace D., Helen and Mary, the two latter 
dying when quite young. Sarah is the wife of 
Hiram King, of .Jackson County, Mich.; Edna is 
the wife of Augustus Borden, of Hillsdale County; 
Horace lives in Isabella County, Mich. After the 
death of his first wife Mr. Case was again married, 
being united in the bonds of matrimony to i\Iiss 
Priscilla C. Pearce, who bore him one son — Charles 
K.. a druggist in Jonesville. She survived her 
husband, and April 2.'», 1870, became the wife of 
Judge Willard Richards, of Jonesville. (For further 
particulars concerning her see sketch of Judge 
Richards on auotlicr page of this work.) 

William Case, of this sketch, was born July 9, 
1829, during the residence of his parents in Frank- 
lin Township. Lenawee Count}'. He remembers 
but little of his life there, having been only six 
years old when his parents moved to Seipio, where 
he was reared on his father's farm. He attended 
the district school, receiving a good knowledge of 
the branches taught in those days. With the ex- 
ception of four 3'ears p.ass'eil in California, our 
subject has made Seipio his residence from child- 
hood, and has a larger part of the time followed the 
occupation to which he was reared. That he has 
met with success in his chosen calling maj' readily 
be inferred from his fine farm, consisting of 200 
acres of well-tilled laud, on which he has good 
barns and farm buildings, and on which he has 
erected a comfortable house. 

The marriage of Mr. Case with Miss Martha A. 
Stookey was celebrated Jan. 8, 1855. in Homer, 
Calhoun Co., Mich. Her parents. Benjamin and 
Martha (G rover) Stot)key, were natives probabi}- 
of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Michigan, 
and spent their last years in this State, Mrs. Stooke}' 
d^'ing in Pulaski, Jackson County, in the spring of 
1868. Mr. Stookey survived her several years, 
dying in Sci[)io Township, Dec. 25, 1873. Mr. and 
Mrs Case have one son, Frank C, who was born 
in Sci|)io Township, April 13, 1858. He was mar- 
ried in his native town, Sept. 21, 1881, to Miss 
Ella I. Baker, a native of Michigan, born in Mont- 
calm County, Sept. 22, 1863; they have one child, 
Clio B. 

Our subject isquite iiifiueiitial in township affairs; 

i» 



;* 



' •» ^ » ■» 



848 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




and is considered one of the solid men of Soipio 
Township, inhere he is highly esteemed for his 
s.agacitj', business tact, and high moral worth. So- 
ciallj', otir subject is a member of the Masonic 
frpternity, and in politics is independent, voting 
for the men whf)m he thinks most likely to elevate 
the civil, social and moral status of the county, and 
for the measures that he thinks will do the most 
good to the greatest number. 



-^^^*^. -K|<^..|>i^ ,..5,0=^^ _ 



^\ AMUEL MORGAN. This late respected 
resilient of Hillsdale Town.'^hip came to 
.Southern Michigan rluring its early settle- 
ment, and settled first in Calhoun County. 
He was then but a youth nineteen years of age, 
but having early in life been thrown upon his 
own resources, had acquired the habit of self- 
reliance, and looking forward to a future which 
lie must build up 1)3' his own efforts. Naturally 
industrious and enterprising, he was ambitious to 
establish a home of bis own. and being pleased with 
the face of the country here, determined to settle. 
Two years later he returned to his native State of 
New York, and fulfilled the pledge which he had 
made to a maiden of Barry Center, that State, 
INIiss Sarah M. Roode, to whom he was married 
April 8, 1836. 

The young couple soon after marriage set out for 
the Territory of Michigan, and settled first near the 
young town of Adrian, in Lenawee Count}', where 
they lived about eight years. Their next removal 
was to the farm, one and one-half miles west of the 
city, which continued the home of Mr. Morgan 
until his death, Sept. 13, 1887. The first dwelling 
here of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan was the second house 
built west of town, and it was then surrounded by 
tin)ber. After the unflagging industry of a series 
of years the wilderness begjin to blossom as the 
rose, and Mr. and Mrs. Morgan found themselves 
in possession of a competency which would enable 
them to spend their declining years in ease and 
comfort. They celebrated the fiftieth anniversary 
of their marriage in 188G, upon which occasion 



they received the eongi'atulations of many of their 
old friends and neighbors, who had endured with 
them the privations and hardships of pioneer life. 

The lust illness of Mr. Morgan was excessively 
painful, and the patience with which he endured 
his suffering was remarkable, considering the fact 
that it had been almost his first real sickness. AVhen 
the end came he was surrounded by all his chil- 
dren and grandchildren to the third generation, to 
all of whom he bade an affectionate good-by, and 
fell peacefully asleep. It was a fitting close to an 
honest and faithful life, rich with integrity and 
fidelity to dut}'. The funeral services were attended 
b}- a large concourse of people, who, if not know- 
ing him personally, had knovvn him by re|)ulation, 
and thus rendered their silent homage to his worth. 
His death and funeral occurred just forty j-ears 
from that of his eldest son, who jiassed away when 
a lad nine years of age, and was the only death 
which had occurred in the family of Mr. and Mrs. 
Morgan since their marri.age. 

Samuel Morgan was born in Albany, N. Y., Feb. 
15, 1814. At the early age of seven years he left 
the parental roof, and thereafter battled with adverse 
circumstances until his resolution and perseverance 
served to gain for him a foothold, after which he 
steadily advanced on the highw.ay to prosperitj'. 
His parents were natives of Massachusetts, and 
have long since passed to their final home. Samuel 
during his boyhood daj's at one time attended the 
district school with the late Samuel J. Tilden, 
of New York State. In the latter he remained 
until his arrival in Michigan, and his subsequent 
course we have already indisated. 

The wife of our subject, Mrs. Sarah M. Morg.an, 
was born in Cayuga Count}', N. Y., June 11, 1818, 
and was the daughter of Richard and Kledica 
(Smith) Roode, who were also natives of the Em- 
pire State. The father spent his entire life in farm- 
ing pursuits, and died at his homestead, in Adrian, 
Mich., in 1837, when fiftj--one years of age. He 
was a prominent man in his county, a leader in all 
worthy enterprises, a man of high integrity of 
character, and a member in good standing of the 
Presbyterian Church, and, as a professed Christian, 
made it his highest aim to live up to the princi])les 
of his faith. It is believed that the parents were 



t 



:??r#--^ 



I 



<•• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



849 



iimniod about 1812. and the mother, surviving her 
hnsli.Miid nearly twenty-three yeai>, (lied in the oil}' 
of Adrian, tliis State, in ISOO. 

Mrti. Mtirgan was tlie fourth child born to her 
parents. Through the training of a wise and excel- 
lent mother she became profli'ient in all housewifely 
duties, and learned the secret of a cheerful and 
happy home. Of her marriage with our subject, 
which has already been noted, there were born six 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Emer- 
son L., the eldest, died Sept. 13, 1S47. at the age 
of nine years and twent3-one days: Oscar L. mar- 
ried Miss .Iose|)hine Adams, and is living in Cam- 
biia Township, this count}' ; May E. is the wife of 
James Clark, of Hillsdale; Charlotte A. married 
Avery A. Smith, who is occupied at farming in 
Cambria Township; Charles H. married Miss C'eles- 
tia Is'utten. and is living at the old homestead; 
Samuel O. married Miss Louisa ]>yon.and is carr}'- 
ing on fainiing in Hillsdale Township. 

Mrs. Morgan, like her husband, inclines to the 
doctrines of the Presl>yterian Church, and is a lady 
of more than ordin&r}' business capacity and intel- 
ligence. The homestead, upon which she still 
resides, includes 140 acres, and for the last twenty- 
two years has been largely under the personal 
supervision of her son, Charles IL, who is at pres- 
ent giving his attention largely to the breeding of 
Pohiiid-China swine. Like his father before him. 
he is a gentleman of excellent abilities, both as a 
farmer and business man, and lias occupied many 
l)ositions of trust and responsibility in his town- 
ship. He was Chairman of the School Board for a 
period of six years, and has represented Hillsdale 
Township in the County Board of Supervisors. 

Charles H. Morgan was the fourth child of his 
parents, and was born upon the homesteail where 
he now resides on the 31st of May, 1845. He 
commenced attending the district school when a 
little lad six years of age, in a log house with the 
chimney built outside, and the floor and seats con- 
structed of slabs. To this edifice he was obliged 
to travel a distance of one mile, and after he was 
ten j-ears of age he oid}' pursued his studies 
during the winter season. When a youth of four- 
teen he entered the village school, and four years 
later developed into a teacher. Subsequently he 

^ — 



attended the Hillsdale College for two terms, and 
thereafter taught in the winter and farmed in the 
summer seasons for a period of seven years. 

The marriage of Charles H. Morgan and Miss 
Celestia J. Nutlen, of Moscow Township, this 
county, took place at the home of the bride, on the 
1st of .lune, 1871, Rev. Thomas R. Wilkinson, of 
the Methodist E[iiscopal Church, odicialing. Mrs. 
Celestia Morgan was born in that township, Oct. 
"28, 1849, and is the daughter of Jonathan and 
Susan (Underwood) Nutten, natives respectively of 
New York and Rhode Island. Her father was born 
April 8, 1812. and came to Michigan in the fall 
of 1843. He was a farmer by occupation, a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and .accumulated a comfortable 
l)roperty. lie died at the homestead in Moscow 
Township. Aug. 31, 1 884. The mother was born 
in 1812. and passed aw;iy twenty-four j'cars pre- 
vious to the death of her liusl)and, in July, 18(;o. 
She was a lady of deep piety, and reared her chil- 
dren to principles of honor, her chief solicitude 
being to make of them honest and good citizens. 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Mdrgan are the parents 
of four children, namely: Charles L., Sarah L.. 
Sa:nuel U. and Earl S. Mrs. Morgan, like her hus- 
band, is well educated, having attended three 3'ears 
at the Hillsdale College, and thereafter followed 
teaching five years. Mr. Morgan, since 1870, in 
addition to his farming interests, h.as been engaged 
in handling agricultural implements, which experi- 
ment has proved very successful and profitable. 



^^^EORGE W. MOSHER. President of Hillsdale 
'II (-_ College, is a native of the State of Maine, 
^^i| where his birth took place in Kennebec 
County, in the 3'ear 1844. He is the second son of 
William and Betsy (McLaughlin) .Mosher. The 
subject of this notice spent his youth in his native 
county, where he enjoyed the educ^ational advant- 
ages for which the New England .States are noted, 
and was fitted to enter college at New Hampton 
Institution, in New Hampshire, from which he was 
in due time graduated. He then entered Bowdoin 
College, at Brunswick, Me., and was graduated 
from that institution in the class of '09. He at 



f 



850 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



once turned his attention to literaiy pui-suil?, be- 
coming editor of the Morniiuj Star, at Dover, N. 
H.. and acting in that capacity until IfS.si. During 
tliis time he was elected to tiie State Legislature, 
and served two terms. Jn 1881 Hon. George W. 
Mosher was appointed by President James A. Gar- 
field, United States Consul to Nice, France, and 
served there two years, after which he was pro- 
moted to a Consulate at Sonneberg, Germany, 
and held the office two and one-half years. 

In 1885 Mr. Mosher resigned his position under 
the United States Government, and returning to 
the United States, spent the next year in New 
Hampshire. In 1886 he came to Hillsdale County, 
and was elected President of Hillsdale College, 
which position he h.as held ever since. Mr. Mosher 
was united in marriage, in 1871, with Miss Frances 
Stewart, a native of Di>ver, N. 11., and their union 
has been blessed by the birlL of two daughters — 
Alfricda M. and Bessie S. 

J'~:OSEPH A. WRIGHT. Among those who 
have passed the larger part of their busy lives 
I in agricultural pursuits, and who, by assidu- 
' ous labor and frugality, assisted by the act- 
ive co-operation of faithful helpmates, have won a 
full measure of success, is the subject of this sketch. 
He is a representative of the w.arm-hearted and 
sturdy Irish element which makes up such a good 
proportion of the population of the United States, 
and takes an active part in all the industries of the 
country. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Gil- 
more) Wright, were natives of the northern part of 
Ireland, born in County Tyrone. Ilis father was a 
man of good business qualificatif)ns and undoubted 
integrity of character, but having unfortunately, 
through the carelessness of others, lost his property, 
he determined to establish a home for himself and 
family in America. Therefore, in 1843, being then 
in the seventy-second year of his .age, he left his old 
home and sailed from Belfast to Liverpool, thence 
to New York, leaving British soil April 21, and 
arriving in New York just one month later. Ho 
proceeded directly to Cayuga County, where liis 
wife's father. John Gilmore, an old soldier of the 



War of 1812. lived, and located in that place, liv- 
ing there until his <leath. which occurred June 18, 
1846. His widow continued living in that county 
until 1860, when she cime to Adams Township, and 
made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Bell, until 
her death in 1877, at the advanced age of eighty- 
three years. Of the twelve children, seven boys 
and five girls, ten grew to m.aturity. 

The subject of this sketch was the sixth child 
born to his parents, his birth having taken pl.ace in 
County Tyrone. Ireland. Jan. 1. 1830. He attended 
school in his native country, and after coming to 
New York with his parents, attended school in the 
winter season until lie came of .age. In 1862 Mr. 
Wright was united in marriage to Miss Mary J., 
daughter of John and Julia ((Tlasgow) Bell, both 
natives of the Era[)ire State, born respectively in 
Herkimer and Lewis Counties. After marriage 
they settled in Cayuga County, where tliey are still 
living, at the .advanced ages of eighty-four and sev- 
enty-six years. They have had seven children, three 
daughters and four sons, five of whom are living. 
Mrs. Wright, the fourth child in orilert)f birth, was 
born Nov. 3, 1840. Her girlhood was passed at 
home, where she .assisted her mother in the duties 
devolving upon a farmer's wife, and attended the 
neighboring school when it was in session. After 
marriage. Mr. Wright and his bride settled in New 
York, remaining in that Stiite until their removal 
to Hillsdale County, in the year 1866, when he 
located in Adams Township, where he now resides. 
He has been very fortunate in his undertakings, 
and by perseverance, energ}' and good manage- 
ment, is now the possessor of a clear title to a valu- 
able farm of ninety-five acres, on which he h.as a neat 
and tast}' dwelling and convenient farm buildings. 

The household circle h.as been completed by the 
birth of five children, namely : Anna B., Howard 
J., Libbie, Lewis C. and Mary. Anna is the wife of 
F.ay W. Elliott, the miller of Hillsdale; Howard, 
formerly a student in Albion College, is now en- 
gaged in mining in Montana Territory; Libbie, 
who was graduated from the North Adams High 
School, resides at home ; Lewis and Mary were .also 
graduated from the same school. 

Mr. Wright is a wide-awake, intelligent, well-in- 
formed man, and a worthy citizen of this township, 



■^•- 



I 



4*- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



851 



f 



wIrto lio is lield in liiirh esteoin for liis many sler- 
linjT qiialilii's. He lias ahva3s boon in active sym- 
pathy with tiie temperance cause, beinjr in politics 
a stronj; Prohiliitionist, and in religions persuasion 
he and his family are consistent members of the 
Methodist Kpiscopal Chinch, of Xoilli Adams. 

JOEL AV^EBB. Too mueh honor cannot be 
given the early pioneers of Hillsdale C'ount3'. 
They were men of strong principles and won- 
derful energ}-. They endured har(lshi|)S 
that are unknown to their children, and the least 
that their posterity can do is to think of them with 
due respect, while they enjoy the advantages of 
their education and society, which their fathers' in- 
dustry and integrity secured for them. Many of 
them left their homes of culture and refinement in 
the more early settled States, and for the sake of 
their families, cast aside all the comforts and enjoy- 
ment of society, and set out on the long journey to 
a part of the country in which tlie3- could secure 
land and build up a heritage for their children. 
How well the}' accomplished their task any one 
whom business or pleasure calls to Hillsdale Countj' 
cannot help noticing, as he gazes admiringly on the 
lieautiful and neatly kept homesteads. 

The subject of this notice was born in Shelby, 
Orleans Co., N. Y., Dec. 18, 1830, while his father, 
Steven, was born in the same State. His grand- 
father, Peter Webb, was born in Delaware County, 
of the same State, and subsequently removed to 
Orleans County, where he spent the remaining 3'ears 
of his life. The father of our subject was but a 
boy when he accompanied his parents to Orleans 
County, and there grew to manhood and married. 
In 1835 he left the comforts of his home in the Em- 
pire State, and taking a team, set out on his journey 
for the Territory of Michigan. He brought his 
team as far as Buffalo, and then came by lake to 
Detroit, where he bought a yoke of oxen, and at- 
taching them to the wagon wliich he had brought 
with him, started for Lenawee Count}'. He pur- 
ch.ased ninety acres of timber land on the north line 
of Fairfield Township, and built a log cabin, in 
marked contrast to the beautiful homes in the old 



State which he had jnst abandoned. It h.ad what 
was called a puncheon floor, and could not even 
boast <^f a stove, the cooking all being done over .a 
huge fireplace, from which the smoke ascended 
through a chimney made of earth ami sticks; and 
yet around this humble hearth the family passed 
the long winter nights, the mother teaching her 
girls all housewifely duties, and setting {hem an 
example which has made them capable of taking 
their place in socii'ty. while the lioys conned thi-ir 
next day's ta>ks, or exercised their Yankee pro- 
pensity for whittling. The mother of our subject 
used to spin, weave, and make up all the clothing 
for the family, thus reducing their cash outlay to a 
minimum. There wi're 110 railro.'ids in Michigan at 
that time, and Adrian was but a hamlet mostly of 
log houses. Deer, wild turkeys .nnd other small 
game, were to be had in abundance, while a bear 
not nnfreqnenlly crossed the path of the lonely 
traveler, and night was made hidetius with the howl- 
ing of the wolves, while the Indian still lingered 
along the line of the march of civilization. The 
father of our subject cleared ' a good farm, ii|)on 
which he erected suitable buildings, and resideil 
there until 180.'), when he sold out, and removing 
to Ingham Countj', bought a farm (jf eighty acres. 
In 1874 he removed to Fulton Count}-, which he 
made his home for five years, and then returning to 
Ingham County, spent the last years of his life. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Briggs, was 
born in New York Slate, and w.as the daughter of 
James and Poll}' (llagerinan) Briggs; she also died 
in Ingham County, Mich. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
twelve children, five of whom are yet living, and 
recorded as follows: James resides in Sac County, 
Iowa; Joel is the subject of our sketch; Dorothy 
lives in Cowley County, Kan.; Lydia M. lives 
in Cloud, Kan., and Albert is a resi<lent of Ing- 
ham County, Mich. Joel Webb was one and a half 
years old when his parents made the long journey to 
Michigan, and as he grew to manhood he attended 
the pioneer schools taught in the log school-house, 
and assisted his father in the cultivation of the 
farm. He remained with his parents until 1858, 
and then went to Ohio, and farmed with his brother- 
in-law in Fulton County. After being thus en- 



4- 



852 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



gajied for one year, lie returned to the parental home 
and resided there until his marriage, when he pur- 
cliased a tract of land in the southeastern part of 
Fairfleld Township, and engaged in housekeeping 
in the regulation log cahin. At the time of pur- 
chase, six acres of the land were cleared, and he con- 
tinned to improve the farm and lived there until 
1862. He then exchanged this properti" for land 
in Madison Township, Lenawee County, and re- 
sided there until 1865, when he sold out and pur- 
chased a farm in Gorman Township, Fulton Co., 
Ohio, and resided there until 1880. He then sold 
that property, and once more came to Hillsdale 
County, and purchased his present farm in Wright 
Township. 

Mr. Welili was united in marriage, -Tuly 4, I860, 
with Miss Jane Baylor, wlio was horn in Colum- 
biana County, Ohio. Ang. I 1, 18.33. and is the daugh- 
ter of Jacob Baylor, a native of VV^ashington County, 
Pa., and the son of Conrad Baylor. The father of 
Mrs. Webb vvas married, in Oliio, to Sarah .Stacker, 
a native of Washington County, Pa., and the 
(laughter of John and Catherine (Muinbar) Stacker. 
He worked at his trade of a cooper until 1852, and 
then removed to Fulton Count}-, Ohio, and pur- 
chased a farm in Royalton Township, where he 
resided until 1864. He then removed to Kosciuski 
County. Ind.. and bought a farm, upon which lie 
and his family lived for some time. Thej' subse- 
quently removed to Jasper County, in the same 
State, where the father died. The mother is still 
living. 

Mr. and Mrs. AVebb have two children — Hattie 
L. and Martin. The parents are members of the 
Brethren Church, while in politics Mr. Webb is a 
Democrat. 



"1) ACOB K. CAMBURN is a pioneer of Hills- 
dale Count}', and is now, after seeing his 
children settled in life, retired from active 
' labor, and living with his daughter, Mrs. R. 
B. Marvin. The parents of our subject were Levi 
and JLargaret (Mount) Cambnrn. natives of Mon- 
mouth County, N. J. After their marriage they 
removed to New York, in 1805, and settled in Can- 
andaigua County, where the father engaged as a 



laborer. They afterward removed to Macedon 
Center, Wayne County, where he served his Mas- 
ter as a local minister in the Methodist Church. 
In the fall of 1 835 they came to Michigan, and set- 
tling in Moscow Township, this county, he con- 
tinued engaged m his holy calling until his ileath, 
which took place at the home of our subject in 
1844, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. 
The mother died in Lock|)ort, N. Y., while on a 
visit to a sou. Orthodox in his religious views, 
benevolent and kind, ever ready with sympathy, 
and with his means as far as he was able, fearless in 
the service of his Master, hating sin but loving the 
sinner, Levi Camburn earned for himself and pos- 
sessed the coiifi<lence of all with whom his calling 
brought him into contact. Those struggling under 
the pressure of poverty and [iiivation he cheerfully 
assisted to the extent of his ability; in all measures 
calculated to promote the cause of morality, and to 
advance the interests of his community, be lent a 
helping hanil, and he has left behind him an exam- 
ple which the rising generation would do well to 
emulate. 

Our subject is the fifth in order of birth of a 
family of eleven children, and was born Aug. 11, 
1798, at Barnagat, on the sea coast of New Jerse}'. 
When seven years old he accompanied his parents 
to the Empire State, where he was reared to man- 
hood and received his education in the common 
schools. He secured a tract of land on which he 
operated, while he also labored by the month for 
four or five years. Upon reaching his majority, in 
1818, our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Rebecca Champion, a native of York .State, and 
their union has resulted in the birth of five chil- 
dren — Miron, Jacob, Arretta, Emery and Herki- 
mer. The mother of these children, who nobly 
seconded her husband's efforts to secure the com- 
forts of life f >r their growing family, was taken 
from him by death in January, 1840, when forty- 
one years of age. 

Mr. Camburn came to Michigan in the fall of 
1835, with a part of his family, and settled in 
Franklin Center, Lenawee Count}', where two of 
his brothers and three sisters had preceded him. 
He bought a farm of 200 acres, and settling there, 
was a second time united in marriage, in 1840, 




^ 



^ 



^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



853 



widi lIis. Saral) Cnmlmrn. widow of Levi C. Cnrn- 
bni'ii. Jr.. and .1 daughter of Isaac and Ann (Lcac-li) 
Ksflow. l)oth natives of Kew Jersey. They were 
married at Macedon Center. N. Y., and resided in 
Wayne County, that Slate, until they eame to 
Miciiifian, in tiie fall of 1833, and settled in Homer, 
Calhoun Countj'. where they continued until their 
decease, the father passing away in 1853, at the 
age of seventy', while the mother died at the same 
age. five years later. Jlrs. Canilnirn was the eldest 
of a family of six children, three girls and three 
hoys, and was born Jan. 4. ISl 1. She grew up in 
Wayne County'. N. Y.. receiving her education in 
the district scIkjoIs of that countj'. Although she 
lal)orc<l under difficulties, having to walk two and 
one-half miles to the school-room, and assist in the 
domestic duties of the home, she was bright and 
intelligent, and by her diligence she secured a 
good education. She was united in marriage, in 
1828. with Levi Camburn, Ji'., and lliej' became 
the parents of four children — Eliza J., Julia A., 
M.'irictta A. and Laura S. After the birth of their 
third child they came to Michigan, in 1835, and 
settled in Woscow Plains, this count}', where Levi 
Camburn worked at his trade of a blacksmith until 
his death, in 1838, at the early age of twenty-seven 
years. They were among the earliest settlers of 
this township, and exjicricnccd in common with 
their fellow pioneers all the hardships and trials 
incident to such life. The first religious meetings in 
Moscow Plains were held at their house. 

This union of (nir subject has resulted in the 
birth of four children — Rebecca 13., DrusilhtV., Fay- 
ette E. and Sarah A. Rebecca married .Moses 
Marvin, and has two children: Elmer E., now in 
Kansas, married Agnes Hartly, and thej' have two 
children — Octa B. and Amy D; Frank C., the other 
child of Moses and Rebecca Marvin, resides at 
home. Drusilla V^. is the wife of Dorr Conkling. 
of Moscow, and has two children — Guy and Fay; 
Fayette E. married Martha W. Clapp, and was sub- 
sequently married to Lois Corielle, by whom he 
had one child — Wade B; Fayttte is deceased and 
Sarah A. died in infancy. 

Mr. Camburn gave his farm in Lenawee County 
to his eldest son. and also gave the next eldest a 
farm of 180 acres, botli of which be had brought 



t 



to a high state of cultivation. He then came to 
this county and settled in Moscow Township, which 
has since been his home. 

Mr. Camburn has given jiway all his land, and 
h.as the satisfaction of seeing his children comfort- 
ably settled in life. His has been a long and event- 
ful career; coming to the West when Michigan was 
yet a Territory, he has taken an .active i)art in the 
struggle to subdue nature and transform the wil- 
derness into smiling fields and prosperous villages, 
lie has now reached the ri|)e old age of ninety 
j'ears, and can look back U(.on a well-spent li.''e, 
which h.as brought him the esteem and confidence 
of all who have enjojed the ple;isure of his acquaint- 
ance. Mr, and Mrs. Camburn are worth}' members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Moscow 
Plains. Solicitous in the cause of education. Mr. 
Camburn ilirectcd his best efforts in its promotion, 
and served as a school oHicer tno years; he has 
also done duty as a juryman man}' times. In poll- 
tics he was connected with the Whig element until 
the organization of the Re|)ublic:iii party, when 
he cast his h)t with th.at body. He has been a 
strictly temperate man, and this, in connection with 
his freedom from other vicious habits, has been 
conducive to his long life. Jlrs. Camburn is the 
only surviving member of the first Methodist class 
organized in Moscow Township. 

fcJ- «.g^rM».'^v.T^„v.-r„rT,y.-.r>'.:^*-a^ ■ 

YRON NORRIS, a champion farmer and 
stock-raiser of Hillsdale Township, is |)ar- 
ticularly well equi[)ped with the appliances 
for carrying on the l)usiiiess in which he 
takes great pride and labors to excel. He raised 
his standard high in the beginning, and has left no 
stone unturned in Ins efforts to buihl up one of the 
finest farms in Hillsdale County. This is eighty 
acres in extent, but every fool of it is under a high 
stale of cultivation, and the buildings are a feature 
of attraction to all who (liiss through this section of 
country. 

Mr. Norris purchased this farm in the spring of 
1880, and among the other noticeable improvements 
erected, in 1884. the fine barn 30x51 feel in area, 
two stories in height, and with a stone basement, 




85 4 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



wliich fiiriiislu's dry and ample slielter f(^r his cattle 
and horses. This stnieture is finely finished. an("i 
equijiped with everything requisite for the pnrpose 
to which it isdevoteil. A never-fading spring fur- 
nishes water for the farm, which is conducted 
tlii-ough pipes to whatever spot required, but prin- 
cipally' to the barn, and entering through the drive- 
way deposits the water in a tank, passing from 
there thi<nigh the basement wall to another tank in 
the stock3'ard, an<l thence to the tile drain or waste 
pipe. There is also a cooking house supplied with 
a tank, in which feed is cooked for the cattle and 
hogs, and which is admirably arranged, excelling 
anything of the kind wliich the writer has ever 
seen. The building set apart for the swine has a 
capacity of fifty head, and Mr. Xorris fattens num- 
bers of these each j-ear, for which he finds a ready 
market at Hillsdale. He makes a specialty of the 
breeding of horses, and also buys and sells. Of 
tliese animals he is an excellent judge and also of 
cattle, and at times carries off the blue ribbons at 
the county fairs. 

Oursidiject, a son of one of the early pioneers of 
Southern Michigan, was born in Adams Townsliip. 
tills county, Sept. 20, 1.S57. His parents, William 
and Julie (Van Winkle) Norris, were n.atives of 
Wayne County, N. Y., whence they einigiated 
West after their marriage, in 1856, and located in 
Adams Township, where they still live, and where 
the father is owner of a fine farm of 1C5 acres, with 
suitable buildings and machinery. Their family 
included seven children, namely: Byron, our sub- 
ject; Ralph, Isabelle, Frederick, Gertrude, Dott and 
Robert L. They were all given a common-school 
education, and constitute a family of which the par- 
ents may well be proud, five of whom are residents 
of this county, and two of California. 

Mr. Norris, our subject, began laying his plans 
early in life for the establishment of a home of his 
own, and before reaching the twenty -second year 
of his age was united in marriage with Miss ILattie 
E. Hanchett, the wedding taking place at the home 
of the bride in Allen Township, on New Year's Day, 
1879. Mrs. Norris, like her husband, a native of 
this county, was born in Allen Township, Oct. 13, 
1857, and completed her studies in the Union 
School at Litchfield. Her parents, James and 



ALirgaret (Cairnes) Hanchett, were natives respect- 
ively of Ohio and Scotland. James Hanchett was 
born March 4. 1818, is still living, and is comfort- 
ably located on a good farm of 1 20 acres in Allen. 
His wife, Margaret, was born in the year 182'J. and 
crossed the Atlantic with her parents when a mere 
child. They located first in Canada, and thence a 
few years later took up their residence in the State 
of Nevv York, where tlu-y spent the remainder of 
their days. Their children, five in number, con- 
sisted of two sons and three daughters, all of whom 
are married with the exce()lion of the youngest son, 
Ray, who continues at home with his parents. 
Julia, Mrs. Lawrence, is a resident of Dakota ; Luther 
resides in Allen Township; Hattie, Mrs. Norris, 
and Carrie, the wife of Mr. Hanchett, are in Da- 
kota. 

There has been given to our subject and his 
wife one child only, a sou. Earl, who was born July 
24, 1881, and is now a bright little lad, seven ^-ears 
of age. He learns rapidly, and is far advanced in 
his studies, and it is hardly necessary to say is the 
pride and darling of his parents' hearts. Mr. Nor- 
ris has very little to do with politics, but upon 
occasions of general elections casts his vote with 
tiie Republican part}-. 



ALCOLM E. DOW, a well-known and pop- 
ularcitizen of Cambria Township, ownsand 
occupies a snug homestead of fifty-five 
acres on section 22. He has operated upon 
the theoiy of Horace Greele}', that a small area of 
land well cultivated is more profital)!e than a larger 
extent partially neglected, ami consequently has no 
w.aste places, but has made ever}' rod productive 
and |)rofitable. The beautiful residence, which was 
erected in 1888, invariably attracts the eye of the 
traveler, while the barn and other buildings are 
entirel}' creditable to the taste and skill of the pro- 
prietor, who has superintended the work of build- 
ing, besides planning and executing much of it 
himself. 

The early years of our subject were spent in 
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where his birth took place 
on the IGth of February, 1848. His father, John 




-•► 



-^•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



bJ5 I i 



Dow, \v;is a iijitive of Scollniid, born near the city 
of Glasgow, and is llii' (jftVprinii of puri' Scotch an- 
cestry, being the son of Malcolm Dow. Sr., who 
spent his entire life npon his niitive soil. The 
father of our siiliject was born I'"cb. 2. iMIf). and 
emigrated to the United States when iwcnly-ninc 
years of age, in 1844. The year following he was 
married in the Buckeye State to Wiss ]5cisy Black, 
al.so a native of the •• land of liie thistle," and who 
had left her native land a shoil lime before her 
marriage. I hey continued residents of Ohio until 
after the birth of four children, of whom Malcolm 
E., of our sketch, was the second. Then, in 18.50, 
the}' came to Michigan and purchased land on sec- 
tion 1.5, in Cambria Townshi)), where the father 
entered vigorously upon the cultivation of the soil, 
and where he continued a resident the remainder 
of his life. The mother of our subject had died at 
the lujinestead in Cambria Township, in Iboo, 
after the dcfith of one of her children. .She was a 
devoted member <jf the Presbyterian Church, a 
faithful wife and an affectitmale mother, and her 
name is held in kindly remembrance by all who 
knew her. The father was mai lied a second time, 
and closed his eyes upon earthly scenes on the 4th 
of January, 1.S77, aged seventy-two years. 

The three surviving children of the first marriage 
of .John l:)ow are recorded as follows: Agnes P. 
became the wife of Robert McDougall, of Hillsdale 
Township, and they are the parents of six children, 
namely: Andrew, Vinnie, John, Lilly. Rose and 
Jean. The third child. James B., took to wife Miss 
Euphemia Hopkins, and is carrying on farming suc- 
cessfully in Adams Township; he is the father of 
three children — Willie, Christina and Myrtle. The 
deceased child was a little girl named Isabelle, who 
died when two years of age. John Dow was mar- 
ried the second time in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1850, 
to Mrs. Margaret (Boyle) Craig, who was a native 
of his own country, and came to the United Stales 
with one child, after the death of her first husband, 
Mr. Craig. Of her marriage with Mr. Dow there 
were born four children. The eldest son, Andrew 
B.. married Miss Mary Cireene, and is farming in 
Cambria Township; Mtiggie is the wife of Prank 
Cortwright, and the mother of three children — 
Wesley, Ray and a baby unnamed; Alexander eon- 



linues on the old homestead with his mother; 
Matthew, the youngest, is traveling salesman for a 
grocery house in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Margaret 
Dow is now si.Kty-six years old. Her youngest 
son, Thomas, died when si.\ years of age. Her 
only son by her first husband is John Craig, who 
married Miss Sylvia Prink, and is farming in Cam- 
bria; the}' have one child, a son, liruce E. 

Malcolm E. Dow was l)ul a child when his par- 
ents came to this county, and was educated in the 
district schools of Cambria Toivnshil). He served 
an apprenticeship at the carpenter's t.'ade, aixl when 
ready to establish himself in a home of his own, 
was united in marriage. Peb. IG, 1874, with Miss 
Martha L. Hill, who was born under the roof wliere 
she njw lives, on the 2d of January, l«o7. She is 
the daughter of Jra Hill by his marriage with Miss 
Sarah Bagle}'. being their second child. Ira Hill 
was a native of Palmyra, N. Y., ami came West 
after his first marriage, with Miss.Sarah P. Arnold, of 
the same State. He located among the earliest 
pioneers of Adams Township, where the death of 
his first wife occurred in Augtist, 1853. Me came 
to Cambria Township in 1853, after his marri.ige 
Willi Miss]5:igley, and purchased land on section 22, 
where he lived and labored until his death, in July, 
1864. He was stricken down in the prime of life, 
being not quite forty-nine years old. His widow 
was subsequently married to Hosea W. Polger, and 
they now live on a farm on section 4, in Camliria 
Township; they have two children, ;i son and 
daughter — Charles au<i May. Ira Hill by his first 
wife became the father of live children, three of 
whom are living, namely: Prank. Alice T. and 
Edward J. These are all married and comfortably 
settled in life. Mr. Hill served many years as 
Township Clerk in Cambria Township. 

Since their marriage .Mr. and .Mrs. Dow have re- 
sided upon the same farm, and here their four 
children were born. They were named respectively : 
Bessie M.. Maggie E., Agnes B. and John .M. The 
eldest is thirteen years of age and the youngest five. 
Mr. Dow, politically, is ji warm supporter of Re- 
publican principles. He represented Cambria Town- 
ship in the County Board of Supervisors for three 
successive terms, and has held the ollicc of Town- 
ship 'J'reasurer two years. He is a member of the 



r 




-•►■ 



»56 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



B(jaril of Directors of tlie Hillsdale County Far- 
n)ers' Fire Insmance Company, wliicli was organized 
in 1)S59, and wlileli has been extremely eareful in 
the seleitiiin of its officers. 

Socially', our subject and his estimable wife are 
members of the Patrons of Husbandry, belonji;- 
infT to Cambria Grange No. 74. in which Mr. 
Dow is Gatekee|)er. and Mrs. Dow fills in a grace- 
ful manner her jjosition as Lecturer. Mr. D. iden- 
tified himself with the ]. 0.0. F. several years 
ago, and is a warm admirer of its principles. He 
is Past Grand of the Subordinate Lt)dge No. 17, at 
Hillsdale, and in the Canton is Comtnissary of the 
First -Separate Battalion of Michigan, which office 
lie has held now over a year. 



•mi 







^^ ILAS DOTY, one of the progressive and 
successful men of Southern Michigan, is a 
resident of the township of Cambria, where 
he has been engaged in active farm life for 
a I)eriod of forty jears. His farm consists of 110 
acres of excellent land situated on section 19, while 
his home is "a thing of beauty." Mr. Doty for- 
merly owned a quarter-section of land, but he has 
given fifty acres to his son. 

The subject of this biogra|>hy came to Hillsdale 
County in 1810. and has since lived in Cambria 
Township. During three 3'ears he was in the em- 
ploy' of 15. D. Willetts, one of the pioneer settlers 
and most piomiiient men of the county; be is now 
deceased. In 1841 Mr. Doty purchased eight3' acres 
of his present farm, which was then in a state of 
nature, and in the fall and winter of 1842-43 he 
began to make improvements. In his efforts he 
has been nobly assisted by his good wife, with 
whom he was united in marriage Oct. 26, 1842. 
The primeval foiest yielded gradually but surely 
to the pioneers' ax. and he soon brought his land 
to a good slate of cultivation; he subsequent!}' 
bought another eighty acres, which he treated with 
similar successful results. In the life of Mr. Doty 
we find an excellent example for young men just 
embarking in the field of active life of what may 
be accomplished by industry' and energy, combined 
with good judgment. Mr. Doty is eminently a 



self-made man in the l)est sense of the term. In 
early life he enjoyed but few advantages, nor had 
he wealth or position to aid him in starting in life; 
he relied solely upon his own etforts and his 
own conduct U> win for him success, and these 
qualities have borne their legitimate fruit. Nor 
has his been a success solelj' in the sense of accumu- 
lating wealth, but in doing good to others, in serv- 
ing them well, and in winning their respect and 
esteem, and as a consequence he is one of the best 
and most favorably' known men of Hillsdale County. 
Silas Doty was born in .Solon, Cortland Co., N. 
Y., July 13, 1817, and is the son of Isaac Doty, a 
native of Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. 
From his native State Isaac Doty removed to Cort- 
land County, N. Y., and .about that time he was 
united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Looniis. 
Mr. Doty was among the jMoneer settlers of Solon, 
Cortland County, and accuinidated a valuable .an<l 
well-improved propeity. In 1828, with his wife 
and eight children, of whom our subject was the 
seventh, he left his home in the Empire Slate and 
set out for the Territory of Michigan. They went 
with teams to Syracuse, N. Y., a distance of fort}"^ 
miles, and thence on a canal-boat to Buffalo, where 
they took passage on a steamboat for Detroit, 
Mich.; they then came across the country by means 
of ox-teams to Ypsilanti, VVaslitenaw County, which 
was then a mere hamlet. There the family lived 
for two 3'ears, and in 1830 they removed to near 
Adrian, Lenawee Countj'. Young Doty had now 
grown able to contribute to the support of the 
family, and upon their arrival in Adrian he en- 
tered the em|)!oy of old Mr. Darius Comstock, 
one of the first pioneer settlers of Lenawee County, 
and known to our subject as the best old gentleman 
in Michigan. Early in the thirties the parents of 
our subject, with part of their family, removed to 
Oakland County and settled in Highland Township, 
where the}' made their home until their decease, 
that of the father occin'ring at the age of seventy- 
two, and that of his wife when ten years younger. 
Both parents were consistent chuich members, and 
worthy and respected members of society. In 
politics the father gave his hearty support to the 
Whig party. Two of their sons. Enos and Elias, 
accumulated a laige property in Oakland, and at ^ r 



•►HH^- 



^ 



4^ 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



857 



tlic time of their decease were wortli not less liian 
$00,000 eacli. Our siilijeet and a sister, now INIrs. 
Eunice Biuk, of Beninngton. Midi., are tlie only 
surviving members of the faniily. Her husband, 
Isaac liurk, is a successfid farmer of Shiawassee 
County, in this State. 

Mr. Doty remained in the cmijloy of Mr. Corn- 
stock until 1840, and in January of that year he 
came to Cambria and engaged to work for Mr. B. 
B. Willetts, a kinsman of Mr. Comstock. Although 
his remuneration was only fifty cents per day Mr. 
Doty saved some monej', and made iiis first pur- 
chase of eighty acres of land in Candiria Township, 
his present homestead, and from this humble begin- 
ning he has reached his present position of compara- 
tive affluence. 

The wife of our subject, whose maiden name was 
Catherine Van Vlack, w.as born in Fishkill Town- 
shi|), Dutchess Co.,N. Y.,,Iune 18, 1822. Mrs. Doty 
is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wright) 
Van Vlack, natives also of Dutchess County, where 
the}' were reared to maturity and married ; they are 
both deceased. Of the six children, two sons and 
four daughters, born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Vlack, 
Mrs. Doty was the fifth child in order of birth; she 
was a little maid of six j-ears when her family- re- 
moved to Genesee County, N. V., which they made 
their home until 1838. when they all started for 
the young State of Michigan. They came to Buf- 
falo, N. Y., with teams, thence by Lake Erie to 
Toledo, and finally through the mucii dreaded and 
almost impassable cottonwood swamps. After a 
toilsome journey the weary travelers reached Cam- 
bria Township, and there the parents resided until 
their decease, that of the father occurring in the 
autumn of 1871, at the age of eighty-six years, 
while the mother had passed away some years 
previously, in the eightieth year of lier age. Mrs. 
Doty was reared at the homestead under the judi- 
cious tutorship of intelligent and conscientious par- 
ents, until the age of sixteen years, and then came 
to Hillsdah; County. 

I'"our children have come to brighten the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Doty — Addie, Henry L., Edwin and 
Marj-. Addie w.as the wife of Sylvester Lawrence, 
who is now living in Kansas, and died in Reading 
in 187;i; Henry L. married Sarah J. DePuy, and 



is now a prominent citizen of Reading; Edwin mar- 
ried Ellen Morris, and resides on part of the old 
homestead in Cambria Township, while Mary lic- 
came the wife of James Curran, of the village of 
Reading. 

In politics Mr. Doty affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party, and is liberal minded and progressive 
in his views on all public questions. He and his 
estimable wife have a prospect of many bright 
years before them, during which they can enjoy 
those creature comforts and the society of warm 
friends their well-.spent lives have gathered around 
them. 

-^*r >o*o..®X®-«*<»' *<— 

AMES H. GTDLEY. This gentleman, who 
is ranked among tiic worthy and reliable 
farmers of .Scipio Township, was born on the 
(^g// other side of the ocean in Devonshire, En- 
gland, Aug. 2, 18o8. He crossed the Atlantic with 
his parents when a lad of thirteen j"ears, being of 
an age to recollect the interesting incidents of the 
voyage, and how life appeared' on the wide ocean" 
when days and days passed without a sight of laud. 
He is of pure English ancestry, being the son of 
Richard and Dinah (Herbert) Gidle}', who were 
natives of the same county as their son, where they 
were reared and married. They left their native 
countrj' in 1851, accompanied by their eight chil- 
dren, and settled in Sylvania, Lucas Co., Ohio, 
where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
and where his death took place in the spring of 
1870. The mother survived until April 8, 1878, 
spending her last years in Michig.an. The house- 
hold circle was completed by the birth of eight 
children, all having been born in England. Of 
these six are still living, and residents of Michigan 
and Ohio. 

The subject of this biography first opened his 
eyes to the light on the 2d of August. 1838. and 
remained a member of the parental household until 
his twenty-fourth birthd.ay, and until after the out- 
break of the late Rebellion. He had now become 
fully identified with the interests of his adopted 
country, and celebrated the twenty-fourth anniver- 
sary of his birthday by his enlistment in the Union 
army, becoming a member of Comi)aiiy K, .'Jd Ohio 

■ » 



t 



.► i r^ 



858 



HILLSDALE COUKTY. 



Cavalrj', in -niiich be served nearlj' tlnee years, and 
until the close of the war. He was mustered out 
after the surrender of the Confederate forces, on the 
25th of June, 1865. He had in the meantime, with 
his comrades, been assigned to the Army of the 
Cumberland, with Kilpatrick, and encountered the 
enemy in all the principal engagements. 

Upon his return from the army Mr. Gidley made 
his way to Toledo, Ohio, and engaged as brakeraan 
for the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad. His 
fidelity to duty resulted in his promotion, first to 
tiie position of freigiit and then to passenger con- 
ductor, and he followed railroading with the com- 
pany until the spring of 1874. He then entered 
the employ of the G. R. & I. R. R.. but six months 
later transferred his labors to the Chicago Division 
of the Baltimore & Ohio. His next headquarters 
were at Moberlj-, Mo., where he was employed as 
freight conductor on the St. Louis, Kansas City & 
Northern, and was subsequently conductor and 
brakeman on the Wabash & St. Louis, with which 
he remained four j'ears. 

Mr. Gidley, now desirous of settling down and 
establishing a permanent home, came to this county 
and secured possession of his present farm in Scipio 
Township, upon wliich he has since successfully oper- 
ated. Just before his enlistment in the army he was 
married, in Sylvania, Ohio, in the fall of 1 862, to Miss 
Anna McBride, who was born in Pennsylvania. Of 
this union there were born three children : Irving J., 
who died in Ohio, in Februarj', 1885, when twenty 
years of age; R.-dph and Flora M. are residents of 
Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Anna Gidley departed this 
life at her home in Toledo, Jan. 27, 1872. 

Our subject, on the 22d of February. 1883, was 
married the second time, in Hanover, Jackson 
Countj', this State, to Mrs. Agnes (Perrott) Cox, 
daughter of William and Mariah Perrott, and widow 
of Henry R. Cox, late of Scipio Township. This 
lady is a native of the same county in England as 
her husband, having been born in Devonshire, Oct. 
10, 1 838. She came to America with her parents when 
eleven years old. They settled in New York, but 
spent their last years in this State, her mother dying 
Jan. 30, 1885. iii Jackson Counts', wliere the father 
still resides. By her first marri.nge ]\lrs. Cox became 
the motlier of three children — Cliarles W., Ella M. 



and Robert H., who are now living at home. Henry 
R. Cox, who was a fanner Ijy occupation, died in 
Scipio Township on the 10th of M.arch, 1880. Mr. 
Gidley, politically, is a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles. 

ip^^jENJAMIN W. BROCKWAY, a prominent 
\[JC<. citizen of Allen Township, in the days long 
since passed by was one of the hardy, brave 
pioneers of Hillsdale County, who nobly 
faced the dangers and trials of life in the forest- 
covered land of Southern Michigan that they might 
build up for themselves and their children comfort- 
able homes, and in doing so were instrumental in 
developing this region into its present prosperous 
and glorious condition. Our subject may be said 
to be a truly typical pioneer, as he possessed, and 
still retains in a large measure, those traits of high 
courage, firmness of purpose, and sturdy self- 
reliance, which are so essential to success under the 
discouragements and difficulties to be encountered 
in a newly settled country'. He was well endowed 
with mental and physical vigor, had good powers 
of endurance, and was well fortified with sound 
principles and sterling common sense; he is gen- 
erous and open-hearted, and ever ready to extend 
sympathy and lend a helping hand to those less fort- 
unate than liimself. He has lived and labored in 
Allen Township for fifty years as one of its leading 
farmers, and is now living in honorable retirement 
on tlie old homestead, universally beloved and re- 
spected, not only for liis past record in connection 
with the early and more recent history of Hillsdale 
County, but for his worth as a man and a citizen. 
Our subject is a son of George and Polly 
(Amsden) Brockway, who were born respectively 
in Lyme, Conn., Jan. 21, 1787, and in Conway, 
Mass., Dec. 19. 1792. They married in Seneca 
County, N. Y., where they lived for a time. They 
then removed to Ontario County, and settled in the 
town of Phelps, where the father died Jan. 6, 1827, 
in the prime of life. The mother survived her hus- 
band many years, came to Hillsdale County, and 
died at the residence of her son, Benjamin W.. Jan. 
8, 1882, having rounded out a good life of nearly 
ninety years. They had six children, three sons and 




^- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



859 



tliree daughters. Benjamin W. was their eldest son, 
and was horn Oct. 22, 181G, in the town of Phelps, 
K. Y. He was reared on a farm, and continued to 
live in his native town until he was nineteen years 
old. In ia36, before he had scarce!}- .attained man- 
hood, he decided to make his future home in Michi- 
gan, on whose rich virgin soil he hoped by persistent 
and energetic toil to achieve success in the calling 
to which he had been bred. After his arrival in 
the Territory he spent eighteen months in Washte- 
naw Count}'. He tlien went back to his old home 
in I'lielps, N. Y., and after staying there a short 
time, in the spring of 1838 returned to Michigan» 
and located in Allen Township, Hillsdale County 
where he h.is ever since made his home. In the 
long years that have intervened since then, his 
patient labors, wise economy, judicious expendi- 
tures and able management, have pl.aced him in the 
possession of a good income, derived principallj' 
from his valuable farm, which originally comprised 
eighty acres, but has been increased to I'J'J acres by 
furtiier purchase. It is very pleasantly located on 
section 27, is well drained, under a high state of 
improvement, well stocked, and has an ample set 
of commodious farm buildings. Mr. Brockwayhas 
now given up the control of his property to his son 
Thomas N., a skillful and intelligent farmer, and 
lives a more retired life than formerl}', free from 
the cares of business. 

To the devoted helpmate who has been the sharer 
of his joys and sorrows for nearly half a century, 
and has been his able assistant in the upbuilding of 
their pleasant home, Mr. Brockway was married in 
Allen Township, Feb. 18, 1841. She was formerly 
Miss Sarah A. Pettibone, daugiiter of Roswell and 
Harriet (Ball) I'ettiboue. They came to Oakland 
County, Mich., from near Batavia, N. Y., in 1827. 
After living there some six or seven years they 
moved to London, Monroe County, in this State, 
■where tiie mother died in 1835. The remaining 
members of the family reu)oved to Hillsdale Count}' 
in 1839, and settled in Allen Township, where the 
father died at the residence of our subject. To him 
and ills wife were born five cliildren. who lived to 
maturity. Sarah A., the wife of our subject, was 
born near Batavia, N. Y., April 28, 1822. To her 
and her husband have been born two children who 



lived to grow up: Harriet H., who is now the 
widow of A. B. Biford, of Benton Harbor. Mich., 
and Thomas N. 

Mr. Brockway has always exerted his influence to 
forward any good project for the advancement of 
this county and township. He has ably served his 
fellow-townsmen in the responsible position of 
Treasurer, which oflice he held several terms, an<l 
has also been Justice of the Peace and Highway 
Commissioner. In politics he is independent, hav- 
ing the courage (jf his convictions, and votes as he 
deems best, without regard to party restrictions. 
He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and with his wife also belongs to the Allen Grange, 
P. of H. 




R. CHARLES K.PAYNE, prominent in the 
medical profession of Camljria Township, 
has his headquarters at the village, and has 
practiced successfully in this locality for 
the past twelve years. He has been a resident of 
this county since the spring of 18C9. He is a gradu- 
ate of the Eclectic School of Medicine in Philadel- 
phia, Pa., from which he received his diploma in 
187(5. Later, wishing to perfect himself more thor- 
oughly in the matters pertaining to his chosen pro- 
fession, he entered the College of Medicine at Ft. 
Wayne, Ind., and later took a course in Michigan 
State University. He has been a close student, and 
an extensive reader, and for some years was under 
the instruction of Dr. J. \V. Niblock, of Cambria. 
Here he also olliciated as clerk in a drug-store four 
years, and thus has become thoroughly familiar with 
the various branches of pharmacy, which experience 
is necessary to success. 

Dr. Payne opened his first office at Cambria, of 
which he had been a resident for some years be- 
fore. His early home wjis in Portage County, Ohio, 
he having been born at Rootstown on the 26th of 
June, 184f). This also was the native place of his 
father, William Payne, who was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and the son of Wilkes Payne, a native of 
Connecticut, and a stonecutter by trade. The lat- 
ter eventually abandoned the mallet and chisel, and 
turned his attention to the more congenial pursuits 
of farm life. He emigrate! from New England to 



t 



»► IV^ 



860 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



f 



0-ih^ 



Ohio after his tiianiage, and located in the wilder- 
ness of Portage C'ountj', when the homes of the 
settlers were few and far between. He spent the re- 
mainder of his life in Kootstovvn Township, dying 
at the advanced age of ninety-six. 

William Payne, the father of our subject, grew to 
manhood in his native county, chose farming for 
his life occupation, and married one of the maidens 
of that region. Miss Lucj- A. Smith, who M'as the 
daughter of a New Jersey farmer by the name of 
James Smith. The latter migrated westward to 
Ohio during the period of its earl}' history, where 
he lived a number of years in Portage Countj% and 
then made his v/ay to Van Buren Countj', this State, 
where, with his estimable wife, he spent his last 
years. William Payne survived the partner of his 
youth for a period of twenty years, and died in 
Rootstown, at the age of fifty-six years. They 
were the parents of one child only, Charles E. of 
our sketch, who was a little lad of seven years at 
the time of his mother's death. His father con- 
tracted a second marriage, and his wife is still 
living, making her home in Edinburg, Portage 
County. 

Young Payne earlj' in life was thrown upon his 
own resources, and although the expeiience was 
trying at the time, as he looks back upon it now, he 
feels there is little to regret, as the necessity for ex- 
erting himself implanted within him the independ- 
ence and self-reliance which has made him a man 
among men. He secured his medical education by 
his own efforts, and says himself that he came to 
this county "as poor as a church mouse." Those 
da3's, however, have gone by, and he is thus fully 
prepared to enjoy his present prosperity. His snug 
home in Cambria Village is one of the favorite re- 
sorts of the cultivated and refined people of this 
section. 

On the 1st day of Januarj-, 1873, Dr. Payne be- 
gan the new year by celebrating his marriage with 
Miss Anna Niblock, who was born in Warren, Trum- 
bull Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1855. Mrs. Payne came to 
Michigan with her mother, Mrs. Clementine Nib- 
lock, in 1868, and since that time both have been 
residents of Cambria. Her father, John Niblock, 
met his death by accident while in Trumbull County, 
Ohio, having been run over by a train of cars. He 



was occupied as Yardmaster for the Erie Railroad, 
and was killed while switching at Leavittsburg. 
Mrs. Payne completed her education in the schools 
of Cambria Township, and remained with her 
mother until her marriage. Her union with our 
subject resulted in the birth of three children, one 
of whom, Ethel M., died at the age of eighteen 
months; William De Forest was born Nov. 7, 1879, 
and Edna P., Aug. 8. 1881. These are at home 
with their parents. The Doctor, politically, votes 
the straight Reiniblican ticket, and socially, belongs 
to Blue Lodge No. 259, A. F. & A. M., at Cambria. 
Mrs. Payne is a lady highly respected in her com- 
munity, and a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

^ .^^ ^ 



RASTUS P. NORTON. The subject of this 
biography is one of those men, genial, kindly 
and companionable, and possessed of that 
strict integrity of character which has made him 
not only honoi-cd bj- the business men with whom 
he has held relations for a period of thirty years, 
but as a friend and neighbor, regarded in his com- 
munity with peculiar confidence and respect. He 
was early in life thrown upon his own resources, 
leaving the parental roof when a little lad, and 
most of the time afterward earned his own living 
by employing himself at whatever he could find to 
do. Nature, however, had blessed him with the 
qualities which made for him friends wherever he 
was known, and although his present position in 
life has not been attained without struggle and 
difficulties, he has, in the main, been smiled upon 
by Providence. 

A native of the Empire State, our subject was 
born in the town of Whitehall, May 2, 1821. His 
parents, Philander and Lucy Norton, were also 
natives of New York State, and of their two other 
children besides our subject, one is now deceased, 
and the other living in Coldwater, Mich. Erastus 
P. was bound out when a lad of six or seven years, 
the contract to continue until he reached his ma- 
jority. Seven years later it was made void by the 
death of his guardian, and young Norton then went 
to Chatham and began an apprenticeship at cloth ' 



■•►^ll-^ 



-L. 



■» 11 M 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



861 u 



f 



dressing and vvool carding. This, however, he 
abandoned about oigiileen months later, preferring 
the more active life attendant npun farm labor. 
He thus spent the summer months for some years 
afterward, and in winter attended school until 
becoming qualified for teaching. 

Mr. Norton taught school in Columbia County, 
N. Y., about thirteen j-ears, much of the time in 
and around the town of Claverack. In the spring 
of 18.54, resolving to seek his fortune in the young 
and rising West, he came to Southern Michigan, 
and settling in Allen Township, this county, iias 
lived here since that time, and engaged continuou.sly 
in farming pursuits. He had before his removal 
West, been married in Hillsdale. Columbia Co., N. 
Y., Oct. 16, 1844, to Miss Hannah Crow, who was 
born in that town Aug. 28, 18-21. Mrs. Hannah 
Norton became the mother of nine children, and 
departed this life at her home in Allen Township, 
Dec. 9, 1862, at the age of forty-one years. Slie 
was a most estimable lady, and a consistent mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. 

The children of the first marriage of our subject 
are recorded as follows: William C. enlisted during 
the Rebellion as a Union soldier in Company A, 
(new) 4th Michigan Infantry, Aug. 4. 1 864, and died 
inTexas while in the service, Oct. 21, 1865, when but 
twenty years of age. George W., a member of the 
same company as his brother, died at Jefferson 
Barracks, Mo., Dec. 17, 1864, at the age of eight- 
een years. Charles E. and Lucy J. are carrying on 
the old home farm in Allen Townsiiip; Kezilda A. 
became the wife of Eugene P. Eddy, and died at 
her home in Manistee, this State, May 25, 1882; 
Margaret I. is the wife of George W. Hill, uf Read- 
ing, this conntj-; vSamuel W. is a resident of Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa; Erastus P.. Jr., died April 26, 1864, 
when four and one-hall j-ears old; A. Leroy is a 
resident of Allen Township. 

Mr. Norton contraeteil a second marriage, in 
Farnicrville, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Ajiril 4, 1S64, with 
Mrs. .lane R. (Remington) Slayter, who was born 
June 17, 182'J. in Cayuga County, and bj^ her mar- 
riage with A. S. Sl.ayter became the mother of one 
child, who died in infancy. Mrs. J.ane li. Norton 
was a lady of good education, formerly a school 
teacher, and also a nu'iiilicr in good st.anding of the 

M* 



Baptist Church. She died at the homestead in 
Allen Township, July 28, 1880. 

Mr. Norton, politically, is a warm supiwrter of 
Republican principles. He has been quite promi- 
nent in township affairs, serving as School Director, 
Commissioner of Highways, and for a period of 
four years represented Allen Township in the County 
Board of Supervisors. He officiated .as Justice of 
the Peace three years, and was Superintendent of 
Schools, and Township Clerk several years. He 
identified himself with the Bai)tist Church in 1842, 
in which he has long served as a Deacon, and been 
one of its chief pillars. Although perhaps he has 
not been the hero of any ver^' thrilling cxi)erience, 
his life has been eminently creditable, as that of an 
honest man and a good citizen, in whom his neigh- 
bors and townsmen have the most implicit confi- 
dence. 




^. 



\f/OHN MARVIN. This , gentleman, though 
born across the ocean, settled in this county 
in time to witness and take part in the de. 
velopment of the natural resoi\rces with 
which it is so largel}' endowed. He has given the 
best efforts of his life to agricultural pursuits, and 
as a reward for his industry and energy has a fine 
farm located on section 35, in Wright Township, 
where he is successfully pursuing his peaceful 
vocation. 

Mr. Marvin was born in the village of Edmund, 
Lincolnshire, England, Nov. 29, 1828, while his 
father, also John Marvin, was born in the same 
shire, as was also his grandfather of the same name. 
Grandfather JIarvin spent his entire life in his na- 
tive count}', and there the father of our subject 
grew to manhood, and learned the trade of :i wagon- 
maker. He engaged in business for himself in 
Edmund, but after some time removed to Han- 
thorpe, and o|)erated on quite an extensive scale. 
He also spent his entire life in Lincolnshire. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Susan Watson, was 
also a native of Lincolunhiri', Knglaiid. and died 
tliere in 1808. 

The subject of our sketch was the <»nly son in the 
l)arental family, and wa.s reared lo manhood in his 



u 



••► 



862 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



native shire. Soon after his mother's death he 
started out manfully to earn his own living. Not 
caring to work in his father's shop, he found em- 
ployment on the farm of a neighbor, where he re- 
ceived for liis services a remuneration of sixpence 
per day. As he grew stronger and his services he- 
came more valuable, his wages were increased until 
at length he e.arned ten pounds a year. Accounts 
of the advantages enjoj'ed by farmei's in this country 
reached him from time to time, and at length he 
conceived the idea that in the New "World there 
awaited him greater opportunities for acquiring a 
home and a competency. Possessing the qualities 
of careful calculation and jiromptness in putting his 
plans into execution, which are prime character- 
istics of the Marvin family, he embarked for Liver- 
pool in the spring of 1853, and coming to America 
landed at St. John, New Brunswick, on the 2d of 
June. Me at once found employment at St. An- 
drew's with a railroad coiupany, but he remained 
thus engaged only four days. He tlien came by 
boat to Portland. Me., and on by railroad to Bos- 
ton, whence he went to Barnstable, Mass., and 
found employment on a railroad then in course of 
construction. At tiie end of two years he came 
west as far as Indiana, and engaged to work on a 
farm in Lima. He was thus employed during one 
summer, and then secured emploj-ment on tiie 
Air Line Railroad, tiien in process of construction, 
and worked on that road until the spring of 1856. 
He then removed to Hudson, Lenawee County, and 
engaged with William Baker (he having worked for 
Mr. Baker on the Air Line Road) to work on a 
farm. Before coming to Hudson he had bargained 
with Mr. Baker for forty acres of land, for which 
he w.as to paj' $4.75 per acre, working by the month 
until he should liquidate the debt. His first work 
on his new purchase was to cut down trees to make 
room for a log cabin, and at the time of his settle- 
ment upon it he had but one acre cleared, and his 
stock consisted of a pair of yearling steers. He 
first exchanged work with liis neiglil)ors who had 
oxen, and thus got his plowing done until his ovvn 
steers were old enough to do the work. In this 
way he also did his milling and marketing for sev- 
eral years. Though at the outset subjected to all the 
inconveniences and privations incident to pioneer- 



ing in a new country, he has succeeded in clearing 
up a farm, and has added to his original purchase 
until he now has 100 acres of fine land, the greater 
part of which is well improved and supplied with 
good grades of stock, besides being equipped with 
the most practical of modern machinery. 

Mr. Marvin has been twice married. His first 
wife, to whom he was married in 1854, was Bridget 
Connor, a native of County Louth, Ireland. She 
was left an orphan at an early age, and came to 
America with an uncle, settling in Paterson, N. J., 
whence she afterward removed to Cayuga County, 
N. Y., and from there she came west to Kendall- 
ville, Ind.; she died on the 9th of April, 1882. Mr. 
Marvin, by his first wife, had six children, one 
daughter and five sons: James E. married Jane 
Bovee ; thej' have two sons — William Claude and 
Henry. The other sons are — John, William P., 
Gamaliel and Charles H. The daughter died when 
.an infant of five weeks. In politics Mr. Marvin 
affiliates with the Democratc party, and in religion 
he is a Catholic, as was also his wife. 

For his second wife our subject chose Bridget 
Catherine O'Melia, and they were united in marriage 
Jan. ',), 1884. She was born in County Ma\'o, 
Ireland, July 14. 1842, and is the daughter of John 
and Ann (Davitt) O'Melia. Her father died in Ire- 
land in 1846, and her mother married a second time 
and came to America, where she lived at Fairport, 
N. Y., for some time. In 1857 they came to Michi- 
gan, and settled in Livingston Count}'. Mrs. Mar- 
vin did not come to America with her mother, but 
joined her at Fairport. in 1857, and earae with her 
to Michigan in the fall of that year. She has one 
brother living, Patrick O'lNIelia, who resides in 
Jackson County, Mich. 

'if? , EYI J. HOAG. Among the honored and 
I (^ respected citizens of Hillsdale County is 
jj_ L-^\ the subject of this sketch, who devotes his 
time to farming on section 17 of Scipio Township. 
He was born in Macedon, AVayne Co., N. Y., 
May 28, 1820. His father, Benjamin L. Ho.ag, 
was a preacher in the Society of Friends, and died 
in Macedon, N. Y., April 12, 1844. The maiden 



:^i^ 



-U 



--- *» -- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



863 



name of his wife, tiic mother of our subject, was 
Miriam Frj'. She survived her husband, living 
until Aug. 6, 1857. when her death occurred in 
Farmington, N. Y. To her and her husband had 
been born four children, one son and three daugh- 
ters, namely: Ruth, Levi J., Hannah and Sarah. 

Levi, of whom we write, was reared in his native 
State, and after marri.age settled in Wayne County, 
where he remained for several years. In 1854, 
thinking to better his financi.il condition, our sub- 
ject removed with his family to Hillsdale County, 
and estiiblished a new home in Scipio Township, 
where he has since resided. 

Mr. Ho.ag hsis been twice ni.arried, the maiden 
name of his first wife, to whom he was married in 
his native town, Jlarch 8, 1848, was Martha Tator, 
daughter of Gilbert, and Eliza Tator. She was 
born in New Y''ork State, where she grew to 
womanhood and was married, remaining in that 
State until she came with her husband and family to 
Scipio. She did not live long after settling in her 
Western home, her death occurring Feb. 18,1855. 
She was a faithful wife and devoted mother, iind 
her death was sincerely mourned by her husband and 
children. The latter, thus left motherless at an 
early age, were two iu number, Adelphine I. and 
Louisa E.- The former is the wife of Charles L. 
Riggs, of Scipio Township; the l.ittcr married G. 
W. Hodges, who is also a resident of Scipio Town- 
ship. Mr. Hoag was again married, in Scipio, May 
1 1, 1856, at the residence of the bride's parents, to 
Miss Mary E.. daughter of Leonard and Dorcas 
(Congdon) Proper (for parentjil history see sketch 
of Leonard Proper). .She was born in Sparta, 
Livingston Co., N. Y., March 5, 1830, but her 
parents removing soon after to Groveland, in the 
same county, her earlier years were passed in that 
town, where she received a good education. She 
was an intelligent girl, of good intellectual ability, 
and fitted herself for the duties of teacher, assum- 
ing the charge of a school in Groveland when quite 
3'oung, continuing thus engaged in her native State 
for four' years, when she came with her parents to 
Michigan. She resumed her profession in .Scipio 
Township, and introduced manj' advanced theories 
and pr.actices in regard to teaching, which soon 
won for her the reputation of being a superior in- 

^ 



structor. Of her union with Mr. Ho.ag three chil- 
dren have been born, of whom the following is the 
record : Sarah E. is the wife of Biou Miller, of 
Jonesville; George L. died in Scipio Township, 
March 12,1874. when only fifteen years of age; 
Anthony B. married Miss Dora M. Heath, who was 
born in Steuben County, N. Y., June 2, 1861, and 
they reside in Scipio Township. 

The homestead of our subject comprises 208 
acres of land, on which he h.as erected a good 
set of buildings, and made other valuable im- 
provements. In agriculture, as in other branches 
of industry, intelligence is necessar3' to success, 
and the greater the brain force brought to bear 
upon the subject the more successful the results. 
The fine condition of the farm of Mr. Hoag 
speaks for itself of the skill and good judgment 
he has used in its improvement, and makes his suc- 
cess in his occupation a self-evident fact. Our sub- 
ject is identified with the local affairs of his town- 
ship, and takes great interest in educational matters, 
having been School Director for several years. In 
politics he supports the principles of the Republican 
party, and uniformly votes in favor of that ticket. 




bHOMAS MEREDITH. This gentleman, 
though born across the ocean, came to this 
county in time to take part in its early 
development. Though not j'et old in years, he 
has given the best efforts of his life to agricultural 
pursuits, and as a reward for his industry and 
perseverance, he h.as an excellent farm on section 
35, Wright Township. In the life of Mr. Meredith 
we find an excellent example for young men just 
erab.arking on the voy.age of active life, of what 
may be accomplished by a man beginning poor but 
honest, prudent and industrious. Our subject is a 
self-m.ade man in the best meaning of the term. 
He had neither wealth nor infiuonce to aid him in 
starting out to fight life's battle, but he relied 
solel3' upon his own efforts and his own conduct to 
win for him success, and while achieving success in 
the sense of accumulating wealth, he h.as also 
done his duty among his fellowmen, winning their 



i 



I 



864 



-•»• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



respect and esteem. He hns ever strictly observed 
that most important factor in the successful public 
or business life of any man — honesty. He is a 
cai^eful, conscientious man, ever adhering to the 
dictates of his conscience in matters both of a 
public and private nature. 

Mr. IVIeredith was born in England, on the border 
of Wales. March 1 4, 1 833, and is the son of 
Edward Meredith, who was born near the same 
locality. The father was for several years the gate- 
keeper over the River Wye, in the parish of "Whit- 
nej', Herefordshire, England. In 1842, accompanied 
by bis wife and three children, he bade good-by to 
his native land, and embarking at Livcr|)ool. set sail 
for America, landing at New York on the 22d of 
November of that year, after a voyage of five 
weeks and throe days. He spent one night in New 
Y'ork City, and then went to Ballston Spa, where 
he worked at the tr.ade of a shoemaker. After a 
few years he purchased a tract of land seven miles 
west of that town, and caiij'ing on agricultural 
operations in connection with ins farm, lived there 
until his death. His first wife, the mother of our 
subject, died when Thomas was but four or five 
years old, leaving two children besides, John and 
Elizabeth. John lives in Saratoga County, N. Y., 
and Elizabeth became the wife of George Cole, 
and lived a number of years in Hudson, Mich.; 
they now live in New York. 

The subject of this sketch was nine years old 
when he came to America with his parents, and 
lived with his father two years at Ballston Spa, 
then went to live with a doctor in West Galwaj'. 
He took care of the horse and made himself other- 
wise useful, and remained thus employed one year, 
receiving his board and clothing. He went to live 
with Deacon Schueber, in the same county, near 
Burnt Hills, again receiving board and clothing, and 
remained with him four and half years. He then 
engaged in work by the month during the summer, 
and in winter he did chores for his board and went 
to school, in this way receiving the onlj- advan- 
tage he ever had for acquiring an education. In 
1849 he started for Western New York, and stopped 
in Cayuga and Livingston Counties, spending the 
intervening time until 1854. We next find him in 
Indiana, employed on the Air Line Railroad, then 



in process of construction, and he was thus engaged 
tiie greater part of the time for two years. He 
then came to Hudson, Lenawee County, and entered 
the emplo}' of William Baker, about the same time 
buying forty acres of land of that gentleman, which 
he still owns. It was then heavily timbered land, 
without any im|)rovements, and he agreed to pay 
for it $.5.25 i)er acre, 120 cash, and the balance in 
work. He tiien worked for Mr. Baker by tiie day 
and month to free his land, and in 1858 settled upon 
it, first building a log cabin, into which he removed 
with his family, then commenced clearing the land. 
About two acres of the timber had been deadened 
when he moved upon the place, and he soon liad 
that cleared, and he then hired a yoke of oxen to 
plow it. He had no team of his own, but at the 
time of his settlement on the farm he bought two 
calves, and hired his work done until they grew up. 
The change that he has already wrought in this 
land appears almost marvelous. The wilderness 
has given place to the fruitful field, neatly fenced, 
and furnishing abundance of food for man and 
beast, while the log cabin has been superseded 
by a comfortable and convenient frame residence, 
flanked with suitable out-buildings. He has added 
by purchase to his original area until he now has 
sixty acres, which bids fair to become one of the 
most valuable tracts of land in the county. 

Our subject was united in marriage, June 5, 
1843, with Miss Alice Connor, a native of Ireland, 
where she was born in County Louth, and is the 
daughter of James and Elizabeth (Rafferty) Connor. 
She was still 3'oung when her mother died, and she 
came to America when a young lad3', and first 
settled in Paterson, N. J., but subsequently removed 
to Cayuga County, N. Y., where she met her 
future husband, Mr. Meredith. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mereditii has been 
blessed by the birth of nine children: Mar^' E. ; 
Emily, the wife of R. S. Broom ; Marcus E. married 
Kate McNulty ; Alice, the wife of Frank Broom ; 
Orilla J., J. Andrew and Anna E. Edward died 
when four weeks old, and Thom.as, the eighth child, 
died at the age of four years and three months. 
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith have a pleasant home and a 
lovingfamily, ever thoughtful of and attentive to the 
wants of each other, charms which wealth cannot buy. 



-t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



865 



Politically, Mr. Meredith is found in the rnnks of 
the Di'iiHierntie party, while he and f.iniilj' are asso- 
ciated with the Catholic Church, and cordially 
endorse any .measure inaugurated for the liettcrmrnt 
of the eoniiniinitj . 



r^HOM AS N. BROCKWAY, profitably engaged 
in agricultural pursuits on section 27, of 
^' Allen Township, is one of the most ener- 
getic, well-educated and practical farmers of Hills- 
dale County. He is to the "manor born," his 
birth having taken place on the homestead where 
he now resides, March 10, 1845. He is a son of 
Benjamin W. and Sarah A. (Pettibone) Brockwaj', 
both n.-itives of the Empire State. (For personal 
history see sketch of Benjamin Brockway.) He 
was reared in his n.itive town and attended the pub- 
lic schools, acquiring a substantial foundation for 
the further instruction he received in Hillsdale 
College, which institution of learning he attended 
two terms. When out of school he assisted in the 
work of the farm, and became thoioughly conver- 
sant with the details necessary for its good manage- 
ment. After becoming well established in life, our 
subject took upon himself the cares of a family 
man, and was married, in Allen Township, Aug. 25, 
1869, to Miss Victoria Watkins, daughter of Sam- 
uel and Jane (Perry) Watkins. Her father was 
born in England, while her mother was a native of 
the West Indies, wiiere they were married and lived 
for a few years later. They subsequently removed 
to Nova Scotia, and from the latter place came to 
Hillsdale County, and settled in Allen Township 
in 1837, thus being pioneers of this place. Here 
they jjassed their declining years, Mr. Watkins dy- 
ing in the spring of 1882. and Mrs. Watkins the 
following autumn. Their long lives were pleasantly 
and usefully passed, and when called to tlieir long 
home, this excellent couple left many warm friends 
who will ever cherish and revere their memory. 
(For further parental history see sketch of John 
M. Watkins, a brulhor of Mrs. Brockw.iy.) The 
wife of our subject was the eighth of the nine chil- 
dren born to her parents who grew lo maturity, 
and she was born in Allen Township, .June 25, 1845. 



Of her union with Mr. Brockway five children have 
been born, namely: Benjamin W.. Jr., YictoriaM., 
HiJttie M.. Mary E.. and Thomas N., Jr. 

Mr. Brockway well sustains the honorable record 
of his f.-iniily. which has occupied an important po- 
sition in at least the three States of Connecticut, 
New Yoik and Michigan, that are known of by the 
writer of this sketch. He is a wide-awake, pro- 
gressive man, and a valued citizen of this town- 
siiip, in whose advancement and prosi)erity he is 
much interested, and toward which he contributes 
liberally. To men of like mental caliber and ster- 
ling worth is the further growth and development 
of Hillsdale County to depend upon, and they are 
worthy representatives of the preceding genera- 
tion, who, by their early struggles, hardships and 
privatit)ns, have made it possible for these, their 
descendants, to place their native county in the van 
among its sister counties, and the counties of the 
other great commonwealths of the United States. 
Socially, Mr. Brockway is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. His excellent wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church,' while they are both 
valued members of Allen Grange, P. of II. In liis 
political views Mr. Brock wa}- is independent, choos- 
ing to exercise his right of supporting the best men 
and the best measures, irrespective of party lines, 
rather than the nominee or measures of any political 
organization. 



--S— 



..o»o.@S><v®-ofo- 




AVID P. BUNTING. While all honor is 
due to the man who settles in a new coun- 
try .ind engages successfully with all the 
difficulties which beset him, bringing events 
to a hapjiy issue, we must not forget those who 
worthily bear the mantles of their honored sires. 
Man's wants increase as his facilities for supplying 
them grow greater, and it perhaps requires as much 
industry and perseverance to maintain social stand- 
ing in this advanced age as were required half a 
century ago, when the humble log cabin sheltered 
its contented inmates, whose clothing wivs derived 
from the wool of the slieep re.ared on their own 
land, and woven into g.arnicnts by the industrious 
housewife. David P. Bunting, a prosperous farmer 




>► l l "^ 



866 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



locaterl on section 12. Fayette Township, is acting 
well his part in providing for the wants of his fam- 
ily and for the improvement of the community in 
which his lot is cast. 

The father of our subject, John Bunting, was 
born in England about 1809, and emigrated to 
America upon reaching his majority. The maiden 
of his choice was in her girlhood Miss Frances M. 
Chapman, and the^' were united in m.arriage, in 
Jonesville, on the 25th of March, 1841. Their 
household included nine children, who are recorded 
.as follows: AVilliam G. resides in Northern Michi- 
gan ; Sarah A. is deceased : Mary E. is tlie vvife of 
George Parks, of Hillsdale, and Sarah M., of Sam- 
uel Fore, of Ohio; John S. is deceased; David P. 
is the sixth in order of birth ; Jane A. is the wife 
of Conrad Bone, of Manistee County, Mich.; Rhoda 
A. is deceased, and John S. (2d) resides in Isabella 
County, Mich. The parents finally settled in Fay- 
ette Township, where the}' died, the father June 11, 
1875, and the mother Aug. 26, 1865. 

David P. Bunting was born in Fayette Township, 
Aug. 28, 1855, and h.as since remained a resident 
of that township, engaged in .agricultural pursuits. 
He owns the old homestead of 1 20 acres, which he 
has brought under a good state of cultivation, sup- 
plied with comfortable and convenient buildings, 
and is prepared to prosecute to advantage the noble 
calling of an agriculturist. 

On Christmas D.ay, 1884, Mr. Bunting was united 
in marriage, in Scipio Township, witii Miss Martha, 
daughter of Andrew and Matilda (Allen) Kennedy, 
of the same township. Mrs. Bunting was the eld- 
est of four children, and was born at South Hadley, 
Mass., Jan. 23, 1856. One child h.is come to 
brighten their household. In politics Mr. Bunting 
casts his lot with the Democratic party, giving it his 
cordial support whenever occasion offers. 



JACOB A. HANCOCK is one of the well-to- 
do and progressive general farmers and 
stock-raisers of Cambria Township, and an 
old settler of Hillsdale County. He now 
resides on a beautiful farm located on section 30, 
Cambria Township, which he h.as recently made his 



home, and brought to a high state of improvement. 
He has erected a beautiful and substantial resi- 
dence after a design of his own, and the traveler 
through this part of the country g.azes with admir- 
ation on the beautifully appointed homestead. Mr. 
Hancock is one of those men we find so thickly 
scattered over Southern Michigan, and who un- 
doubtedlj' form the best element of her society. 
They were reared under the beneficent influences of 
the schools, religious institutions, and the culture 
and refinement of the society of the older settled 
States. Such men were well equipped to go forth 
and open up a new empire. They could lay its 
foundations broad and deep, so that the colossal 
edifice of a great commonwealth might be reared 
upon it without haz.ard to the highest pinn.acle to 
which Government or human society reaches. To 
these people Southern Michigan Largely owes her 
greatness, and to this cJass the subject of this 
sketch belongs. 

Mr. Hancock is a native of the old Empire 
State, where his birth occurred in Genesee County, 
Jan. 18, 1832. His father, Jacob S. Hancock, 
learned the tr.ade of a shoemaker in early j'outh, 
serving an apprenticeship of five 3'ears at Pater- 
son, N. J. He was born in New York City, but in 
early life went to New Jersey to live. When 
but a child of four 3'ears old he was orphaned by 
the death of his father, and his mother continued 
to live in New York City until her death. Early 
in life J.acob S. was thrown upon his own resources, 
and earned his living for a time in the cotton- 
mills of Paterson, before his apprenticeship. He 
became a very skillful workman, and upon the 
completion of his term of service moved to Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y., and worked there as a journeyman. 

While following his trade in Poughkeepsie, Mr. 
Hancock was united in marriage with Jane Van 
Vlack, who was born and reared in Dutchess Coun- 
ty, N. Y. She was brought up under the tutelage 
of good parents, who came of an old and worthy 
family. Mrs. Hancock's parents subsequently came 
to Michigan, and both died in Cambria Township, 
the father when seventy-six years of age, and the 
mother, whose maiden name was Van Vlack, a few 
j'ears before the death of her husband ; she also 
attained a great age. Shortly after their marriage, 

. .^ 



t 






-#•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



867 



Jacob S. Hancock and wife removed from Pough- 
keepsie to Stafford Township, Genesee County, and 
tliere ^Ir. H. went into business for liimself as a 
boot and shoe maker. After tiic birtii of three 
el>ildren — our subject; Oscar, now of Hillsdale, and 
a daughter, Mary E., now Mrs. Corey, living at 
Council Grove, Kan. — the parents came with their 
famil}' to Michigan in 1839. Leaving their Eastern 
home October 4, thej- journeyed by team to Buffalo, 
and thence came across the lake in the old boat 
"Commodore Perry," to Toledo, from which they 
came to Adrian by the new railroad. The}- com- 
pleted their journey to Cambria Township by 
means of teams, and erecting a primitive log house, 
were prepared to settle down to pioneer life. Jacob 
S. Hancock engaged at his trade, and supplied the 
needy settlers with much needed foot wear, to 
withstand the inclement winter season. He applied 
liimself diligently' to his trade, frequently taking 
work in exchange for his services, and in this w.<iy 
obtained eighty acres of land, well improved. He was 
appointed first Postmaster of the township at a time 
when the postage on a letter iv.as twenty-five cents, 
and so great was the scarcity of money, even among 
the best-to-do people, that he frequently had to 
pay the postage in order that his neighbors might 
get their mail. By thus advancing money for 
others he was frequently embarrassed when the 
time came to make returns to the Government, as 
those whom he had favored were often unable in 
the limited time to procure the money. Mr. Han- 
cock, however, lived to see great changes take 
place in the appearance of the country, and be- 
came the possessor of a well-im proved "farm. He 
finally abandoned his trailc, and followed the occu- 
pation of a tiller of the soil during the last years 
of his life, and p.issed away in 1885, when seventy- 
six years of age. His wife had died some years 
previously, July 28, 1879. In religion Mr. Han- 
cock was a Baptist, and politically, he stood identi- 
fied with the llepulilican party. 

After Jacob S. Hancock and wife came to Michi- 
gan they had five children, who are recorded as 
follows: John married Miss C'elia Thompson, and 
is engaged in farming in fiaton County; Albert 
married Helen Boyce, of Eaton County, and is a 
mechanic at Sacramento, Cal. ; Ellen beoame the 



^K^ 



wife of R. D. Lane, a farmer of Cambria Township ; 
Charles married Addie Allen, and is engaged in a 
furniture manufactory at Reading, and Harriet is 
the wife of Robert Weir, a clerk in a hardware 
store in Bay City, Mich. 

The subject of this sketch was reared at the 
homestead until his marriage, which took pl.ace in 
Cambria Township, March 29, 1854, with Almira, 
daughter of Warren Smith, of whom a sketch 
appears elsewhere in this Ai.hum. Mrs. Hancock 
was born in Lenawee County, Mich., March 2G, 
1837, and received a good education in Cambria 
Township. She resided with her parents, and fol- 
lowed the profession of a teacher until her mar- 
riage, and is a very intelligent lady. She bore to 
her husband one child only. Ida E., now the wife 
of D. J. Gibbon. They have one child, Herbert 
C, and are living at the home of our subject. 

In politics Mr. Hancock is a solid Republican, 
and is a man of strong purpose, quick discernment 
and good judgment. He and his amiable partner 
can look back upon a well-spent and successful life, 
and forward to a hai)py and green old age of easj' 
competency, surrounded by the many friends whom 
their merits have won. 



-^^ 



* ENRY S. WALWORTH, a prominent citi- 
zen of Jerome, in the township of Somerset, 




was born in the town of Shelb}', Orleans 
Co., N. Y"., Jan. 23, 1848, and is the son of 
Calvin and Alurgra Walworth, natives of Orleans, 
and now deceased. He spent his boj'hood days 
upon the farm in his native county, and acquired 
his education in the district school at Moscow, with 
the exception of two terms spent at Hillsdale Col- 
lege. He was early in life thrown upon his own 
resources, which fact tended to develop in him the 
qualities of perseverance and self-reliance, and 
which have doubtless been the secret of his later 
success. 

Our subject left the parental roof when twenty 
years of age, and making his w.ay into Junction 
Cit3', Dickinson Co., Kan., secured employment 
as clerk in the oflice of the Kansas Pacific Railw.ay. 
This situation he retained about five years, and 



f 



-4^ 



868 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



then corning to Somerset secured the position 
of agent of the Lake Shore Road at Jerome, 
and also engaged later in the handling of grain. 
In the meantime he accumulated some capital 
during the five years which followed, a part of 
which he invested in general merchandise, and 
established a store which he has conducted now 
for ten years. He is one of the founders of the 
Hillsdale Savings Bank, and has been Vice Presi- 
dent of this institution since it was organized. 
During the years 1878-79, he represented Somerset 
Township in the Count}' Board of Supervisors, and 
for two years vvas Township Treasurer. 

Mr. Walworth, as a public-spirited and liberal 
citizen, has steadily kept in view the moral and 
educational interests of his community, encouraging 
the establishment of schools, serving in his district 
as Assessor from ten to twelve years, and ever 
giving a ready assistance to those projects tending 
to the growth and development of the township and 
village in which he lives. 

'NDREW J. TIFFANY, who is the owner 
fi^'fUW of a good property on section 6, of Fayette 
Township, is the son of the well-known 
Barton Tiffany, who was born in Canan- 
daigua, Ontario Co.,N. Y'., in 1811. The paternal 
grandfather, Olney J. Tififanj', came to the Terri- 
tory of Michigan in June, 1835, and settled with 
his faniilj' in Scipio Township, this country, upon a 
tract of Government land. Here, with his wife, 
Sarah (Canfield) Tiffany, he spent the remainder 
of his days, passing away in August, 1855. 

Barton Tiffany was the eldest of ten children, 
and was twenty-four years of age when first com- 
ing to this county. The following year he was 
married, in Pulaski, Jackson Countj", to Miss Cor- 
nelia, daughter of John and Harriet Howard, who 
was born in New Y^ork State, June 14, 1822. The 
mother of our subject came with her parents to 
Michigan when a child seven years of age. They 
located first in Washtenaw County, whence they 
removed to Pulaski, Jackson County, in 1832. 
They spent the last years of their lives in Saline, 
Washtenaw County. Mr. Howard is remembered 




by many old residents of Jonesville and vicinity 
as an extensive producer in corn and seed wheat, 
with which he furnislied the farmers for miles 
around, and obtaining good prices realized from 
this a handsome income. 

The father of our subject in his younger years 
was one of the prominent business men of this 
county, and always interested in the enterprises 
tending to its growth and progress. In company 
with Lewis Emery he built the second carding- 
mill in the county, which was familiarly known 
as tlie Emery Mills. A few years later Mr. Tiffany 
disposed of his interest to his partner, and coming 
to Jonesville invested a portion of his capital in the 
establishment of a foundrj', which he conducted 
for a period of ten years. At the expiration of 
this time he settled on a farm in Fayette Townsln'p, 
which, after following agriculture a number of 
years, he finally sold, and retiring from active labor 
took up his residence in Jonesville, where he still 
resides. The mother died here on the 27th of Janu- 
ary, 1886. The six children of the parental house- 
hold were named respectively: Andrew J.; Harriet, 
now deceased; Olive C, Franklin, James and 
Charles. The four younger are residents of Ham- 
ilton Count}', Kan. 

The subject of this biography was born in Scipio 
Township, this county, Oct. 4, 1838; he passed his 
boyhood and youth mostly on a farm, and contin- 
ued under the parental roof until twenty-four years 
of age. He acquired a common-school education, 
and upon leaving home engaged in farming in 
Fayette Townshi]), of which he has since been a 
resident. He is now the owner of 1 20 acres on sec- 
tion 6, upon which he has erected good buildings, 
and where he has effected the other improvements 
necessar}' for the successful prosecution of his call- 
ing. 

The first marriage of our subject took place in 
Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wis., Nov. y, 1859, his bride 
being Miss Anna M. Gillam, who was born in P>ast 
Bloomfield, Ontario Co.. N. Y\, Feb. 30, 1839. 
This union resulted in the birth of eight children, 
namely: Julia, now living in Wisconsin; Alice and 
Ilattie, deceased; Barton, Jr.; Lewis, deceased; 
Bertha, Anna and Charles, the latter twins. Mrs. 
Anna M. Tiffany departed this life at her home in 



n 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



8C9 



Fa_yette Township, May 23, 1875. Mr. Tiff.iny 
contvacted a secuiid marriage. Aug'. 0, 1876. with 
Mrs. Frances (LeFevre) Guy, dauglitiT of Daniel 
and Christina (Derr) LeFevre. Mrs. Tiffany w.ns 
born in Hopewell Towns'hip, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
Dec. 15, 1850, and by her first marriage became 
the mother of a son, Henry H., who is now at 
home. Of her union with our subject there was 
born one daughter, Myrtle C, who is now deceased. 
]\Ir. Tiffanj' has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace for several years, and politically, is a stanch 
Republican. 



I' 



<* fe A. CARPENTER is one of the leading 
\/iJ// ''"S'"*"^* "isn of Bankers, Cambria Town- 
\^/% ship, where he is actively engaged as a 
general merchant, dealer in tile, coal. etc. He has 
been established here in his present business since 
1874, having then built the first general store in tliis 
place, and has been quite successful, building up 
and carrying on an extensive trade. He was for 
some years prosperouslj' engaged in buying and sell- 
ing grain, but competition became so great, the local 
mills demanding all the grain raised in this vicinitj-, 
that he saw fit to withdraw from that line of busi- 
ness. When he first located here in 1871, he was 
master mechanic of the D. H. & S. W. R. R. and 
the Eel River Railroad, being at that time Division 
Superintendent and master mechanic of those 
brancbes, and was thus engaged until the consolida- 
tion of those roads with the Ft. Wayne, when he 
became master mechanic of the consolidated rail- 
ways. He was connected with the motor depart- 
ment of different railways for some twenty years, 
and won a wide reputation for skill in mechanics, 
acquiring by hard study a thorough knowledge of 
all kinds of mechanical work, and was often called 
upon to put in running order various classes of 
engines, from raihv."i3' and steamboat engines to n 
sawmill engine. He was connected with the Detroit 
Locomotive Manufacturing Company- for many 
years, and with the Michigan Central in the me- 
chanical department for three years. 

Mr. Carpenter is a worthy descendant of stanch 
New England stock, noted alike for physical and 

<• 



mental power, among their descendants of the past 
generation being the recently deceased well-known 
doctor and surgeon of New York City, Wesley M. 
Carpenter, cousin of our subject, who was Secretary 
of the late Medical College at Washington, D. C. 
Elij.ah Carpenter, the grandfather of our subject, 
was one of the original settlers of Central New- 
York, having located in Madison County in 1800 
and there died at the age of sixty-three. He served 
in the War of 1812 as a private. He was born in 
Vermont, May 11, 1774, and was a son of Jesse 
Carpenter, a man of remarkable strength and powere 
of endurance, who went ftirtii from the Green 
Mountain State, of which he was a native, to fight 
under the banner of "'Liberty or Death" during the 
entire Revolutionary War, at one time receiving a 
slight wound bj' an explosion of gunpowder. Later 
in life he went to New York, and died at the home 
of his grandson, William Carpenter, in Madison 
County, at the venerable age of ninety-six. His 
son Elijah w.is married in his native State to 
Patience Salisbury, likewise a native of Vermont, 
where she was born April '2, 1770. She was of 
brave New England ancestry and her father fought 
in the Revolutionar3' AVar. It is related of her 
mother, a stout-hearted, independent woman, full 
of true courage, that during the battle of Benning- 
ton she took her small children in an ox wagon into 
a safe shelter in the woods, and then, with great 
intrepidity, returned to the battle-field that she 
might be near her husljand. and do whatever her 
womanly lieart prompted her to do to relieve the 
wounded and dying, and encourage and cheer on 
the brave soldiers by her presence. ]\Irs. Carpenter 
accompanied her husband to his pioneer home in 
Madison County, N. Y., cheerfully shared with him 
its privations, and assisted him in building ui) a 
home, d3'ing there in June, 1854, after a long and 
useful life of nearly fourscore years. She and her 
husband were members of the Regular Baptist 
Church, and in politics he w.as identified with the 
Whig party. 

William Carpenter, the father of our subject, was 
born in Madison County, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1801, and 
there grew to manhood, and married Nancy Bur- 
den, a native of Lancsboro, Mass., c>f good Scotch 
ancestry. Her parents moved to New York when 

■» 



Ik 870 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



=lr 



4 



she was a child, and there she grew to iiiatiirity and 
married. Subsequent!}' her father and mother went 
to Steuben County, and there spent their ckising 
years. Mr. Carpenter spent his entire life in Madi- 
son Count}', and cleared up two good farms. He was 
in many respects a man of more than ordinary 
caliber and force of character. Inheriting from a 
sturdy ancestry a fine physique, he jjossessed a 
giant's strength; he was well gifted with a clear, 
cool-headed common sense, and his geniality and 
well-known musical talents as a singer m.ade him 
very popular. He died much lamented, Aug. 7, 
1869. His worthy wife, who shared with him the 
esteem in which he was held, died in 1872. The}' 
were valued members of the Baptist Church. Of 
the ten brothers and sisters of Mr. Carpenter, only 
one now survives. Mrs. Ruth Harris, of Madison 
County, N. Y., aged seventy-tive. 

The subject of this sketch was born in George- 
town, Madison Co., N. Y., Jan 30, 1832, being 
the younger of two children born to his parents. 
His sister Delia is the wife of Byron Poole, a dealer 
in gr.iin and coal in Plymouth, Mich. Our subject 
sjient his early life on a farm in his native State, 
receiving good educatioftal advantages in the public 
schools. At the age of nineteen he commenced to 
learn the trade of carpenter, and later was con- 
nected with some iron works. When quite young he 
displayed quite an aptitude for drawing, became an 
expert draughtsman, and made many of the origi- 
nal drawings for some of the best machinery in use 
in Chicago and other important cities. He made the 
drawing and superintended the construction of the 
first sawmill ever built in Ludington, Mich., which 
was erected for E. B. Ward, it having a capacity 
for the manufacture of 300,000 feet of lumber a day. 
He was thus engaged all his life after attaining man- 
hood until he came to Bankers, we having before 
alluded to his long connection with the various 
railways. 

Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage, Oct. 1, 
1855, in the township of Nelson, ]Madison Co., 
N. Y., to Miss Ellen R. Richardson, daughter of 
Benjamin and Patience (Carpenter) Richardson. 
The former was a native of New Hampshire, and 
came from a family noted for its endurance and 
great muscular strength. His father, Benjamin 



■^*- 



Richardson, Sr , was likewise a native of the Gran- 
ite State, but spent his last years iu New York, dy- 
ing in the home of his son Benjamin, at the age of 
seventy -eight. He was a good man and a worthy 
citizen. His estimable wife died in the State of 
New York, in 1870, at the home of her son, Ben- 
jamin Richardson, Jr., at a very advanced age. She 
was born in New Hampshire, Jan. 10, 1780, her 
maiden name being Dolly Olcott. Mrs. Carpenter's 
father migrated from his native State to New York 
State when a young man, and there met and mar- 
ried Patience Carpenter, both herself and parents 
being natives of New Y'ork State. After marriage 
they resided on a farm in Madison County, N. Y., 
where he became a great influence for good and a 
great worker in the reforms of the day. He worked 
unceasingly for the cause of human liberty, was a 
stanch advocate of the poor slave, and during the 
Abolition period he kept a station of the '-under- 
ground railw.ay," and thus helped many a poor 
negro to gain the longed-for freedom. He is still 
living atan advanced age, having been born Oct. 23, 
1809, .and is beloved and venerated for his high and 
noble character. His worthy and devoted com- 
panion passed from the scenes of earth July 2, 188G^ 
at the age of seventy-five years. She was a true 
Christian, and a consistent member of the Methodist 
Church; her husband belongs to the Baptist Church. 

Their daughter, Mrs. Carpenter, of this notice, 
was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 28, 
1837, was well educated in the schools of her native 
State, and taught a short time before marri.ige. 
She is an accomplished and very intelligent woman, 
and, withal, has an extensive acquaintance with the 
practical things of life. To hei- and her husband 
has been born one child, Nellie P., the date of 
whose birth, at Poit Huron, Mich., was June 15, 
1864. She was educated in this county, and was 
married at Hillsdale, Oct. 30, 1881, to Mr. Gilbert 
Mills, of this township, who was born, reared and 
educated in this county. They are now living in 
Bankers, and Mr. Mills is connected with Mr. Car- 
penter in business. 

Since becoming a resident of this town Mr. Car- 
penter h.as taken an important part in public affairs; 
he is a solid Republican, and a leader iu local poli- 
tics. He has been Su[)ervisor of tiiis township for 

_ ♦► 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



871 



two terms, is now .lustice of the Peace, and for 
eleven j-ears was Postuinstcr of the place under the 
Republican administration. He is widely known in 
business and social circles as a man of marked 
energy and decision of character, superior business 
tact, and of unsullied reputation. 



I~ 



S7 UCIL'S RANNKY, a leading farmer of Allen 
I (© Township, where he owns a farm on section 
jlL^ 28, is one in whom the agricultural com- 
munity' of Hillsdale County llnds one of its most 
intelligent and enlightened representatives. He 
comes of good Massachusetts stock, and is him- 
self a native of that grand old State, having been 
born in the town of Ashfield, April 12, 181!). That 
beautiful mountainous town in the northwestern 
part of the old Bay State was likewise the birth- 
place of his parents, George and Achsah (Sears) 
Rannej', who after marriage continued to live in 
their native town for some years. In 1 833 they 
removed with their children to Phelps,. Ontario 
Co., N. Y., where the father died in 1842. The 
mother, who survived her husband many years, 
came with the family to Hillsdale County in the 
summer of 1843, and settled in Allen Township, 
where she died Aug. 7, 1869. To her and her hus- 
band were born twelve children, eleven sons and 
one daughter. 

Our subject was the fourth child born to his 
parents, and from them he inherited good mental 
and i)hysical endowments, and in their New England 
home was reared to honorable and useful habits. 
He was a lad of fourteen when his parents removed 
to Phelps, N. Y., and he remained with them there 
until the spring of 1842, when he came to Michi- 
gan. He immediately- purchased a tract of 160 
acres of land, which was forest covered, and re- 
quired many long years of laborious toil to improve 
it into the fine and highl}' cultivated farm that it is 
to-d.iy ; 12.i acres of it are cleared and under 
tillage, and he has erected ample and conveniently 
arranged buildings for agricultural purposes, and 
has H neat and comfortable dwelling. Thus his 
energy, wise management, thrift and enterprise, 



have brought him a sure reward, and he is num- 
bered among the substantial and reliable fanners 
of Allen Township. 

During the many years that have elapsed since 
our subject first came to Michigan in the prime and 
vigor of early inaiiliood, he has not always toiled 
alone, but in a few years after coming here his per- 
sistent industry and careful economy enabled him 
to establish a home, and Oct. 17, 1849, he was 
married to Miss Clarissa A. AVilcox. in Dover, 
Lenawee County. She has, indeed, proved herself 
to be a faithful companion and an ever ready help- 
mate, making his interests her own, and cheerfully 
co-operating with him in the upbuilding of their 
pleasant home. She is, like liimself, of New England 
antecedents, her parents, Albert and Mary (Conger) 
Wilcox, being natives respectively of Berkshire 
County, Mass., and Connecticut. They first settled 
in AVheeler, Steuben Co., N. Y., where the mother 
died. In 1836 the father removed to Michigan 
with his family, and settled in Dearborn, W.-iyne 
Countj', where he remained for three }• ears. Subse- 
quently he removed to Bridgewater, Washtenaw 
Co., Mich., whence he went in 1840 to take up 
his abode in Lenawee County, living in Cam- 
bridge, and afterward in Dover Township. We 
next hear of him in Allen Township, Hillsdale 
County, but he afterward returned to Lenawee 
County, and has ever since remained a resident of 
that county, and is now living in Adrian at an 
advanced age. Mrs. Ranney w;u5 born in Wheeler, 
Steuben Co., N. Y., July 31, 1830. The death 
of their beloved child, Caroline E.. at the age of 
seven years, w.as a sad blow to her and her hus- 
band, but in their firm faith and trust in Him 
"Who doeth all things well," they mourned not as 
those without hope. 

Mr. Ranney has ever been active and influential 
in promoting the advancement and best interests of 
Allen Township, and his fellow-citizens, recogniz- 
ing in him a man of good business hal)its, probity, 
and stability of character, have often chosen him 
to fill some responsible ollice, and by his able and 
conscientious discharge of the duties imposed upon 
him in public life he has fully justified their confi- 
dence in him. At an early day he was one of the 
Township Assessors, has been Township Treasurer. 



-I 



872 



" ■► ~^B 4» 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and has also served as Highway Comraissioner and 
Drain Commissioner. In politics he is allied with 
the Republicans. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ranne3' are prominent members of 
Allen Grange, P. of H., of which he has been 
Master for several terms, and also Overseer and 
Chaplain. Our subject also belongs to Pomona 
Grange, of Hillsdale County. Mr. and Mrs. Ranney 
belong to the Methodist Elpiscopal Church, in 
which they have always been zealous workers, and 
have contributed largely to the support of the 
Gospel in this community, and Mr. Ranney has 
served the church as Steward. 



m-^ 




<*UDGE DANIEL L. PRATT came to South- 
I ern Michigan and this county on the 25th 
I day of October, 1S45. He at once opened a 
v^/y law office in the embryo city of Hillsdale, and 
there began the career which has since been prose- 
cuted with so much honor. He was at once recog- 
nized as a man destined to become prominent in 
public affairs, and after tilling various positions of 
trust and responsibility, was, in the fall of 1856, 
elected Prosecuting Attorney of Hillsdale County. 
He served two terms in this responsible position. 
In 1867 he was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention, for the revision of the constitution of 
the State, and was Chairman of the Committee on 
Bill of Rights; was also a member of the Judici- 
ary Committee; vvas appointed by Gov. Blair a 
Trustee of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, and 
re-appointed by Gov. Crapo, serving as a member 
of this board for a period of twelve j-ears. For 
many years he has bf)rne a conspicuous part in the 
councils of the Republican party. 

In 1869, our subject received the honorable title 
of "'Judge," by being elected to preside over the 
Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Michigan, 
comprising the counties of Hillsdale, Lenawee and 
Monroe. After serving six years, he was, in the 
spring of 1875, re-elected without any opposition. 
The Democratic party made no nomination against 
him. He occupied the bench twelve 3'ears. and 
then retiring from the more active duties of official 
life, turned his attention to his law practice, in 



which he still continues. His business affairs have 
been admirably managed, and he invested a part 
of ills capital in a good farm, a portion of wiiich 
lies within the corporate limits of Hillsdale. The 
substantial family residence, which is built of brick 
and is of imposing proportions, stands on an emi- 
nence overlooking the city, and is a point of at- 
traction to all vvho visit tliat vicinity. The Judge 
has been so closely identified with the various 
interests of this part of the .State, that his name is 
as a household vvord among its people. 

The e.arly j'ears of the subject of this sketch were 
passed among the rugged hills of New England, 
his birthplace having been in Plainfield, Hampshire 
Co., Mass., where he first opened his eyes to 
the light on the 24th of June, 1820. His father, 
AVilliam Pratt, was a substantial farmer of the Bay 
State, and with his wife, who in her girlhood was 
Miss Lovina Coulson, vvas also a native there. 
After uniting their fortunes, tlie3' emigrated to 
the young State of Ohio, locating near the little 
hamlet of Chester, in Geauga County, about 1830. 
Our subject, at the time of his removal, was a lad 
ten years of age, and assisted his parents in the 
labors of building up a home in that new region. 
His parents there si)ent the remainder of their lives. 
Their family included fourteen children, of whom 
six are yet living. 

Judge Pratt pursued his studies in the pioneer 
schools of Geauga Count}', and later attended 
Granville Academy, after which he occupied him- 
self as a teacher. Later he took up his residence 
in Lancaster, where, in connection with his duties 
as teacher, he began the study of law in the office 
of John T. Brazee. In connection with his law 
studies, he availed himself of the instruction given 
at Greenfield Academy, under the tutelage of Prof. 
Williams, a noted linguist and scholar. In 1844 
he was admitted to the bar at Newark, Ohio, and 
the year following left the Buckeye State and took 
up his residence in this county, as we have already 
indicated. 

Before leaving Ohio, however, our subject had 
taken unto himself a wife and helpmate. Miss Jane 
Newkirk, the wedding being celebrated at the home 
of the bride, in the town of Bloom, Ohio, Oct. 25, 
1844. Mrs. Pratt was born in January, 1821, in 




:t 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



873 



4 



Bloom, Ohio, .and is tiie daugiiter of Tunis .ind 
Susannah Ncwiiirk, natives of West Virginia. Tliey 
spent their l.a.st years in Oiiio. '1 o tlio .ludgeand liis 
estimable lady there were born eight children, four 
of vvhomarenow living, viz: Mary, wlio resides at 
home; Daniel L., Jr.,is a real-estate dealer at Sioux 
City, Iowa; Charles W. is practicing law at Edger- 
ton. Dak.; .lennie M. is tiie wife of Lieut. J. {). 
Green, of P't. Sissiton, Dak. 

Judge Pratt is fond of agriculture and the de- 
lights of rural life, especially stock-raising, and has 
some fine Jersej' cattle. He has donated tliousands 
of dollars to the educational institutions of Hills- 
dale, besides giving largely of his time to their 
establishment and maintenance. Politically, he is a 
stanch Rci)ublican. He and his family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian (I'hurch. 







11^ AVID COPK, farmer and stock-raiser, by 
his careful and judicious ra.anagement of 
his agricultural interests on section .5, is 
doing his part to sustain the reputation of 
Camden Township as one of the most productive 
regions of Hillsdale County. He is a native of 
Indiana, and was born in Steuben County. Jan. 1, 
1852. He is a son of the well-known Dr. Thomas 
and I.ucena Cope, natives of Pennsylvania, who 
settled in the primeval forests of Steuben County 
in its early liistorj-, and are regarded as representa- 
tive pioneers. The mother of our subject died in 
1855. To her and her husband had been born 
eight children, two of whom are deceased. Their 
reconl is as follows: Jlelvina is the wife of John 
Shell, of Nebraska; Lucena is the wife of Heiu'y 
Cook, also of Nebraska; Sarah is the wife of Orin 
Odell, of Camden Townslii[); Samuel lives in Iowa; 
Eleanor is the wife of John Oberst, of Nebraska; 
David, our subject; Mary and Marie, deceased. 
By a second marriage Dr. Cope had three children, 
two of whom are living, Simon and Millard; Fre- 
mont is the name of the child who died. Dr. Cope, 
now in his sevent^'-ninth j'ear, is living with his 
children. He is one of the oldest and longest set- 
tled physicians in Steuben County, having practiced 



there for many years, and is widely known and hon- 
ored. He also owns a fine farm in that county, 
which he formerly managed in connection with his 
profession. 

Oui- subject was reared until his fourteenth year 
on his father's farm in Steuben County, receiving 
the advantages of a public-school education. As 
he grew up to be capable, active and strong, the 
life to which he h.ad been bre<l possessed more at- 
traction to him than any other, so he decided to 
permanently engage in agricultural pursuits, and 
has thus far met with encouraging success. 

B^^ his marriage with Miss Eveline Smith. Dec. 
14, 1874, Mr. Cope secured an able assistant and a 
devoted companion, one who sympathised with him, 
and enteied into his plans for making a home. She 
was born in Williams Count}', Ohio. Sept. 30, 1855. 
a daughter of Lester and Harriet Smith, pioneers of 
that count}'. Her father died there in 1855; her 
mother is still living in AVilliams County. The 
wedded life of Mr. and Mis. Cope has been blessed 
by tlie birth of live children, of whom the eldest, 
Myrtie. born Dec. 20, 1870, died Feb. 18, 1877. 
Those living are: Earl, liorn Feb. 19, 1878; Floyd, 
May 14, 1880; Hoy, Sept. 16, 1882, and Harriet, 
Oct. 27, 1884. 

In 1875 our subject and his .young wife came to 
Camden Township to make their home. Mr. Cope 
bought his present f;irni at that time, which by 
intelligent cultivation and incessant t(jil he has 
brouglit into a line state of tillage, so that it ranks 
with some of the most productive in the neighlmr- 
hood. It com|)rises si.xty acres of land, adapted 
both to raising cereals and vegetables, or to rais- 
ing stock. To the latter branch of agriculture 
he litis paid much attention with good results, and 
his sleek, well-kept cattle compare favorably with 
any others in this locality. He has a good class of 
buildings on his place and a comfortable dwelling, 
which the cheerful greeting and ready hospitality 
of his wife, and his own cordial welcome, render 
very attractive to the many frienils whom they have 
gathered about them since the}' took up their abode 
in this township. 

Mr. Cope is a man of sterling worth and a high 
sense of honor, with earnest and thoughtful views on 
the imporUuit questions of life. In politics he gen- 



*T 



a. 



874 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



erally votes for whom he thinks the best man for the 
office. In religion lioth lie and his wife are sincere 
Christians, and are active memhers of the United 
Brethren Church, of which he is Steward. 

^ OHN DALEY, proprietor of a good farm of 
100 acres on section 16 in Cambria Town- 
ship, came to this place in December. 1877. 
^^1/ Here he has since operated with good results, 
having liis land under a fine state of cultivation, 
and is sup])lied with good buildings, a fair assort- 
ment of live stock, and the other adjuncts of a well 
conducted home. For j'ears he was a resident of 
Reading Township. 

The early home of our subject was on the other 
side of the Atlantic, in County Cork, Ireland, 
where his birth took place Aug. 11, 1833. His 
parents. Cornelius and Mary (Fitzpatrick) Dale}", 
were also natives of Count}' Cork, but of Scotch 
ancesirj'. After the birth of three children, Ann, 
John, and Patrick, Jr., the parents gathered together 
their personal effects, and embarked on a sailing-ves- 
sel for the United States. Upon reaching Ameri- 
can soil they located in Onondaga Countj% N. Y., 
where they lived about fifteen years, and where 
their eldest child died about 1853. aged twenty-two 
years. 

In 1854 Cornelius Dale}' made anothei' removal, 
coming to this State, and locating first in Quincy, 
Branch County. Later he removed to Reading 
Township, this county, where he passed his Last 
days, dying in 1802, at the age of seventy-eight. 
The mother is still living, having now reached the 
advanced age of eighty -three, and makes her home 
with her son John, our subject. She and her hus- 
band were hard-working people, exerting themselves 
to their full strength in keeping even with the world, 
and making a good home for themselves and their 
children. 

Johu Daley was educated in the schools of the 
Empire State, and after coming to Reading Town- 
ship, this county, married Miss Lorain Comstock, 
who was born in Wheatland Township, Dec. 31, 
1848. Her parents. Job and Anna (Holdridge) 
Comstock, were natives of New York, and early 



settlers of Lenawee Count}', Mich. The father 
labored industriously at subduing the soil, and in 
time became the owner of eighty acres of land 
where the city of Adrian now stands. He came 
from a good family, being a cousin of Darius Com- 
stock, the founder of that city. Job Comstock lost 
his first wife in Adrian, and was married again in 
Wheatland Township, whence he finally removed to 
Branch County, purchasing a farm in Algansee 
Township, where he spent his last days, his death 
taking place March 20, 1871; he was born April 
18. 1794. The mother of Mrs. Daley was born 
May 19, 1806, and died Oct 11, 1864. Mr. Cora- 
stock was a Republican in politics, and religiously, 
a Universalist in belief. His estimable wife belongs 
to the Methodist Church. 

Mrs. Daley was the youngest of six children born 
to her parents, and was reared in Wheatland Town- 
ship, continuing under the home roof until her mar- 
riage. Of her union with our subject there are five 
children, namely: Marian, born Aug. 12, 1867; 
Ross, March 26, 1869; Ernest, March 29, 1871; 
Lynn, May 7, 1873, and Grace, June 7, 1876. Mr. 
and Mrs. Daley lived for some time after their 
marriage in Reading Township, whence they re- 
moved to Cambria Township. Our subject is a 
Republican in politics, and with his estimable wife, 
is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Their daughter iMarian is a very intelli- 
gent and accomplished young lady, having pursued 
her studies in Hillsdale College, and is now a teacher 
in the district school. 



^^8^ 



(t^ I^ILLIAM FRENCH. The name of this 
\rJ// honored old pioneer is widely and favor- 
\l^ ably known throughout the greater part of 
Hillsd.ile County, to which he came when Michigan 
was a Territory. His birthplace was on the other 
side of the Atlantic, in Leicestershire, England, and 
he first opened his eyes to the light on the 5th of 
October, 1812. His father, Thomas French, a 
native of the same county as his son, and of pure 
English ancestry, took for his wife Miss Sarah Payne, 
who spent lier entire life upon her native soil of 
Leicestershiie. .She passed from earth in middle 



■^•- 



J* 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



875 V 



life, leaving a faiiiil}' of seven ciiildren. The father 
siiliscqiienlly married Miss Harriet Pine, and emi- 
grated with his family to the United States in 182)S. 
Tliey located first in Erie County, Pa., near the 
town of the same name, where they resided six 
years, and where the father carried on farming. In 
1834, not satisfied with his condition or his pros- 
pects in the Kej'stone State, he made his way to 
Southern Michigan and located in Fayette Town- 
siiip, this county, upon a tract of Government 
land. 

Thomas French, however, not j-et settlevl to his 
satisfaction, sohl this property also, and purchased 
a quarter-section in another part of the town- 
ship. Witli this also he parted not long after- 
wanl, and going into Scipio Township, there 
spent his last da^'s, dying at the advanced age of 
seventy-eight years. His last wife survived him a 
few years, and then she too passed away at the 
homestead in Scipio Township. Both were mem- 
bers of the Church of England, in the doctrines of 
which they had been carefully trained lij' their re- 
spective parents. 

The subject of this sketch is pleasantly located on 
section 1 3, in Cambria Township, on a tract of 
eighty acres, which, when coming into his possession, 
in the summer of 1836, was a solid piece of timber 
land. lie did not locate upon it, however, until 
nine years afterward, but lived in and around 
Hillsdale and .lonesville, occupying himself at what- 
ever he could liud to do. In 1845 he removed to 
his land, the improvement and cultivation of which 
he began in earnest, and which now for many years 
back has been a source of a comfortable income. In 
1835 he also entered eighty acres on section 29 of 
Jefferson Township, which, however, he never lived 
ujion. 

William French was sixteen years of age when he 
left his native England. lie continued with liis 
parents in Pennsylvania during six years of their 
stay there, then determined to see something of the 
Western country, made his w.ay to Detroit, via a 
lake schooner and thence overland on foot to this 
county, via the Chicago Turnpike, and sought out 
the land which had been entered by the fatlier near 
the present village of .lonesville, which of course 
h.ad not then been thought of. They did not see 



the smoke from a settler's cabin for miles and miles, 
and to saj' that no little courage was required to 
venture out on such an expedition, is a very faint 
statement of the case. 

When the French family settled in the wilds of 
what was afterward Cambria Township, the first 
business was to clear a piece of ground large enough 
for a cabin and a garden spot, and the next to sow 
a small area of wheat and put in their crop of corn. 
The first winter wjis fraught with many hardships 
and privations, but each twelve months that passed 
lessened their difficulties, and in due time life 
became easier for all concerned. 

After the removal of the French family to Scipio 
Township, William, our subject, continued in Cam- 
bria. He gained a thorough insight into the best 
methods of tilling the soil of a new country, and in 
the spring of 18G4 considered that he could with 
propriety establish a home of his own. With this 
object in view, he was married, on the 5th of April, 
that year, to a maiden of Fayette Township, Miss 
Clarissa Hates, a native of Ohio, who had come to 
Michigan with her parents in 1835. In the Huck- 
eve State her early home vvas the farm of her father 
in Perry Township, Geauga County, where her birth 
took place on the 10th of August, 1820. Her 
parents, Caleb and Maria (White) Bates, were 
natives of Mass.aciiusetts, whence they emigratetl 
early in life to the Terrritory of Ohio, and were 
there married. They settled in Geauga Countj", 
whence after the birth of several children they re- 
moved to Michigan Territory, arriving in this 
county in February, 1835. Their journey was pros- 
ecuted in a manner similar to that of the French 
family, and Mr. Bates took up a tract of land of 240 
acres in extent in Fayette Township. There he 
lived and labored to establish a comfortable home 
for his family, and was permitted to see the coun- 
try develop around him, and the wilderness trans- 
formed into pnxluctive fielils and fine homesteads. 
His ileath took place in Fayette Township in the 
year 1 854. wlien he w.as sixty-three j-ears old. The 
mother survived her husband a few yeai-s, and also 
died under the old rooftree, aged sixty-four. 

Mrs. French was the eldest daughter and fourth 
child of her parents, and became well fitted to share 
the labors and struggles of the pioneer. She proved 






876 



^ ^►^ 11 < * 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the able assistant of her hushand. and has done her 
part toward accumulating tlie comfortable property 
which they now enjoy. Although no children 
came to bless their union, they have gained much 
satisfaction from life, and enjoj' in a marked de- 
gree the confidence and esteem of their neighbors. 
air. French cast his first Presidential vote for Jack- 
son, and since that time has been an uncompromising 
Democrat. He has represented Cambria Township 
in the County Board of !-lupervisors three terms in 
succession, held the office of Highway Commissioner, 
and in other respects has been the object of trust 
and confidence by his fellow-citizens. 

The experience of Mr. and Mrs. French, if detailed 
at length, would form a good-sized volume of won- 
ders and interesting incidents. At the time of 
their settlement in this county wild animals were 
plentiful, and roamed unrestrained through the for- 
ests, where not even a road had been laid out. Mr. 
French, having a sweet tooth in his head, traveled 
over the greater part of the township through the 
dense timber over the snow looking for bee trees, 
which at that season of the year would be marked by 
the dead insects Ij'ing on the white ground around 
them. While on one of these expeditions Mr. 
French espied a large hollow tree, to which he has- 
tened, fully expecting to find the busy little insects 
or their honied store, but as he approached the tree 
he was confronted by a large she bear, who looked 
at him and challenged his further advance. He 
pointed his trust}' rifle and pulled the trigger, but 
the manner in which the animal made off led him 
to suppose he had failed to hit his mark. She passed 
out of sight and he supposed she had escaped, 
but a short time later, to his surprise, found her lying 
dead a few rods away. No sooner had the old bear 
left the spot than four more not quite fully grown 
came to the front, but as Mr. Frencli had only an 
empty gun with which to fight them he decided 
that discretion would be the better part of valor, 
and allowed them to make their escape. They 
made no effort to attack him, but trotted off over 
the snow, which, being covered with ice, in most 
places bore their weight. '1 his happened on school 
section 16, in the township of Cambria. 

Mr. French at one time lived upon ground which 
now comprises the present city of Hillsdale, when 



he was the onl}' settler in that locality for miles. 
Tlie Lidians had n(>t left the country, and he be- 
came well acquainted with the half-lirecd chief Bob 
Bees, who was well known by the early settlers. 
Where the Sutten Block now stands in the city of 
Hillsdale, Mr. French once cut down a tree to get 
a coon, the hide of which he sold for fifty cents, a 
sum of money which went a long way in those daj's. 
To the intelligent individual of to-day there is no 
more pleasing entertainment than to listen to the 
recital of a living witness of pioneer life in the 
Territory of Michigan, and Mr. French, in his quaint 
manner of detailing the events of, that time, never 
fails of finding an interested audience. 







^^\ ALEB A. MAPLE.S isapnmiinent farmer of 
//( ^ I'iltsford Township, of which he has long been 
^^iiJl' a respected citizen. He is a son of one of 
the earliest settlers of Lenawee County, and his own 
residence in Southern Michigan dates farther back 
than that of most of the pioneers of this part of the 
State. He was born in the town of Ontario, Wayne 
Co., N. Y., June 28, 1827, and is a son of Samuel 
L. A. Maples, who was born in Connecticut, Sept. 
17, 1803. William M.iples, the grandfather of our 
subject, also a native of that New England State, 
and a farmer, was a Revolutionary sohlier. In 
1815 he moved to the State of New Y'ork, and 
bought a tract of timber land in Ontario, an<] im- 
proved a farm. After the death of his wife, he 
lived with his son. father of our subject, and died 
at his home in what is now Madison Township, 
Lenawee Countj-. 

The father of our subject was twelve years old 
when his parents moved to the State of New York, 
where the remaining years of his boyhood were 
passed, and was there subsequently married to 
Achsa Iloisington. daughter of Velona Hoisington, 
a soldier of the Revolution. She w.as born in 
Oneida County, N. Y'., Aug. 6, 1805. After mar- 
riage they continued to reside in Ontario Township 
for some years. In the fall of 1829 they resolved 
to make a new start in the world, and try life in one 
of the settlements that were springing up in the for- 
ests of Southern Michigan, so they started with their 



t 



u 



■•» II <• 



hillsdalp: coumty. 



877 



two children, in a wagon drawn by two horses, for 
tiielr future iiome, making the entire journey in 
that manner. On their arrival in Lenawee County, 
Mr. Maples took up a tract of land which is now 
included in the city of Adrian, a part of it being the 
land on which the depot is uow located. After en- 
tering the land at the land-oflice in Monroe, he com- 
menced its improvement, his first work being to 
build a shanty with a roof of shakes to shelter his 
family, who, in the meantime, had been staying 
with a brother-in-law. After living in Adrian for 
five years, Mr. Maples traded his place there for a 
tract of land in Pittsford Township, but rented a 
farm for two years in Adrian before locating here. 
After moving here he built a log house, and im- 
mediately commenced to cut off the trees from his 
land, which was situated on sections 25 and 26, 
and was then heavily timbered. Four or five years 
later he sold that farm and bought one on section 
27, a few acres of which were cleared, and a log 
house stood thereon. He lived in this townslii|) for 
several years, but spent his last years in Cambria 
Township, and his wife passed her declining years 
with the subject of our sketch. They were singu- 
larly upright, honest and industrious people, and 
easil}' won the respect and confidence of those about 
them. 

Their son. Calcl) A., of whom we write, was but 
two years old when his parents brought him to 
Michigan, so tiiat almost his entire life has been 
passed in this .Stale. The tovvn of Adrian, in which 
his parents first made their home, was tiien but an 
insignificant hamlet, with only a few log houses, 
and one small grocery store. Tecumseh was the 
nearest milling point, and when a large amoinil of 
.supplies was wanted, they were procured at Detroit, 
which then seemed a long journey from Adrian, 
through dense and sometimes almost pathless for- 
ests, and where there were roads they were gener- 
ally very poorly constructed. The mother of our 
subject used to spin and weave flax and wool for 
all the clothing of the family. Calel) A. lived with 
his parents until nineteen j-ears of age, and, molded 
by the stern influences of a pioneer life, grew to be 
a strong, self-reliant, manly, energetic young man, 
and at the age nieulioned set forth to face the 
world, and unaided fight for himself the battles of 



life. He first proceeded to Calhoun County, where 
he worked eight months on a farm, and he then re- 
turned to this county. Two 3'ears later, by pru- 
dence, industry and wise management, he had m.adc 
such a good start that he was enabled to establish 
a home, and married, Dec. 24, 1848, Miss S. E. 
Smith, who was born in Wheatland, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., March 3, 1830, and came to Michigan with 
her parents in 1837, remaining with them until her 
marriage. Of this union three children have been 
born, as follows: Fidello D. lives in Pittsford Town- 
ship; Salinda is the wife of Franklin Day, and they 
live in Pittsford Township; Etna A. is the wife of 
Fernando D.ay, and they live in Hudson Township. 
Mrs. Maples' father, William C. Smith, was born in 
Dalton, Berkshire Co., Mass. His father w.-is a native 
of German}', and came to America with his parents, 
and settled for a time in Massachusetts. From there 
he removed with his famil}' to Wheatland, N. Y., 
where he bought land, and remained a resident of 
that town until death. Mrs. Maples' father grew to 
manhood in his native State, .alid afterward bought 
land in Wheatland, whence he came with his wife 
and seven children, in 1837, to Michigan. He 
located on the fort}' acres of land which he had 
previously purchased on section 27, Pittsford Town- 
ship. The land w.as heavily timbered, and there 
was a small log cabin on it, which he soon replaced 
by a good log house. He and his wife continued to 
reside on tlie homestead, which by their unceasing 
toil they had improved from a wild condition to a 
valuable farm, until death, his occurring Sept. 14, 
1864, and hers May 4, 1861. Her maiden name 
W!is Betsy Richmond, and she w.as born in Massa- 
chusetts. When they became pioneers of this county 
it was very sparsely settled, and the few roads 
connecting the different settlements were of the 
very roughest description, sometimes degenerating 
into mere trails, and as an illustration of the length 
of time that it took to journey from one place to 
another, we will instance their journey from their 
old home in New York to their future home. They 
came by the way of canal and lake to Toledo, it 
taking days to go the distance that may now be 
traversed in a few hours; from there they embarked 
on the primitive railway for Adrian, its western 
terminus; thence with horses to Medina, whence 



i~ 



^ 



I 



4•- 

878 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the i-eraainder of their journey was aceoniplished 
with an ox-le;un ; from that town to their destina- 
tion in Pittsford Township the distanee was seven 
miles, and they were two days in traversing it. 

After marriage our subject bought forty acres 
of land on section 34. southwest of the northeast 
quarter, and there lieing a log house on the place, 
in that hundilc abode he and his young bride com- 
menced their wedded life together. With her hearty 
co-operation, he became very prosperous, and was 
soon enabled to add to his landed estate by other 
purchases, and now he has a fine farm of ninetj' 
acres, which is not surjiassed in productiveness and 
value by any other in the township. He has erected 
an ample set of frame buildings, and built liis pres- 
ent neat and comfortable residence in 1872. 

Mr. Maples' life record thus far has been an hon- 
orable one; as a citizen he is faithful and patriotic, 
earnestly desiring to promote the best interests of 
the township of wliich he has so long licen a resi- 
dent; as a neighbor he is eminently trustworthy, is 
a safe counselor, and has won the confidence and 
friend>hip of all who liave h.ad dealings with him; 
in his own houseiiold he has ever been a kiiLd hus- 
band and an indulgent father. In politics Mr. M. 
is a Democrat. 



?KH'^ 



4 






^IIDKON L. AND MARCUS D. EMERSON, 
11 !_-. who have lived together many years in 
^^^/J) Wright Township, are natives of Paines- 
ville, Ohio, the former boin April 28, 1818, in a 
log cabin, and the latter .Tuly 26, 182o. in a frame 
house. They are the sons of George W. Emerson, 
a native of Wendell. Mass., whose father, Jesse 
Emerson, is believed to have been a native of the 
same State, and of English ancestry. He owned a 
farm in the vicinity of Wendell, from which he re- 
moved, in 1810, with his three sons to Ohio, and 
spent his last j'cars at Painesville, that State. 

The lather of our subject grew to manhood in 
his native State, where he was married before set- 
ting out for Ohio. Besides his parents and his two 
brothers, he was accompanieil by three other fami- 
lies, and the entire journey was made overland 

^1 — -— — : 



with horses and wagons. Lake County at that time 
was but thinly settled and was largely a timbered 
counti-y. George Emerson had traded his farm of 
seventy acres in Massachusetts for 400 acres of 
land in Ohio. 200 of which were in the vicinity of 
Painesville, then a very unpretentious town, and a 
part of which is now included in the city limits. 
His first business was to put up a log house, and in 
that humble dwelling were born the brothers of 
whom we now write. The father possessed the true 
pioneer si)irit, and entered with courage and resolu- 
tion upon the tvork of clearing the land and bring- 
ing the soil to a productive condition. After a 
residence there of a little more than twenty years, 
at the end of which he was still hale and vigorous, 
he resolved to change his residence to the Territory 
of Michigan, and settled upon the ground which 
now constitutes a part of the town of Erie, in Mon- 
roe Count}'. He proceeded as before, battling with 
the elements of a new soil and clim.ate, until the 
spring of 183C, when he sold his land with the in- 
tention <if removing to the western jwrt of the Ter- 
ritory. The mother, however, being taken ill, he 
abandoned his plans for the time and rented a place 
near by, thinking to make a removal the following 
year. In the winter, however, he was himself 
seized with fatal illness, and died in February, 
1837. The mother survived her husband many 
3'ears, and spent her last days with her sons of this 
sketch, her death taking pl.ace April 19, 1860. Her 
maiden name was Lucy Lee. the daughter of Gid- 
eon Lee, of Amherst, Mass, where she was born. 
The Lees were for many generations born and 
reared in the Bay State, and were, it is believed, of 
English descent. 

George AV. and Lucy (Lee) Emerson, became 
the parents of nine children, five sons and four 
daughters. Seven of these grew to mature years. 
Lucy, the eldest daughter, was twice married, first 
to N. G. Palmer, and sul)sequently to Alexander 
liivingston, and died in Kewanee, III.; Jesse W. is 
a resident of Concord, Lake Co., Ohio; George 
died in North Toledo, that State; also Gideon L. 
and Aaron; Martha died in Erie, Monroe County, 
this State. 

Gideon L. Emerson w.as a hul of thirteen years 
when he came to the Territory of Michigan with his 



■^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



879 



f 



parents. Deer, wolves and wild turkey were plenti- 
ful, and Bean Creek Valley was then a wilderness, 
iininliabiled by man. The boundary line had not 
yet been established between Michigan and Ohio, 
and the questions arising as to its location precipi- 
tated what was then called the Toledo War, and 
ill which Gideon L. engaged, although but a boy. 
He cidistcd in a company of artillery under Capt. 
McBride, and they repaired to Toledo, which was 
then but a hamlet of a few log and frame houses. 
They camiied amid the stumps and logs on the 
present site of the cit3^ In a short time the trouble 
was adjusted .ind the volunteers dispersed and re- 
turned home. 

At the time the Emerson brothers settled with 
their parents in Monroe County there were no rail- 
roads in Michigan, and but little prospect of the 
present importance of this State. Gideon L. was a 
youth of eighteen years at the time of his father's 
death, and the year following, acconi])anied by a 
brother, he went into Van Bureu County and lo- 
cated on a tract of land which his fatlier had pur- 
chased. The embryo toivn of Detroit was then 
100 miles distant, and constituted their nearest 
market and depot for supplies. Indians still lin- 
gered in this section of countr)-, and looked with 
curious, and not always friendly, eyes upon the en- 
croachments of the white man. Young Emerson 
remained a few months on this land, his shelter 
being a log house, then returning to Monroe County, 
he continued with his mother until the spring of 
1852. He now came into Wright Townsliip and 
purchased twenty acres of land on section 33, upon 
which was a log house and stable, and space enough 
cleared for a small garden spot. He was .accom- 
panied to this place by his famil}', and taking pos- 
session of the best shelter afforded them, they 
commenced clearing the land, and in due time began 
to feel considerably encouraged as to the prospect 
before them. Mr. Emerson added to the first pur- 
chase until he became the owner of eighty acres, 
with which he subsequently parted and purchased 
the farm which he now occupies. Here he has 
made his home since 1866, and brought about 
the improvements which arc highly' creditable to 
the labors and good judgment of both the brothers. 
The homestead includes a good set of frame build- 



ings, a fair assortment of live stock, and the farm 
machinery necessary to operate in a prolitalile and 
advantageous manner. 

Gideon L. Emerson, on tlu^ Titli of November, 
1848, was united in marriage with Miss Emoline 
D. Sexton, who was Ijorn in Vermont, Dec. 8, 
1828, and is the daughter of Earl and Ester Sex- 
ton, who are s;!i)p()sed to have been natives of the 
same State. In 1829 they took up their residence 
in Bethanj', Genesee Co., N. Y., whence two years 
later they emigrated to the Territory' of Micliigan 
and settled in Monroe County. There Mr. Sexton 
died in 1834, five days after the decease of his 
wife. Their family consisted of five children. Mrs. 
Emerson after the death of her parents returned to 
Erie County, Pa., and made her home with an aunt 
until reaching womanhood, when she came a second 
time to this State, and lived with her uncle in Mon- 
roe County until after her marriage. 

Marcus D. Emerson was in the twelfth year of 
his age at the time of his father's death, and con- 
tinued with his mother until reaching manhood. 
He has never married, but since coming to this 
county, in 1852, has been carrying on farming 
mostly with his brother, Gideon L., with w'hom he 
has made his home. The Emerson brothers since 
the organization of the Republican partj' have fol- 
lowed its fortunes, and given their inlluence in 
support of its principles. 



•"^S^'JS"!^. 



sfJStf^-**^**?— 



«^;LEXANDER TOPE. The subject of this 
' ^//J V sketch was born in Troy, N. Y., Nov. 19, 
ll\ 1820, and in the fifteenth year of his .age 
came to this county with his parents, set- 
tling in Scipio Township, of which he has been a 
resident now for a period of over fifty years. His 
present home is on section 23, where he owns 
eight}' acres of the original farm which was taken 
upby his father from the Government. The latter, 
Capt. Oliver C. Pope, was born May 1, 1793, in 
Massachusetts, and during his earlj' life followed 
the sea, making his first voyage when about eight- 
een years old. Subsequently, during the War of 
1812, he shipped in the United States service, on 
the brig " Cvrene," and when off the coast of 



f 



-U 



i^h-^ 



880 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



t 



Africa, was, with the balance of the crew, captiived 
by the British and sent to the Cape of Good Hope, 
where he was held a prisoner a year, then sent to 
Dartmoor Prison, England, where he was confined 
until peace w.as declared between the United States 
and the mother conntr}'. For some years after 
being released he vvas engaged in the merchant 
service, and finally followed the Hudson River as 
Captain of a packet for several years. He gradu- 
ally migrated to the business of a landsman, en- 
gaging first in the lumber trade in New York City 
until the latter part of 1 835. 

In August of the j^ear mentioned, Capt. Pope, 
resolved upon seeing st)incthing' of the Great West, 
made his waj' to the Territory of Michigan, and 
taking up a tract of land on section '23, in Scipio 
Township, followed agricultural pursuits until his 
death, which occurred June 1, 1878. The mother, 
who in her girlhood w.as Miss Catherine Ham, was 
born in Brunswick, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., July 6, 
1801, and became the wife of Ca|)t. Oliver C. Pope 
in the city of Troy about 181'J. Of the three chil- 
dren born of this union only one lived to mature 
years, Alexander, the subject of this sketch. The 
elder Pope was a man of great force of character, 
and after coming to this county fully identified 
himself with its interests and its people. He was 
Justice of the Peace in Scipio Township, and at 
one time took the census of the entire county. 
Resolute and energetic, he never evaded any known 
duty, was prompt and reliable in his business trans- 
actions, and in all respects a good man in the 
broadest sense of the term. lie' is kindly remem- 
bered by the older residents of Hillsdale County as 
a valued member of the community', and one whose 
death caused a vacancy most difficult to fill. 

Alexander Pope acquired his education in the 
common schools of his native State, and after com- 
ing to this county, gave his attention exclusively 
to farm pursuits. When prepai-ed to establish a 
home of his own, he chose for his wife one of the 
most estimable young ladies of Scipio Township, 
Miss Esther A. McCarthy, to whom he was married 
at the home of the bride there, Nov. 6, 1844. The 
wife of our subject was born in New Berlin, Che- 
nango Co., N. Y., March 25, 1830; her father died 
when she was quite j^oung. The mother, whose 

4* 



maiden name was Catherine D. Scimons, subse- 
quently married James Foreman, and died in Jones- 
ville, this county, Jan. 8, 18G4. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Pope there were born five 
children, namely: Oliver, who died when seven 
years old; William and Lois, at home with their 
parents; John, who married Miss Victoria Granger, 
and is living in Scipio Township; and Clara, the 
wife of Frederick A. Dryer, of Jonesville. Mr. 
Pope, politically, is a solid Democrat, but has care- 
fully avoided the responsibilities of office, serving 
the public only one season as Assessor. In his 
farming and business affairs he has labored much 
after the methods of his honored father, and, like 
the latter, enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and 
confidence of all who know him. 

ENRY H. FREED, senior member of the 
l*f^ firm of Freed Bros., proprietors of the well- 
known flouring-mills in the western part 
of the city of Hillsdale, may be most prop- 
erly termed an Ohio man, and among the hills 
around his birthplace in Stark County imbibed the 
healthy air from which was built up his excellent 
constitution, and which conduced also to the growth 
of his mental capacities, which have developed in 
him a good head for business, and made of him an 
enterprising and valued citizen. 

Our subject was born near the now lively town 
of Canton, on the 23d of September, 1 840, and was 
the fourth of eight children, two daughters and 
six sons, the offspring of William V. and Mary 
(Davis) Freed, natives respectively of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia. William Freed after his marriage 
settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, his death 
taking place in Stark County, whither he had moved 
when Henr3' II., our subject, was a lad eight years 
of age. The mother with her little family not long 
afterward took up her residence in Woodbridge 
Township, this county, to which she came in the 
fall of 1858. Upon reaching manhood our subject 
became interested in a sawmill, and later, with his 
brother and his uncle, William Davis, operated one 
of these institutions in Woodbridge several years. 
The brothers then purchased the interest of their 



!?^'^ 



t 



-4•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



881 



imclo. nnd (•(intimioil the business alone fioiii that 
lime forth. Tliey put up llieir present mill in Hills- 
dale in 188(;, and it is scarcely' excelled 1)3' an y- 
tbing of the kind in this section. It is equipped 
with all the necessary machinery, including a com- 
plete roller system and steani-])owcr. and they give 
employment to five nun. 'J'he Imilding is three 
stories in height, erected in a compact and suhstan- 
tial manner, and covered with a slate and tin roof. 
They receive orders from all over the southern i)art 
of the State, and frequently from other jxiiiits. 

Our subject, while a resident of Woodhridge, was 
married, Nov. 30, 1873, to Miss Ellen Klotz, of this 
county, whose father was John Klotz, a native of 
the State of New Yoik. and now living in Wood- 
bridge. The family residence is pleasantly located 
on Spring street, and, together with our subject and 
his estimable wife, forms the home of four bright 
chihlren, namely: Myrtle M., Edith L., Ida M. and 
15essie B. The eldest is twelve years of age and 
the \'oungest two. 

Mr. Freed during the late war served eighteen 
months in Company D, 2d Michigan Infantry, 
being assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and 
fought in the battles of Northern Virginia; was also 
at Cold Harbor, and at the front in the two-days 
fight nt Petersburg, lie fortunately escaped wounds 
nnd capture, and received his honorable discharge 
after the close of the war, in August, 1805. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican. 



rr ON. HENRY WALDRON, late of the city 
of Hillsdale, came to Michigan in 1837, the 
y>^ j'ear of its admission into the Union as a 
'^) ^tate, and, within the period of a few 3'ears, 
such was his energy, enter|irisc and usefulness, he 
was numberetl among the leading men of this county. 
There were few enterprises during the development 
of this section of country with which he was not 
identified, and he was among the first to encourage 
the measures set on foot for the progress and wel- 
fare of the pe(>|>le of this region. His name is held 
in grateful remembrance by the public, whom he 
served faithfully and conscientiously for a period 
of more than forty years. In a published notice 

*i^^^ '. 



of him, after his decea.se, the statement was made 
that "he was literally without reproach throughout 
his entile business and political life." 

The subject of this sketch was born in Albany, 
N. Y., Oct. 11, 1819. His father was a merchant 
of that city, and died when the son was a lad of 
thirteen years. The latter jxirsued his studies in 
Albany Academy until fifteen years of age, then 
entered Rutger's College, from which he was grad- 
uated two years later, and in 1837 came to 
Michigan and was employed as Civil Engineer in 
the preliminary surveys of the Jlichigan Southern 
Railroad. He continued in this service until the 
completion of the road, and then, in 1839, took 
up his residence in the city of Ilillsilale, which con- 
tinued his home ftir the remainder of his life. 

Mr. Waldnju, in 1843, put up the first warehouse 
on the line of the Michigan Southern Railroad, and 
ofliciated as one of the Directors of this road from 
1846 to 1848. He was active in the construction 
of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern, of which 
he was its first President, anc^ served in this same 
capacity with the Second National Hank, of Hills- 
dale, from the date of its organization until l.s7G. 
He then became President of the First National 
Bank, which position ho held until the time of his 
death. The latter years of his life were devoted 
mainly to banking and real estate. 

A Whig in politics until that organization dis- 
banded, and a Republican thenceforward, Mr. Wal- 
dron, in 1842, when but twenty -three years of age, 
was elected a Representative to the State Legisla- 
ture, and in 1848 was one of the electors on the 
Taylor and Fillmore ticket. In 1854 he was elected 
Representative to Congress from the Second Dis- 
trict of Michigan, and served for six consecu- 
tive years — a most important epoch in the history 
of this country — which witnessed the great strug- 
gle of the slave oligarchy in Congress to obtain 
control of the country — a struggle which culmi- 
nated in the rebellion of the .South. 

In 180.S Mr. Waldron was chosen Vice President 
from Michigan to the Republican National Conven- 
tion, which nominated Gen. Grant for his first Presi- 
dential term. In 1870 he was again elected to 
Congress, again serving six consecutive years, and 
declining a rcnomination for a fourth term in 1876, 



f 



-^•- 



882 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




on account of the pressing deraanrls of his private 
business. In the halls of the National Legislature, 
as elsewhere, Mr. Walflron evidenced the same 
sound judgment, the calm and equable disposition, 
and the boundless energy in the discharge of his 
official duties, which had characterized him in his 
private affairs. He was one of the few men who 
enjoyed the respect and confidence of his political 
adversaries as well as friends, and was regarded by 
the constituents whom he had served so faithfully' 
and conscientiously with feelings of the warmest 
esteem. Among the men who were fcjremost in 
developing tlie rich resources of Southern Michigan 
and aiding it in its struggles for recognition among 
the rising communities of the West, none have a 
more enviable record than Hon. Henry Waldron. 

EONARD PROPER, who is well linown 
throughout Scipio 'I'ownsliip and vicinity, 
has otticiated as Justice of the Peace twenty- 
five years in succession, and occupied otlier offices 
of trust and responsibility. His record has been 
that of a good man in the broadest sense of the 
term, and one which his children will be jjroud to 
reflect upon in after years. 

Mr. Proper is the offspring of excellent ancestry, 
being the son of Baldus Proper, who was born in 
what is known as Livingston Manor, near the Hud- 
son River, N. Y. He was of German ancestry, and 
married Miss Margaret Myers, a native of the same 
locality as her husband, and who was of German 
and French descent. They settled at Livingston 
Manor, where they lived, iiowever, only a short 
time, and then removed into Delaware County, 
settling in Harpersfield, whence, in 1817, they re- 
moved to Ontario County. Five years later they 
took up tlieir residence near Danville, in Living- 
ston County, vviiere the father purchased a farm, 
u|)on which he operated until 1834. That year he 
sold out, and removing to Wyoming County, settled 
about tvventN' miles from Buffalo, at a place called 
Strykersville, where his deatli took place ton years 
later, Jan. 3, 1844. 

Mrs. Margaret Proper survived her husband a 
period of twenty-eight years, her death taking 

•^« ■■ 



pl.ace Sept. 5, 1872, at the home of her son, our 
subject, In Scipio Township, this county. She had 
come to Michigan in 1861, and had lived with him 
from that time on. She was the mother of eight 
children, four d.aughters and four sons, of whom 
Leonard was the eldest born. He first opened his 
eyes to the light in Harpersfield, Delaware Co., 
N. Y., May 8, 1805, and was brought up on a 
farm, making his home with his parents until after 
reaching his majoritj'. He was then married, and 
settled in Livonia, Ontario County, where he was 
variously employed, and a year later moved to a 
farm in the vicinity of Sparta, Livingston County, 
where he worked upon shares for a period of 
seven ye.ars. At the expiration of this time he 
moved from this to another farm in Groveland 
Township, the same county, where he resided fifteen 
years. In April, 1852, he came to Southern Michi- 
gan, settling in Scipio Township, this county, where 
he purchased 184 acres of land on sections 20 and 
29. Here he h.as since made his home, and witnessed, 
with the interest which only an intelligent man can 
feel, the progress and development of his adopted 
State. 

The marriage of Leonard Proper and Miss Dorcas 
Condon was celebrated at the home of the bride in 
Sparta, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 28, 1828. 
Mrs. Proper was born there, Oct. 10, 1812. and is 
the daughter of Robert and Esther (Martin) Con- 
don, who were natives of Vermont. The parents 
spent the greater part of their lives in New York 
State, being many years residents of Sparta, and 
thence removed to Erie County, Pa., where they 
spent the remainder of their lives. 

Mrs. Proper continued a member of her father's 
household until her marri.age, acquiring a common- 
school education, and becoming familiar with all 
household duties. Of her marriage with our sub- 
ject there were born nine children, the eldest of 
whom, a son, Roljert, died June 1, 1838, when a 
promising lad of fourteen years. The others, with 
one exception, are residents of Scipio Township, 
where they are settled in comfortable homes of 
their own ; Lyman, next to the youngest son, is 
carrying on mining in Nebraska; Mary E., Louisa, 
George W., Henry, .Sarah, Myeis and Esther are 
pursuing the peaceful occupations of farm life. 



f 



I- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



•* T. ^' 

883 , , 



Mrs. Dorcas Proper flepnrted this life at lier liome 
in Scipio Township, Oct. 5, 18G0. Mr. Proper, 
politic.illy, is a strong Rcpulilican, upholding his 
principles vvith all the natural strength of his char- 
acter. He has rlistinguisherl himself among his 
fellow-citizens as a man of souiifl judgment, even 
tempered, prompt and reliable in his dealings. 
Industrious and frugal, he is fully entitled to the 
comforts of life, bj' which he is now surrounded in 
the home which ho has built up by his own thrift 
and industry. His farm comi)rises 184 acres of 
land, upon which he has erected neat and sub- 
stantial buildings. an<l provided all the f.acilities for 
the carrj'ing on of agriculture after the most ap- 
proved nietlKjds. 



•ria>4 






J^ 




B. PRENTICE. Among the solid citi- 
zens of Cambria Township none are more 
wortiiy of repiesculation in a work of this 
^fi kind than the gentleman whose name 

stands at the head of this sketch. He has a beau- 
tiful and well-appointed homestead on section 23, 
where he has been locatcrl now for over tweut}'- 
three years, having taken possession of the land 
in 18G5. It is hardly necessary to saj' that it then 
bore little resemblance to its present condition. 
The land has been brought to a good state of culti- 
vation, and the farm buildings, tasteful and substan- 
tial in character, rank well among those of the 
other enleiprising farmers of Hillsdale County. 

A native of Onondaga County, N. Y., Mr. Pren- 
tice was born March 5, 1833, and thence removed 
with his parents, when a lad, to Huron County, 
Ohio. His father, Asa Prentice, was also a native 
of the Empire State, where he carried on farming 
successfully during his residence there, but died in 
Huron County, Ohio, when thirty-seven years of 
age, on the 10th of October, 1844. He was first 
married to Miss Mercy IJcnson, who was born and 
reared in Ouou<laga County, N. Y., and who, re- 
moving with her family In Huron County, Ohio, 
died two years later, in 183;»; she left two children, 
a son and daughter, our subjet't and his sister 
Elizabeth, who became the wife of Israel Wicks, 
.and died in Fairfield Township, llumu I'o., Ohio, 

-M» : 



Feb. 26. 1865. She was a lady greatly beloved by 
her family and friends for her excellent traits of 
character, and was a conscientious member of the 
Baptist Church. 

Asa Prentice married for his second wife Miss 
L3-dia Adams, w-ho is still living, aged seventy-four 
j'ears. and makes her home in the city of Hillsdale; 
she also is a member in good standing of the Baptist 
Church. Asa Prentice, during the years of his earl}- 
manhood, was identified with the old Whig party, 
and became quite prominent in the affairs of his 
township and county. A. B. was the only son of 
his father's first marriage, and by the latter's death 
was at an early age invested with the responsibili- 
ties of the family and the estate; he man.'iged the 
home farm successfully-, and while a resident of 
Huron Count}-, Ohio, was mairied, Se]>t. 14, 1856, 
to Miss Harriet E. Wadsworth. who w-as born 
in New "1 ork State on the 26th of April, 1836. 
Her jiareuts. Rev. Samuel and Sarah (.leffers) 
Wadsworth, were of New England ancestr}-, and 
the father a native of Cornwall, Conn. After their 
marriage in that place, in 1825, Mr. Wadsworth, 
who possessed rare musical talent, occupied him- 
self as a teacher of vocal and instrumental music. 
Later thej- removed to New York State, where Mr. 
Wadsworth became identified with the Baptist 
Church, and subsequently entered the ministry, in 
which he spent his last days; they had located in 
Huron County as early as 1836, and Mr. Wads- 
worth was one of the first expounders of the Bap- 
tist doctrines in that section of country. He was 
then stationed at Dundee. Kane Co., III., and there 
carried on his pious labors until his death when 
fifty-five years old. He was devoted to the service 
of his Master, and was ever re.ady to make sacrifices 
for the support of the Gospel and the general pros- 
]>erity of the cause which lay nearest his heart. His 
excellent wife is still living, and has now attained 
the advanced age of ninety-three years; she ])os- 
sesses in a remarkable degree the strength and vigor 
of her youthful days. She is still able to read and 
do fine sewing without ttie aid of gl.asses; she was a 
cheerful supporter and encourager of her husband 
in his chin-ch work. She now makes her home with 
her da\ighter, Mrs. Prentice. 

The wife of our s ilijcct was reared to woman- 






i 



884 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



hood in her native township, and remained there 
with her parents until her marriage. Of her four 
children one is now deceased. The eldest son, 
Arthur D., married Miss Ruth Hadley, of Pittsford 
Township, and is Principal of the High School in 
the city of Hillsd.ale, which position he has occu- 
pied for the last three years. His wife also is well 
educated, and before her marriage was employed 
a.« a teacher; they have one child only, a daughter, 
Edith L. Frank W. married Miss Myrtle Bernard, 
of Hillsdale, and occupies the position of Teller in 
the First National Bank, with which he has been 
connected for three years; Elizabeth, an intelligent 
and highly educated young lady, is at home with 
her i)arents. The deceased child, William, was 
taken from the home circle in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Prentice, having been reared in the 
principles of the Baptist Church, still adhere to the 
doctrines taught them in their childhood, and in the 
church at Hillsdale Mr. Prentice has officiated as 
Deacon and also Sunday-school Superintendent for 
some years. Politically-, he is a solid Republican. He 
was Justice of the Peace up to 1886, and both as 
a business man and an agriculturist has reason to 
be satisfied with the result of his labors. 



<i- 



T— r 



=£> 



\lJAMES A. BURNS, late of Hillsdale Town- 
ship, will be long remembered by a large pro- 
portion of its best citizens as a man worthy 
in every respect of their highest and most 
lasting regard. A descend.ant of excellent Scotch 
ancestry, he was himself born in the "land of tiie 
thistle" near the city of Greenwich, on the Sth of 
April, 1830, and departed this life at the family 
residence on the 12th of February, 188.5. He w.as 
a noble illustration of a true Christian gentleman, a 
wise, kinil and indulgent father, and a faithful and 
affectionate husband. Enterprising and industrious, 
he built up a fine homestead in Hillsdale Township, 
which stands as a monument to his worth, both as 
a man and a citizen. 

The father of our subject was of the same stock 
and lineage as Robert Burns, the poet. His entire 
life was spent u|)on his native soil. His son, James 



A., when a young man twenty-two years of age, 
emigrated to America in 1853, landing first in the 
city of Philadelphia. Thence he proceeded to 
Pittsburgh, of which he remained a resident for a 
period of nearly nine years, being employed as head 
shipping clerk in McKnight & Bros.' wholesale iron 
store. His next residence was in Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio, where he purchased a farm, but subsequently 
repaired to the city of Cleveland, where he en- 
gaged as a builder and contractor for the period of 
eight years. 

Mr. Burns moved into this portion of Southern 
Michigan about 1870. He located first in the town 
of Jefferson, this county, but four years later pur- 
chased 103^ acres of land in Hillsdale Township, to 
which he sul)sequently gave his close attention, im- 
proving and cultivating the land and erecting such 
buildings as were necessary for the needs of the farm. 
Mr. Burns, while a resident of the city of Belfast, 
Ireland, was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Standfield, the wedding taking |)lace at the home of 
the bride in that city, on the 28th of April, 1853. 
Mrs. Burns was born near Belfast, Ma}' 30, 1817, 
although her parents, Brertonand Elizabeth (Fettes) 
Standfield, were of English extraction. The f.ather 
was a ship carpenter by trade, a member of the 
Church of England, and spent the greater part of 
his life in Ireland, where his death took place in 
1860. The mother survived her husband about 
three years, dying in 1863. They were the parents 
of eight children. 

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns five chil- 
dren: Their eldest son, William C, now pastor of 
the Congregational Church at .Stanton, this .State, 
took a collegiate course at Hillsdale College, and 
comi^leted his education at the Theological Semi- 
nary at Auburn, N. Y. He entered the ministry in j 
1881. In September, 1885, he married Miss Alice 
M. Collins, of Macon, Mich., a lady of Quaker an- 
cestry and rare worth, and for two years had charge 
of the Free Baptist Church at Fairport, N. Y. 
Robert B., completing a commercial education, .and 
spending some time in reading, married Miss Lil- 
lian Armitage, and occupies the position of book- 
keeper and cashier for the large flouring firm of 
Lewis Emery, Jr., & Co., at Three Rivers, this 
State; Albert J. married Miss Gertrude, the only 



•<•• 



-4«- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



885 



-\r 



(laughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Watson Pentield ; he 
is now a resident, and the leading dentist of Fair- 
port, N. Y. Tiie two daughters. Elizabeth L. and 
Lettie A., were educated at Hillsdale High School 
and College, and arc both J'oung ladies of culture 
and refinement. Miss Lettie has occupied herself 
as a teacher for about six years, and has now a 
pleasant position in the Stanton Union Schools. 
The family, formerly Presbyterians, are identified 
with the Free Baptist Church, and are classed among 
the leading spirits in a community more thaii ordi- 
narily cultured and intelligent. 

James A. Burns cast his first vote with the old 
Whig party, but upon its abandonment soon after- 
ward bec.Tme a warm supporter of Republican prin- 
ciples, with which he remained in accord until the 
day of liis death. He was chosen Senior Deacon of 
the Free Baptist Church, in Orange, Cuyahoga Co,, 
Ohio, and was instrumental in securing funds to 
erect the beautiful little edifice which stands as a 
fitting monument to him who labored so faithfully 
in tiie cause of the JMastei-. He had in early youth 
been (U'|)rived of a liberal e<hication, butdetermined 
that his children should not suffer under the same 
disadvantage. Tliis was the main cause of his loca- 
tion in the immediate vicinit}' of Hills<lalc city and 
college. He lived to see his cliildreu growing up 
around him to Iionored maiiliood and womanhood, 
and to be interested in the churcli and the cause 
which he had served so well. It was truly said of 
liim that his last days were his best, as he was more 
than usually gentle, patient and charitable, and thus 
is most affectionately rerniMiibered by his family 
and all who had the privilege of the friendly and 
pleasant intercourse which was one of tlie comforts 
and delights of his life. 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. a retired farmer in 
comfortable circumstances, and now making 
his home in the village of Moscow, began 
his hand-to-hand struggle vvith life under 
many disadvantages, and with very limited oppor- 
tunities for securing an education. Providence, 
however, had kindly supplied him with c(nirage 
and resolution in a reniaikalile degree, and from 




the time that he set out to construct a home and win 
a competency, he never lost sight of the object in 
view. For a number of years he worked early and 
late, oftentimes beyond his strength, from wiiich he 
has since suffered mucli, but he has nevertheless 
been rewarded in proportion. He is now in the 
enjoyment of a good property, with a pleasant mod- 
ern home, and a snug bank .account. The early 
partner of his joys and sorrows passed away some 
years ago, and he now makes his home with a mar- 
ried son, to whose wife he is as much atUiched as if 
she were his own daughter. 

The subject of this biography was the sixth child 
of John and Rachel (Richardson) Franklin, who at 
the time of his birth, April 1 1, 1820, were residents 
of Pennsylvania. A few years after marriage they 
removed to Ontario County, N. Y., where the 
father secured a Ufict of land, and labored success- 
fully as an agriculturist until his death, in 1826. 
The mother survived her husband a period of twen- 
ty-two years, her death taking place in 1848, when 
she was sixty years of age. Their family consisted 
of seven sons and two daughters, four of whom are 
living, ami mostly residents of New Y'ork State. 

Mr. Franklin was but six j'ears of age at the time 
of his father's death, and two years Later w;us put in 
the field at plowing. When a lad of thirteen he 
commenced working out by the month, and was 
thus occupied for twelve successive years. Li the 
meantime his schooling w.as conducted principally 
in the winter season, and he continued a resident 
of Ontario County until nearly twenty-six years of 
age, and after his niai-ri;)ge. This interesting event 
was celebrated at tiic home of the bride, Miss 
Minerva Ellen H(ii)pough, Dec. 11, lS4o. Mrs. 
Franklin was the youngest of thirteen children born 
to her parents, Peter and Margery (Westbrook) 
Hoppough, who, at the time of her birth, Feb. 4, 
1827, were residents of Ontario Ci>unty.N. Y. She 
was given the advantages of a good education, and 
made her home with her parents until reaching 
womanho(Ml. The latter were natives of Connecti- 
cut, whence tliey removed to New York State early 
in life, and are long since deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Franklin there were born three 
children — Margery R., Adelbert D. and Marquis 
Dillons Horace Fayette. JLargery became the wife 



t 



-4^ 



lie , ,, 



886 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of Pliilo Little, of Moscow Township, and died at 
her home in Moscow, July 21, 1871. at tlie age of 
twonty-fonr years; Adelliert D. died in infancy. 
The youngest son married Miss Nina Cady, and is 
occupied in business in Moscow. Mrs. Minerva E. 
Franklin departed this life at her home in Moscow 
Township, Feb. 3, 1886, at the .age of fifty-nine 
j'ears. 

Mr. Fr.anklin is the owner of 160 acres of land on 
section 22, Moscow Township, where he has put up 
a good set of fiirm buildings, and has all the ma- 
chinery necessary for carrying on agriculture after 
the most approved methods. It is now oper.ated by 
a ten.ant, and is the source of a handsome income. 
He also owns consider.ible village property in Mos- 
cow. In 1856 he identified himself with the Lide- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has 
since been a member, and a zealous advocate of the 
principles of the order. He is also a M.ason in 
good standing, belonging to Lodge No. 113, at 
Moscow, and this fraternity h.as no more faithful 
adherent or wanner admirer of its workings and 
the sentiments upon which are based its foundation 
stones. 




WILLIAM G. BARNUM, Late of Cambria 
Township, was born in Seneca County, N. 
Y., Aug. 25, 1827, and departed this life 
at his home on section 1 1, this townsliip, March 30, 
1 883. He was one of the early settlers of Southern 
Michigan, within whose limits he first came when a 
lad of eleven j'ears. He settled with his parents 
amid the timber of Franklin Township, Lenawee 
County, whence not long after his marriage he 
removed to this county, and purchased a tract of 
land in Cambria Township, fi-om which he built up 
one of its most desirable homesteads. A man 
upright and honorable in all his dealings, and one 
■who look a deep interest in the welfare of the 
community around him, he was recognized as one 
of its most valued citizens, and his name is held in 
kindly remembrance by hosts of friends. 

Our subject was the son of Zar and Margret 
Barnuni, who were natives also of the Empire 
State, and who spent the last years of their lives 



in Franklin Township, Lenawee County. They were 
well fitted bj' nature for pioneer life in a new country, 
being courageous, resolute and patient, and possess- 
ing the elements most needed in those times of 
toil and struggle. Their career was one eminently 
creditable to themselves and reflects honor upon 
their posterit}'. 

The subject of this sketch developed into man- 
hood under the home roof, and learned from his 
father the trade of cabinet-maker, developing later 
into a carpenter under Mr. Teachout, of Franklin 
Township. He subsequentlj' took up farming pur- 
suits, and to these devoted his best efforts the 
remainder of liis life. He was married first in 
Ridgway Township, Lenawee County, to Miss 
Hester A. Sanford, the wedding being celebrated 
at P^squire Hunter's home in the spring of 1851. 
They settleil in Cambria Township, this count}', 
about 1853, taking up a tr.act of uncultivated 
land, where husband and wife worked together with 
one common interest, almost day and night, to 
build up a home for themselves and their children. 
Mr Barnum still carried on his trade of carpenter 
during the day and worked his farm often after 
nightfall. Within a few jears he had brought 120 
acres to a good state of cultivation, and effected 
the improvements so necessary to the comfort and 
happiness of the household. 

Of this marriage there were born four children, 
three of whom are now deceased. The wife and 
mother pjissed away at the homestead on the 8th 
of December, 1860. The only living child, a son, 
Elmer, married Miss Lilly Rivers, of Araboj' Town- 
ship, and is now living on a farm of seventy .acres 
on section 26, in Cambria Township. Those de- 
ceased are: Adelphia, Almina and Alcy. 

Mr. Barnum contr.acted a second marriage, Aug. 
7, 1801, in Jefferson Township, this county, with 
Miss Electa A. Gillett, who was the daughter of 
a pioneer of Lenawee County, Gilbert Gillett, now 
deceased, and was born in Madison Township, Lena- 
wee County, Sept. 2, 1838. The maiden name of 
her mother was Laura M. Bowen. She is still liv- 
ing and a resident of Reading Township. Mrs. 
Barnuni was well educated and followed teaching 
before her marriage. She is the mother of two sons, 
Frank G. and William Z., who were both born on 



•►HH^ 



-4•■ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



887 , , 



the ()I<1 homestead where they now live, the former 
April .'iO, I80:!, ami the latter June "iS, 1864. 

Since the death of their fallier the boys have 
conic into possession of the homestead, to which 
they have added eighty acres, besides various im- 
provements in the way of farm I)uildintrs. They 
are young men of excellent judgment, enterprising 
and industrious, and like their father before them, 
are bound to succeed in life. William Z., on the 
2r)th of September, 1887, was united in marri.age 
with JNIiss Anna Lamb, who w.as born in Yorkshire, 
England, Oct. 30, 186!l. and who came with her 
parents to America when a little girl six years 
of age. These latter were John W. and Mar^^ Ann 
(Stone) Lamb, who are now residents of Cambria 
Township. Mr Lamb is a blacksmith by trade, 
which he is following successfully, and is numbered 
among the worthy and well-to-do men of this 
section. William G. Barnum uniformly voted the 
straight Democratic ticket. 



:^;=SSS=^ - 



^ I^ILLIAM W. MERCKR. Many of those 
\jjj// who have contributed to the development 
WW of Southern Michigan are either natives of 
a foreign country, or the sons of those who were so 
born, and it is a noticeable fact that this infusion 
of foreign blood, with the habits and ideas born of 
different environments, has to a marked degree iu- 
Uuenced the progress of this country. Our subject 
is the son of Judge William Mercer, a native of Ire- 
land, and was born in Somerset Township, March 
10, 1 853, and has given the best efforts of his early 
life to agricultural pursuits. As a reward for his 
industry and good judgment, he has an excellent 
farm, pleasantly situated in Somerset Tt)wnship, 
and provided with buildings and machinery suit- 
able for the suceessfid prosecution of his chosen 
vocation as a general farmer. 

The parents of our subject, William and Sarah 
(Gamble) Mercer, were natives respectively of 
County Donegal, Ireland, and Livingston County, 
N. Y. William Mercer came to this country with 
his parents, Samuel and Hannah (Culbert) Mercer, 
in 181!), when he was a lad of eight years, and set- 
tled in Livingston County-. N. Y. In the fall of 



1835 they migrated to this county, and purchased 
from the Government 400 .acres of land in Somer- 
set Township, upon which Samuel Mercer resided, 
improving his faiin and gaining the respect of the 
people among whom his lot was cast, until his 
decease, which occurred in 1852. William Mercer 
remained under the parental roof until he was thirty- 
two years of age, when he started out for himself, 
purchasing 130 acres of his father's farm, to which 
he afterward added until his landed possessions 
comprised an area of 240 acres. B3- his statesman- 
like qualities and strict integrity, he soon became 
prominentl}' identified with the imblic interests of 
this section of countrj', and in 1844 was elected 
Associate Judge of the Circuit Couit, which posi- 
tion he held four years. In 1850 he w.is elected 
County Judge, and filled the position with credit to 
iiimself and .satisfaction to the people until the 
office was abolished. Judge Mercer has also filled 
many of the minor ollices within the gift of the peo- 
ple, who alw.ays felt that while he was at the helm 
the political ship would be guided safely to the 
desired haven. 

The subject of this notice is the fourth in twder 
of birth of a family of six children born to Judge 
W'illiam and Sarah (Gamble) Mercer, and grew up 
to manhood on his father's farm, alternating be- 
tween his domestic labors and attendance upon the 
district schools until his marriage, Jan. 17, 1877, 
with Miss Betsey Voorheos, who was also a native 
of this township, where she was born May 20, 1859, 
and is a daughter of John W. Voorhees, of whom a 
sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Her mother, 
who in her girlhood was Miss Mary Bross, was 
born in New York, and came to Lenawee County, 
Mich., in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been 
blessed by the birth of one child, Leon A., who 
came to gladden tlieir home Eeb. 19, 1879. 

Like his father, our subject is Democratic in poli- 
tics, and is distinguished by many of those quali- 
ties which characterized his father, and gave him a 
well-merited reputation. Mr. IVfercer w'as elected 
Supervisor on the Democratic ticket in 1882, ar.d 
served three 3'ears, and has also held other local 
ofHces in the township, among which was that of 
member of the School Board, which position he 
filled for several years. He has built a handsome 



•►Hh-^- 



^ 



a 



4 



888 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^ 



and commodious residence, with suitable out-build- 
ings for carrying on liis work, and has the prospect 
of a long and useful life, in the enjoyment of ample 
means, and surrounded l)y appreciative friends and 
acquaintances. Mrs. Mercer is active in church 
work. She is identified with several Ladies' Socie- 
ties, and is popular with all classes. 



"f¥) OHN FRENCH, well known throughout Cam- 
I I bria Township, is a son of one of the earliest 
pioneers of Hillsdale County, Joseph French, 
who came to tlie Territory of Michigan in 
1834. For the last year he has been industriously 
operating as a farmer and stock-raiser in Cambria 
Township, occupying the old homestead built up by 
his father on section 23. 

John French was born in Cambria Township, 
Sept. 19. 18a"2. His boyhood and youth were passed 
under the parental roof, where he became familiar 
with agricultural pursuits. His father, Joseph 
French, improved a large farm. 19.5 acres, grubbing 
out the stumps, preparing the soil for cultivation, 
and erecting the buildings which are now noticeable 
among those of the otiier homesteads in the town- 
ship, as being the result undeniably of great per- 
severance and industrj'. Joseph French is still 
living, retired from active labor, and occupies a 
comfortable home in the city of Hillsdale. The 
maiden name of the mother was Seaman, and the 
parental liousehold included eight children. The 
mother is now deceased, and the surviving children 
are seven. 

Mr. French has spent most of his life upon the 
homestead where he now lives. He acquired his 
education in the district schools, and upon reach- 
ing manhood was united in marriage witii a maiden 
of his own township, Miss Alice C. Osborn, Feb. 
21, 1875. Mrs. French was born in Cambria Town- 
ship, Sept. 28, 1857, and is the daughter of Will- 
iam H. and Margaret (Lewis) Osborn, the father a 
native of Ohio, and the mother of this State. Mr. 
and Mrs. Osborn were married in Amboy Town- 
ship, this county, where they still live upon the 
farm of eighty acres upon which they settled about 
1877. Their children included three sons and one 



-••■ 



daughter, of whom the latter, Mrs. French, was the 
eldest born. Her brothers are residents of Michi- 
gan, and occupied as fai'mers. 

Mrs. French vv.as reared under the parental roof, 
and received her education mostly in the schools of 
her native township. After their marriage our sub- 
ject and his wife located on a farm on section 27, 
where they lived until 1887, and then took posses- 
sion of the old homestead, where our subject is now 
operating successfully as a general farmer and stock- 
raiser. They have two interesting children: Will- 
iam J., born May 13, 1877, and Arthur B., March 
4, 18.S4. Mr. French, politically, affiliates with the 
Republican party. 

V¥/AMES KAY. a prominent and prosperous 
I farmer residing on section 28, AVright Town- 
ship, was born near New Lancaster, Ohio, 
Aug. 17, 1817. His father, Moses Kay, was 
brought to Crawford County, Ohio, when an infant 
by his father and mother, the former of whom was 
a native of Wales. 

The father of our subject removed to Crawford 
County, Ohio, when James was but an infant, and 
purchasing a tract of timber land, resided there 
engaged in its cultivation until 1827. when he sold 
his property and removed across the county line 
to Marion County, and there purchased a tract of 
land, which bordered on the little Scioto River. 
To this farm he devoted the remainder of his life. 
engaged in its cultivation, his death occurring 
about 1830. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Ann Bickett, was born in Maryland, and her parents 
subsequently removed from that State to Pennsyl- 
vania. She was married in July, 1789, and by the 
death of her husband was left a widow with six 
children. She remained on the homestead in Marion 
County until 1833, and then removed to that part 
of Sandusky County now included in Ottawa 
County, where she was among the pioneer settlers. 
She enteied a tract of Government lajid and built 
a log house, into which the famil^^ removed. James 
was at that tin)e a boy of sixteen, and, taking the 
managementof the place, engaged in the manufacture 
of staves, for the immediate support of the family. 



i 



-4«- 



=1. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



889 



Thus they piissccl their time, our subject dividing 
his lime between liis traile and the iniprovonu'nt of 
his mother's farm until 1S4S, when i\Irs. Kay re- 
moved to Hillsihde County with her son, and spent 
her last j'ears among her cliildreu in Wrigiit and 
Kansom Townships, dying after a well-spent life, at 
the age of eight^'-tour years. 

In 1849 James Kay came to Hillsdale Count}-, 
and purchased the tract of land he now calls home. 
It was at that time covered with a heavy growth of 
timber, and that section of country was a wilderness, 
througli which wild anim.als still roamed unmolested 
and the smaller varieties of game were in abundance. 
Our subject had had experience as a hunter in his 
Ohio home, and being a good shot, kept the family 
well sui)plied witli the best of wild meat. His first 
purch.asc of land consisted of forty acres, located 
on the northeast quarter of section 28, Wright 
Township, and he first built a log cabin in keeping 
with his surroundings. The forest has now fallen 
before his ax, and the log structure has given 
place to a commodious and substantial frame house, 
flanked by convenient and suitable buildings for 
the shelter of his stock and the storing of the prod- 
ucts of his farm. He h.as added to his real estate 
b}' buying sixty acres in the northwest quarter of 
the same section, and now, surrounded by all the 
comforts to be found in an Eastern home, Mr. Kay 
must feel a thrill of satisfaction in recounting the 
steps by which he has reached his present position. 
He has accomplished his life work by the exercise 
of that thrift and energy for which those pioneers 
who have been furnished by the Eastern States 
were noU;d, and he can look forward to spending the 
remainder of his life in the enjoyment of those 
creature comforts which he has so well earne<l. 

Our subject was first united in marriage. May 8, 
1842, with Elizabeth Wilson, a native of Ohio, and 
the daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson; she 
departed this life March 28, 18G1. Mr. Kay was a 
second time married, July 19, 1863, to Mrs. Mar- 
gai-et (Pluck) DeLong, who was born in Mansfield, 
Richland Co.. Ohio, Aug. 15, 1822, and is the 
daughter of Nathaniel Pluck, a native, it is supposed, 
of Pennsj'lvania. Her grandfather, Nicholas Pluck, 
was born in Germany, and spent his last 3'ears with 
the parents of Mrs. Kay near Mansfield. The father 



of Mrs. Kay w.as an earl}' settler of Richland County, 
wliere ho purchased .a tract of tiinlx'r land, which he 
afterward lost on account of a defective title, and 
died tiiere alK)Ut ISS.j. The mother of Mrs. Kay, 
whose maiden name w.is Mary John, was born in 
Pennsylvania, while her father was Thom.as John, 
a native of Wales. He came to this country, settling 
in Richland County. Ohio, among its earliest pio- 
neers, and there spent his last years; the mother of 
Mrs. Kay died there also. Mrs. Kay has been 
twice married, her first husband being John De- 
Long, a native of Pennsylvania. At the time of 
their marriage he located near Mansfield, Ohio, and 
in 18.31 he went to California, taking the overland 
route. After a time he returned to visit his family, 
and then going back to the Pacific Coast, his wife 
soon afterward received tidings of his death. 

Mr. and Mrs. K.\y have had one child, a daughter, 
Minnie E.. who became the wife of Montgomery 
Mackey, of Wright Township, who assists in carry- 
ing on the homestead of his father-in-law. By his 
first marriage Mr. Kay had seven children, recorded 
as follows: Sarah is the wife of George Rutle<lge, 
and lives in California; Moses died in Harrison 
County, Iowa; .lames lives in Wright Township; 
Mary is the wife of William Weaver, of Waldron; 
Oliver resides in Harrison County. Iowa; Parker 
lives in Pawnee County, Kan.; and Jacob died in 
Wright Township. Mrs. Kay has one child by her 
marriage with Mr. DeLong, Emma Rosette, the 
wife of .Samuel Stublefield, residing iu Wright 
Township. 

Politically, Mr. Kay is identified with the Demo- 
cratic party, while in religion he is a member of the 
Wesleyan Metiiodist Church, an<l Mrs. K.ay of the 
Disciples' Church. 



j^^j AMUEL P. JACKSON. This respected old 
^^^^ pioneer of Hillsdale County owns and occu- 
(ft/\M) pies a snug little homestead of fifty acres in 
Camden Townshi(). on section 3. His early 
tramping ground was in W.ayne County, N. Y., 
where his birth took place May 14, 1824. His par- 
ents, David E. and Keziah (Myers) Jackson, were 
natives respectively of Connecticut and New York 



1 r 



-4•- 



890 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



State. His paternal grandfather, Joseph .lacksoii, 
carried a musket during the Revolutionary War, 
and was under the immediate command of Gen. 
Washington, 'i'he parents of our subject had a 
family of eight children, of whom the following 
survive: Annie, Mrs. Wyman, and Cynthia, Mrs, 
Benjamin Blown, both of this county ; Mary, the wife 
of John Hougiitaling, of BuiTalo, Mr. H. being a 
conductor on the Lake Shore RaUroad, running be- 
tween Buffalo and Erie, and Henry, of Jackson 
County, this State. The deceased are: Christopher, 
Edmund and Jane. The father died in 1881 in 
North Adams Township, and the mother iu March, 
1888, in Reading Township, this county. 

The mother of our subject being in feeble health, 
Samuel P. when quite young was taken into the 
home of Mr. Christojiher, of Wayne County, N. 
Y., with whom he lived until twenty years of age. 
In the meantime he acquired his education in the 
district school, which, however, he did not attend 
regularly, but lieing fond of books he has followed 
a course of instructive reading which has been the 
means of furnishing him a useful fund of iufor- 
mation. 

Mr. Jackson, when a youth of nineteen years, 
came in 1843 to this county, and since that time 
has been a resident here. He was first married, in 
1846. to Miss Bethia A. Johnson, who died about 
ten years later without children. Mr. Jackson was 
again married, April 22, 1860, to Miss Melvina R. 
McConnell, who was born in Wayne County, this 
State, Dec. 2, 1838, and is the daughter of Charles 
and Susan (Gilson) McConnell, the father a native 
of Scotland, and the mother of Kew Jeisey. There 
were born to them eleven children, of whom but 
five are living: Mary J. is the wife of Albert Kings- 
ley, of W\ayne County; Charlotte, Mrs. Brooks, 
lives at St. Ignace, Mich.; William and Albert are 
in Missouri, and Caroline, Mrs. Updike, of this 
county. The deceased are: Jeanette, Cynthia, 
Eleanor, David, and two who died in infancy un- 
named. 

To our subject and his present wife there were 
born five children. The eldest son, Ovid, is a resi- 
dent of Camden 'J'ownship; Ellen is a young lady 
of excellent education, and has taught school 
two years in the districts of this county; Omar, 



Fcn-est and Rhoda continue under the home roof. 
Mr. Jackson upon taking possession of the land 
which he now occupies, was obliged to cut away a 
place in the woods before he could erect a building, 
first a shanty, which in the course of a few 3'ears 
was replaced by the pleasant, convenient and sub- 
stantial residence. He has done much hard labor 
and is intimately acquainted with the privations 
and struggles of a pioneer life. He generously 
admits that his prosperity has been greatly owing 
to the good sense and industry of his excellent wife, 
who for nearly thirty years has labored faithfully by 
his side and borne with him the heat and burden of 
the day. 

Politically, our subject is a Prohibitionist, and 
may be termed a selfmade man in the truest sense 
of the word. He began in life without other re- 
sources than his own industry and determination, 
and is now in the enjoyment of a comfortable home, 
while at the same time he has the esteem and confi- 
dence of his neighbors. He has served as Treasurer of 
the School Board three years, and filled other posi- 
tions of trust and responsibilitj' among his fellow- 
citizens. 

■ : > :@: < t ' 

ISS LOVINA R. SCOVELL, a lady closely 
identified witii the early history of Hillsdale 
Count}', has been a resident of Litchfield 
Township for the last fort} -six years, and 
is well known to most of its people. She was early 
in life deprived of a mother's care and counsel, and 
being the eldest daughter, assumed charge of her 
father's household and performed her filial and sis- 
terly duties in a most faithful and praiseworthy 
manner. She is now in the enjoyment of a com- 
fortable home on section 36, and often reviews the 
scenes of the past, being al)le to relate to the rising 
generation many interesting and remarkable inci- 
dents of the times of forty years ago. 

David and Sally (Wells) Scovell, the parents of 
our subject, were natives of Colchester, Conn., but 
after their marriage settled in New Hampshire, 
where they lived seven or eight years. They then 
removed to Livingston County, N. Y., settling in 
Lima Township, where the father followed farming 
successfully, and where the death of the mother 




^\:^-_ 



*► ■ -* 



I 



•► 11 ^^ 



I 



H1LL8DALK COUNTY. 



b'Jl 



took place vvlion slie was sixty-six j'cars old. Mr. 
Scovoll, after tlie death of his wife, came West with 
his children, locating in Macon Township, Lenawee 
County, where his deatii tooiv place in 1835, when 
he was seventy' years of age. His son then sold the 
farm there, and accompanied by his sister Lovina, 
came, in 183G, to this county, which has since been 
their home. 

Miss .Scovell was born in Halifax Township, 
Windham Co., Vt, .Ian. 2, 1812, and was ten years 
of .age when her parents removed to New York 
State. She had been a pupil in the common schools 
in both places, and on coming to this county com- 
pleted her studies in the High .School at Jonesville. 
She vvas occupied as a teacher thereafter two or 
three terms, and has been an interested witness of 
the changes transpiring from the time of her com- 
ing to the Territory of Michigan to the present. 
She kept pace with the march of political events 
also, and was warmly in sympatli}' with the anti- 
slavery movement, rejoicing vvith great joy when 
the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by the 
martyred President. Abraham Lincoln. The per- 
petuation of the Union was no less a subject en- 
gaging her attention, and the subject likewise of no 
less rejoicing. 

The Scovell farm is operated by lieli) employed 
by Miss Scovell, and makes a comfortable home for 
the subject of this sketch, who has lived here now 
for a period of fort3'-four years, and which possesses 
for her a far more than moneyed value. Although 
not elegant, the dwelling is comfortable in every 
respect, and the homestead forms the quiet picture 
of peaceful countrj' life, extremely gratifying to 
contemplate. 



AUL BEKLEEN, one of the influential citi- 
I,. zens of Wright Township, is the sid)ject of 

Ya ver^' interesting history, the main points 
of which are substantially as follows: A 
native of Westmoreland County, Pa., he was born 
June 17, 183U,and is the son of Michael Jierleen, a 
native of the same State, and born Feb. 8, 1808. 
His paternal grandfather, Jacob Herleen, also a 
Pennsylvanian l)y birth, was reared to agricultural 



pursuits, and carried on farming on his own land 
in Franklin Towushii), Westmoreland County, the 
greater part of his life, and there spent his Last days. 

The father of our subject w.as reared and married 
in his native county, and settling upon his father's 
homestead, lived there until 1850. Then removing 
to another part of the county, he farmed on rented 
land until the spring of 1852, when he determined 
to seek his fortunes in the West. Accordingly he 
set out, accompanied b}' his wife and seven children 
with three horses and a wagon, and driving into 
Carroll County, Ohio, there left his family with his 
brother, ami proceeded In a buggy to Wyandot 
County, near the eastern line of Indiana. Here he 
purchased eighty acres of land for §300, and in the 
month of June following brought his family to their 
new home. 

About one acre of this was cleared, and upon it 
stood a log cabin, into which the famil}' removed 
and made themselves as comfortable as possible. 
The father cleared about sixty acres and resided 
there eleven years. In 18G4 he came to Lenawee 
Count}', this State, and purch.asing land in Medina 
Township, has since made it his home. Although 
now having reached the advanced age of eighty 
years, he is still quite active and enjoys a fair de- 
gree of liealth. He has been twice married. His 
first wife, the mother of our subject, was Miss 
Susan Everhart, of Westmoreland County. Pa., who 
died there in 1838. 

Mr. Berleen, our subject, was sixteen j'cars of 
age when his father removed from Pennsjlvania to 
Ohio, and he continued with him three years longer, 
assisting in clearing the land and tilling the soil of 
the new farm. At Iht^ expiration of this time, de- 
sirous of commencing for himself, he started out 
to work by the month in Hancock Count}', receiv- 
ing therefor 810. He was soon attacked with ague, 
the prevailing trouble of that region, and on this 
account lost so much time that his .assets were very 
small at the end of the lirst year. That winter 
he returned home to Wyandot County, and next 
made his way to Marion County, where he hired 
out at $1G per month. This venture proved more 
fortunate, and he was thus occupied until after the 
outbreak of the war. 

Our suljject was among the first to respond to 



^ 



-^*- 



892 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the call for troops in defense of the Union, enlist- 
ing in April, 1861, in Company K, 15th Ohio In- 
fantry, and for a brief time remained in camp in 
the vicinity of Colurabus. Thence they were or- 
dered to Virginia, and Mr. Berleeu was for some 
time on detached duty, guarding the Baltimore & 
Ohio Eailroad at Grafton, W. Va. At the exiiira- 
tion of his first teim of enlistment, in August fol- 
lowing, he returned home, and, in company with 
one of his comrades, opened a harness-shop at Lit- 
tle Sandusky. There being, however, little prospect 
of a cessation of hostilities between the North and 
the South, our subject, in February, 1 862, once 
more proffered his services to the Government, en- 
listing this time in Companj- I, 61st Ohio Infantry, 
which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. 
He was now destined to fight in earnest, participat- 
ing in the battles at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, 
besides other minor engagemeuls. and was then 
transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, which 
marched with Sherman from Chattanooga to At- 
lanta, and thence to the sea. After that had been 
accomplished, they passed up through the Carolinas 
to Washington, participating in all the battles of 
that memorable campaign, and being present, finall}', 
in the grand review at Washington. From there 
Mr. Berleen, with his comrades, was sent to Louis- 
ville, where he received his honorable discharge, 
in August, 1865. He was afterward at the reunion 
of his regiment at Columbus, Ohio, the same month. 

After his retirement from the service, Mr. Ber- 
leen visited the old home in Wyandot County, 
Ohio, then came to Michigan to visit his parents, 
and which was his first trij) to this State. He was 
so well pleased with the outlook that, in com))any 
with his brother, he purchased the tract of land ad- 
joining the village of Waldron, where he now 
resides. There was then little prospect of a town, no 
buildings, and only about five acres of the land had 
been cleared. The youngmen were unmarried at this 
time, and not being overstocked with money, worked 
out for a tinie. not being in a condition to give 
all their efforts to the impiovement of their land. 
In 1866 the}' erected a substantiallog house, where 
the}' kept bachelor's hall until the marriage of our 
subject. 

In the fall of 1869 Mr. Berleen brought to his 



unpretentious home a bride, having been married 
on the 29th of September to Mrs. Lucetta (Battin) 
Perry, who w.as born in Columbiana County, Ohio, 
Feb. 19, 1836, but was at this time a resident of 
Wright Township. The pair commenced life to- 
gether in the log house, which constituted their 
home for several years, and where their only living 
child, a daughter, Clara Bell, was born .June 18, 
1878. They had three children older than her, all 
deceased. Mr. Berleen continued the improvement 
and cultivation of his farm with little interruption 
and fine success, gathering gradnalij' the appurten- 
ances of the modern country homestead. He has 
now a comnKidious frame dwelling. built in modern 
style of architecture, while his barns, other out- 
buildings, live stock and machinery, bear fair com- 
parison with those of the enterprising men about 
him. He is ranked among the solid .and reliable 
men of Hillsdale County, selfraade and self-edu- 
cated, and has improved vveil the talents given 
him. 

Mrs. Beileen is the daughter of Joshua Battin, 
a native of Pennsylvania, who, with his father, John 
Battin. emigrated to Columbiana County, Ohio, 
during its early settlement. Purchasing a tract of 
timber land, his subsequent life differed little 
from that of the sturdy pioneers about him, he 
having labored industriously and lived worthily, 
until his death. His son Joshua was but a boy 
when he left his native State, and developing into 
manhood in Columbiana County, Ohio, married 
there, and made it his home until 1853. He then 
joined the caravan making its way to this State, 
and settling in the southeastern part of this county, 
in Wright Township, purchased a tract of partially 
cleared land on section 28, where he carried on 
farming until the illness which terminated his life, 
in 1880. 

Joshua Battin, with his family, for some years 
occupied a log house, but before his death erected 
a good set of frame buildings. His wife, in her 
girlhood, was a Miss Martha Pettit, also a native of 
Pennsylvania, and daughter of Jacob and Jemima 
(Williams) Pettit, who spent their entire lives in 
the Keystone State. Mrs. Martha Battin passed 
away some years previous to the death of her hus- 
band, at the old homestead. Her daughter, Lucetta, 



t 



L. 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



893 



was first married in October. 1865, to Rufus Perry, 
who was born in Oliio, and was tiie son of Alexan- 
der and Eunice Perry. He came to IMicliigaii when 
a young man and settled in Wright Townslu|), 
where he was married to Miss Battin,and died four 
months afterward. The paternal grandmother of 
Mrs. Berleen was, in her girlhood, Miss Ann White, 
a native of Pennsylvania. She died in Harrison 
County, Ohio, at the home of her daughter, after 
reaching the advanced age of ninety-five years. 
Her father, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Berleen, 
was a native of Ireland, and coming to America 
when a 3'oung man, and without means, was sold 
to pa}- his passage. Before he had served his time, 
however, he married the daughter of his purchaser, 
and bj' this stroke of policy secured his freedom 
upon eas\' terms. 

Miss Clara Bell Berleen, the daughter of our sub- 
ject, was born June 18, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. B. 
have also an adopted daughter, Maggie, now the 
wife of Dr. W. F. Barnes, of Waldron. In politics 
Mr. Berleen is a Prohibitionist. 



..ILLIAM G. WHITNEY, of Allen Town- 
' shii), is the son of that well-known old resi- 




'Icnt, Jonathan Whitney, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere in this volume. He w;is born in 
this township, Dec. 13, 1840. and while being reared 
to farm pursuits, his early education, begun in the 
common schools, was completed by attendance at 
both Hillsdale and Albion Colleges. He spent the 
winter of 18'J0-()1 in Illinois, then returning to his 
native township, enlisted on the 24th of August fol- 
lowing in Company B. 1 1th Michigan Infantry, in 
which he was promoted first to the rank of Sergeant, 
and subsequently, Jan. 7, l.SG;3, received the com- 
mission of Second Lieutenant. 

Lieut. Wiiitney commanded his companj' at the 
battle of Mission Ridge, and on the 3(1 of July, 
1864, was promoted in front of Atlanta, Ga., to the 
rank of First Lieutenant. At the first- mentioned 
battle he was complimented in the presence of his 
brigade for meritorious conduct before the lire of 
the enemy. After the fall of Atlanta he was ap- 
pointed military conductor on the Chattanooga & 



Knoxville Railroad, in which capacity he served 
until the 1st of March, 1865. He was then given a 
Captain's commission, and also made Provost Mar- 
shal of Clevel.and, Tenn., which position he held 
until in August, 1865. 

Capt. Whitney now rejoined his regiment, whicli 
was stationed at Knoxville from that time until 
being mustered out. He was in all the engagements 
of his regiment, including the battle of Chioka- 
mauga, where he was wounded slightly in the right 
hand. Upon receiving his discharge he continued 
a resident of Knoxville two years, -engaged as 
baggagemaster and conductor on the Knoxville & 
Chattanooga Railroad. This contract ended, he 
returned to his native township, and engaged in 
farming until the spring of 1887, having a body of 
land 130 acres in extent. At that date he trans- 
ferred this to the care of a tenant, and removed to 
Allen Village, where he now resides. 

Our subject was married in Allen Township, 
April 23, 1874, to Mrs. Bessie Kay, daughter of 
Charles and Elizabeth Marshall, and widow of 
Thomas Kay, who died in London, England, July 
7, 1870. Mrs. Whitney had by her first marriage 
one child, a daughter, Lottie, who is now living in 
Allen Township. Of her union with our subject 
there are three children living — Anna L. M., H. 
Jennie Ma}' and Frederick W. G. One child, a 
daughter, Mary, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitnej' are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and politicallj', our subject votes the 
Republican ticket. Socially, he belongs to C. J. 
Dickinson Post No. G. G. A. R., of Hillsdale. 



R. GEORGE W. MOSIIER, who for the 
last fifteen years has olliciated as "mine 
host" of the well-known Mosher House, of 
Hillsdale, purchased this property in 1873, 
and has been extremely fortunate in his connection 
therewith. A gentleman of excellent business ca- 
pacities, and having a natural insight into the 
requirements of the traveling [jublic, those who visit 
his hospitable house once are sure to repeat the 
experiment. 

A native of Dutchess County, N. Y., Dr. Mosher 




894 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



f 



was born Sept. 30, 1 823. and is the son of Stephen 
M. Mosher, a native of Massachusetts. His pater- 
nal grandfather, Maxson Mosher. also a native of 
the Bay State, was tiie son of Israel Mosher, who 
was a direct descendant of pure Englisii ancestry. 
The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss 
Phebe Gifford, a native of Massachusetts. Soon 
after their marriage the ])areuts settled near the 
place of their birth, wlience they removed to Dutch- 
ess County, N. Y.. and thence to Tioga County. 
In the latter they remained but a few years, subse- 
quently taking up their residence in Ca3Higa Count}', 
where our subject developed into manhood. They 
are now deceased. 

Dr. Mosher pursued his first studies in the dis- 
trict school, and later took a course at Mariana 
Academj", after wiiich he eniployed himself as a 
teacher. He commenced the stud}' of medicine in 
the office of Dr. Cyrus Powers, at Moravia, N. Y., 
with whom he remained three years, and finished by 
taking a course in the medical department of the 
University of New York, from which he was gradu- 
ated, and entered npc>n the practice of his profes- 
sion in Pennsylvania. It was not long liefore he 
secured an excellent patronage, and he was there 
established for a period of twenty years. 

At the expiration of this time Dr. Mosher's 
attention becoming attracted to the advantages 
of Southern Michigan, he came in the fall of 1869 
to this county, taking up his residence for a year in 
Litchfield Township. Thence he removed to Jones- 
ville. where he practiced in the fainilies of his 
acquaintances, having his office in the building 
which he now conducts as a hotel. About this time 
he was induced to believe that he had a talent for 
carrying on a public house, and, securing posses- 
sion of the premises mentioned, conducted this 
house two years, and then removed to .\llegan, this 
State, where he conducted the Chaffee House one 
year. Next he purchased the building which he now 
owns and occupies in Hillsdale, and in the course 
of time gradually retired from pr.actice, finding this 
latter occupation better suited to his tastes and 
inclinations. 

While a resident of Pennsylvania Dr. Mosher was 
married to Miss C. .Tcaunctte Rea, the wedding tak- 
ing place at the home of the bride, in Mill Grove. 



% ///ILLIAM S. 

\^ys!j manufacture 



Pa.. Jan. 25, 1855. Mrs. Mosher was born June 
8, 1830, in ;\Iill Grove, and is the daughter of 
Walter and Mary Rea, n.-itives of Scotland and New 
York, now deceased. Of this union there has been 
born ,one child only, a daughter, Georgie J. who 
married A. B. Flagg, of Rogers Park, III. 



^ j^ILLIAM S. PETTIS, who is successfully 
a sawmill, and carrying on the 
e of cider, jelly, butter, etc., has 
his headquarters at Stearaburg, on section 12, in 
Cambria Township, in the vicinity of which he has 
been a resident for nearly forty years. Coming 
here in 1851 he remained fifteen j'ears engaged in a 
sawmill, and then repairing to Hillsdale em- 
barked in the foundry and machine business, at 
which he occupied himself until 1879. 

Mr. Peltis th.at year, returning to hisold haunts, 
established his present industry, which he has since 
operated to most excellent advantage. He has a 
thirty-horse power engine, and all the other ap- 
pliances necessary to cari'ying on an extensive 
business in a profitable manner, and from his saw- 
mill turns out 5,000 feet of lumber per day. The 
products of his other enterprises find a ready 
market thi-oughout this and adjoining States. 

Our suhject is one of the pioneer settlers of this 
section, having made his way to Hillsdale County 
in 1839, and locating first in Jefferson Township. 
He came to Michigan while it was still a Territory, 
accompanj'ing his father here in 1831, when six 
years of age. The latter settled in Blissfield Town- 
ship, Lenawee Count}', and |)ut up the first grocery 
store in the village of Blissfield, which he operated 
from 1834 to 1837, and upon retiiing began keep- 
ing a hotel in Blissfield. From there he came to Jef- 
ferson Township, this county, and later operated a 
distillery in Hillsdale Township. He afterward 
lived one year at Allen, but finally returned to 
Jefferson Township, where his death took place 
about 1853. The mother had died in Blissfield, in 
1837. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne 
County, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1826, and is the son of 
Peleg and Lavina (Powers) Pettis, the former a 



I* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



895 



native of New York State, and the latter of New 
England. Peleg Pettis acquired a good common- 
school education, and during his early manhood 
engaged considerably in teaching. He also oper- 
ated a distillery for some time. The parents 
were married in Wayne County, where they lived 
until after the birth of four children, and then re- 
solved to emigrate to the West. They made their 
way via the lake and overland, and soon after 
landing in Monroe Count3% this State, one of tlieir 
children died, making the second child which they 
had lost, one having died in Wayne Count}', N. Y. 
Of the two remaining, William S., our subject, was 
the younger, and was next to the eldest of their 
offspring. Peleg Pettis was a man of considerable 
force of character, and became quite prominent in 
local affairs, officiating as Captain of the Lenawee 
County Militia, and led his forces against the In- 
dian warrior, Black Hawk, during the troubles of 
that time, and hater in the Toledo War. 

The father of our subject, upon coming to this 
county, occupied himself rn running a stage from 
Adrian to Monroe, and was married the second 
lime, to Miss Minerva Young, who only lived a 
3'ear afterward. His third wife was Miss Melissa 
Fraker, who survived him some years, and died in 
Jefferson Township in 1853. Of his last marri.Tge 
there were born six children, three of whom are 
living. 

William S. Pettis continued a member of his 
father's household until reaching his majority, and 
then started out in business on his own account. 
Being of an enterprising turn of mind, he engaged 
in the manufacture of shingles from 1842 to 1851 in 
this county, and other places in the State. During 
the latter year he put up a sawmill in Cambria Town- 
ship, and in 1880 added the cider mill, from which 
he now manufactures about 1,000 barrels of this 
favorite beverage annually. 

The lady first chosen .as the wife of our subject, 
and to whom he was married .at Osseo, .Jefferson 
Townshii), July 4. 1851, was Miss Mary J. Hindes, 
who was born in New Jersey, June 1 1, 18.30, and 
went to Ontario County, N. Y., with her parents 
when a mere child. Thence, in 1K37, they came to 
this State, locating in Monroe Count}'. The father 
is deceased, and the mother resides with our sub- 



ject. Mrs. Mary J. Pettis becirae the mother of 
two children, and departed this life at her home 
in Stearaburg, March 8, 1861. The sou Walter 
married Miss Margaret Edwards, and is a resident 
of Hillsdale, being an emplo^'e of the Lake Siiore ife 
Michigan Southern Railroad. The daughter, Jennie, 
is now engaged as a teacher in the public schools of 
East S.aginaw. 

On the I4th of September, 1861, .Mr. Pettis con- 
tr.acted a second marriage, with the sister of his first 
wife. Miss Catherine Hindes, the wedding taking 
place in Cambria. These ladies were the daughters 
of John and .Sarah (Perry) Hindes, who were natives 
of New Jersey, and the father a farmsr by occu- 
pation. The latter died in 1883 in Hillsdale, at 
the .age of sevent3'-eight years. The mother i s 
still living, and makes her home with her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Pettis, being now se vent}' -seven years 
old. Mrs. Pettis was born in Adrian Township, 
Lenawee County, Jan. 12, 1840, and by her union 
with our subject became the mother of four ciiil- 
dren, two of whom died in early childhood. The 
third child, Frank J., is a teacher in the public 
schools of Cambria. Cora, the daughter, is com- 
pleting her studies at home; Edward S. was acci- 
dent-ally drowned while skating on the ice at the 
mill pond in Hillsdale, in 1877, when a bright boy 
thirteen years of age; Freddie P. died when two 
years old. 

The home of Mr. Pettis is pleasantly located, and 
the family are enjoying all the comforts of life and 
many of its luxuries. Mr. Pettis devotes most 
of his attention to his business interests, but when 
casting his vote at the general elections uniformly 
supports the principles of the Democratic party. 



-€-*^ 



-^ 



\f7 EMUEL GIBBS. There are scores of men in 
I (@; a community who, perhaps, liave made very 
/IL^ little stir in the world, yet underneath a 
quiet surface have pursued the even tenor of their 
way, exerting a good influence, and proving serv- 
iceable in upbuilding its general tone, sustaining 
its morality, and fixing its foundation stones. Simi- 
lar to this has been the life of the subject of this 
sketch. He is of American birth and parentage. 



u 



••► 



896 



HILLSDAL?: COUNTY. 



the descenflant of a family wbicli was first repre- 
sented in this country generations ago, and wliose 
lineal descendants were traced back to England. 
The typical three brothers, in the early Colonial 
times, crossed the Atlantic, settling probably first 
in New England, and then drifting westward into 
the Empire State. 

Augustus and Eslher (Stedman) Gibbs, the par- 
ents of our subject, were natives of Litchfield, Conn., 
and before their marriage migrated to Livingston 
County, N. Y., the father settling thereabout 1800. 
They were there married, and Augustus Gibbs fol- 
lowed agriculture successfully. The mother passed 
away in middle life, d3ing in Ai)ril, 1846, at the 
age of foily-eight years. Mr. Gibbs survived his 
partner for a period of twenty-eiglit years, his 
death taking place at his home in Livingston 
County, in 1873, when lie was seventy-eight years 
old. Their six children consisted of three sons and 
tliree daughters, of whom i^emuel, our subject, was 
the fourth in order of birth. 

Lemuel Gilibs was born Feb. 3, 1832, in Livonia, 
Livingston Co., N. Y., where, after leaving the 
common school, he pursued his studies in the Wes- 
leyan Seminary, and later was a student of Temple 
Hill Academy, at Geneseo. Subsequently he en- 
gaged in teaching for a brief time, afterward occu- 
pied himself in mercantile pursuits two years, and 
then going back to the old homestead, was mar- 
ried, Oct. 16, 18.'>5, to Miss Ellen Thurston, one of 
his old schoolm.ates. Mrs. Gibbs was born in June, 
1833, in Livingston Count}', N. Y.. and is the 
daughter of William and Abbie (Hannahs) Thur- 
ston, who were natives resjiectively of Rhode Island 
and Connecticut. They also spent their last years 
in Livingston County, N. Y., where the father fol- 
lowed blacksmithing and died in 1858, when sixty- 
four years old. The mother survived twenty-five 
years, remaining a widow, and died in Livingston 
County when about seventy-eight years old. Thej' 
were the parents of three children, one daughter and 
two sons. 

Mrs. Gibbs, like her husband, received a good 
education, completing her studies in the academy 
at Livonia, and the Ligham University at Le Roy. 
Of her union witli our subject there were born two 
children, Mettie U. and William T., who are both 




at home with their parents. The children have also 
been well educated, completing their studies in the 
Litehlield LTnion School, in 1885. 

The farm of our subject includes eighty-seven 
acres of well-cultivated land, upon which he located 
in 1876. He came to this State in 1868, and for 
ten years was a resident of Litchfield Village. He 
has been fairly prosperous, alw.ays managing to 
make a good living for his family, has limited his 
expenses to his income, is possessed of the strictest 
integrity, and in all respects is a praiseworthy citi- 
zen. He is strongly imbued with temperance prin- 
ciples, and politically, aria3's himself on the side of 
the Prohibitionists. 

\fi\^ ORR CONKLIN is a prominent and repre- 
sentative farmer of Hillsdale County, 
located on section 6, Moscow Township, on 
a fine farm of eighty acres of land, which 
he has brought to a high state of cultivation, 
provided with convenient and commodious farm 
buildings, and supplied with modern conveniences 
for carrying on successfull}' his calling of an agri- 
culturist. He is also in the possession of eighty- 
acres of land on sections 7 and 8 of this township, 
and twenty acres of meadow land in J.ackson 
County. Mr. Conklin derives his origin from the 
hardy sons of the Emi)ire State, whose character- 
istics appear to have been hereditar}', as wherever 
we find their descendants in this section of coun- 
try we find the same indomitable energy and perse- 
verance; the will to do, the brain to plan and the 
energy to accomplish. Mr. Conklin is no exception 
to this rule, as a visit to his well-kept homestead 
will prove. 

The parents of our subject, N. L. and Lucy 
(LaZelle) Conklin, were born in Cayuga County, 
N. Y., and there they grew to mature years and 
were united in marriage. Soon after this event 
they removed to Bridgewater, Washtenaw County, 
where they were among the very first settlers, and 
located on 160 acres of Government land. In his 
native State Mr. Conklin enjoyed the advantages 
of its excellent school S3stem, and acquiring a good 
education engaged in the prc)fession of a school ' 






^^ > ■» 



i 



<^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



897 



teacher in those early pioneer timeos. Here, in ad- 
dition to their efforts in subduing nutni'c, clearing 
land, breaking prairie, etc., the pioneers made pro- 
vision for the education, and had a care for the 
morals of their growing families. Teacher as well 
as pupils lal)ored under great difliculties in uncom- 
fortable scliool-i'ooms, without any of theniodern 
appliances which so much assist tlie teacher in his 
arduous work, with small remuneration and a scat- 
tered population; yet many of these children grew 
to be noble, high-minded men and women, and 
have taken a foremost rank among the people of 
their da^- and generation. Here the parents of our 
subject reside<l until they came to Michigan, in 
about 1828, and are still living in Washtenaw 
Count}', at the ripe ages of eighty and seventy -nine 
3'ears. 

The parentrd family of our subject included six 
boys and two girls, who all grew to mature years. 
Our suliject, who was the fourth child in oi'der of 
birth, first saw the light April 17, 1838, in Bridge- 
water Township. Washtenaw Count}'. His earlj' 
life was spent in the manner usual to the sons of 
those early pioneers, alternating between the labors 
of the farm and attendance at the district school. 
Inspired by the counsel and example of his honored 
father he became ambitious to acquire a broader 
education, and succeeded in attending the Normal 
School at Ypsilanti, where he pursued his studies 
during one terra. At the age of twenty-four, in 
1861, he came to Moscow Township, where his 
brother Day had i)receded him two years, and pur- 
chased forty acres of land. In partnership with his 
brother he also bought eighty acres of unimproved 
Land on section G, and there continued to labor in 
the improvement of his purchase. 

Being now in a conditicjn to take upon himself 
the responsibilities of a family, our subject was 
united in marriage, Nov. 1!), 18G3, with Miss Don- 
cilia, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Camburn, of 
whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. 
Conklin was the second in order of birth of five 
children born to Jacob and Sarah Camburn, and is 
a native of Moscow Plains, where she was born 
July 11. 1^!41. She received her education in the 
common schools of the township, and remained 
with her parents assisting in domestic duties until 



her marriage. Of her union witH our subject there 
were born three children, recorded as follows: Guy 
married Nora Church, and lives in Moscow Town- 
ship: Maude is deceased, and F.a5'ctte resides at the 
homestead. 

Mr. Conklin's desire to promote the cause of 
education led to his acce])tance of offices in connec- 
tion with the schools of his township, the duties of 
which he efficiently discharged for a period of si.x 
j'ears. He was also Tieasurer of the school in his 
district. The Democratic i)art3' voices the senti- 
ments of Mr. Conklin. while socially, he is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, identified with 
Hamilton Lodge No. 113. 



<s?»^ 



-^^ 



««?itf-. 



^?=^EORGE W. PROPER. Conspicuous among 
fj f^^ the prosperous and substantial agriculturists 
■^J^ of Hillsdale County, and holding an impor- 
tant position in the business community, ma}' be 
quoted the name of the subject of this biography, 
who resides on section 29 of Scipio Township. He 
claims New York as his n.ativc State, his birthplace 
being Groveland, Livingston Count}', and the date 
of his birth Aug. 11, 1833. He is a sou of 
Leonard and the late Dorcas (Condon) Proper, 
both natives of the Empire State. After their 
marriage his parents settled in Livingston County, 
in the town of Sparta, but subsequently moved to 
Groveland, where his father engaged in farming. 
In 1852 he decided to move West, and chose Michi- 
gan .as his point of destination. Therefore, in June 
of that year, accompanied by his famil}', he came 
to this count}', and settled in Scipio, where he still 
lives at a ripe old age. His worthy companion 
departed this life several years ago, her death hav- 
ing occurred Sept. 5, 1872. To them had been 
born five sons and four daughters, of whom George 
w.as the third child. (For further parental history 
see sketch of Leonard Proper on another page of 
this work.) 

Our subject was reared on a farm in his native 
State, and received an excellent education in the 
public schools. In youth he showed a marked 
aptitude for business, and the early promises for his 



• _^M ^» 



> ► 11 ^^ 



898 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



future success have been amply fulfiUcfl. In 1852 
he came to this count}' with his parents, and the 
followingyear he visited Kankakee County, 111., with 
a view of establishing himself there; the country, 
however, proved not so attractive to him as Michi- 
gan, and he soon returned to Scipio, where he 
became engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the 
meantime, tiring of his bachelor freedom, he wooed 
and eventually won as a life companion an accom- 
plished young lady of high mental gifts, to whom 
he was wedded April 5, 1859. Her maiden name 
was Carrie P. Richards, daughter of Judge Willard 
Richards, formerly a prominent citizen of Scipio, 
now a resident of Jonesville. (See sketch of Judge 
Richards in another part of this volume). Mrs. 
Proper was born in Perrinton, Monroe Co., N. 
Y., June 28, 1834. She inherited the best qualities 
of her parents, and grew to womanhood in her 
native town, receiving an excellent education in its 
schools, and fiora her good mother a practical 
training in domestic duties which fit her to preside 
with dignity and efficiency over her household. 
Mr. and Mrs. Proper are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Willard A., Walter G. and Hattic E. The 
eldest son, Willard, married Miss Juua MacNeal, 
and they live in Scipio Townshi[). 

The subject of our sketch has been prospered in 
all his undertakings. His farm, which is located 
in the midst of one of the most fertile and pro- 
ductive agricultural regions of this county, is well 
adapted to the raising of all the cereals, vegetables 
and fruits common to this climate. In addition to 
the care that he bestows on his broad acres, Mr. 
Proper pays much attention to dealing in stock, 
his good judgment in buying and selling making 
that branch of his industry pecuniarily profitable. 
He owns 380 acres of valuable land, the major part 
of it lying in Scipio Township, on which he has 
made many improvements, having a good dwelling 
and all necessary barns and out-buildings, evur}'- 
thing in and about the premises betokening thrift 
and skillful management. 

Mr. Proper has been intimately connected with 
the growth of his adopted township, and has con- 
tributed his quota toward the advancement of its 
interests. Socially, he is a valued member of the 
Masonic fraterisit^', and in politics is a stanch 

-^ ' 



Republican, upholding the principles of that party 
earnestly and conscientiously. He is a well-informed 
man, of unimpeachable character, and one of the 
best citizens of an intelligent community, where he 
is held in high esteem. 

■! •.o^.g)Jv><v®-o*o s-*- 

<ij[^ MANUEL BENTZ, deceased, was born in 
Germany in 1802, and came to America in 
1810, settling in New York State, where he 
learned the trade of miller, and whence he came to 
this county with his family in 183G. He settled 
among the pioneers of Allen Township, taking up 
a tract of Government land, where he labored for a 
time, then removed to Litchfield Township, and 
engaged in milling with George C. Munro, the firm 
being Munro & Bentz. 

This partnership continued a number of years, 
probably twenty, and Mr. Bentz continued a resi- 
dent of Litchfield until 18G3. He then removed 
to Hillsdale, where his death occured April 10, 1881. 
While a resident of New Y'ork State he was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah Kiefer, and they 
became the parents of seven children, four of 
whom lived to mature years, namely: William, 
John, Charles and Louisa. This lady died in Litch- 
field Township, this county, and Mr. Bentz was 
subsequently married to Mrs. Emily A. (Paddock) 
Leets, and of this union there were born two chil- 
dren — Ira R. and Edward S. Mrs. Emily Bentz 
died in Jonesville, Jul}- 23, 1886. Both she and 
Mr. B. were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and Mr. Bentz was especially devoted to 
religious work. He was at one time Postmaster of 
Litchfield, and Justice of the Peace. 



*— *-^ 



-^ 



^^^ AMUEL E. JOHNSON, farmer, occupying 
^^^ a prominent position among the citizens of 
\\J_M •''cipio Township, is a man universall}^ es- 
teemed for his sterling worth and upright 
character. He was born in the township in which 
he resides. Feb. 19. 1842. His father, Lyman 
Johnson, was a native of St. Lawrence County, N. 
Y., born Dec. 12, 1812. He was reared in his 



^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




native State and chose farming as his occupation. 
lie was an energetic, industrious joiing man, and 
before lie liad attained his majority tool; upon him- 
self the duties pertaining to the head of a househt)ld, 
l)y liis marriage in Mendon, N. Y.. June 22, 1832, 
to Miss Fannj' Benedict, a native of the P^mpii-e 
State, born in Saratoga County in September, 1813. 
After marriage Mr. .ind Mrs. Johnson remained in 
their native State lialf a dozen years or so, during 
which time Mr. Johnson was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, and was also Captain on the Erie Canal, 
where lie owned a line of boats. In the spring of 
1837 he visited Hillsdale County, and being pleased 
with the country took up a quarter-section of land 
in Scipio Township. He then returned home, and, 
settling up his affairs in New York State, in March 
of the following year brought his family, which 
then consisted of his wife, to Michigan, and located 
on his homestead on section 10 of this township, 
remaining there until his dcatii, Fel). 27, 1869. 

The subject of this sketch is the only child born 
to his i)arents now living. lie attended the public 
sciiools of his native township, and afterward studied 
for asiiort time in the Baptist College at Kalamazoo. 
.Since becoming a self-su|)[)orting member of society 
be has devoted his time and attention to agricult- 
ural |)ursuits, wherein his ability', skill and judicious 
management have won for him undisputed success. 
He is the owner of a farm consisting of 222 acres 
of highly' cultivated land, of which he may justlj- 
be proud. Uiion it stands a handsome residence, 
large and convenient barns, and other good farm 
buildings, the whole forming an attractive feature 
of tlic landscape. Mr. .lohnson has always resided 
in Scipio, but not alone lias he enjoyed the good 
things of life that have befallen him, for Oct. 13, 
1804. he was united in marriage with Miss Jane A. 
Morford.in his native townshi[). Mie is a native of 
Hillsdale C(>unty, born in Moscow Townsliip, Sept. 
5, IS-iC). Her parents, William and Zelphia L. 
(Jackson) Jlorford, natives of New York, were of 
Oernian and English origin respectively. After 
marriage they removed to Hillsdale Count}' and 
located on a farm in iloscow Townshi|), where they 
spent the remainder of their j'ears. They were the 
parents of three children — Diantha, Jane and Addie. 
Their second d;iughter is the wife of our subject, 

■^a 




and is the happy and devoted mother of two chil- 
dren — Minnie B. and Nona B. 

Mr. Johnson is an influential citizen and one of 
the representative men of his townshij) and county, 
having tlie confidence of his fellowmcn, whom he 
has satisfactorily served in nearly all the minor 
offices, and he has also served one term .as .Super- 
visor of the township, and at present is Justice of 
the Peace. He is a leading member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to the Jonesville Lodge and to 
the Commandery in Hillsdale. He h.as likewise 
been a Granger since the association was organized. 
Our subject is an earnest worker in all good and 
noble causes, and is .a consistent temperance man. 
In political belief he is a firm adherent of the Re- 
publican party. 

^ ^^^ ^ 



ON. DANIEL KINNE, who w.as prominently 
identified with the early history of Reading 
Township, died in Waterbury, \'t., Jan. 2I>, 
1 872, while there on business in the interest 
of the Colby Factory, and to which place he had 
been sent bj' the citizens of Reading as a commit- 
tee of one to confer with Mr. Colby in reference to 
this enterprise, the matter of whose construction 
w.as being agitated at that time. His illness was 
brief and his death unexpected. It consequently 
w.as a shock to the people around his old home, 
where he had followed the career of a successful 
farmer and stock-raiser since 1838. 

In May of the j-ear mentioned Mr. Kinne began 
his manhood's career by purchasing a tract of un- 
broken land on section 28. in Reading Townshii). 
He came to this section of country poor in purse, 
but with an abundance of resolution and persever- 
ance. Upon his land he put up a small "shanty" 
with a bark roof, and thereafter proceeded after the 
manner of the earlj- pioneers to bring the soil to a 
state of cultivation and build up a liome in the 
wilderness. As he approached the prime of life he 
was ranked as among the prominent and useful 
men of the conununity, one whose energy and en- 
terprise had not only elevated him to a good ])osi- 
tion, but had great influence in the building up of 
his township and the welfare of its people. 



900 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Mr. Kinne when a young man officiatefl as Super- 
visor, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of 
Highways, and in 1845 was elected Associate Judge 
of the county, which position he filled with so much 
good judgment and discretion that he was, in 1847, 
elected a representative of the count}' to the Michi- 
gan Legislature as the candidate of the Democratic 
party. In 1851 he was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention, having for its object the revis- 
ion of the statutes, and acquitted himself here as 
elsewhere with uniform ability. He was instrumental 
in causing the construction of the Lake Shore A; 
Michigan Southern Railroad, Ft. Wayne Branch, 
through this part of the county, and also in the 
laying of the plank road from Reading to Hillsdale. 
The closing work of his life was to secure the loca- 
tion of the Colby Factory in Reading, and which 
has become one of the indispensable institutions in 
this part of the county. Here all kinds of house- 
hold articles are manufactured, not alone giving to 
the people of the county said articles at a reduced 
price, but furnishing employment to a large number 
of operators. In the furtheiance of this enterprise 
Mr. Kinne exerted himself greatly, whi'-h no doubt 
resulted in his death, as he contracted a se- 
vere cold, which terminated fatally before he could 
reach his friends. His last act was to telegraph to 
his fellow-townsmen at Reading that he had adjusted 
the matter successfully with Mr. Colby, and thus 
had secured the location of the building here. As 
they look upon it they are often reminded of him 
who made such a great sacrifice. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Hebron, 
Washington Co., N. Y., April 17, 1814. His par- 
ents, Daniel and Betsy (Spencer) Kinne, were na- 
tives of Vermont and of old New England ancestry. 
They were married in the Green Mountain State, 
and the father died in Hebron, N. Y.. in 1828, in 
middle life. His wife subsequently came to this 
State to live with her son, Daniel, Jr., and died at 
his home in Reading Township, Feb. 16, 1871, at 
the advanced age of eighty-four years. She was 
tor years a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Daniel Kinne, Jr., remained with his mother until 
his marriage. At an early age he was trained 
to habits of industry', and when a youth under- 



-••- 



stood that he had to make his own way in the world. 
He was married in Collins Township, p]rie Co., N. 
Y., Feb. 11, 1836, to Miss Myrtilla Fritts, who was 
the only daughter and second child of Francis 
Fritts, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in 
this work. She was born at Queensbury, Warren 
Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1816, and was taken by her 
parents to Collins when quite young. She died at 
her home in Reading Township, this county, Dec. 
27, 1866. She was a lady of many estimable quali- 
ties, industrious and economical, and became the 
mother of five daughters, three of whom are de- 
ceased, namely: Helen, Mrs. Benjamin F. Moss; 
Louise, who died at the age of thirty-four j'cars, 
and Mattie, an infant. Those living are Mrs. Betsy 
S. Russell, who was born in Reading Township, 
April 5, 1844, and Ann E., the wife of Samuel Orr, 
a well-to-do farmer of Reading Township, who has 
a farm of 120 acres on section 21. Mrs. Betsy 
Russell completed her education in Hillsdale Col- 
lege, and subsequently took a course in the State 
Normal School, at Ypsilanti, where she prepared 
herself for a teacher, and entered upon her duties 
as such when but sixteen years of age. She taught 
thereafter in the schools of Reading Township until 
her marriage, which took place in Reading, Oct. 
30, 1867. Her husband, PiUis Russell, is a native 
of Orleans County, N. Y., born Nov. 8, 1838, and 
is the son of Newton and Esther (Dinsmore) Rns- 
sell, the former of whom died in 1864. The elder 
Russell followed farming in Reading Township 
for some years before his death. He was born in 
Massachusetts, Sept. 3, 1801. His wife is still liv- 
ing at the old farm, and has now arrived at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-one years, having been born 
on the seventh day of the seventh month of the 
seventh year of this century, in Ontario County, N. 
Y. Both she and her husband were Spiritualists in 
religious belief. 

The eighth child of his parents and their seventh 
son, Ellis Russell, who was familiarly called "Doc," 
was one of twelve children, nine sons and three 
daughters, who with two exceptions are living, one 
having died unnamed in infancy, and Asa, who died 
in 1879, at the age of forty-five years, having been 
born in 1834. He left a wife and two children. 
"Doc" Russell, now occupying the Kinne homestead, 



■•► 






-^•- 



-•»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



901 



has been well eflucatecl anrl was a teacher for some 
time; he is now intcrcf^ted in the manufacture of 
cheese, at Reariin<j. His wife, Betsey Russell, owns 
148 acres of the Kinne homestead, and is the mother 
of three cliildren, two of whom, D. Kinne and 
Clara, died in early childhood. Helen, the daugh- 
ter surviving, was educated in Reading and re- 
mains at home with her parents. Mr. Russell, in 
politics is a Greeubacker. 

Mrs. Ann E. Orr, the j'ounger daughter of Hon. 
Daniel Kinne, was born on tlie old homestead in 
Reading Township, Oct. 7, 1849. Her early life 
was spent under the home roof, and her education 
was acquired in the schools of Rending and supple- 
mented by attendance at Hillsdale College. .She 
remained with her parents until lier marriage with 
Mr. .Samuel Orr, which occurred at her home April 
12, 1876, and they commenced the journey of life 
together near the village of Reading on a farm, a 
part of the old homestead. Mr. Orr was born in 
Madison. Ind., Oct. 27, 1848. and is the son of Jo- 
seph and Elizabeth (Frick) Orr, the former of 
whom died in Reading Township in 1887. The 
latter is still living here, and has attained her three- 
score j-ears. 

Samuel Orr was reared chic^fly in Cambria T(jwn- 
ship, having been brought by his parents to this 
State when but a year old. He also was well edu- 
cated, and in polities is a Democrat. He under- 
stands farming thoroughly, and is making of life a 
success, both as a business man and a member of 
the community. 



•4- 






^- 



^1^ ENRY W. WOODS, a successful general far- 
'y mer, feeder and shipper, of Cambria Town- 
ship, is also agent for the Northwestern 
W Fertilizer Company, of Chicago, for this 
county, in the interests of which he is building up a 
good patronage. His property includes 120 acres 
of land on sections 9 and 10. and he has a first-class 
set of farm buildings, most of which have been 
erected by himself, and are entirely creditable 
to his taste and skill. He has been the owner of 
tliis farm for a period of twenty-two years and a 
resident of Hillsdale County since January, 1858. 
•^•- 



He at that time settled in Cambria Township, among 
whose people he has lived for a period of more than 
thirty years, and has fully established himself in 
their confidence and esteem. 

The early home of our subject was on the other 
side of the Atlantic, in Norfolk County, England, 
where his birth took place Aug. 31, 1841. His 
father, William Woods, was also of English birth 
and ancestry, and a native of the same county as 
his son. The paternal grandfather was born, lived 
and died in Norfolk County, passing from earth at 
the ripe old age of ninetj'-eight years. His son 
William spent his boyhood and youth near the 
place of his birth, and was married to a young 
woman who became the mother of ten children, .and 
died in England about 1837. His second wife, the 
mother of our subject, was Miss Mary, daughter of 
Henry Pett, who was a native of the same county 
as the AYoods family, where he spent his entire life, 
and died when eighty-six years old. 

William Woods after his second marriage and the 
birth of four children, not being content with his 
prospects upon his native soil, started with his fam- 
ily for America in the spring of 1851. Embark- 
ing on a sailing-vessel from London, lhe3' landed in 
New York City, and for sis years following were 
residents of Buffalo, where a son and daughter were 
added to the family circle. In 1857 they came to 
Southern Michigan, locating at once in Hillsdale 
Township, but later removed to Cambria Township, 
where the father died in 1858, at the age of sixty- 
four years. The mother contracted a second mar- 
riage, with Joel Smith, of Hillsdale, and is now liv- 
ing in lliat city. 

The subject of this biography was the eldest of 
his mother's children, and was ten years of age when 
he emigrated from his native land. He completed 
his education in the schools of Cambria To^vnship. 
and was seventeen years of age at the time of his 
father's death. He then became practically the 
he.ad of a household, and continued with his mother 
until his marriage. This most iinporUint event of 
his life was celebrated at the home of the bride. 
Miss Mary O'Donoughuc, of Reading Township, 
who was born in New York State and came with 
her parents to Michigan when a child. She was 
reared and educated in the townships of Reading 




902 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



and Hillsdale, and occupied herself as a teacher 
before her marriage. She became the motiier of 
four children, two of whom are deceased, and de- 
parted this life at her home in Cambria Township, 
in June, 1870. Her daughter. Agues M., and the 
son, Robert IL, are attending school at Hillsdale. 
The former is a graduate of Hillsdale High School. 
The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in Franlilin Township, Lenawee County, 
June 21, 1881, was formerly Miss Mary J. Taylor, 
who was born in that township, Dec. 4, 1848, and 
is the daughter of Rodman and Cynthia Taylor, 
who came to Lenawee County from York State in 
1829 and 1832 respectively. This lady acquired a 
good education, and followed teaching before her 
marriage. The two children of this union are Fi-ank 
R. find Carlton, bright little boys of Ave and one and 
a half years. Mr. Woods is a man of excellent busi- 
ness capacities, and in his farming operations has 
uniformly met with success. He votes the straight 
Republican ticket, and with his estimable wife, is 
a member in good standing of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



^/ AEON A. HOWARD, M. D., one of the most 
I (® poi)ular men of Litchfield, and thoroughly 
/J L^ successful as a physician and surgeon, came 
to tliis county with his father when a lad twelve 
}'ears of age, and since that time has made his home 
in the West. Dr. Howard w.as born in Livingston 
County, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1841, and was the second 
child of Labon and Jane (Witter) Howard, the 
latter the second wife of her husband. They were 
the parents of four children, three sons and one 
daughter; one son died in infancy, and our subject 
and his sister are residents of Michigan. 

Our subject when an infant was taken by his par- 
ents to Avon, N. Y., where he spent his childhood 
years, and conned his first lessons in the village 
school at Perry Center. His studies were continued 
in the schools of Allen Township, this county, and 
completed in the Union School at Jonesville, where 
he attended several terms. Subsequently he worked 
on a farm in the summer and taught during the 
winter terras, for a period of six j'ears. At the 
expiration of this time he made up his mind to 



•^b^: 



enter the medical profession, and for this purpose 
went into the offlue of Dr. E. M. Shaw, of Allen 
Village, where he read medicine ten months, and 
in August, 18C4, enlisted in the army as Hospital 
Steward, with the 4th Michigan Infantry. He took 
his books with him and pursued his studies as he 
liad opportunity, while the practice which he gained 
was a material beneBt. Nine months from the 
time of entering the service he was promoted to the 
post of Assistant Surgeon of the 3d Michigan In- 
fantry, and continued at his post until the close of 
the war, when he received his honorable discharge. 
The month of June, 186G, found Dr. Howard on 
the plains of Texas, where, with the 4th Michigan 
Infantry, he marched thirty miles without water, 
and during which time forty men were felled by 
sunstroke for the want of this indispensable bever- 
age. This expedition was undertaken after Lee's 
surrender. Gen. Kirby Smith still holding out in 
Texas. 

In the fall of 1866 Dr. Howard returned to the 
bounds of civilization, and entering the Eclectic 
Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was graduated 
with the class of '67. He commenced the regular 
practice of his ])rofession in June of that 3'ear, and 
has since continued a resident of Litchfield. He 
found his wife among the maidens of Litchfield 
Township, Miss Carrie E. Stilwell, to whom he was 
married May 10, 1868. Mrs. Howard was born 
April 19, 1859, in Scipio Township, and was the 
youngest child of her parents. They removed to 
the village not long afterward, and Mrs. H., after 
attending the Union School, of Jonesville, spent 
several terms in Hillsdale College, and taught, a 
year before her marriage. Her father was also a 
native of Livingston County, N. \., born in the 
town of Sparta, and came to this county during its 
pioneer days, where he was in due time the owner of 
a good farm. Later he went to California, and was 
accidentally killed by a team running away, in 1885. 
The mother, formerly Miss Cornelia C. Culver, was 
also a native of the Empire State, and is still living 
in Litchfield, being sixty-five years of iige. Their 
family of five children included three sons and two 
daughters. 

The parents of our subject were natives of New 
York State, the father born in Livonia, Livingston 

•► 



I 



-4*- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



903 



•T 



County, anfl the mother in LaGrange. Wyoming 
County. After marrijige they settled in Living- 
ston County, where the elder Howard carried on 
farming until 1843. when he removed to LaGrange 
and conducted a hotel two years. He then pur- 
chased a farm in the vicinity of Avon, and two 
j'ears later took up his residence in Perry, where 
he remained until the )'ear 1854, and then came to 
this count}'. The mother died when comparatively 
a young woman, in 1848, at the age of twenty- 
seven years. Labon Howard survived until 1868, 
his death taking place in Allen Village when he was 
sixty -eight years old. In earlj' life he was a mem- 
ber of the old Whig party, and at its abandonment 
affiliated with the Republicans, and held the various 
township offices. The mother of our subject was 
his second wife, Mary J. Witter, his first liaving 
been Miss Mary Shepard, who died, leaving one 
child, a daughter, who is now de.ad. His third wife, 
Mrs. Mary Anna Rogers, bore him five children, 
four of whom are now living in this county. To 
the Doctor and Mrs. Howard there were born four 
children, of whom Loie E. died when two years old. 
The others, also sons, are: Clifford G., a lad of fif- 
teen; Walton W., thirteen jears old, and Harry W., 
a little lad of six j'ears. The first mentioned are 
attending the Union High .School in Litchfield, 
being members of the cl.iss of ''JO. The practice 
of Dr. Howard has steadily increased, and he now 
commands the patronage of a large jn'oportion of 
the best residents of the northwestern part of this 
county. He and his excellent wife are members of 
the Baptist Cliurch, in Litchfield, in which our 
subject officiates as Trustee, and has been Sunday- 
school Superintendent for a period of eight or ten 
j'ears. He is warmly interested in the success of 
the temperance movement. 

Dr. and Mrs. Howard are cultured and intelli- 
gent, licing members and graduates of the Chau- 
tauqua Literary Course. The Doctor is connected 
with the State Eclectic Medical and Surgical Asso- 
ciation, of which he was at one time President. He 
was also Medical Director of the State G. A. R. one 
year, and the Post at Litchfield was organized 
mainlj' througli his effdrts, in 1884, and of which 
he is a charter member. He was its first Com- 
mander, and has been regularly elected each j-ear 



since. He was President of the Village Board four 
years, with an intermission of one ye.ar. and in his 
district h.as served as a member of the board three 
3'ears. and again a term of two years as Director. 
Politically, he has identified himself with the Prohi- 
bitionists. His pleasant home on Chicago street is 
indicative of cultured tastes and ample means, and 
is the frequent resort of the refined and educated 
people of the town. 



WjARREN JACKSON, Justice of the Peace, 
insurance agent and general collector, at 
Litchfield, is a gentleman of more than 
ordinary intelligence, well educated, and having a 
thorough knowledge of common law. He is a man 
of the liighest moral principles and strict integrity, 
faithful as a friend, a man who loves his home and 
his family, and is in all respects fulfilling the ideal of 
the model citizen. 

Our sulijcct is the offspring of an excellent familj', 
being the son of Obed and Lydia (Varnnm) .lack- 
son, who were both natives of New York State, the 
father born in Jefferson County and the mother 
in Delaware County. He traces his ancestry back 
to three brothers, John. James and Andrew, who 
emigrated from England during the Colonial times, 
and were of German and English descent. Obed 
Jackson assisted in driving the British from Ameri- 
can soil during the troubles of 1812, and his father, 
.an old frontiersman, did good service in the Revo- 
lutionary War. After his marriage Obed Jackson 
settled in Brownsville, near Sackett's Harbor, in 
Jefferson County, N. Y., where he carried on farming 
.and coopering until setting out for the Territory of 
AUchigan, in 1837. 

U|)on Ills arrival in Southern Michigan, the 
father of our subject secured a tract of land in 
Ridgeway Township, Lenawee Conntj', ui)on which 
he lived and labored for a period of thirty years, 
then retiring from active labor lenioved to Char- 
lotte, in Eaton County, where his death took pl.ace 
in 1881. when he was eighty -five years old. The 
mother had died in 187.5, .aged seventy-eight years. 
Their nine children consisted of six sons and three 
daughters, Warren, our subject, being the seventh 



1 



■4*- 



904 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in order of Ijirth. He began life in Brownsville, 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, liS28, .'ind afqiiired 
Lis education in the district school, mostly during 
the summer season. He was a lad eight years of 
age when coming to Michigan, and completed his 
studies in one of the first school-houses in Lenawee 
County, which he also assisted in building. The 
academy at Tecumseh was a branch of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, and this young Jackson also 
attended one term. He afterward became Prin- 
cipal of what was known as the old Academy at 
Ann Arbor. Always found of study he acquitted 
himself creditably as a student, and made the first 
speech in favor of organizing a Union School at 
Ann Arbor, under special legislative enactment. 
This project, which at first met with ridicule and 
opposition, was finally carried out, and found to be a 
most wise proceeding. 

Mr. Jackson was Piincii)al of the Academy at 
Ann Arbor four years, and when the Union School 
was finally organized, became Principal of its gram- 
mar department, whicli position he held for a 
period of eight years. He declined the honor of 
entire Superintendent, which he was solicited to 
become. While connected with the Union School 
at Ann Arbor, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Chloe Smith, the wedding taking place March 15, 
1857, at the home of the bride in Adrian, Micii. 

Mrs. Jackson is the daughter of Alanson D. and 
Hannah M. (Brown) Smith, who were natives of 
Ontario County, N. Y. After marriage they set- 
tled at Macedon, that State, where they continued 
to live until 1837, when they cast their lot with 
the pioneers of Southern Michigan. Mr. Smith 
was a (Quaker in religious belief. He acquired a 
good property in real estate and Government bonds. 
He spent his last years near the city of Adrian, 
dying at his home there on the 3d of March, 1880 
when sixty-nine years old. The mother is still 
living, and makes her home with her son-in-law, 
Warren, our subject, and has now spanned her 
fourscore years. They were the parents of eight 
children, throe sons and five daughters, of whom 
Mrs. Jackson, the ehlest, was born July 22, 1835, 
in Macedon, N. Y'. She was a child two years of 
age when brought to Michigan bj- her parents, and 
after leaving the district school, in Adrian Town- 



ship, returned to her native State and attended the 
Academy at Macedon. Her studies were resumed 
at Raisin Valley Institute, in Lenawee County, this 
State. Mrs. Jackson then engaged as a teacher in 
the Third Ward school with her husband three 
terms .as his .assistant after their marri.age. After 
this event they settled down in a pleasant home at 
Litchfield, and became the parents of six children, 
two of whom, Frederick and Charles B., died at 
the .ages of iiifancy and seven respectively. Their 
eldest son living. Elwood W., attended Hillsdale 
College three years, and is now stud}'ing law with 
A. B. St. John, of that city; Sarah Lillian, also 
finely educated, was graduated from the Conserva- 
tory of Music, at Albion, and is now at home with 
her parents; she occupies herself as a teacher of 
instrumental music, and has been organist of the 
Congregational Church five years. Grace C. is the 
wife of Lawrence G. Avery, a graduate of the law 
department of the Michigan University, and now 
a practicing attorney of East Saginaw; William S. 
is pursuing his studies in Litchfield in the class 
of '91. 

Mr. Jackson came to this county in the fall of 
18(55, and for thirty -three consecutive terms there- 
after had charge of the Litchfield Union School, 
which he established upon a firm foundation, and 
increased the attendance from 1 50 to 300. As a 
disciplinarian he is acknowledged to be first class, 
and it was through .his instrumentality that music 
was instituted, an organ was placed in the school- 
room, a bell upon the building, and numberless 
other improvements brought about which added 
greatly to the standing and importance of the 
institution. In addition to his erudition, his re- 
fined and cultivated tastes were of great service in 
educating the rising generation upon the higher 
plane which will have its influence upon all their 
after life. 

Mr. Jackson commenced the regular study of 
law at Ann Arbor in a private class of four stu- 
dents, and there attained a fine insight into the best 
n)ethods adopted in the practice of the profession. 
He h.as served now as Justice of the Peace five 
terms, a period of about twenty years. A Repub- 
lican in politics, he was twice elected delegate to 
the State Convention at Detroit, and has repre- 



-^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



905 



1 



sented his townsliip in the County Board three 
terms. He :ukI his estiniablu wife are members of tiie 
Presbj'terian Chiircli, at Ann Arbor. Socially. Mr. 
Jackson belongs to Franklin I^odge No. 40. A. F. 
<fe A. M., in which he has lield several ofTiecs. He 
is a warm advocate of temperance principles and 
shares the National veneration for the name of 
Abraham Lincoln. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson is pleasantly 
located on Chicago street, in the northern part of the 
town, and in all its appointments indicates the 
refined tastes of its inmates. The wife of pur sub- 
ject is a most amiable and accomplished lady, one 
whoni her husband and children delight to honor. 
She has been a most efficient helpmate and com- 
panion to her husband, strengthening him in his 
worthy ambitions and standing bravely by his side 
through both storm and sunshine. 

_ .^K^ ^ 



■it/ AMES McDOUGALL. This gentleman is 
numbered among the earlj' pioneers of Mich- 
igan, who, during their younger years, la- 
bored incessantly and endured privation and 
hardship, liut who now in life's decline are per- 
mitted to enjoy the fruit of their toils. He aban- 
doned active labor in 188.'), removing from his farm 
in Woodbridge Township in the month of April, 
and taking up his residence in Cambria Village, 
where he now resides. 

Mr. McDougall celebrated New Year's D.ay. 18.50, 
by his arrival in this county, ;ind shortly afterward 
took up a tract (jf laud in Woodbi'idge T(iwnshi[), 
where he labored after the fashion of the men of 
those days in this locality', cultivating the soil, and 
effecting one imi)rovemeul after another, until he 
was owner of one of the best farms in the southern 
part of the county. 

Our subject was born on the other side of the 
Atlantic, near the citj' of Glasgow, Scotland. Dec. 
27, 1819. His father, Robert McDougall, was for 
years a newspa|)er reporter for several of the 
journals of Glasgow, among them the Chronicle, 
and later the Edinburgh Scotchman. He ilied dur- 
ing his connection with the latter paper, in 1838, 
at the .age of forty-one years. Of pure Scotch 



ancesUy. he was reared and married near the early 
home of his soh. our subject, and the maiden whom 
he chose for his life partner. Miss Jane Moore, was 
also of Scotch birth and ancestry', and the offspring 
of one of the best families of th.at region. She was 
a lady of great strength of character, highly intelli- 
gent, and lived to an advanced age, spending her 
later days at the home of her daughter in Scotland, 
where she passed away about 1870. After the 
death of her first husband she was married to John 
Campbell, whom she survived ten years. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
six children, three sons and three daughters, of 
whom James and his sister Margaret are the only 
survivors. The latter is the wife of John Brown, 
a shoemaker by trade, and they continue residents 
of their native Scotland. Our subject w.as the 
fourth child of the family, and started out to make 
his own living when a lad ten years of .age. He 
came to this countr}- in 1848, $100 in debt, but 
fortunately he had married one of the best of women, 
who stood bravely b}- his side and labored with 
him in releasing themselves from their obligations, 
and i>rovidiug a home for the future. 

Mrs. McDougall, who in her girlhood was Miss 
Agnes Boyle, was born near the boyhood home of 
her husband in .Scotland, in Fehruaiy, 1817, and is 
the daughter of Andrew and .lanel (Mann) Boyle, 
who were als(j of Scotch birth and [tarentage. Her 
father spent his entire life upon his native soil, and 
there his remains were laid to lesl. He was si.\ty 
jears (jld at the time of his death. The mother 
emigrated to America about 18.j4, and during the 
late Civil War died .at the home of her daughter, 
Mrs. Dow, in Cambria Townshi|), when seventy- 
seven years of .age. 

Mrs. McDougall was reared to womanhood under 
the [taienlal roof, and became the wife of our sub- 
ject in March, 1 831), before crossing the Atlantic. 
Her four eldest children were natives of her own 
country. Of these Janet, the eldest daughter, is 
the wife of Rol)ert Moore, a well-to-do farmer of 
Woodbridge 'I'ownship, this county; Robert mar- 
ried Miss Agnes Dow, and is farming in Hillsdale 
Township; James took to wife Miss Elizabeth Bole, 
and has charge of the old homestead in Wood- 
bridge Township; Andrew m.arried Miss Delia Hub- 



-•► 



i 



■^•- 



■•► 



906 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



•f 



l)le, and is carrj-ing on agriculture in Woodbriflge 
Township; Jenn, who. with the younger children, 
was born in America, is now the wife of Eobert 
Carruthers, and with her brother and sister, .lohn 
and Agnes, resides in Woodbridge Township; John 
married Miss Cadis Root, of Ohio, and Agnes is 
the wife of Hosea Curtis, who, in addition to farm- 
ing, opeiates a threshing-machine; Maggie, the 
youngest of the family living, makes her home with 
her parents. Three children died in infancy un- 
named. 

Upon the outbreak of the late Rebellion, Mr. 
McDougall and his eldest son, Robert, who had 
inherited from their liberty-loving ancestry the 
principles of freedom, and who had become fully 
identified with the interests of their adopted country, 
laid down the implements of agriculture, and prof- 
fered their services to assist in the maintenance of 
the Union. Robert, who was but eigliteen years 
old, enlisted in the 2d Michigan Cavalrj-, and was 
in many active engagements, and for a time was a 
member of a scouting party sent out to watch tiie 
movements of the enemy in the vicinity of Cleve- 
land, Tenn.; he received a wound which resulted 
in the loss of his left leg, on account of which he 
now receives a pension from the Government. 

Mr. McDougall became a member of Com|>an}' 
C, 1st Michigan Infantry, commanded by Capt. 
.Sanford, with Col. Robertson at the head of the 
regiment. The 1st Michigan was assigned to the 
Army of the Potomac, and with the exception of 
the fight at Gettysburg, Pa., Mr. McDougall was 
jjresent in all the battles of his regiment. His 
absence upon this occasion was due to a serious 
attack of fever, during which he was compelled to 
remain in the hospital. He afterwaid met the 
enemy at Gaines Mills. IMalvern Hills, the Wilder- 
ness, and participated in the various minor eiig.age- 
ments, from all of which he escaped both wounds 
and capture. Feeling that his whole duty was not 
j'et accomplished, Mr. McDougall, in 1863, sent his 
second son, James, into the army, this boy also 
being but eighteen years of age. James enlisted in 
the 27th Michigan Infantry, and was in both the 
Array of the Potomac and the Armj' of the Ten- 
nessee, his regiment joining the latter upon the day 
that fire was opened in the battle of the Wilderness, 



and of which the 1st Michigan, heretofore spoken 
of, was at the frcmt. James also escaped wounds 
and capture, and was returned unharmed to an 
anxious mother, who had suffered all the apprehen- 
sion during the absence of her husband and sons 
which was the lot of so many mothers dniing that 
memorable period. 

Mr. McDougall upon becoming a naturalized 
citizen identified himself with the Republican party, 
of which he has still continued a zealous supporter, 
and it is hardly necessarj* to say that the sons in 
this respect follow in their father's footsteps. 



-^'vrv, -vtaec/©-^' 



*^s5J/jra?r»v. 



OHN W. LAMBERT, of Hillsdale, is pro- 
prietor of one of the best regulated meat 
markets in the city, and probably in the 
whole count}'. He has the true and proper 
conception of the manner in which this important 
business should be conducted, and his methods 
should be a standing rebuke to a majority of the 
institutions carried on for the purpose of supply- 
ing the people with this most essential article of 
food. He occupies a neat two-story brick build- 
ing, which is amplj' equipped with all the fixtures 
and appliances for the proper transaction of a busi- 
ness of this kind, and which is light, commodious 
and clean, and well stocked at all times with the 
freshest of choice meats and their concomitants. 
Our suliject was born on the other side of the 
Atlantic, in the county of Kent, England, Sept. 20, 
1832. He acquired his education in the com- 
mon schools of his native county, where he con- 
tinued to live until the spring of 1858. Then 
deciding to seek his fortunes in the New World, he 
crossed the Atlantic, landing in the city of New 
York, and from there came directlj' to this county. 
In Januarj-, 1863, he began the business which h.as 
since afforded him a comfortable income, and in 
which he has been the leading man for many years. 
His first location was on Broad street, which stand 
he occupied a number of years, and then being 
obliged to enlarge his facilities, removed to the 
site of his present building. The structure which 
he first occupied was destroyed by fire in 1872. 
From this loss he recovered in a short time, and put 



n 



<^ 



a 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



907 



up his present fine brick store, which occupies an 
area of 22x100 feet," and is two stories in height. 
There is also a good cellar with all the facilities for 
preserving meats. In addition to this industry 
Mr. Lambert has a steam chopper for the manu- 
facture of sausage and all the other necessary 
machinery. A market garden and hot-house pro- 
vide the delicacies of the season. 

Mr. Lambert in the prosecution of his large busi- 
ness gives employment, in the summer time es- 
pecially, to about twent^'-five men, and for tlie 
supply of his regular trade butchers twelve head 
of cattle weekly, besides the sheep, calves and 
smaller animals. His excellent judgment and 
adaptation to tiiis industry have secured him the 
patronage of the best residents of Hillsdale and 
vicinity. He commenced in life at tiie foot of the 
lad<ler, comparatively without means, and his suc- 
cess is solely the result of his own industr}', perse- 
verance, and the good judgment with which nature 
has endowed hiui. 

-» .^^ ^ 



KXRY INGALSBEP:. The neat farm of 
this gentleman is noticeable among the other 
homesteads of Woodbridgc Township for 
(^) ''''® thorough cultivation to which the land 
has been subjected and the neat and substantial set 
of farm buildings. In all its appointments there is 
evidence of the thrift and industry of the propri- 
etor, who has let nothing run to waste, and from 
the rich resources of the soil has <leveloped a valu- 
able farm which is the source of a fine income, and 
from which he will gather the wherewitlial for 
future years when he siiall be less inclined to labor. 

Our subject was born in Deerfield Township, 
Lenawee County, this Slate, .Ian. G, 184.5, and is 
the son of John and Sibbel (Farmer) Ingillsbee, 
who were natives of New York State. They were 
there also reared and married, then came to Michi- 
gan, lived iiere only a few years, then returned to 
the Empire State, but in IHoGonce more Sf)ughtthe 
West, and here sjient the remainder of their days. 
The family is a mixture of Holland-Dutch and New 
England ancestry. 

The subject of this sketch accpiired his education 



in the common schools, and early in life became in- 
timately acquainted with the various employments 
of the farm. After becoming of .age he was mar- 
ried, Sept. 22, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Hollinshead, 
who was born near West Unit^', Ohio, .Jan. 8, 18.52. 
The parents of Mrs. Ingalsbee were James and 
Permelia (Jenkins) Hollinsheail, who were natives 
of Ohio. The mother died in that State a number of 
years ago. Of this union there were born eight 
children, namely: John, who died in childhood; 
William, a resident of Cambria Township, this 
county; Francis M., a resident of Jamestown. Ind.; 
Jlartha A., the wife of Ara Ingalsbee, of Grand 
Rapids; Mary J., the wife of our subject; Burton, 
a resident of Colon, Mich., and Henry, of Grand 
Rapids. The father subsequently married Miss 
Mary Jenkins, and is jjroprietor of a fine flouring- 
mill in Colon, where he resides. Of hissecond mar- 
riage there were born the following children : Ells- 
worth and Ellwood (twins), Adolia li. and Lillj' E. 
To our subject and his wife there were born four 
children: Cl.ara, the eldest, is the wife of Clarence 
Stevens, and resides in Woodbridge; Lily E., Flor- 
ence and Myrtie are at home with their par- 
ents, and pursuing their studies in the district 
school. Mr. Ingalsbee has taken an ictive interest 
in educational matters, and has been a member of the 
School Boiu'd of his district. He served three terms 
!is Township Treasurer, but declined a reuomina- 
tion. and lias occupied other positions of trust and 
resjionsibility. He niiiforinly votes the Republican 
ticket, and is also a I'lol'.iliitionist. The brothers 
of our subject are living in Michigan. Siinuel 
married Miss Rlioda Divine, and Ara married Miss 
Martha Hollinshead. The parents of Mrs. Ingals- 
bee were of English descent. 



EROY T. GARDNER is an industrious far- 
mer and worthy citizen of Scipio Township, 
where he is the owner of a good farm 
on section 7. He is a native of the Empire State, 
born in Oakflcld. Genesee County, Jan. 11, 1850. 
His father, George Gardner, was born near Seneca 
Lake, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1808, and remained there 
until nearly twelve years of age, when he went 




-^ 







908 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



to live in Genesee County. After he grew to 
niauhoocl he became a carpenter and millwright, 
and followed those occupations in his native State 
until the spring of 1869. Then desiring to invest 
his money in farming land, Mr. Gardner came to 
Michigan and purchased 140 acres in Scipio Town- 
ship, where he settled with his famil)'. He at once 
commenced to work on his farm, and found plenty 
to employ his time and energies, remaining there 
busily engaged until his death, March 6, 1880. He 
was a just and honorable man, and a good citizen 
in every sense of the word. The maiden name of 
his wife, the mother of our subject, was Mary 
Pugsley, who was born in Hector, Schuyler Co., N. 
Y., Jan. 29, 1815. Her marriage to Mr. Gardner 
took place in Genesee County, Dec. 23, 1835. She 
survives her husband at an advanced age. To them 
were born five children, namely : Jane E., the eldest, 
is the wife of G. M. Gardner, of Litciifield Town- 
ship; an infant and Lafaj'ctte, deceased; Leroy T., 
and Samuel A., deceased. 

The subject of our sketch si)ent his early years 
in his native county, where he attended the district 
school, remaining in New York until his removal to 
this county in 18G9. Since starling in life for 
himself he has been actively eng.nged in agricultural 
pursuits, and by well-directed toil and thrift, has 
met with good success in his chosen occupation. 
He has a valuable farm, on which he has made 
many substantial improvements; the fields are care- 
fully tilled, and the buildings are neat and well 
kept. In all his labors he has had the hearty co- 
operation of the good woman whom he was so fortu- 
nate to secure for his wife. Her maiden name was 
Emma Van Wert, and their marriage was celebrated 
in Calhoun County, Mich., Jan. 18, 1871. Her 
parents, William and Temperance (Tiffany) Van 
Wert, were natives of New York, who left their 
early home and became pioneers of Calhoun County. 
After settling in Michigan they entered actively 
into the work of developing the resources of the 
county, and became closely identified with its 
growth. They spent their last years in that county, 
Mr. Van Wert dying in 1852, and his good wife, 
who survived him a quarter of a century, passed 
quietl}^ away in Ma3', 1877. They were the par- 
ents of twelve children, nine daughters and three 



-bo- 



sons, of whom the wife of our subject, the }'oungest 
of the family, was born in Homer, March 23. 1851. 
Since becoming the wife of Mr. Gardner she has 
proved herself to be one of those women of rare 
ability and excellence, who can give due attention 
to household matters, care for her children with 
tender devotion, find time to interest herself in her 
husband's affairs, assisting him with her counsels 
and encouraging him by her sympathy, and still 
have requisite leisure for her social duties. To her 
and her husband have been born four children, 
namely : Wilbur L., Bessie, Lena M. and Arthur B. 
In politics Mr. Gardner is a Republican, and con- 
scientiously casts his vote with that [larty. He is 
honest and straightforward in his dealings, and is 
considered a good neighbor and kinil friend. 



-<:i^ 



"iflOHN G. McWILLIAM is one of the oldest 
surviving settlers of Hillsdale Count}', and 
occupies an honorable place in its history. 
(^^^ He has for man}- j'ears been a prominent 
factor in develoi)ing and promoting its farming 
interests, owning and managing a valuable farm of 
107 acres on section 29, Camden Township. This 
forms a part of the 146 acres which his father, one 
of the early pioneers of Lenawee Count}-, entered 
from the Government, and our subject commenced 
its clearance from the heavy growth of timber which 
covered it in 1842, but did not settle on it perma- 
nently until after his marriage, two or three years 
later. 

Mr. McAVilliam is a native of Saratoga Count}-, 
N. Y., l)orn Aug. 9, 1822, and a son of Abner J. 
and Agnes McWilliam. When he was eleven daj's 
old he was bereft of a mother's care. His father 
continued to live in New York until 1832, when 
he migrated with his family to the forest wilds of 
the Territory of Michig.an, and located in what is 
now known as the township of Deerfleld, and actively 
assisted in its development. He was a sturdy, 
courageous, hard-working man, and bravely faced 
a life of toil and self-denial that he might leave his 
family in prosperous circumstances. After coming 
to Michigan he made his home in Lenawee County 



t 



»» ^ ll 4t 



HILLSDALE COUJSTY. 



909 



until his death, and by his honorable course won 
the entire respect and esteem of the people among 
whom he had settled. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood 
on his father's homestead, developing a strong and 
self-reliant character under the hardships and pri- 
vations of the primitive mode of life necessitated 
by the condition of the country in those pioneer 
daj's, which, with the inheritance from the hardy 
Scotch ancestry from whom his father was derived, 
of thrifty habits, keen foresight and a vigorous 
constitution. Lave enabled him to become prosper- 
ous and successful in the calling of a farmer, to 
which he was bred and which he has always pur- 
sued. The educational advantages of those da3's 
were not such as the youth of the jM-esent genera- 
tion enjo3', but he eagerly availed himself of such 
schooling as was afiforded by his early home, and 
his later one in Lenawee County, lie remained an 
inmate of his father's home in Ueerfield Township, 
actively assisting him in the conduct of his farm 
until 18-12, when he started out in the world for 
himself, and, as before stated, came to Hillsdale 
County and commenced the difficult task of felling 
trees and uprooting stumps to prepare his land for 
tillage. 

On the 27th of April, 1845, Mr. McWilliam was 
united in marriage to Miss Sallie Westfall, daughter 
of Jacob U. and Mary Westfall. For over forty- 
three years they have worked together hand in 
hand, mutually assisting each other in the upbuild- 
ing of their pleasant and commodious home, 
and equally sharing life's burdens and joys. She 
was born in Ontario County', N. Y., March 17, 
1819, and it was while on a visit, in 1844, to her 
brother, Eli Westfall, in Camden Township, that 
she made the acquaintance of our subject, which 
resulted in their subsequent happy union. Of the 
eleven children born to the parents of Mrs. McWill- 
iam, the following are known to survive: Charles, 
L^'dia, .lane, Cenia, Eli, David, Sallie and Albert 
\Y. To Mr. and Mrs. McWilliam have been born 
three children : Estelle, the wife of S. W. Huggett, 
of Camden Township; Abner J. and Albert W. 
Their two sons are now dead. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. McWilliam imme- 
diately settled on their present farm, which he has 



i' 



steadily and continuously improved until it ranks 
with the best cultivated and best managed farms 
in this neighborhood, and is well supplied with 
good farm buildings and the ncccssaiy farm ma- 
chinery for successfully conducting agriculture. 

The sturdy, practical common sense of our sub- 
ject has made him a desirable township official in 
the e3'es of his fellow-citizens, who have honored 
him and themselves by electing him at various 
times to responsible positions, whose duties he has 
discharged with honestj' and fidelity, and an ear- 
nest desire to promote the best interests of this 
community. He has been Township Treasurer, 
has served as Justice of the Peace for about eight 
years, and as Road Commissioner for a number of 
terms. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and 
uses all his influence in favor of the candidates and 
measures of that party. 



'5f?0HN MILLER, late a well-known resident 
of the city of Hillsdale, departed this life 
at his residence on Howell street, Dec. 26, 
^^y 1887, aged sixty-five years. He was born 
in Northampton, i\Lass., in 1 822, and in early life 
removed to Newark, N. Y., where he was married 
to Mrs. Anna Furman, who survives him. They 
had no children. The year after his marriage Mr. 
Miller, accompanied by his wife, came to this 
county, and was a resident of Hillsdale thereafter 
until his decease. He was a wood-turner bj' trade, 
and soon after coming West purchased the turning 
and planing mill of Dewitt C. Peck, on Bacon 
street, and which is now occupied by George P. 
AVolf. There he carried on' business until 1865, 
when he sold out. 

About that time Mr. Miller met with an acci- 
dent which destroyed the sight of one eye, and 
from which he suffei'ed so much as to seriously 
impair the sight of the other eye, and probably 
shortened his life. As a business man he was emi- 
nently successful, and by the exercise of industry, 
economy, and judicious investments, accumulated 
a good property, which he left to his wife. For 
her also he purchased a farm in Penfield, N. Y., 
which included the homestead of her father, and at 



i 



-t^ 



'JIO 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



f 





his requpst his icmains vicre taken tlieie for burial, 
in a lot selected by Mr. and Mrs. Miller for their 
last resting-place. 

The deceased was a Master Mason, belonging to 
Fidelity Lodge, and a member and one of the 
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On 
account of his correct business methods and strict 
integrity, he was made the conservator of important 
interests, and besides occupying other positions of 
trust and responsibility, was a stockholder in, and 
one of the Directors of, the National Bank of Hills- 
dale. A useful and highly rcsjiccted citizen, his 
loss is regretted both in the business and social 
community. 

/i^/«, IRTT W. GREEN. Among the many fer- 
tile farms of Hillsdale County is that of 
tlie subject of this sketch, which is pleas- 
antly situated on section 28 of Scipio Town- 
ship. Mr. Green is a native of New York, hav- 
ing been born in Hamburg, Erie County, Aug. 
27, 1818. His parents, George B. and Philinda 
(Woodhouse) Green, were natives of Vermont, 
born in Burlington, where they were reared and 
wedded. After marriage they removed to Erie 
Count}-, N. Y., where the remaining years of their 
lives were spent. The f.ither was quite a promi- 
nent man of Erie County, and for several years 
served as Under Sheriff. He was also a dealer in 
real estate, and acted .is agent for the Holland 
Purchase Company for a long time. He was a man 
of good business capacity and sound integrity. To 
him and his wife were born seven children, three 
sons and four daughters. 

Mirtt Green, of whom we write, was the eldest 
of the family, and spent many years of his life in 
Erie County. His education was received at Ham- 
burg and at the academy of Springville, in Erie 
County. After leaving school he turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, and in addition to 
farming, served for six years as Deputy Sheriff of 
Erie Countj*, and during the time of his residence 
in his native State transacted a good deal of public 
business. 

The union of Mr. Green with Miss Lucy A. 



Wells took place in New Yoik State, in the citj- of 
Buffalo, May 4, 1848. She is a daughter of 
John and Aniarilla (Sackett) Wells, who were born 
and spent their entire lives in Erie County. They 
were the parents of four children, two sons and two 
daughters, of whom Mrs. Green, the second child, 
was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1831. By her 
marriage with our subject she has become the mother 
of six children, of whom the following is the record : 
Lucy J. is the widow of James Redfern ; William 
P.; Elizabeth is the wife of George ISleistein; 
Aldrich W. and Charles E. Chandler, the second 
child, is deceased. 

Mr. Green left his native State in 18Gl,and com- 
ing to Hillsdale Countj' with his family, settled in 
Scipio Township, where he is still living. He pur- 
chased a farm of 120 acres, and has since devoted 
his time to improving his land, which is now in a 
good state of cultivation. He is a capable, efficient 
farmer, and has met with good success in his chosen 
calling. That they have a pleasant and comfort- 
able home is partly due to the assistance of his 
wife, who has worked with him and for him since 
becoming a sharer of his fortunes. In politics Mr_ 
Green is a strong Republican, and stanchly upholds 
the principles of that party by his voice and vote. 
Socially, he is identified with the Masonic frater- 
nitj'. His industry and enterprise have won for 
him an honorable position in the agricultural com- 
munity of Hillsdale Count}-. 



LMOND DANIEL WAY, manufacturer of 
(^^JJI and dealer in lumber, at Waldron, is a 
native of this county, having been born in 
Jefferson Township, July 27, 1849. His 
father, AVilliam W.ay, was born and reared in New 
York State, whence he came to the Territory of 
Michigan in 1836, and located among the early 
settlers of Jefferson Township. Purchasing a tract 
of timber land, he put up a log house, which the 
family occupied for a number of years, and under 
whose humble roof the subject of this sketch first 
saw the light. 

The father of our subject labored for years after 
the pioneer fashion, the nearest marketing and mill- 



■^♦- 



HILLSDALE CUUKTY. 



911 



ing point beino; the unpretentious hamlet of Adrian, 
twenty-seven miles distant. The state of the roads 
and the slow means of locomotion — frequently with 
an ox-team — involved a journey of three days to 
make the round trip. William Way cleared a good 
farm, erected neat and substantial buildings, and 
lived to see the wilderness transformed into smiling 
fields and beautiful homesteads, lie entered upon 
his final rest on the Cth of February, 1885. 

The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Orselia Ferguson, was the second wife of 
AVilliam Way, and also a native of New York State. 
She is still living on the old homestead in Jeffer- 
son Township. Three children were horn of the 
first marriage, and five of the second. Almond D. 
was reared in his native township, and acquired his 
education in the district school. He was bright 
and ambitious to learn, and upon reaching man- 
hood became a student of Hillsdale College, and 
after taking a thorough course, occupied himself as 
a teacher four terms during the winter season; the 
remainder of the year he employed himself on the 
farm. In 1874 he made his way to Fulton Count}', 
Ohio, where, with his brother-in-law, William Sel- 
leck, he engaged in the lumber business, at which he 
continued three years. Then returning to Waldron 
they put ui) a mill, which Mr. Way still operates. 
A few months later they dissolved partnership, and 
our subject became sole owner and manager of the 
Waldron enterprise, which he still continues. He 
purchases standing timber and hauls the logs to the 
mill, which is operated by steam-power, with a 
capacity of 8,000 feet per day. This has become 
one of the solid institutions of the count3% and 
proves a great convenience to the people for miles 
around. Strict attention to business and fair 
dealing have placed Mr. Way in an enviable posi- 
tion among his fullovv-cilizens, and he enjoys a com- 
fortable income. 

Mrs. Olive (Lester) Way, the wife of our subject, 
was born in the vicinity of Gorham, Fulton Co., 
Ohio, May 7, 1848, and became the partner of his 
joys and sorrows on the 21th of November, 1877. 
She is the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Lepard) 
Lester, the father a native of New York State, and 
the mother of Seneca County, Ohio. Mr. Lester 
was taken to Ohio by his parents when quite young, 



and thereafter made his home with them in Seneca 
County until his marriage. Then, with his bride, he 
took up his abode among the pioneers of Fulton 
County, purchasing a tract of land in Gorham 
County, and opening up a farm from the wilder- 
ness. Upon this place he still resides with his wife 
and family. 

Our subject and his wife are the parents of five 
children, namely: Milly B., Lena A., Charles L., 
Frederick W. and Bern ice. Mr. Way votes the 
straight Republican ticket, in the principles of 
which party he was trained by his honored father, 
who became a member of it at its organization. In 
his business transactions he is rated as a first-class 
citizen. In 1886 he erected a handsome frame 
dwelling in modern style of architecture, and has 
one of the most desirable homes in Waldron and 
Wright Townships. 



^H LBERT J. BAKER, prominent in Fayette 

( @y/J[ | Township and vicinity, is the central figure 
111 of a history of considerable interest, the 
main points of which we subjoin as fol- 
lows: A native of New Y^ork, he is the son of 
Jesse W. and Sally (Draper) Baker, natives re- 
spectivelj' of Connecticut and New York State. 
His paternal grandfather, William Baker, carried a 
musket during the Revolutionary' War, and there- 
after employed himself as a minister of the Baptist 
Church. The Baker family is of pure English an- 
cestry, while the Drapers were of English and Irish 
descent. 

The parents of our subject after marriage settled 
in Brighton, Otsego Co., N. Y., where the father 
carried on blacksmi thing, and subsequently re- 
moved with his family, first to Akron, Ohio, thence 
to Junius, Seneca Co., N. Y"., from there to Vol- 
ney, in Oswego County, and in the latter spent his 
last years, passing from earth in 1843. The mother 
has survived her husband many years, is still in 
fair health, and now in the ninety-first year of her 
age, and resides with her son, Albert J., the sub- 
ject of this sketch Her family included six sons 



V 



h 



912 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



* 



and one daughter, of whom six are living, and resi- 
dents of New York. 

Our subject, who was the eldest child of his parents, 
was reared in his native town of Brighton, N. Y., 
where he acquired his early education in the com- 
mon schooK and at an early .age evinced considera- 
ble skill in the use of tools. When a youth of 
eighteen he left home, and repairing to different 
places, eng.aged in carriage-making about two years. 
He then migrated to Syracuse, and thence to 
Penn Yan, where he lived until the summer of 
1843. In the meantime he had been married, and 
become the father of one child, and now with his 
little family came to Southern Michigan, and took 
up his residence in Jonesville. The town was then 
in its infancy, and after a residence here of six 
years he started overland to California, for the 
purpose of seeking his fortune among its gold 
mines. Nine months later, however, found him 
returned to Jonesville, having seen sufficient for 
that time of Western life, .although he had no reason 
to complain of his success financially. 

Mr. Baker now set about the erection of a fine 
residence on a tract of land which he liad purchased 
previously to his adventure on the Pacific Slope. 
This accomplished he began giving his entire atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, and in c(.)nnection 
with this, being of a progressive mind and believ- 
ing in the introduction of the best methods of 
tilling the soil, began dealing in agricultural imple- 
ments quite extensively. For two 3'ears, in con- 
nection with his farming and other labors, he 
engaged in the grocer}' trade at Jonesville. His 
land, embracing 114 acres, lies just outside the 
corporation, and on this account is valuable. 

The career of Mr. Baker has been that of a self- 
made man, who commenced life dependent upon 
his own resources. Upon going to Penn Yan he 
worked for a very small salary, but being industri- 
ous and persevering, made good progress, and 
finally secured eighty acres of land in Jackson 
County, this State, by trading a house and lot 
which he had earned and paid for in New York. He 
knew but little about this latter acquisition, and 
many of his friends endeavored to dissuade him 
from coming to the West. He was determined to try 
the experiment, however, and starting out by him- 



self made his vfay to Jackson, and from that city 
on foot to Hanover, and was favorably impressed 
with the appearance of the country. 

Upon coming into Jonesville with his wife and 
child Mr. Baker had but just $0.08, and in addition 
lost his first two months' work, with the exception 
of his board. He was blessed, however, with the 
qualities of resolution and perseverance, and soon 
obtained a foothold, finally becoming the possessor 
of a goodly assortment of tools, which later he was 
enabled to place in a shop which he called his own. 

Mr. Baker was first married at Syracuse, N. Y., 
Jan. 1, 1840, to Miss Lucy Bicknell, who was born 
at Hamilton, that State, and by her union with our 
subject became the mother of one child — Albert 
H. IMrs. Lucy Baker departed this life at her 
home in Jonesville, in January, 1844. Her son 
lived until reaching manhood, and in June, 1861, 
soon after the outbreak of the liebellion, enlisted 
in Company II, 4th Michigan Infantiy, in which he 
served until January following, and then on account 
of ill-health w.as compelled to return home. His 
death took pl.ace in June, 18G2, when he was 
twenty j'cars of age. 

On the 10th of September, 1844, our subject con- 
tracted a second marriage, with Miss Cornelia M., 
daughter of William N. and Eliza (Erven) Guy, 
and who was born in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 25, 1820. The father of Mrs. Baker was 'a 
native of Cayuga County, and the mother of 
Monmouth County, N. J. They settled after mar- 
riage in the first-mentione<l county, whence they 
removed a few years Later to Livingston County, 
.and from there to Jonesville, this county, in June, 
1836. They continued residents of Fayette Town- 
ship the remainder of their lives, the father dying 
in December, 1864, and the mother in April, 1873. 
Their family included five sons and two daughters, 
and Mrs. Baker was the second child. 

Of this latter marriage of our subject there were 
born five children. The eldest. Kittle, is the wife of 
Israel Wikes, of Jonesville; Charles H. died Aug. 
20, 1887, in his thii-ty-fourth year; Edgar M. is 
a resident of Decatur, Neb., and Alice J., Mrs. 
F. E. Bellamy, lives in Sumner County, Kan.; 
Sarah E. died in 1847, at the age of four and one- 
half years; Charles G., a druggist, died in Pierce- 



T 



^ 



4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



913 



ton, Incl., on the 20th of AugiiSD, 1887. Mr. Baker, 
in 1880, was elected Justice of the Peace, wliich 
office lie iield four 3'ears. He identified Iiiniself 
with the Abolitionists during tlie days of slaver}', 
and was the fervent admirer of such men as Gar- 
rett Smith, Wendell I'liillips, Elon Gehisha, and 
other eminent characters who distinguished them- 
selves at that daj' as the friend of the oppressed. 
Ilis first vote was east in Penn Yan, N. Y.. for 
James G. Birne^', who was the first candidate for 
President on llie Abolition ticket. 

Mr. Baker was one of the delegates sent from 
Hillsdale County to the convention at Adrian, 
which nominated Judge Levi Baxter for State 
Senator. He has since taken a jirominent part in 
the Greenback movement, and received the nomina- 
tion in Hillsdale {'onnlj' in the fall of 188() for 
the Legislature, being defeated by Mr. Pettit, of 
Reading. 

The father of Mrs. Baker was the second white 
child born in the town of Aurelius, N. Y. Her 
parents made the journey from Livingston County, 
that State, to Jonesville, Mich., in 1836, with an 
ox-team, being one of five families which included 
twenty persons who came from that region at the 
time. 

ri.'^^ALPH LEAVITT, deceased, was formerly 
\jL^ prominently connected with the industrial 
/ii \V interests of Pittsford Township as a farmer 
^and manufacturer and dealer in lumber, 
having located here in the year 1849. He was 
born in December, 1812. When a young man he 
became an early settler of Oakland County, and 
remained a resident until his removal to this town- 
ship. His first purchase of land here was a 40- 
acre tract on section 7, which was at that time 
heavily timbered, and Mr. Leavitt, being an enter- 
prising man with an eye to business, erected a saw- 
mill and made a profitable use of the timber, 
at the same time clearing his farm and getting it 
ready for culture. After a few j'cars he bought 
108 acres of land on section 6, joining his first pur- 
chase, and, having disiiosed of the first sawmill, he 
put u|) another on that i)lace. He continued to man- 

4« 




age the lumber business in connection with farming 
for many years, with ver}' prosperous results, and 
continued to reside here until his death in October, 
1883. at a ripe ohl age. He and his wife were both 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

In the meantime, Mr. L. brought his farm into an 
admirable state of tillage and erected a good set 
of buihlings on the land that he bought when he 
came here to make his home. This place is now 
occupied by his living child, Mrs. Norris. The 
maiden name of his wife was Fallie Helen Foster, 
whose father, Daniel Foster, was an early settler of 
Dover Township, Lenawee County, He was a 
farmer a few years before his death. He removed 
to Pittsford Township, where he died. Two chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt— Louisa 
and Daniel W. Their son, a talented j'oung man, 
died at the age of twent3'-six. He was a graduate 
of Hillsdale College, and at the time of his death 
was pursuing a law course in Albany, N. Y. Mr. 
Leavitt \ras of an active, energetic temperament, 
endowed with keen business qualities, and, with his 
amiable wife, was held in high esteem by the peo- 
ple among whom they had settled. 

Louisa, the onl^' daughter of Mr. .and Mrs. Leav- 
itt, was born Feb. 16, 1845, in Oakland County, 
Mich. She was married, March 14, 1869, to Joseph 
Norris, son of Isaac and Hannah (Green) Norris. 
His father was born in Dutchess Countj', N. Y., 
and was a son of Henry Norris, who afterward 
settled in Savannah, W.ayne Co., N. Y., where, 
after renting land for;i time, he bought twenty acres, 
and continued his residence there until his death. 
His son Isaac, father of Joseph, was twenty- 
three years old when he went to W.iyne County 
with his parents. He married there and engaged 
in farming until 1865, when he came to Ilillstlale 
County and settled in Jefferson Township. He 
bought a farm on section 11 of that township, and 
made his home there until his death, March 14, 1871. 
He was a man of tireless industry, good common 
sense, and undoubted probity of character. His 
good wife is still living at an advanced age, having 
been born in the town of James, Seneca Co., N. Y., 
April 9, 1812. Her father, John Green, was a 
native of New England, and an early settler of the 
town of her birth. In 1817, however, he moved 





914 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^•^^TT^ 



Y th 



with his family to Wayne County and settled in tiie 
town of Savanna!), and there spent his last years. 
The maiden name of his wife, grandmother of Mr. 
Norris, was Sally Clise, and her father was Heniy 
Clise, who moved from Virginia to Maryland, and 
from there to Hopeton, N. Y. He had a large 
flouring-mill there, besides a large landed estate. 
Six children were born to Isaac and Hannah Norris, 
of whom the following is the record: Amanda 
married Mr. Wadsworth, and they live in Wayne 
County; William lives in Hillsdale Township; Na- 
than lives in Jackson County ; Marion lives in Hills- 
dale County; Joseph and John, twins, are living in 
Hillsdale County; Augustus resides in Hillsdale 
Township. 

John Norris was born in Savannah, Wayne Co., 
N. Y., on the 14th of November, 1847. His boy- 
hood was passed in his native town, where he 
received good educational advantages. He was 
eighteen years of age when he accompanied his 
parents to this State. They settled in Jefferson 
Township, Hillsdale County. He is a practical, 
wide-awake man, and by good management and 
industrious habits, has become quite successful in his 
chosen calling, and does his full share in sustaining 
the agricultural interests of Pittsford Township. 
He and his wife occupy a prominent social position 
in this community, and their hospitable home is 
made very attractive by the geniality and courtesy 
of the host and hostess. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. Mrs. Norris inherited the old homestead of 
her f:\ther in this township, where she is now 
residing. 



RCHIBALD STORMS. The homestead of 
'u\ \ this gentleman is noticeable among the 
finely cultivated farms of Scipio Town- 
ship, being pleasantly located on section 11, 
the land under a good state of cultivation, and the 
buildings substantial and in modern stjie of archi- 
tecture. The hand of thrift and industry is appar- 
ent on all sides, and the premises form a pleasant 
picture in the landscape of this region. 

Our subject is the scion of an excellent family, 
both parents having been born in New York State, 
the father, David Storms, in Redfleld, Livingston 




County, June 3, 1813, and the mother, Anna 
(Piatt) Storms, in Oneida County, July 28, 1812. 
After marriage they lived for a time in RedSeld, 
then emigrated to the northern part of Ohio, 
whence, six months later, in 1841, they came to 
Michigan, and settled in the vicinity of Kiuderhook, 
Branch County. The father, however, not yet 
satisfied with his surroundings, made several other 
removals until pitching his tent in the township of 
Scipio, this county, where he lived from 1853 
until his death, in April, 1856. The mother sur- 
vived her husband a period of twenty-tliree 3'ears, 
remaining a widow, and passing away at her home 
in Scipio, March 17, 1879. 

The parental household included four children, 
of whom the record is as follows: Cordelia be- 
came the wife of Martin Dennis, and died in Scipio 
Township in September, 1776. Archibald, of our 
sketch, was the second child ; Frederick L. is carry- 
ing on farming in Hanover Township, Jackson 
County; Alzina P. is the wife of Dorr Darling, of 
Jonesville. Archibald, our subject, was born in 
Kinderhook, Branch County, this State, July 6, 
1842, and from his earliest recollections has been 
familiar with farm pursuits. He acquired his edu- 
cation in the common schools, and coming to 
Scipio Township with his parents, in 1853, has 
since that time been a resident of this locality. 

Our subject continued under the home roof uutil 
within three days of the twenty-fifth year of his 
age, having been married, July 3. 1866, to Miss 
Mary Addie, daughter of Elijah and Mercy (Fitch) 
Whedon, who were, like his own people, natives of 
New Y'ork State. They came to Michigan in 1849, 
settling in Trumbull, Calhoun County, where they 
lived several years, then moved to Scipio Town- 
ship, of which they have since been residents. 
Elijah Whedon was born March 24, 1823, and his 
wife, Mercy, Nov. 30, 1822. They were the parents 
of three children only, one daughter and two sons. 
The elder son, Edwin C, died when a promising 
youth of eighteen years; Allen M., the younger, is 
carrying on farming in Scipio Township. 

Mrs. Mary Addie (Whedon) Storms was born in 
Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., Jan. 8, 1849, and like 
her husband acquired her education in the common 
schools. She came with her parents to Michigan, 

•^^ 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



915 , , 



and coiitimicd .a nicmlu-r of tlie lioiifphold circle 
until lier inaiiiiiyc. Of iicr union with our subject 
there iiave heen born six ciiildren: 'i'heir ehicst 
son, I'ranlv A., died nlien a little over two years 
old. The others — Ernest G., Mercy A., Dee, Jay 
and Bessie L. — are at home with their parents. 

Mr. Storm, jwliticallj', is a solid Republican, and 
as an ex-soldier, a member of Henry Baxter Post 
No. 219, of Jonesville. Socially, he belongs to the 
Masonic fraternitj'. Not long after the outbreak 
of the late Rebellion he enlisted, Aug. 19, 18G1, 
in the company called Berdan's .Sharpshooters, 
with whom he remained four months, receiving his 
honorable discbarge at the expiration of tliis time. 
Soon afterward, Aug. 19, 186.5, he re-enlisted in 
the new 4Lii Michigan Lifantr^', in which he served 
until the close of the war. He became familiar 
with all the phases of armj^ life, enduring hardship, 
privation and poor fare, and contracted an incura- 
ble disease, on account of which he now receives a 
pension. He fortunately escaped wounds and cap- 
ture by the enemy, but was considerably injured 
upon one ocx^asion while in Decatur, Ala., by fall- 
ing from a train of cars. After the close of the 
war he i-eturned to Scipio Township, and resumed 
his farming operations, which he has carried on 
uninterruptedly since that time. 




IRA T. WIGHT, one of the most thrifty farmers 
of Allen Township, came to this section of 
country with his parents when a little lad six 
years of .age, in 1 830. He is consequently one of 
the oldest living settlers of the county. He was 
born in Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and from his 
earliest childhood has been familiar with agricult- 
ural pursuits. His property embraces 129 acres of 
good land on section 5, where he h.as erected neat 
and substantial buildings, brought the soil to a good 
state of cultivation, and in other ways distinguished 
himself as a most intelligent and progressive agri- 
culturist. 

The father of our subject, Thaddeus Wight by 
name, was born in Vermont, June 8, 1788. He 
married Miss Lncimla Washburn, also a native of 



New England, and who was born Aug. 9, 1792. 
After marriage the parents settled in Vermont, 
whence they soon removed to Saratoga County, N. 
Y., and a few years later to Ohio. Thence in the 
spring of 1 830 they came farther west, easting their 
lot with the pioneers of this county, and settling 
upon a tract of land near the present site of Jones- 
ville, April 12, 1830. A year later they removed 
to a farm two miles west, where the mother closed 
her brief life on the 7th of September. 1832. The 
father survived his wife some years, finally selling 
his farm .and removing, first to Litchfield Township, 
then to Jonesville, .and finally spent his last days at 
the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roscius Southworth, 
in Allen Township. His death took place July 28, 
1859. 

The parental household of our subject included 
six daughters and three sons, Ira T. being the sec- 
ond sou. He distinctly remembers many of the 
early incidents of life in a new country, and grew 
up amid the pioneer scenes of Hillsdale County, 
with industrious habits and well fitted to perform 
his future part in life. In §etting about the estab- 
lishment of a home of his own, he w.as first married, 
March 23, 184G, to Miss Adeline S. Bon, who, like 
himself, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, July 
28, 1829. This marriage resulted in the birth of 
six children. The eldest son, William A., is now a 
resident of Chicago, 111. ; Henry T. is in Gr.and 
Rapids, Mich.; Jeremiah died in early childhood; 
Samuel A. is a resident of Chicago; Ellen A. is the 
wife of Luther J. Hanchett, of Allen Township, and 
Edwin W. makes his home in Kalamazoo. Mrs. 
Adeline S. Wight departed this life at her home in 
Allen Township, M.ay 3, 1870. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in Woodbridge, this county, Aug. 30, 1870, 
wiis Mrs. Anne E. Lower, daughter of Rev. Joseph 
and Mary A. Waldorf, and widow of Henry Lower, 
who died in Columbiana County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 
1869. Mrs. Wight was born in IMediua, Ohio, 
April 15, 1847. There are no children of this union, 
but Mr. Wight has an adojjted son, Charles L., who 
became a member of his household when one year 
old and is now a promising boy of ten yeare. 

Mr. Wight cast his first Presidential vote for 
James K. Polk, but since the organization of the 



_;» L^ ^' 



4 



•4— 
916 



4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Republican party has most cordially supported its 
principles. He Las held the minor offices of his 
township, among them that of Highway Commis- 
sioner, and socially, is a member of tlie Masonic 
fraternity. 

The fatlier of our subject, Thaddeus Wight, after 
the death of his first wife, was again married, in 
February, 1834, to Mrs. Agnes McVay, of Cuya- 
hoga County, Ohio, who onl}' survived her husband 
a month. They had no children by this union. 



\T]OHN G. WOLF, druggist, and one of the 
active business men of Hillsdale, was born 
, in New York City, Jan. 8, 1854. His father, 
i@7/ Dr. Frederick Wolf, was an old and noted 
physician of that city, and a native of Vienna, 
Austria, where he had been reared and fitted him- 
self for his chosen vocation. The mother, Bertha 
(Klaut) Wolf, was born in Frankfort, Germany, 
and was the daughter of a prominent General in the 
German army. At the Revolution in 1848 Gen. 
Klaut was forced to flee to America, accompanied 
by one of his eight daughters, Bertha, where he 
died in St. Louis. The parents of Mr. Wolf are 
still living and residents of New York Cit}'. 

The boyhood of our subject was spent in his 
native city and he acquired his education in the 
public schools. When only ten years of age he 
entered tlie drug-store of C. C. Curtis, with whom 
he remained for a period of sixteen years. Mr. 
Curtis then came to this county, accompanied by 
young Wolf, who remained with him until 1881, 
and until he sold out. Mr. Wolf then engaged in 
business on his own account, establishing himself on 
the corner of Howell and Beacon streets, which still 
continues his headquarters. 

This house carries a full line of drugs and all the 
articles pertaining to this department of business, 
and from which the proprietor has built up an ex- 
tensive and lucrative trade. AVhile in the employ 
of Mr. Curtis in his native city he studied and 
passed his examination before the Board of Phar- 
macy, from which he received his diploma and 
many flattering commendations on account of his 
proficicnc3'. In January, 1888, Mr. Wolf put into 



"^•- 



his store a Tufts Soda Fountain, at a cost of 11,960, 
from which he draws the finest beverages of the 
city to refresh the thirsty wayfarer. The establish- 
ment is first-class in its furnishings and appoint- 
ments, and the business is conducted in the most 
methodical and praiseworthy manner. 

Our subject was married in Hillsdale, Jan. 19, 
1881, to Miss Lilly Beckhardt, who was born Oct. 
6, 1860, in Hillsdale, and is the daughter of Adeline 
and David Beckhardt, natives of New York and 
Germany, and now of Hillsdale. This union re- 
sulted in the birth of two children, a daughter and 
son: Ethel D., born July 19, 1883, and Louis E., 
Aug. 5, 1886. They occupy a snug home in the 
south part of the city, and enjo}' the companionship 
and esteem of its best residents. Mr. Wolf was 
one of the charter members of the State Pharma- 
ceutical Association, which was organized at Lansing 
in 1883. He was upon that occasion also elected a 
delegate to the National Convention of Druggists 
held at Philadelphia in 1884. He is one of the 
founders of the Boat Clubs of Hillsdale, which has 
since become famous throughout the country. 
Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, 
and has always signalized himself as a liberal-minded 
and public-spirited citizen, supporting in a substan- 
tial manner the enterprises calculated to benefit the 
people at large. 



'imi 



|^?5rfru 




AVID M. LYONS, Jr., is a prominent rep- 
resentative farmer, located on section 6, 
Somerset Township, where he owns a fine 
farm of 120 acres, and is successfully en- 
gaged in mixed husbandry. His farm is adorned 
with a handsome residence, and well provided with 
out-buildings and the machinery required for the 
successful prosecution of his calling. 

Mr. Lyons was born in Allegheny County, Pa., 
Feb. 14, 1830, and is the son of David M., Sr., and 
Margaret (Gilmore) Lyons. The father was also born 
in Allegheny Countj', and subsequently removed to 
Ohio, where he died at the early age of thirty-six 
years, when his son David was but an infant of two 
years. He was a man of great industry and de- 
termination, and on coming to Ohio, he took up a 



••► 



1 



-4»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



917 



■A 






tract of Government Innd. upon wliich lie exerted 
himself beyonrl his powers of endurance, and thus 
killed himself hy overwork. The mother of our 
subject was born in the same place as her husband, 
and spent the last years of her life in this countj', 
dying at the home of her son, W. T. Lyons, after 
attaining her fourscore and four years. She was a 
woman of great strength of character and good 
constitution, and came of a long-lived family. 

The parental family of our subject included seven 
children, five of whom still survive, and are nearly 
all engaged in farming. As our subject giew to be 
of use on the farm, his services were utilized in as- 
sisting his mother, and he was thus erajjloyed until 
the age of fourteen years, securing at intervals in 
the meantime such education as the facilities of the 
common schools of that day afforded. In 1845 tbey 
sold out their interests in Ohio, and came to this 
county, where David M. lived with his elder brother 
until 1853. They then started for California with 
a herd of cattle from this county, and sold them so 
satisfactorily that he continued in the stock busi- 
ness until 1858. He then sold out cver3'thing, and 
came to Moscow Township, and lived with a brother 
two years. 

In 1860 Mr. Lyons was united in marri.age with 
Miss Miria Moffett, but she died in October, 1S63, 
and he was a secon<l time married, Jan. 10, 18G5, 
to Miss Mariette Turner, a native of Monroe County, 
N. Y., where she was born May 30, 1842, and is the 
daughter of Horace and Deborah Turner, of whom 
A sketch ma^' be seen elsewhere in this work. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lyons have had born to them one child, 
Milton, the date of whose nativity was Feb. 9, 1867. 
He acquired the rudiments of an education at the 
district schools, and subsequently spent two years 
at Hillsdale College, taking a philosophical course. 
At present he is engaged in teaching, but he is fit- 
ting himself for a thorough commercial course. 
Mrs. Lyons is a self-educated lady, and one of the 
most prominent in the community' in which she 
lives. At the early age of fifteen years she en- 
gaged in sciiool teaching, which profession she fol- 
lowed during a total of nine terms, and is an 
accomplished and exemplary woman. 

After marriage the young couple settled in Som- 
erset Township, in a part of their present beautiful 



house on a farm of eighty acres, which Mr. Lyons 
then owned. At that time it was considered almost 
worthless, but under Ills skillful manipulation it has 
become one of the best farms in Hillsdale County. 
He subsequent!}' added forty acres to his original 
purchase, which makes the fine farm of 120 acres as 
above staled. In politics Mr. Lyons is a Repub- 
lican, but he is strongly in s^'mpathy with the Pro- 
hibition movement, and is an advocate of temperance 
in every form. He lias been quite active in 
local politics, and his integrity and good judgment 
have lieen recognized and appreciated by hisfellow- 
to«nismen, who have appointed him to the most im- 
portant offices within their gift. They have made 
him their delegate to different conventions, while 
he has been Ilighwaj' Commissioner, and has been 
connected with the schools for nearly twenty years. 
He claims fellowship with the brethren of the '-Mys- 
tic tie." belonging to Hamilton Lodge No. 113, at 
Moscow, with which he has been identified for twen- 
ty-four years, while he has been Treasurer of the 
lodge for many years, and has also held the office 
of Junior Deacon. 



-^m^ 




ii^\ ARVIN E. HALL, Mayor of the city of 
■'' Hillsdale, and a man unusually well edu- 
cated and intelligent, came to this count}' 
in April, 1884, and the present position 
which he occupies indicates how thoroughly he has 
established himself in the confidence and esteem of 
the people during his comparatively brief residence 
here. The main points in his busy career are 
essentially as follows: 

Our subject, a native of this State, was born in 
Calhoun County, Se])t. 1, 1853. He was the 3'oung- 
est of ,the four children of Horace and Lucetta 
(Faurote)Hall, the mother a native of New York 
State and of French ancestry. Horace Hall was 
born in Essex County. N. Y., where he lived until 
reaching manhood, then made his way to the Terri- 
tory of Michigan, U'catlng in Tekonsha Township, 
Calhoun Count}', where he was married. Here he 
carried on sawmilling until sometime in the fifties. 
The mother departed this life in 1855. The father 
is now a resident of Hillsdale. Four of their 



l(^ 



918 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



i- 



children are living, being residents of Michigan and 
Kansas. 

The subject, of our sketch pursued his early 
studies in the common schools, then entered first 
Newville Aeademj-, and subsequently Hillsdale Col- 
lege. Afterward he became a student of the State 
University at Bloomingdale, Ind., but two months 
later entered upon a commercial career, being amply 
fitted for business. We next find hira engaged as 
a traveling salesman, and in April, 1884, he came 
to this county in the pursuance of his duties as the 
representative of the Edison electric light, having 
the State agency. In this he was much interested, 
and was the first man to adapt the instantaneous 
dry plate to commercial photography. Later he 
engaged in the nursery business. In 1884 he sold 
out his interest in this enterprise and engaged in 
his present business, as a dealer in military and 
society supplies. 

The correct business habits of Mr. Hall, coupled 
with his energy and ability, at once secured him 
the favorable notice of the community, and he was 
soon called upon to fill various positions of trust 
and responsibility. He has always maintained a 
warm interest in educational institutions, serving 
as School Inspector, and uniformly being the en- 
courager and supporter of every measure calculated 
to advance the rising generation in knowledge. 
He was elected Mayor of Hillsdale in the spring of 
1887, and is discharging the duties of this office in 
a praiseworthy manner. 

Mr. Hall cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. 
Grant, .and politically, is an active Republican, of 
great service to his party in this section. He has 
officiated as Secretary of the County Republican 
Committee, and is now a member of the staff of 
Gov. Luce, holding a Colonel's commission since 
the latter's incumbency of the Executive office. 
Socially, Mayor Hall is Chancellor Commander of 
Hillsdale Lodge No. 45, K. of P., and is a Knight 
Templar in the Masonic fraternity. He is also 
prominent in the Sons of Veterans, having served 
for two years as Colonel, commanding Michigan 
Division, and is at present Inspector General of the 
order. 

The marriage of Marvin E. Hall and Miss Lena 
Hass was celebrated at the home of the bride in 



Rome, N. Y.,in 1880. They commenced the journey 
of life together in a modest home in Cambridge, 
Mass. Mrs. Hall was born in New York City in 
1853. They have no children. 



<s?t^- 



4^K- 



<?i<^* 




ARREN SMITH, one of the best and favor- 
ably known men in Hillsdale County, is a 
thorough-going and [jrogressive general far- 
mer, located in Cambria Township. In addition to 
general farming he makes a specialty of stock-rais- 
ing, in which he has met with that success which 
men of his ability almost invariably attain. Nature 
has endowed Mr. .Smith with rare gifts, among 
which are a vigoi'ous physical constitution and an 
intellectual ability of a high order, logical, dis- 
criminating and comprehensive. He is a gentle- 
man of conimandin£ presence, and is fitted to adorn 
the highest positions in society. 

Mr. Smith came to this county in 1839, and his 
first purchase consisted of 120 acres of land on 
sections 29 and 30 of Cambria Township. It was 
then frfsh from the hand of nature, and his first 
employment consisted in building a cabin, clearing 
land and bre.aking the stubborn soil. In order to 
cast his vote it was necessary for him to goto Jones- 
ville, vvhere most of his trading was also done, with- 
out any of the facilities of modern travel, and over 
roads frequently almost impassable. But Mr. Smith 
came here to stay, and h.is since accumulated a 
tine property', including 280 acres of land, which is 
a monument to his industry' and good judgment. 
His residence is a two-story brick structure with 
basement, and is elegant in design and perfect in 
appointment. It is heated by means of a furnace, 
and is in every respect an ideal country home, sug- 
gestive of the taste an<l refinement of its projectors. 
No more convincing illustration of the marvelous 
transformation which Southern Michigan has under- 
gone can be found than in a compaiison of this 
mansion with the "little old log cabin" of the early 
pioneer. 

The subject of this biographical sketch was born 
in Bangor Township, Franklin Co., N. Y., March 
22, 1814, near the birthplace of the ex-Vice Presi- 



f 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



919 



dent, Wheeler. His fniher. Jesse Smith, was a na- 
tive of Vermont, where he was born near Brandon, 
Dec. 4, 1790. and came of worthy and respected 
New England parents. He was reared in his native 
county to the occupation of a farmer, l)nt while 
yet a yonnjr man removed to New York and lo- 
cated in Franklin County. 'Ihere it is supjjosed 
his marriage took place, the maiden of his choice 
being Rhoda Davis, who was born Feb. 17, 1792, 
in one of the New England Slates, and came of fine 
old English and Scotch ancestors. After their mar- 
riage the jjarents of our subject settled in the old 
township of Bangor, Franklin County, and engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. Here they accumulated a 
fine property, although they had but little with 
which to start in life, and made this place their 
home almost all their lives. Mr. Smith finally passed 
awaj- at the home of one of his daughters, Jan. 27, 
1873. He was for manj- years an active and wor- 
thy member of the Christian Church, and in poli- 
tics was formerly a "Whig and subsequcntlj- a Re- 
publican. Mrs. Smith had preceded her husband 
to the silent land several years, leaving behind her 
a record worthy of imitation. 

The parental family of 'our subject included six 
chihlren, four sons and two daughters, and although 
the parents were not remarkaljle for ])hysical strength, 
the children were all noted for that quality, their 
average weight after reaching maturity being nearl}' 
220 pounds each. Our subject is the eldest bom 
of this remarkable family, of whom there are three 
now living, though Warren is the only representa- 
tive of the family in this count}-. He was reared 
to manhood and received his education chiefly in 
his native count}', and was united in marriage in 
the township of his ntitivity. April 20, 1836. with 
Miss Mary Wilson, who was born in that township. 
May 27, 1817, and is the daughter of James and 
Dorintha (Sawyer) Wilson, both of whom are now 
deceased. The father was born in the Granite 
State, Jan. 17, 1788, and came through New En- 
gland ancestors from English and Irish stock. He 
followed the occupation of a farmer, and was a man 
of sterling principles and industry. Mv&. Dorintha 
Wilson was born Nov. 22, 1790, in Cayuga County. 
N. Y., and was married to James Wilson at St. 
Albans, Vt. They immediately took up their resi- 



dence in Bangor Township, Franklin Co., N. Y., 
during its early settlement, and improved a farm. 
In 183G Mr. and Mrs. Wilson came to Tecumseh. 
Mich., and about three years later removed to the 
township of Cambria and settled on a new farm, 
where the mother died Dec. 29, 1801. The death 
of Mr. Wilson occurred very suddenly, and without 
the slightest pain, Dee. 7,1808. In politics he was 
formerly connected with the Whig |iarty, and upon 
its dissolution he entered the ranks of the Demo- 
cratic party. 

Mrs. Smith was reared by cultured and loving 
parents, and received a liberal eilucation, learning 
to do to others as she would that the}' would do to 
her. She is a most amiable and intelligent woman, 
shedding a beneficent influence upon all with 
whom she comes in contact, and has been in every 
way the worthy complement of her husband. To 
this couple it is appropriate to apply Milton's lines 
on our first parents : 

For contemplation he and valor formed ; 
For beauty she and sweet, attractive gr.ace. 

On the 20th of April, 188G, was celebrated the 
golden wedding of this hapi>y pair, when about 100 
persons assembled to present tlieir congratulations. 
Among the number was Gov. Luce, who presented 
them with a cane, appropriately inscribed for the 
occasi(jn. It is an elegant, gold-headed, ebony 
stick, beautifully embellished, and is one of the 
many suitable presents received on that occasion. 

The- union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith 1ms been 
blessed by the birth of two children — Almira and 
Charles E. Almira became the wife of Anthony 
Hancock, a successful farmer owning 160 acres of 
land in Cambria Township. Charles took to wife 
Delia Van Vlack, and they live with our subject at 
the homestead and operate the farm. Believing 
that education is a better safeguard of a nation 
than a standing army, Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 
given their children the benefits of a good educa- 
tion, while their contact with the culture arid 
refinement of a home such as any wom.an like Mrs. 
Smith will make, has fitted them to adorn anj' posi- 
tion in society. 

Mr. Smith is a well-read man, both in history 
and theology, and is a close reasoner and a verj' 
liberal and broad thinker. He h.as kept well abreast 



T'^^:M^ 




n 



920 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




of this progressive age, and lias been quite promi- 
nent in the public affairs of his township, serving 
in many of the local offices, the duties of which lie 
faithfully and conscientiously discharged. Mr. .Smith 
is a very reliable Republican, but never devoted 
much attention to politics, his domestic disposition 
inclining him to the companionship of his family. 



♦S?»^>»^!»Si>« 



<tf5«f»i^5^« 



i( ON. CHARLES T. MITCHELL, capitalist, 
banker and merchant, and widelv known 




through Sruthern Micliigan. has been an 
(^5) im|)ortant factor in tiie development of 
Hillsdale CVnint}'. His great wealth, .accumulated 
whollv by his own efforts, has been the means of 
inaugurating various useful enterprises which have 
tended to build up the county, develop its natural 
resources, and increase its standing among the grow- 
ing communities of the West. In the career of this 
gentleman is illustrated the results vf a spirit of 
enterprise and liberality, and which have been felt 
far beyond his own pers(jnal interests and his sphere 
of action. Coming to this section of country in its 
pioneer d.ays, he proved just such a man as was 
needed when Hillsdale County was struggling for 
recognition, and when its people were laboring 
amidst numerous difficulties, but still hoping for 
better things. 

The subject of this record, a native of the Em- 
pire State, like so man}' of his compeers, was born 
in Montgomer}' Count}-, June 29. 1817, and is the 
fifth of eight brothers, who were included in a fam- 
ily of twelve children. The father, Charles iMitch- 
elL, Sr., was also a native of New York, born in 
Saratoga County, July 22, 17G3. He married Miss 
Lydia Brown, a native of Saratoga County, who 
was born Feb. 19, 1782. The Brown family were 
of Dutch ancestry, and were first represented on 
this side of the Atlantic during the Colonial days. 
They settled in New Jersey, and became widely and 
favorably known as people well-to-do, and in all 
respects most excellent citizens. 

Charles Mitchell, Sr., after his marriage emigrated 
with his bride to IMontgomery County, N. Y., and 
settled in the valley of the Mohawk, where he fol- 
lowed first the occupation of a miller, but later 



■<•- 



engaged in agricultual pursuits. There his children 
were born and reared, and there the p.arents continued 
the remainder of their lives, passing away at a ripe 
old age, the father in 18,:i7,and the mcjther in 18G.5. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Andrew 
Mitchell by name, served as Lieutenant Colonel in 
the Revolntionar}' War, and was subsequently a 
member of the Colonial Legislature. He spent the 
greater part of his life in Sar.atoga County. 

Mr. Mitchell, of our sketch, spent his boyhood days 
in his native county, acquiring his education in the 
district schools. When fourteen 3'ears of age he 
was given the position of clerk in a store of general 
merchandise in Schoharie, where he spent three 
years. In the spring of 1838 he came westward 
to Michigan, and the following year was employed 
with the firm of Bid well and Wilcox, of Adrian, as 
clerk. He was subsequently employed as con- 
tractor in the construction of the Michigan South- 
ern Railway. 

Mr. Mitchell in the spring of 1843 came to the 
embryo city of Hillsdale, which was then the west- 
ern terminus of the railroad above mentioned, and 
engaged in the commission business. His next 
venture was the purchase of a stock of hardware, in 
which he built up a good trade, and w.as actively 
engaged in connection therewith until 1865. He 
had long ere this been recognized as a young man 
of more than ordinary business cap.acity, and was 
rapidly winning the confidence and respect of the 
leading men of the county. At the time he had 
accumulated a good capital, and in connection with 
the late Henry Waldron and John P. Cook, set 
about the establishment of the first banking institu- 
tion in the city, and which w.as subsequently oper- 
ated under the firm name of Mitchell. Waldron & 
Co. The firm wound up its business in 1803, and 
in 18G5 Messrs. Mitchell & Waldron established the 
Second National Bank, of Hillsdale. In Januar}-, 
1878, Mr. Mitchell purch.ased the interest of his 
partner, who h.ad already taken charge of the 
First National Bank, and Mr. Mitchell soon found 
himself at the head of one of the most solid and 
reliable institutions in the State. He w:is continu- 
ally occupied in connection with this until 1884. 
and then, on account of failing health, was advised 
by his physician to retire from .active business. He 



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t 




dJ'QujM^^-^^ 



■^^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



921 



flisposed of his entire interest in the bank, and since 
that time lias devoted his attention to his |)prsonal 
and iii(livi<hial interests. 

Mr. Milchell. wiien little over thirty years of age, 
was nnili'd in marriage witli .Miss Harriet S. \Ving, 
the wedding being celel)rated at the home of the 
bride in Monroe, on tlie .'5d of September, 1847. 
Mrs. Mitchell vvas born April 20, 1824, in Detroit, 
and is the daughter of tiie late Hon. Austin E. 
Wing, who came to the Territory of Micliigan in 
1816, with Gen. Cass and the late Gov. Woodbridge. 
A man of fine mental capacities, coupled witli great 
energ}' of charactei', Mr. Wing, after filling various 
positions of trust and responsibility, was sent as 
delegate to Congress from this Territory two terms 
in succession, and formed no unimportant factor in 
the building up of the Democratic parly in this 
State. He died after a short illness, in Cleveland, 
Ohio, in the summer of 1849. He had served as 
United States Marshal; he made his home at Mon- 
roe, Mich. The maiden name of the mother of 
Mrs. Mitchell was Harriet Skinner. 

The six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitcliell 
included four sons and two daughters, but three 
of whom are living. Frank died in infanc}-; Mrs. 
C. M. Bane died in March, 1885, at her home in 
Hillsdale; Austin and William are residents of 
Cadillac, this Slate, and both are engaged in the 
lumber trade; Charles T., Jr., died in November, 
1882, when twenty-four 3'ears old ; Harriet B., Mrs. 
Dr. W. II. Sawyer, is residing in Hillsdale. 

Mr. Alitchell cast his first Presidential vote for 
Gen. Harrison in 1840, and since that time has been 
a warm supporter of the Republican party. In 
1888 he was a member of the Chicago Convention 
that nominated Harrison and Morton. He was 
largely instrumental in the establishment of the 
Reform .School at Lansing, and in 1864 was sent as 
a delegat<; b^' the Republicans of his district to the 
National Conventional Baltimore when Jlr. Lincoln 
was nominated for President. He was appointed 
by Gov. Baldwin, Chairman of the -State Board of 
Ch.arities in 1872, and later by Gov. Bagley, as 
Trustee of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane at 
Kalamazoo. Of this board he still continues a 
member and Chairman. No man has been more 
warmly interested in the establishment of schools 



and other institutions which would tend to elevate 
the people, both mornlly and educationall3'. For 
twenty years he h:i.s licen a menilicr of the School 
Board of the city of Hillsdale, and the Trustee of 
Hillsdale College for a perioil of twenty-live years. 
He was reared in the doctrines of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church, but with his estimable wife, united 
with the Presbyterians in 1 843. 

The family residence, a handsome and im|)f)sing 
structure built of brick, stiinds in the midst of beau- 
tiful grounds on Manning street, and both within 
and without gives evidence of the cultivated tastes 
and ample means of the proprietor. Mr. Mitchell, 
personally, is of commanding presence, with hand- 
some features and a fine physique, a man who would 
at once be singled out in a throng as a mark for 
especial notice. 



ANIEL McNABB, a farmer living on sec- 
tion 4, JIoscow Township, is an honored 
pioneer and a representative man of Hills- 
dale County. He comes of respectable 
Scotch ancesUy, and his father, Peter JMcNabb, was 
born in Scotland, near the citj- of Edinburgh, some 
time during the List centur}-. and migrated from 
his old home in Scotland after he became a young 
man, about the j-ear 1 803, and settled in Johnstown, 
Fulton Co.. N. Y. He was subsequently married 
in this country to Miss Margaret Camjjbell, a Scotch- 
woman, who came over to the United States in the 
same vessel in which he was a i)assenger. In 1860 
he came to Michigan and made his home with our 
subject until death, dying Feb. 2, 1862, .at the 
age of ninet3--three. and the mother dj-ing in 1878 
at the age of ninety-one years. To them had been 
born three children, two sons and one daughter, 
Daniel being the youngest child. Their son John 
died at the home of our subject Nov. 27, 1867. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Johnstown, 
Fulton Co., N. Y., Aug. 18, 1814. On account of 
his f.athcr's insanity he went with his mother, 
brother and a sister to the home of his maternal 
grandparents, Campbell, and w.as there reared to 
manhood, remaining with them until he was twentj'- 
one. His education was conducted .at a "common 




n 



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922 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



, ', Mrs 



rate" school. He started out into the world to 
make his own waj' with limited means, hut with a 
st.alvvart frame, a fine constitution, and an unlimited 
suppl}' of courage and energy. In the spring of 
1835 he started for the "Far West," as the then 
Territory of Michigan was considered, and arrived 
here on the 1st of May, coming overland to Buffalo, 
thence hy steamer across Lake Erie to Monroe, and 
from there to Moscow Township, where he subse- 
quently decided to locate. He afterward went back 
to his old home, and on his return to Moscow 
brought with him his mother, widowed sister, and 
her two children. He erected a log house for their 
shelter, and industriously commenced to clear his 
land and to prepare it for culture. He hravel}' 
endured the hardships and privations of pioneer 
life, and while greatly aiding in the development of 
Hillsdale Count}-, has shared its prosperit}'. He 
now owns a valuable farm of 200 acres, and with 
the assistance of his devoted companion and help- 
mate, has been enabled to lay up a competency and 
build up a pleasant home, where thej' can live in 
ease and the comfortable enjo3'ment of the good 
things of this world that have been bestowed on 
them in such abundance. 

Mr. McNabb was married, in 1838, to Miss 
Joanna, daughter of Daniel Rowley, Esq., one of 
the first settlers of the town of Moscow (for pa- 
rental history see sketch of her brother, H. K. Row- 
ley). She is the oldest sister and the oldest one of 
the familj' now living. She was born in Wales, 
Erie Co., N. Y., Kov. 29, 1815, and was educated 
in a "common rate" school. She and her husband 
have reared three children — .John Simpson. Mar- 
garet and Elizabeth Ann Parker. John is in Peru, 
South America, mining gold and silver; he is a 
prominent and influential man. and has a wife and 
family. Margaret married William Brazee, of Mo- 
renci. and they have two children — J. Loj'd and 
Minnie; Elizabeth married Dr. William George, of 
Canton, Kan., and at her death left one child, 
Elizabeth. 

Mr. and Mis. McNabb are beloved and respected 
by all the comniunitj-, and their long lives have 
been filled with deeds of usefulness and countless 
acts of kindness and consideration toward others. 
Mrs. McNabb is identified with the Methodist 




Episcopal Church, at Hanover. Mr. McNabb is 
influential in town affairs, and has held the office of 
Township Treasurer two terms. Justice of the Peace 
for over eight years, and has been school officer sev- 
eral terms ; he has al w.ays been faithful to his trusts in 
whatever position he has been placed. He is a 
member of the Grange in Moscow. In politics he 
was formerlj' a Republican from the formation of 
the party up to the time of the Greenback move- 
ment, when he supported that partj'; lie believes 
in belonging to a ])olitical organization for the sake 
of definite good to the people, and for the purpose 
of bringing about needed reform. 



«!^/NDREW B. FLEMING, late a highly 
J\\ respected farmer of Cambria Township, 
111 departed this life at his country home on 
the 11th of October, 1884. He is remem- 
bered as having been a straightforward and indus- 
trious man. and was the owner of a good farm of 
ninety-six acres, occupying a jjart of sections 25 
and 2G. A native of Michigan, he was born near its 
southern line, in Whiteford. Monroe County, Feb. 
7, 1839, and was but a child when his father, Sam- 
uel Fleming, purchased a new farm in Ransom 
Townshij), this county, to which he removed, and 
lived there several years. In 1852 lie sold out and 
purchased a good farm in Cambria Township. 

Samuel Fleming was a carpenter by trade, which 
he followed in connection with farming. He was a 
good man in the broadest sense of the term, a true 
Christian and a highl}- respected citizen. He met a 
painful death, being thrown from a fractious horse 
and sustaining internal injuries, his death taking- 
place seven hours after the accident, in the fall of 
1856. The mother, whose maiden name was Cather- 
ine Tanner, is still living, and has arrived at the 
advanced age of eighty-one years. She makes her 
home with her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wyllys. 

Mr. Fleming was reared and educated in this 
county, and was first married in Cambria to INliss 
Julia A. Sebring, who died in Cambria Township in 
1873, leaving one child, a son Clarence; he married 
Miss Luhi Slack, and is living in Cambria Mills. The 
second wife of Andrew B.Fleming, to whom he was 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



4 



married in Jefferson Towiisliip, this connt3', Dec. 
) ;i. liS77. was Miss Kate M. Sutton, who was horn 
in liiat township. Sept. 2'.), IH.'il. Mrs. Fleming is 
the (huighter of Henry. F. anil Elizabeth (Phillips) 
Sutton, who were natives of Seneca County, N. Y., 
an<l who were reared and married in 1843, in Rom- 
ulus Township. Li 1844 they came to this .State, 
locating first in Washtenaw County, Init in 1851 
sold out and came to Jefferson Township, this 
county, where the}^ lived until 1803. Thence thej' 
icmoved to the city of Hillsdale, of which thej' were 
residents for a period of twelve years, and where 
the death of Mr. Sutton took place Feb. 4, 1867, 
at the age of forty-six years. He was a capable 
business man and an honored citizen, but during 
the later j-ears of his life suffered much frotn ill- 
health. Mrs. .Sutton is still living, being now sixty- 
three years old, and makes her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. Wyllys. She is a member of the 
Episcopal Church. Mr. Sutton belonged to the 
Masonic fraternity. They were the |)arents of five 
children, three of whom arc now living. The eld- 
est son, John Y.,died of ty|)hoid fever in the army, 
at Lexington, Ky.; he was nineteen j-ears of age 
and had seen considerable active flighting. 

Mrs. Kate (Sutton) Fleming, now Mrs. Wyllys, 
was the mother of two children by her first hus- 
band, namely: Maude L. and ArimintaB., who are 
now with their mother. She was married to Mr. 
Rufus J. Wyllys Sept. 24. 1887. Mr. Wyllys was 
born in Cambria Township, April 22, 1802, and 
here has spent the greater ])urt of his life, acquiring 
a i)ractieal education and becoming familiar with 
farm [Mirsuits, which he still follows. He meddles 
very little with politics, but uniformly votes the 
Republican ticket. 







<Jip«) DG AR A. SHATTUCK-. The subject of this 
m biography is one of the most prosperous and 
/ I' — •H energetic young farmers of Litchfield Town- 
ship, a thoroughlj' good man, a kind husband and 
father, and is in the enjoyment of the comforts of 
a modern home, the companionship of a cultivated 
and amiable wife and a family of unusually bright 



and intelligent children. He h.os happily m.adc 
good use of his time; and talents, and is looked 
upon by the community around him as one of their 
brightest lights. 

In noting the history of a man's life, especially 
if it has been one worthy of attention, it is natural 
to revert to bis antecedents. Our subject is the 
offspring of an excellent family, being the son of 
Charles A. and Emeline E. (Gaines) Shattuck, who 
were natives of Leyden Township, Franklin Co., 
Mass., and of New England ancestry for several 
generations. F^dgar A. is of the eighth generation 
from William Shattuck, who w.as born in England 
in 1621 or 1022, and crossed the Atlantic about the 
time of reaching his m.ajority, settling in the Bay- 
State. There he married, and his descendants lived 
in that region for a long period of years. Luther, 
the paternal grandfather of our subject, was pro- 
prietor of the Shattuck Mills, of Leyden, Franklin 
Co., Mass., where he [)asscd away in the prime of 
life, at the age of forty-six years. Charles A. after 
his marriage settled in Livingston County, N. Y., 
w'here he followed farming HVo or three years, then 
migrating westward took up land in the vicinity of 
what is now Fond du Lac, Wis., but on account of 
the ill-health of the mother he came to this county, 
where the parents were, and settled in Cambria 
Township in 1848. The father of our subject was 
a very capable and intelligent man, gonial and 
companionable in disposition, an<l made friends 
wherever he went. He was also a good financier, 
and accumulated a comfort;U)le property. He was 
of a religious turn of mind, an active member of 
the Free-Will 15a|)tist Church, and for the last fif- 
teen years of his life ofliciated .asa minister, having 
been ordained about 1872. He spent his last days 
at the home of his son Edgar A., in Litchfield 
Township, passing away April 9, 1887. when sev- 
enty-two years old. The mother had died in New 
York in the year 1840. when thirty-one years old. 
Their three sons and one daughter all lived to ma- 
ture years, and all arc now living. Edgar A., our 
subject, w.as born Aug. 28, 1841, in Diantha, N. Y., 
and among his first recollections was being brought 
to Wisconsin when a child four years of .age, in 
1845. He began his studies in the schools of Hills- 
dale Count}', and also received instruction in a 



-t 



-^^ 



924 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



private school. After the death of his mother he 
hecame an inmate of the home of Mr. Shelters, of 
Scipio TownsliiiJ. with whom it was agreed he 
should remain until reaching his majoritj'. They 
removed to Litchfiekl Township later, where j'oung 
Shattuck pursued his studies in the common schools 
during the winter season and remained under the 
roof of his foster father, where he received great 
kindness, especially from Mrs. Shelters, wliose name 
he will lK)ld in grateful remembrance to the day of 
his death for the motherly care which she exercised 
over him. 

Upon the outbreak of the late Rebellion our sub- 
ject, then a youth of twenty years, being inspired 
with the patriotism of the young men around him, 
enlisted as a Union soldier with Company' A, 1st 
Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, for a term of 
three years, being mustered into service at Marshall, 
Mich., Sept. 2, 1861. He started with his regiment 
for Louisville, Ky., and spent several months 
marching over that State and Alabama, and has the 
proud satisfaction of being able to tell that he was 
with the army of Gen. Sherman on its journey to 
the sea. He saw much active service and was fre- 
quently called upon to resist the attacks of the 
enemy while guarding prisoners at Leverne, Tenn., 
during the battle of Stone River. He continued 
with the army until the close of the war, and was 
finally sent to Nashville, Tenn., and mustered outa 
few weeks later at Jackson, Mich. 

Our subject was the first man in his company to 
receive an officer's commission, being promoted to 
the post of Commissary Sergeant, which position he 
held until his services were no longer required. At 
the expiration of his first term of enlistment he 
veteranized, Dec. 31, 1863, and made for himself 
a creditable record in all his army life. 

Upon retiring from the serv'ce Mr. Shattuck 
sought his old tramping grounds in this county, and 
purchased a small farm of sixty acres in Litchfield 
Township, where he labored successfully, paid the 
last dollar of indebtedness, and purchased a farm of 
100 acres which constitutes his present homestead. 
Now being fully equipped for the more serious 
business of life, he was married that same year, 
Dec. 30, 1867, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of 
Gardiner C. and Kmeline (Bimmer) Tripp, and who 



was born in Westlow, Albany Co.. N. Y.. April 28, 
1802. The father of Mrs. Shattuck was born in 
Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and the mother in 
Petersburg, that county. After marriage thej' set- 
tled in Petersburg, where the father was ordained 
a minister of the Regular Bajjtist Church, and occu- 
pied the pulpit in M.assachusetts and New York 
until his removal with his famil^y to this State, in 
1852. He settled in Litchfield as pastor of the 
congregation there, where he labored faithfully four 
years, and then on account of ill-health was obliged 
to retire. Soon afterward he wont to California, 
via the Isthmus, and remained upon the Pacific 
Slope a period of seven 3'ears, which had the effect 
of greatly improving his health. After returning 
to tills county he resumed his former labors to a 
considerable extent, bnt is now living retired, and 
makes his home with his daughter, IMrs. Shattuck. 
He is now seventy -eight years old. The mother 
died June 17, 1856, in Litchfield. 

Edwin G. Tripp during the late war was a mem- 
ber of Company H, 4th Michigan Infantry, and at 
the battle of Gett3-sbuig received six wounds, 
which resulted in his death thirteen days later. His 
remains now fill a soldier's grave. Two of the other 
children of the parental household .ire in Chicago, 
and one in Massachusetts. 

The wife of our subject was an infant of eight 
months when brought by her parents to Michigan, 
and was but four years old when her mother died, 
in June, 1856, at the age of forty-three years. At 
the mother's request her little daughter Sarah was 
taken into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shelters, 
her intimate friends, where the child was in all 
respects treated as one of their own famil}', receiv- 
ing good educational advantages and being care- 
fully trained to a true and useful womanhood. Of 
her union with our subject there have been born 
four children: The eldest, Phillip Eugene, is at- 
tending school at Litchfield, from which he expects 
soon to be graduated; Charles Gardner died at the 
age of seven years; Jessie Belle and Roy J. are also 
at school in Litchfield, the former being a member 
of the class of '94. 

The Shattuck homestead includes 200 acres on 
section 14 in Litchfield Township, and our subject 
is owner of 140 acres of the old homestead in 



n 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



925 




Litchfield on section 11. He has remodeled his 
residence, put the out-buildings in good repair, and 
is carrjing on general fanning after the most ap- 
proved methods. Politically, he votes independ- 
ently, aiming to support the man most worthy to 
have in charge the interests of the people. Socially, 
he and his estimable wife are members of Pomona 
Grange, in which Mr. S. has been Overseer, and he 
also belongs to Franklin Lodge No. 41, A. F. & A. 
ISI., and the G. A. R. at Litchfield, in which he is 
(.Quartermaster Serjeant. Among his neighbors and 
fellow-citizens he stands high, and is a man of whom 
his township is eminently proud. 



RANK S. WIGENT, the youngest member 
now practicing at the bar of Hillsdale 
County, first opened his eyes to the light on a 
farm in Camden Township, in the southwest corner 
of the county, Oct. 1, 18(53. He is the second son of 
A. J. Wigent, one of the earliest pioneers of South- 
ern Michigan, who was a native of New York, and 
was brought by his parents to the Territory of 
Michigan when a child four years of age. 

Upon reaching manhood the father of our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Belinda, daughter 
of Samuel Foust. and became the parent of seven 
children. Mr. Wigent, as a man of industr3^ and 
energ}', intelligent and progressive, held the various 
township offices, serving as Justice of the Peace a 
number of years, and representing Camden Town- 
ship in the County Board of Supervisors four 
terms. He was a pronounced Democrat and up- 
held his principles with all the strength of his 
character. He and his estimable wife are still liv- 
ing. About 1859 they removed from Reading to 
Camden Township, where they now reside. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Martin 
Wigent by name, was of German descent, and re- 
moved from New York State to Ohio in 1834, 
where he lived two years on a farm, and thence 
came, in 1836, to this county, where he spent his 
last days. He settled in Reading 'J'ownship, cleared 
and cultivated a tract of laud, and built up a com- 
fortable homestead. 

The subject of this sketch spent his earl}- life 



l~ 



after the manner of the sons of pioneer farmers, ac- 
quiring his education in the Reading school, four 
miles from his home, to which he vvas obliged to 
walk each morning and return in the same manner 
in the evening. In the fall of 1883, when a youth 
of eighteen years, he had made such good use of his 
timeand opportunities, he entered Hillsdale College, 
where he pursued a course of study two years. 
Upon leaving college he entered the law office of 
Messrs. Weaver & Shepherd, of Hillsdale, under 
whose instruction he continued eighteen months, 
and w.as adinitte<l to the bar in August, 1887. He 
soon afterward opened an office in Hillsdale, and 
began alone the practice of his chosen profession. 
He is a close student, and ambitious to excel, and 
is already in the enjoyment of a good business. He 
is especially proficient in criminal practice, and 
has taken part in some of the most noted cases of 
the county. He was appointed City Clerk Jan. 
19, 1888, which office he still holds, and has taken 
an active part in jwlitics, affiliating with the Demo- 
cratic party. He was Deputy Sheriff under M. G. 
Wood six months, and evinces the energy and per- 
severance which are not only essential but can 
hardly fail to yield him entire success. His career 
is watched with interest b^- hosts of friends, who 
predict for him an enviable future. 

'jf/ EWIS WALES, a resident of Jonesville, this 
I (^ county, is the son of Samuel Wales, who 
jl'— ^ 2^ was born in Nortliami)ton, Mass., while his 
mother, whose maiden name was Marv Bradley, 
W!is born in New Haven, Conn. They finall}- re- 
moved to Vermont, where they resided until their 
death. 

The parental family of our subject included 
seven children, of whom Lewis, the youngest, was 
born in Westminster, N. Y., on the Uth of May, 
1806. When si.vteen j-ears of age, he w.as appren- 
ticed to learn the trade of a shoemaker in AYalpole, 
N. H., and w.as thus occupied three years, after 
which he removed to St. Lawrence Count}', N. Y., 
which became his residence for the ne.\t fifteen 
years. In 1 839 Mr. Wales came to Hillsdale County, 
.Mich., and settled in Jonesville, where he plied his 



f 



I 



926 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



h 



vocation. He afterward settled on a farm in Scipio 
Township, where he lived ten years, carrying on 
shoeroaking in connection with his agricultural pur- 
suits. He then returned to .Jonesville and engaged 
in tiie boot and shoe business, which he followed 
for about twenty years, and has continued to make 
Jonesville his residence to the present time. 

In 1831 Mr. Wales was united in marriage, in 
Madrid, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., with Jliss Betsey 
"Wilson, who was a native of Middlebury, Vt. Of 
this nnion there have been born six children, five 
of whom lived to maturity. Onlj' two of these 
children are now living, a daughter and son. In 
1869 Mr. Wales sustained a serious loss in the 
destruction by fire of his entire stock of goods, but 
he did not lose courage, and is recovering from its 
effects. Mrs. Betsey Wales departed this life at her 
home in Jonesville, on the 2il of December, 1865. 

Our subject has held the office of Township 
Treasurer, while he has also been President of the 
village and one of the Councilmen. He has held 
the office of County Superintendent of the Poor for 
sixteen years, and in these responsible positions has 
acquitted himself creditably. Mr. Wales is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics was a 
Demoer.at until 1848, after which he became identi- 
fied with the Free-Soil paity, to which he gave his 
support until the organization of the Republican 
party, which has since been the exponent of his 
jiolitical views. 

<X[ I^ILLIAM A. ARMSTRONG, Supervisor of 
\rJ// Moscow Township, owns and occupies a 
\^^ good farm on section 4. He is of Scotch 
descent, being the son of Andrew an^ Jeanette 
(C'am[ibell) Armstrong, who came to America when 
quite young, in the early part of the present cent- 
ury. The}' were married in Wheatland Township, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., and settled with the colony 
in Caledonia, where they spent the remainder of 
their lives. The father died in 1834, when tliirtj'- 
six years old, and the mother in 1854, at the age 
of fifty-six. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of the 
jjarental family, wliicli included two sons ancl three 



daughters. He was born March 26, 1827, in Cale- 
donia, N. Y.. and was but seven 3'ears of age at 
the time of his father's death. He received a good 
education, taking an academic course at Geneseo, 
and at an earlj' age assumed charge of the home- 
stead, remaining there while his mother lived. Sub- 
sequently he eng.aged in the sbip[)ing of grain. In 
1856 he was married to Miss Jane A., daughter of 
John B. Blue, and they became the parents of a 
daughter, Jane Ann, who lived to be twenty-seven 
years of age. Mrs. Jane Armstrong died in 1858. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, in 
1859, with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William 
McNaughton, of Livingston County, N. Y., and to 
them were born three children: Nettie, the wife of 
Clay Cole, attorney -at-law at Petoskey; Margaret 
E., a teacher in Jackson County, and Alva, de- 
ceased. Mrs. Elizabeth Armstrong died in 1872. 

Our subject came to Moscow Township, this 
county, in 1859. He had previously owned a farm in 
Jackson County, which he sold upon coming to this 
county, and now confines his operations to 200 
acres of the farm of Daniel McNabb. His present 
wife, to whom he was married June 6, 1877, was 
formerlj- Mrs. Sylvia Simmons, daughter of George 
W. and Sarah L. (Dye) Parker, natives of Cayuga 
County, N. Y.,and widow of the late Seneca W. Sim- 
mons. Her parents first settled in Onondaga County, 
that State, whence they came to Michigan in the 
fall of 1844. The mother died in 1849, and the 
father was subsequently married to Miss Phebe 
Rowley. He is still living in Pulaski Township, 
Jackson County, and is sixty-six j-ears old. Mrs. 
Sylvia Armstrong was born March 7, 1845, in Fay- 
ette Township, this county, and was married to 
Mr. Simmons in 1868. They settled on a farm in 
Hanover Township, Jackson County, and became 
the parents of three children: George E., a mem- 
ber of the cl.ass of '89 in Hanover Union School ; 
Ervin L. and P^lizabeth M., the latter two attending 
school in the home district. Mr. Simmons died in 
1876, when thirty-six years old. 

Of the present marriage of our subject there 
liave been born three children — C. Maude, William 
C. and A. Scott. Mr. Armstrong has served as 
Supervisor five or six years, wiis Justice of the 
Peace four years, and Sclmol Director several years. 



t 



T 



u 



•a^i-M* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



927 




being espocially interested in educational matters. 
TinougL his instrumentality a gra<led schoul was 
established in District No. 1, Moscow Township, 
which is rated as the best school within its limits. 
In religious matters he belongs to the Methodist 
Churcli. 



■SA P. M0SHP:R. In making note of the 
(CSlOl Pai'ly settlers of Scipio Township, the sub- 
ject of this sketch sliould bj' no means be 
omitted, as he came to the northern part 
of this county' when a goodly proportion of it was 
still uncultivated, and the homes of the pioneers 
were few and far between. He first purchased 
forty-eight acres, to which he subsequentlj' added 
a like amount, and has now a good farm of ninety- 
six acres, whicii is provided with suitable buildings 
and which comprises a comfortable homestead. 

Mr. Mosher was born in Columbia County, N. 
Y., July 2.5, 181.5, and is the son of Esek and 
Eli'/.abeth Mosher, who were natives of New York, 
and who spent their last j'ears in that State and i)assed 
to their long home many years ago. Asa P., when 
a youth of seventeen years, began learning the trade 
of chairmaker, which he followed a short time, and 
having a good understanding of the art of wood- 
turning, he was in connection with this subsequently 
engaged iu the manufacture of tubs and pails, 
for which there was a ready market at Galway. He 
left his native count3' in 1838, and took up his 
residence at Union Springs, in Cayuga County, 
where he followed chairmaking, and where he re- 
mained until tlie si)ring of 18J4. 

In the meantime Mr. Mosher was married, Oct. 
18, 1838, iu Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., to Miss 
Diana .Seaver, who was born in that count3', Jan. 
23, 1819. After the birth of two children. Mr. 
Mosher, desirous of bettering his condition finan- 
cially, made his way to Soutiiern Michigan, and 
settled with his little family iu Scipio Township, of 
which he has since been a resident. Here the wife 
and mother died Sept. 11, 1872, at the age of fifty- 
two years. She was a ladj' of much worth and in- 
telligence, liberal in her religious views, a devoted 
wife, a kind mother and a good neighbor. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Mosher there were born five 

.^ 



children: Mary E., now deceased; Charity, who 
continues at home with her father; Emily A., who 
is engaged as a teacher in the district schools; 
Angelnie and P'lorance A. Angeline is the widow 
of Oscar II. Andrews, who died in Mosherville about 
1875; Florance married Marvin Palmer, of Scipio 
Township, and died at her homo in J.ackson, Mich., 
Feb. 28, 1885, leaving two children — Jossie I. and 
Floyd O. 

Mr. Mosher became identified with the Society 
of Friends in his native Stale of New York, and 
still holds to their simple faith and peculiar views. 
Politically, he is now a Prohibitionist. He cist his 
first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and 
for a number of years was a member of the Free- 
Soil party. He has served as Highw.iy Commis- 
sioner and School Director, and has built up for 
himself a record of which his children will be glad 
to read iu future years. 



f 



' OSEPH L. LUKE. Tlie snug farm of eighty 
acres occupying a part of section 12 iu 
Camden Township, and belonging to the 
subject of this biography, is one of the finest 
in all its appointments in the southwestern part of 
Hillsdale County. The land, through a process of 
careful cultivation, is highly productive, and the 
beautiful dwelling, with the neat and tasteful out- 
buildings, forms not only an ornament to the land- 
scape, but a most inviting, cheerful and luxurious 
home to its inmates. This condition of affairs could 
onlj' have been brought about by persevering in- 
dustry and the exercise of refined tastes and ample 
means. In addition to the general farming carried 
on in a most profitable and successful manner, the 
proprietor has also given considerable attention to 
stock-raising, and exhiliits some of the finest animals 
.along the southern line of the county. 

Our subject, a gentleman in the prime of life, is 
a native of this county, and was born iu Wood- 
bridge Township, Aug. 18, 1845. He is of Scotch- 
Irish ancestry, but his parents. Will i.am and Jane 
(Lowery) Luke, were born in Ireland. They emi- 
grated to America after their marriage, and in 1842 
settled in Woodbridgc Township, where they lived 



i 



u 




928 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



until 18-18. Thence they came to Camden Town- 
ship, where the father purchased land on section 13, 
and there spent his last days, his death taking place 
Jan. 8, 1874. The mother died in May, 1888, in 
Cambria Townsliip. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
five ciiildren, of wliom Roliert died wiien quite 
small; Mary is the wife of Levi Ilaines, of Hillsdale 
Township; Jennie R. married Herbert Curtiss, a 
well-to-do farmer of Camden Township; Sarah A. 
is deceased, and Joseph, our subject. William Luke 
was one of the early pioneers of Camden 1 ownsliip, 
and suffered in common with the jieople about him 
the liardships and struggles of that time. About 
one year after coming here a tree fell upon him 
and broke three ribs and one of his hips, from wiiicli 
catastrophe he was laid up for a period of fifteen 
months, and left a cripple for life. He died in Janu- 
ary, 1874. He was a good man in the broadest 
sense of the term, honest and industrious, and is 
still remembered kindly by the old settlers who are 
livin<>'. He served on the Scliool Board a number 
of years, and had been frequentlj' solicited to accept 
office, but was of that retiring disposition which 
declined coming before tlie public. He was a 
strong Democrat, politically, and adhered to his 
principles with great tenacity, pursuing the course 
which he believed to be right under all circum- 
stances. His widow made her home with her 
youngest daughter. Sarah A., in Camliria Town- 
ship, until her death in May, 1888. 

Mr. Luke, our subject, acquired such education 
as the district schools of his neighborhood afforded, 
and early in life began assisting his parents in build- 
ing up the pioneer home. He has seen much hard 
labor, and assisted in the work of clearing two 
farms. He has been a useful man in his community, 
and, like his honored father, is the object of esteem 
and confidence bj' his neighbors and fellow-citizens. 
He votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has 
served as School Director and Assessor a number 
of years. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Louisa 
Hannah was celebrated at the home of the bride, 
in Reading Township, Jan. 20, 18G7. Mrs. Luke 
is the daugiiler of William and Rachel (Skelly) 
Hannah, who were natives of Renusylvania, and 



emigrated to this county during its earlj' settle- 
ment. They passed their last years in this county, 
being now both deceased. To our subject and his 
wife there was born one child only, a daughter, 
Alta, Dec. 4. 18G8, and who is now living at home. 
Mr. Luke, in 1882, became identified with the I. O. 
O. F., and still continues a member of the lodge 
at Camden. 



A. i 



^E> 



Ti 



-3=f 



f?ACOB ALONZO DeBOW. The name of 



this gentleman is widely and favorably 
i known throughout Litchfield Townsiiip as 
one of its oldest living pioneers, who has 
built up for himself a good record, and has fulfilled 
the highest ideal of a true manhood. He has not 
been without his struggles and difficulties, and in 
common with his fellowmen he has had his deep 
afflictions, but has borne them with that patient 
dignity which has ever commanded the respect and 
admiration of those about him. While great and 
strong, physicall}-, being possessed of a powerful 
frame, he is also well balanced mentall}', with a 
large and generous heart that has ever been open to 
the call of distress, while his hand, as he was able, 
has lent assistance to those in rjeed. 

Our subject is of excellent ancestry, being of 
P"rench descent on his father's side, while the pro- 
genitors of the mother originated in Scotland. The 
former, John DeBow, was born in New York, and 
the latter, Jane (Selferidge) DeBow, was a native of 
AVayne County, that State, where the3' were mar- 
ried, and settled in Galen Township. The father 
when a young man did good service in the War of 
1812, and the maternal grandfather of our subject 
served the country of his adoption in the Revolu- 
tionary War. 

The mother of our subject died while a young 
woman, in Wayne Countj', N. Y., about 1 822, at 
the age of twenty-eight or thirty years. Of this 
marriage of John DeBow there were six children, 
three sons and three daughters, two of whom died 
young. Jacob Alonzo, our subject, was the third 
child of this marriage, and was born April 8, 1816, 
in Galen Township, Wayne Co., N. Y. He was a 
little lad of six years at the time of his mother's 




h 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



929 



death. Two years later the father married Miss 
Polly Morris, and removed to Tompkins Connt}', 
whore he resided for six or seven years, .and on 
account of a defect in the title lost all his property, 
thereafter going into Pennsylvania a penniless man. 
Of his second marriage there were also liorn six 
children. Our suhject was twelve j'ears of age 
when the family removed to Pennsylvania, and set- 
tled ill Jackson Township. Tioga County, where 
he developed into manhood. In the meantime his 
education had been sadly neglected, as there were 
no schools for miles from his home. At the age of 
eighteen ho left the parentjil ri)of, and engaged to 
work for his board, so that he could attend a dis- 
trict school in a more thickly settled pait of tiie 
country, along the Tioga River Valley. 

During the year of Harrison's election, 1.S40, 
3'oung DeBow went to Huron Counl3', Ohio, locat- 
ing in Fairfield Township during the early settle- 
ment of that region. There he employed himself 
as a farmer and wheelwright, being a natural me- 
chanic, and able to handle tools to good advan- 
tage, without serving a regular apprenticeship. In 
the Buckej-e State he also met his fate in the person 
of Miss Mary Packard, to whom he was married 
Jan. i'7, 1844. Mrs. DeBow was born Oct. 3, 1827, 
in New York State, and was the daughter of Alan- 
son Packard, a cloth dresser and carder, who after 
removing from the Empire State to Ohio, employed 
himself at the same business. The parental house- 
hold included six children. The father died in 
Jonesville, Hillsdale County, and the mother in 
New Y'ork State. Their daughter Mary, like her 
husband, received only a limited education, but 
like him vvas courageous, economical and industrious, 
and proved the efficient helpmate of her husband in 
his struggles for an honest livelihood. This excel- 
lent lady came with her husband to the farther West, 
and passed away at her home in Litchfield Town- 
ship, this county, March 19, 1876, at the age of 
forty-nine years. 

Of this marriage of our subject there were born 
six children, of whom George, the eldest, died when 
a promising youth of nineteen years, Sept. 1 6, 1 805 ; 
Henry married Miss Ella Hobinson, of Hillsdale, 
and during his younger ^-ears taught school several 
terms; he is now a i)ros|)erous farmer of Poineroy, 



Garfield Co., \V. T., arid the father of one child, a 
daughter, Leila; Willie married Miss Emma Ledger- 
wood, and also engaged in teaching during his 
younger years; he is now carrying on jigriculture 
successfully in Garfield County. W. T., and is the 
proud father of a son and daughter — George and 
Edna. Matilda died when a little child four years 
of age; Clark is operating a ranch in Washington 
Territory; Lida remains on the homestead with her 
father, and has charge of his household affairs. 

Our subject and the wife of his 3'outh came to 
this count}' in August, 1848, settling at once in 
Litchfield County, of which our subject h.as since 
been a resident. His forty years' experience in the 
Wolverine State has been one with which he would 
not willingly part, as he has obtained a full realiza- 
tion of what may be accomplished by the hand of 
man. In common with the courageous men about 
him, he bent his energies to subduing the soil, and 
building up a homestead as a legacy for his children. 
He still continues in possession of the land which he 
then secured. He contracted a second marriage, on 
the 5th of March. 1878, vri\h Mrs. O. A. (Curtis) 
Bruce, daughter of Ira .and Orrilla Curtis, and widow 
of Lanson Bruce, who died in 1869, in Penn- 
sylvania. This lady departed this life at her home 
in Litchfield Township, April 7, 1888. A few d.ays 
after Mr. DeBo}' experienced another affliction in 
the loss of his stepdaughter. Mar}' Bruce, who died 
April 29, 1888. Under this visitation of Provi- 
dence he has received the symp.athy of the entire 
community. 

Mr. DeBow commenced life at the bottom round 
of the ladder, his possessions being the result of his 
own determined energy and perseverance. He has 
been the interested witness of the progress and 
development of two of the greatest States of the 
Union, Ohio and Michigan, and as far as he was 
able contributed his quota toward liringing about 
this result. Every man who has thus deported 
himself .as a good citizen has licen of service to his 
State and his community. The National reform 
measures that have been brought about have been a 
source of gr.atification to him as to all other intelli- 
gent men. He was a decided anti-slavery man, 
and has been an earnest Republican since the birth 
of this party, casting his vote for its lirst Presidcn- 



i~ 




■<^ 



930 



■•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



i 



tial candidate, Joliii C. F'lemont, in 1856. He has 
been for a number of years School Director in his 
township, and always the friend of education, and. 
materially assisted in the building of Hillsdale Col- 
lege. When a j'outh of sixteen 3'ears lie identified 
himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, later 
becoming connected with the Congregationalists, but 
is now a Free-Will Baptist, having been identified 
with this church at South Litchfield since its organi- 
zation, and has served as Deacon for a period of 
twelve years. His career has been eminently one 
of which iiis children will be proud, as he will leave 
to them that best legacy — an untarnished name. 

^ #-# 5- 




ILLIAM T. L\ ONS. one of the most highly 
* respected citizens of Hillsdale Township, 
is a stock-grower of considerable reputa- 
tion, and carries on general farming on a fine tract 
of land, occupying a part of section 32. He comes 
of stanch Pennsylvania stock, and was born in 
Westmoreland County, that State, Jan. 1, 1818. 
His parents, David M. and Margaret (Gihnore) 
Lj^ons, were also natives of Pennsylvania. They 
subsequently settled in Wood County, Ohio, where 
the father died in 1 834, at the a,ge of thirty-five 
j'ears. He was a farmer by occupation, and botli 
l^arcnts belonged to tiie Seceders or Scotch Re- 
formed Church. The mother survived her husband 
for a period of forty years, remaining a widow, 
and p.assing avvaj- at lier home in Hillsdale Town- 
ship, at the residence of her son, William T., in 
1874, at the age of eighty-four years, having been 
born in 1790. 

■ The parental household of our subject included 
seven children, namely: William T., Gilmore G., 
Mary. Barbara, Jane, David M. and Nancy. Of 
these six are living, and residents of Michigan, ex- 
cept Jane, who lives in Missouri. Mr. L3-ons left 
his native State when thirteen years of age, and 
settled in Ohio. In the year 1844 he came to Hills- 
dale County, and settled in Moscow Township. 
When a little past thirt}' years of age he was united 
in marriage with Miss Catherine S. Depne, the 
wedding taking place April 13, 1848, in Moscow 
Township, Hillsdale County. Mrs. Lyons vvas born 



in Seneca County, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1831, and is the 
daughter of Benjamin and Betsy (Martin) Depue, 
also natives of that State, the father born in 1788, 
and the mother in 1793. Benjamin Depue followed 
agriculture all his life, and rested from his lalwrs 
at his home in Adams Township, this county, on 
the 4th of April, 1872. He was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Blethodisl Episcopal Church, in which 
he served efficiently, and was one of its chief pil- 
lars. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He left 
the Empire State in 1840, and took up his abode 
among the pioneers of Southern Michigan, where he 
became well known by the people of this county, and 
thoroughly respected. A man of decided views, he 
took an active part in politics, and was a zealous 
supporter of Democratic principles. The uiothei- 
survived her husband about five 3'ears, her death 
taking place in Moscow Township, Jan. 1, 1877, 
after she had arrived at the advanced age of eighty- 
four years. She differed somewhat from her hus- 
band in religious belief, being an adherent of the 
Presbyterian faith, and labored actively for the 
welfare of her church. Of the twelve children 
comprising the fainih' four died in infancy. Mar- 
garet married Mr. Sutfin, of Adams Township, now 
deceased; Henry is a resident of Reading; A. F. 
carries on farming in Hillsdale Township; Elizabeth 
is the wife of Oliver Carruthers, of Hillsdale; 
Catherine is Mrs. Lyons. 

Mr. Lj'ons after coming to this county was a 
resident of Moscow Township for a period of six- 
teen years, when he sold out and took possession of 
his present farm. He now has 230 acres of fertile 
land, which he has brought to a high state of culti- 
vation, and upon which he has built a handsome 
and commodious brick residence. His barn is one 
of the finest in the eountj' ; a windmill does efficient 
service in distributing water to various parts of the 
farm, and in his fine stock operations our subject is 
eminently successful. He is a gentleman possessing 
a fine fund of general information, keeps himself 
well posted upon matters of general interest, and is 
a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. 

Both our subject and his estimable wife are 
members in good standing of the Baptist Church. 
Their union resulted in the birth of six children, 
of whom l)ul three arc living: William H. died 

«^ 



i 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



931 



when eighteen montlis old ; Louisa is the wife of 
Samuel O. l\Iora;aii, of Hillsdale Township; Eliza M. 
married Rev. W. K. Jackson, a minister of the Bap- 
tist Church, and presiding over a congregation at 
Grand Prairie, Wis.; William married Miss Mary 
Underwood, and resides in Hillsdale. The chil- 
dren received a good education, and, like their 
[jarcnts, occupy good positions in life. 



i= 



\V^^ GRACE M. WARD, ex-Supervisor of Fay- 
'1/ "Nil cite Township, is a resident of section 11 
of that township. Ill's father was the Hon. 
Alartin C. Ward, who w.as bom in Guilford, 
Conn., Dec. 17, 1794. His grandfather was Deacon 
.lohn Ward, a native of the same place, where he 
was horn in 1769. Deacon Levi Ward, the great- 
grandfather of our subject, was born in Killing- 
worth, Conn., in 174C, and w.as a Lieutenant in the 
Connecticut Militia during the Revolutionar3' War. 
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Silence Orriet, was a daughter of James Cramp- 
ton, who was a native of Guilford, Conn. She 
married M.artin C. Ward, the father of our subject, 
and settled in Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 24, 
1820. The father was a contractor and builder, 
and engaged in operating sawmills quite exten- 
sively; he also had the management of the telegraph 
line between Albany and Buffalo, which it was part 
of his dutj' to keep in order. The parents of our 
snbject resided in Bergen until their death, which 
occurred for the mother Oct. 7, 1 8.')7, and for the 
father. Feb. 6, 1883. Hon. Martin C. Ward served 
in the General Assembly of 1849, and again in 
1850, being twice elected, and held many impor- 
tant offices; he also held several important commis- 
sions from the Governors from York .State. He 
was Lieutenant, Captain and Major of infantrj', and 
was three times elected Justice of the Pe.ice, while 
for two years he was .Supervisor of the town of 
Bergen, and Postmaster of Stone Church for sixteen 
years. 

The parental family of our subject included 
nine children, as follows: Henry M., deceased; 
Jeanette O. ; Amanda M., deceased; C3'nthia M., 
deceased; Charles L., Cynthia A., Levi O., Horace 



M. and Jerome C. Our subject was born in Bergen, 
Genesee Co.. N. Y.. Nov. 6, 1837, and lived on the 
farm until sixteen years of age. receiving first a 
common-school education, and in addition a com- 
mercial course in Bryant & Stratton's College, at 
Buffalo. N. Y.. where he was gr.adnated. Young 
Ward was then employed as clerk in a store in 
Beigen for seven years, and was afterward en- 
gaged in the commission business in New York 
City for about one year, when he returned to Ber- 
gen, and with his brother, Jerome C, bonghta farm 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits five years. 
During that time he patented a gate, known as the 
" Automatic Farm Gate," which proved quite valua- 
ble. He remained there until 1868, and in ti)e 
spring of that year came to Hillsd.ale County, 
where he bought a farm in Fayette Township, u])on 
which he has since resided. While living in Bergen 
he held several important offices, including that of 
Justice of the Peace one term, and Inspector of 
Elections. Since coming to Hillsdale County Mr. 
Ward has held tiie office of Supervisor of Fayette 
Township five years, and has also been Director of 
Schools and Ilighwa}- Commissioner for one year. 

Horace M. Ward was united in marriage, while a 
residence of Bergen, N. Y'., April 10, 1862, with 
Miss Ann M., daughter of Benjamin F. and Olive 
(Dudley) Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in 
Watertown, N. Y., and Mrs. Johnson in North 
Guilford, Conn. They settled in Burton, Geauga 
Co., Ohio, where they lived for some time, after 
which they removed to Illinois, and subsequently 
to Iowa, wliere Mr. Johnson died in 1843. His 
widow was afterward married to Abel Crampton, 
and died in F.ayette Townsliip in March, 1883. 
By her union with Mr. Johnson there were born 
three children — Ermina L., Ann M. and t^lsie F. 

Mrs. Ward was born in Burton, Ohio, Jul}- 31, 
1838, and her union with our subject residted in the 
birth of four children — Nellie V.. Edson IL, Robert 
A. and Perley F. These children received a liberal 
education, and the two eldest are following the 
profession of school teacher in the neighboring dis- 
tricts, while Robert A. is a professor of penmanship 
in Hillsdale College; Nellie V. is a graduate of 
Hillsdale College. Their mother is an intelligent, 
educated woman, and also was engage(l in teaching 



I 



932 



:A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



before her marriage. Mr. Ward is a charter mem- 
ber of Fayette Grange No. 251, and Hillsdale 
County Pomona Grange No. 10. 

Mr. Ward learned from his grandfather, Deacon 
Levi Ward, that about the year 1635, J. Ward, with 
his associates, emigrated from England and settled 
in New England, near Boston; the records shows 
that Peter Ward, his grandson, was born in Killing- 
worth, and in 1743 settled on the northeast corner 
of North Killingworlh. This was gleaned from 
Deacon Levi Ward, by his grandson, Martin C, 
the father of the subject of this sketch. 




AN C. VAN ALLEN. For the last twenty- 
three years the subject of this sketch has 
been pursuing the even tenor of his w.ay 
in Fayette Township, attending chiefly to 
his own concerns, which have been most closely 
connected with the cultivation of a good farm on 
section 17, of which he became owner in 1865. He 
was born near the town of Starkey. Yates Co., N. 
Y.. Dec. 30, 1 834, and when but a lad came with 
his parents to this county. He received a com- 
mon-school education, and was reared to farming 
pursuits, in which he has been mostly engaged his 
entire life. 

The parents of our subject, Cicero P. and Mar- 
garet (Sulfin) Van Allen, were also natives of the 
Empire State, the father born Maj' 17, 1813, and 
the mother in July of the same j'ear. They came 
to Michigan about 1841, settling first in Clinton 
Countj', then moved back to New York State, whence 
they came to this county in the j^ear 1842. but sub- 
sequently removed to Jackson County. They finally 
took up their residence in Jonesville, where the 
mother departed this life in 1884. The father is 
still living and a resident of Jonesville; he subse- 
quently married Mrs. Emily Williams. The nine 
cliildren of the parental household were named re- 
spectively: Dan C, Darwin G., Laura, Lois J., 
Cicero, John, George, Eva and Homer. The sec- 
ond son, Darwin, during the late war served as a 
soldier in the 4th Michigan Infantry, and afterward 
in the 27th. He was wounded at the battle of the 
Wilderness, and suffered imprisonment at Anderson- 



ville, but was exchanged. His father brought him 
home, but he only lived about a year. Laura is the 
wife of Elder L. B. Tompkins, of Jonesville; Lois, 
Mrs. Alexander Stewart, lives near Socorro, N. M. ; 
Cicero was also a member of the 27th Michigan In- 
fantry with his brother, and like him, suffered the 
terrors of Andersonville, but was subsequentlj- trans- 
ferred to another prison, where he died; John, also 
a soldier in the Union array, lived to return home, 
and is farming in Somerset Township, this county; 
George is also a resident of this township; Eva died 
when about nineteen years of age; Homer is living 
in New Mexico. 

Daniel Van Allen, the paternal grandfatlier of our 
subject, was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and 
was of German ancestry. He spent his last years 
in the Empire State, and passed away at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-one. He was a man of deep 
piety, and consistent!}' followed the religion which 
he professed. He was in many respects a remark- 
able man ; during the greater number of years of 
his life he was a man of strong religious convic- 
tions, and in looking over an obituary notice writ- 
ten of him by Rev. C. Z. Case, and printed in the 
Daily Advertiser, of Elmira, N. Y., the reader can- 
not but conclude th.at he was a man of sterling 
character and pure principles. By industry, econ- 
om}' and enterprise, he acquired a competency, but 
by far the richest legacy that he left to his children 
and grandchildren was the record of a pure and 
unspotted life. Dan. C, of our sketch, was a sub- 
ject of the military draft, March 15, 1865, but 
this being near the close of the war, was required 
to serve onlj' a short time, being mustered out on 
the 15th of May following. Not long afterward he 
l)urehased his present farm in Fayette Township, 
which embraces ninety acres of good land, with fair 
improvements. He is a Democrat, politically, and 
sociallj', a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Our subject was married in Somerset Township, 
this county, on the 10th of December, 1859, to 
Miss Maria, daughter of Abel and Anna (Howard) 
Scott, and who was born near Grass Lake, Jackson 
County, this State, M.arch 3, 1 842. The parents of 
Mrs. Van Allen were among the pioneers of Jack- 
son County, where Mr. Scott cleared up a large 
farm, and erected a substantial brick residence. 



i 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



933 



■A 



hut just before it was ready to move into lie sold 
it. anil sottli'd in Soniorset Township, this c-oniil^', 
tlien moved to Jonesville, and kept a grocery store 
about two years. Thej' later moved to the farm in 
F.ij'ette Townshijj where Mr. \:\u Allen lives. In 
1867 he returned to Jonesville, and iUmI a year 
later. He had at different times served as Justice 
of the Peace. He was a Democrat in politics, and 
religiously, was inclined to the Methodist belief. 
His widow is still living in Jonesville. in comfort- 
able circumstances, and is yet hale and hearty. 
This marriage of our subject resulted in the birth 
of two children, a daughter and son. The former, 
Eva, is the wife of James Riley, of Fayette Town- 
ship, and the mother of one boy, Dan C, named 
after his grandfather, and born Oct. KJ, 1880. Scott, 
the son, continues under the parental roof. 



fi\ERNON H. LOCKAVOOD. a son of one of 
"^ the most honored pioneers of this conntj', 
has his home on section 17, Jefferson Town- 
sliip, and still occu|)ies the house in which he was 
born on the 13th of August, 1853. His father, 
Jehial H., and his mother, Adaliza (Jenkins) Lock- 
wood, were natives respectively' of Vermont and 
New York, the former born June 29, 181G. 

Jehial Lockwood when a small boy was taken by 
his father, Nathaniel Lockwood, to St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., aiid Tlience, in' 1837, to this State, 
they settling west of the present site of Hillsdale, 
of wliich flourishing city there was then not the 
remotest indication. The younger Lockwood, in 
1 844, was m.irried to the mother of our subject, 
whose parents had left the Enii>ire State and settled 
in this countj' at an earl^- day. Jehial Lockwood, 
in 1853, purchased the present homestead of 160 
acres, a few months before the birth of our subject, 
and here lived and labored until the close of his 
useful life, departing hence Jan. 27, 1888. He was 
a man of more than ordinary intelligence. Demo- 
cratic iu politics, but never an ollice-seeker, al- 
though possessing the elements of character and 
the ability which admirably fitted him for positions 
of responsibility and trust. He was essentially a 
friend of the people, with a keen sympathy for the 



down-trodden and oppressed. He did not identify 
himself with any church organization, but believed 
that his religious duties were all involved in the 
Golden Rule, namely', to do unto others as he 
would have them do unto him. His early educa- 
tion had been extremely limited, but by a course 
of reading and his habit of thought and observa- 
tion he kept himself well informed, and could ex - 
l)ress his views easily and |)leasanlly, being a most 
interesting man to converse with, and of that genial 
temperament which gained linn many warm friends. 

The mother of our subject, a most worthy and 
excellent lady, preceded her husband to the 
Itetter laud, her death taking place in the same 
house as that of her husband, Oct. 28, 1884. The 
parental household included six children, one of 
whom died in infancy, and five survive the parents. 
One, a daughter, Amanda A., who was born Jan. 
17, 1851, and was the wife of Henry O. Briggs, died 
March 4, 1888, without children. The eldest child, 
Benjamin, was born Aug. 22, 1845, is married, and 
the father of two children, and is farming in Me- 
costa County, this State; Vernon IL, our subject, was 
the third child ; Ida F. was born in January, 1857, 
and is now iu Jackson, Mich. ; Lillian F. was born 
Nov. 26, 1859. and is married to Frank Blakeman, 
a resident of Osseo; they have no children. 

Mr. Lockwood was taught to make himself use- 
ful at an early age, there being much work to do 
in clearing up the new farm, and his school advant- 
ages were exceedingly' limited, he attending princi- 
pally during the winter season. Like his father 
before him, however, he read the books which came 
iu his w.ay, and gained a .useful fund of informa- 
tion. AVhen twenty j'ears of age he was married, 
Oct. 14, 1873, to Miss Harriet, daughter of .lohn 
W. and Jane E. (Fraker) Bates, and who w.as born 
in Jefferson Township, this count}', Aug. 10, 1854. 

The parents of Mrs. L. were natives of Michigan 
and are now in Dakota. She was the seventh iu a 
family of ten children. Her eldest sister, Mary E., 
was born Nov. 24, 1840, is now the wife of John 
Hodges, a resitlent of Hillsdale, this county, and 
the mother of two children ; Erastus, during the late 
war, entered the army when but a youth, serving 
three yeare and returning home unharmed; he is 
now a resident of Adams Township. Josephine is 



r 



.► i r^ r. 




934 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the wife of William Plum, of Ilillsflale, and the 
motber uf two children; Olive. Mrs. Jasper Mc- 
Laughlin, is the mother of two children, and lives 
in Hillsdale; Electa married James Rowse. and died 
at her home in Jefferson Township in 1S75, leaving 
one child, a son, ]Janiel; Harriet. Mrs. Lockwood, 
was the next child; Clarissa, Mrs. Warren Briggs, 
lives in Hillsdale, and has no children; Josina mar- 
ried Nathan Shorman. of Emmons County, Dak., 
and is the mother of three children ; B^ron also 
makes his home in Hillsdale. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood are the parents of one 
child only, Fred C, who was born Oct. 22, 1875. 
He is a very promising youth, and has been endowed 
by nature with extraordinary musical talent, which 
his parents are fostering, giving him every oppor- 
tunity of perfecting himself in this art. He is 
ahead}' a fine performer on the organ. Mr. Lock- 
wood is a strict temperance man, a Democrat politi- 
cally, and is not ashamed to have it known that 
he votes for Prohibition. His record has been with- 
out blemish, and he is numbered among the solid 
men of his community. 



3-*- 



HRI.STOPHER STRAYER. The subject of 



e- 



sketch is fullj' entitled to a place among 
the selfmade men of Hillsdale Count}-, as 
amidst the more than ordinary disadvantages of liis 
youth and the lack of education, he has struggled 
into a good position, socially and financially. By a 
course of reading he has become master of a good 
fund of general information, and liis habit of thought 
and observation, together with his rich experience 
of life, has formed within him a strong and coura- 
geous character wliich has done him good service 
in his struggle with the world. 

Mr. Strayer has witnessed the growth of two of 
the most important States of the Union. Michi- 
gan and Ohio, from a wilderness into great and 
civilized commonwealths. He was born in Penn- 
sylvania, May 6, 1835, and was taken by his parents 
when an infant to Lucas County, Ohio, when within 
two miles of his father's dwelling there was not the 



•Mt^ 



house of a white man. the playmates of little Chris- 
topher being the Indian boys. He never saw the 
inside of a school-room until he was a lad of twelve 
years. His father was a poor man, and the children 
were all put to work at an early age. The educa- 
tion of Christopher was mostly carried on by the 
evening fireside, and his first text books were a New 
Testament and a spelling book. He worked out 
until reaching his majority, and his father com- 
manded his wages. 

The parents of our subject, Michael and Barbara 
(Walters) Strayer, were of New England birth and 
parentage, and of German ancestry. The paternal 
grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, and 
spent his last j'ears in New Jersey. After marriage 
the parents settled first in Pennsylvania, whence 
the}' removed to Lucas County, Ohio, where they 
were burned out, and then removed to Williams 
County, same State, where the father died in 1874, 
when seventy-two years old. The mother is still 
living there at the advanced age of eighty-flve 
3'ears, making her home with her son. The thirteen 
children of the parents included nine sons and four 
daughters, of whom our subject was the seventh 
child. 

When twenty-three years of age, young Strayer 
came to Jackson County, this State, settling in 
Concord Township in 1851, where he worked by 
the month until 1859. Then, at the ago of twenty- 
five, he was married to Miss Sarah Cox. who was 
b(iru in England, June 10, 1836, and came to 
America with her parents when a child five years of 
age. She commenced working out early in life, 
thus supporting herself until her marriage. Her 
parents, Charles and Diana (Dunning) Cox, were 
also natives of England, and came to America in 
1841. In 1852 they came to this State. The 
father is still living, making his home in Scipio 
Township, and is seventy-nine years old. The 
mother died about 1887, at the .age of seventj'-eight. 
They were the parents of eight children, six of 
whom are living. 

Our subject and his wife commenceJ the journey 
of life together in Litchfield, and in due time were 
the parents of three children, two of whom died in 
infancy. Their only child living, Delia Ann, is the 
wife of John Uhinard, and the mother of two chil- 

— — — •► 



f 



-^•- 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



935 



f 



(Jrcn — Ilaivoy E. jiiul Vo:x\\ M. Tlicsc cliildion arc 
the pride and joj- of tlieir i,naii(lfallici-. and spend 
nineli of tlieir time with iiini. 

Mr. Strayer came to Michigan empty handed, and 
following the example of the pioneers aronnd him, 
secured a tract of land and at once set aliout its im- 
l)rovement and cultivation. He is now the owner 
of eighty acres in Hillsdale County, and fifteen acres 
in Calhoun County. The former constitutes his 
homestead, where he has put up good buildings, and 
has everything convenient an<l comfortable for the 
declining years of himself and his estimable wife. 
In early life, iiolitically, he afiiliated with the 
Kei)ul)lican part3', and has supported its princi|)les 
since the biith of the party. Asa man and a citizen 
his course has been irreproachable, and he is amply 
entitled to representation in a work of this kind. 



'^Ci^SmiM'^*^-^^ 



ONAS LAIRD is a piomincnt farmer and 
respected resident, located on section 8, Mos- 
cow Township. His parents were Jonas and 
Lucy (Abernathy) Ltiird. the former of whom 
■was born in Massachusetts, and the latter in Ver- 
mont. Mr. Laird traces his ancestr3' back to Richard 
T. Laiid. who came from Scotland in the latter 
part of the eighteenth century, near the time this 
country had secured an acknowledgment of its in- 
dependence. 

After their marriage the parents of our subject 
lived in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., for some time, 
after which they removed to Monroe County, and 
settled there in 1831. There they remained until 
the death of the father in 1833, at the early age of 
forty-five years; the mother died in 1837, also at 
forty-five years of age, leaving eight children, be- 
tween the ages of twelve and two years. During 
the latter years of his life the health of the father 
had been much impaired, and upon his death all the 
chililien except the 3'oungest were thrown for 
supijort ujjon the town, while the mother worked 
out and sustained herself and this child. She was 
married a second time, but her death occurred 
shortly after marriage. 

Of the five sons and three daughters included in 
the parental family, Jonas Laird was the third in 



order of birth, and was born in St. Lawrence County, 
June 2'J, 1S2.J. He has faint recollections of his 
n.ative place, as at his father's death, when the boy 
was but eight years old, he went to live wiili the 
family of William Wooden. These [jeople, who 
were in good circumstances, were kind to our sub- 
ject and gave him the advantages of a common- 
school education, though he w.as obliged to walk 
one mile each w.ay to the school-house. He re- 
mained with this faniil}' until he was twenty-one 
years of age, regarding Mr. and Mrs. Wooden as if 
they were hisown parents, and will never forget 
the kindness shown him throughout those years. 
Upon leaving them at twenty-one years of age, he 
was given $100 in money and provided with two 
good suits of clothes, and he remained in liie 
neighborhood, engaged in labor at whatever he 
could find to do by the month, for a period of two 
years, most of which time he was in the employ of 
a Quaker by the name of William Cornell. 

Here Mr. Laird met the niaiden who afterward 
became his wife, Rebecca T. Smith, who was work- 
ing for the same employer, and was a daughter of 
Jacob Smith, of Livingston County. Of this union, 
which took place in October, 1848. there were born 
eight children, three of vvh(mi came to the house- 
hold prior to the removal of the family to this State. 
Mr. Laird purchased from William Wooden forty 
acres of land, upon which after his marriage he re- 
sided until 1855, when he left it in the care of a 
tenant, so that in case he should be dissatisfied with 
his condition in the West, he might return to his 
old home. He then set out for Michigan, leaving 
Rochester on the lOtli of May. and arriving in 
Jonesville. this county, five days later. When Mr. 
Laird left Livingston County cattle had still to be 
fed in the farmyard, and there was little appear- 
ance of spring, and he w.as therefore surprised on 
his arrival in this countj', to see the trees and shrub- 
bery in full bloom, and to be treated to green cur- 
rants for his first breakfast in Michigan. F"or a 
man engaged in agricultural pursuits it is unneces- 
sai-y to say that he was well pleased with blooming 
Michigan, an.l it did not require much time for him 
to make up his mind that this should be his future 
home. He settled on a farm in Scipio Township, 
which he occupied two years, and then coming to 




M^ 



936 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



Moscow he rented land for two j-e<irs, after which 
he bought a tract in Jacl<son County, which lie 
held eighteen months. lie then returned to RIus- 
cow Township, and purchased 100 acres of his 
present property. Here he was successful in his 
operations, and in a short time added fifty-eight 
acres to his (original purchase. 

The nine children born to Jonas and Reliecca 
Laird are named as follows: Valedia C, Charles 
G., Mace J.. Sarah Isabella, Ernest S. and Susan E. 
(twins), Elsie, Addie M. and flattie I. Susan died 
when an infant of two 3-ears; Valedia C. became 
the wife of Stephen Underbill, and to them were 
born two children, Claude and Belle, the latter 
of whom resides with our subject; Mrs. Under- 
bill afterward married Charles Nutten, and by him 
also became the motlier of two children, Maud 
and Leda, and died on the 2yth of March, lb88, 
aged thirty-nine years. Charles G. resides in Mos- 
cow Township; Mace J. married Agnes Woolcott, 
and resides iu Scipio Township, where they have 
three children — Leona, Clem and Arthur. Bell be- 
came the wife of Augustus Linch, to whom she 
bore two children. Mace A. and Charles ; Mace resides 
with our subject; Mrs. Linch died May 23, 1X83. 
Einest married Carrie Wheelock, and operates a farm 
iu i»rtnership witii his brother Charles; they also 
had two children: Giace, who is now deceased, and 
Carrie L., who resides with our subject, as her 
mother died in 1884. Elsie married Moses Aukles, 
and became the mother of two children — George 
and Jay; Mrs. Ackles is keeping house for two 
brothers. Addie M. was graduated in Lima, N. 
y., and has been identified with the educational 
profession as teacher in New York and Michigan 
five or six years; Hattie I. married Frank Sullivan, 
and they are both school te.achers. 

Rebecca Laird, the wife of our subject, died in 
186G, and he was a second time united in marriage, 
in 18(')8, with Miss Susan M. Van Sickles, daughter 
of Richard H. and Susan (Smith) Van Sickles, the 
former a native of New Jersey, while the latter was 
born in Pennsylvania. Her grandparents on the 
mother's side were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
were of prominent German ancestry. Her jjareiits 
were married in Scottsburg, Livingston Co., N. Y'"., 
where the father worked as a carpenter and joiner 



until they came to Ohio, where they resided until 
1871. Tliey subsequentl3' removed to Saunders 
County. Neb., where the father was successful in 
business, and they resided there until the death of 
the mother in 1882, at the age of seventj'-nine. 
Richard Van Sickles had been married previously 
to Mary Ann Cool, and of that union there were 
three children. His union with the mother of Mrs. 
Laird resulted in the birth of six children, of whom 
Mrs. Laird was the third, and first saw the light 
May 15, 1839, in Scottsburg, N. Y. When her 
parents removed to Ohio, she remained behind with 
her grandparents, and enjoying good educational 
facilities in the High School at Danville, she re- 
ceived a liberal education, and engaged in the 
profession of school teacher which she followed 
successfully for five years. Mrs. Laird came to 
Michigan on a visit at the age of eighteen years, 
and became acquainted with her future husband. 
She has in her possession a china cup and saucer, 
which have been handed down from generation to 
generation for 200 j-cars, and also a silver si)oon 
made from the knee buckles of liergreat-great-gniud- 
father, Richard Van Sickles. 

Mr. Laird is at present the owner of 158 acres of 
excellent land, which he has brought under a high 
state of cultivation, and here he carries on his noble 
calling, with a large measure of success. His resi- 
dence, which was erected in 1885, is a commodious 
and substantial frame building, while his farm is 
suitably provided with out-buildings for the shelter 
of his stock and the stonige of the fruits of his 
farm. In leligion he is a member of the Univer- 
salist Ciiurch, while his wife is identified with the 
Christian Church. In politics Mr. Laiid exerts 
his influence and casts his vote with the Democratic 
party. 

~s .^^^ ^ 

bEVI WOOLSTON, bricklayer, mason and 
) farmer, is a representative of the industrial 
; and agricultural interests of this county, 
and most highly esteemed as a man of substantial 
wo:'th. He is identified as an active working 
member of society, and is popular because of his 
strictly upright dealings in all transactions; he is a 
native of this county, born in Wheatland, Aug. 29, 



*f 



•<^ 



_t 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



937 



1842, ;iii<l is the son of Joscpli and iSIaiia (IVck) 
AVoolston. Ilis father was liorii in Monroe Conntv, 
N. Y., and liis niollicr in Vermont; tlioy wore niar- 
lied in the latter State, and after remaining; tlierc a 
short time removed, in 183S, to this connty, where 
the}' bought eighty acres of land in Wheatland 
Township. 

Levi ^Voolston, of wiiose life we give a brief 
sketch, was tlie second son and third cliild of a 
famil}' of six sons and three daughters born to his 
parents. He w.as reared on his father's farm, and 
received the educational advantiges of the district 
schools, reoiaining at home until nineteen years old, 
when he commenced working at his trade. After 
that he spent the winter seasons only with his ])ar- 
ents until twenty-two years old, when he com- 
menced working on large contracts wliicli employed 
his time during tiie entire 3'ear. Tlien, although a 
young man, he had won a reputation for skill and 
superior workmanship, and his time was fully occu- 
pied. His field of labor extended beyond his 
native count}', and even State, he having among 
other buildings worked on the Union School-house 
of Angola. Ind., the Colliy factory at Reading, 
Mich., and in fact on nc.arl}' all the large buildings 
in the latter place; he was also emploj'ed on the 
public liuildings in Eaton County, where, in Char- 
lotte, he worked on the County Poor House, the 
Arcade building, the Union School building in the 
First Ward, on Bacon and Burnett Blocks, besides 
working in \'erniontville. Olivet and Lyniandale. 
In Lenawee County he was emploj'ed on the bank 
building at Addison, and in Hillsdale County on 
the Gillette House, of .lonesville, and on the 
Trader building, of Hillsdale; he was also employed 
one se.ison on the cai)itol building at Lansing, and 
h.as worked on large contracts in Lidiana and Ohio. 

Mr. Woolston was married, Aug. 5, 1875, to 
Miss Clara, daughter of James K. and Mary Thomp- 
son, both natives of New York, where they were 
married .and lived until 185G. Mr. Thom|)son, who 
was a mason and plasterer by trade, decided at 
that time to come to Michigan, where there were 
many fast growing towns and constant demand for 
artisans of his trade. He came directl}- to this 
county and located in Scipio, but subsequently 
moved to Mosherville, where he and his wife are 



living at the .ages of sixt3--ono and lifty-eight yeare. 
To them have been born four sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom the wife of onr subject was the third 
child. She w.as born in New York, Jid}' 2-1, 185C, 
being an infant when her parents brought her to 
this State; she was an energetic, capable girl, and 
being of an independent spirit commenced at the 
.age of fifteen years to earn her living bj' working 
out bj' the week, continuing thus employed until 
her marriage. To the household circle of Mr. and 
Mrs. Woolston have been added three daughters — 
Nellie, Pearl and Lula. 

After becoming well establisheil in his tiade Mr. 
Woolston's business called him away from his early 
home, and he located in Charlotte, Eaton County, 
remaining there until 1881. At that time his par- 
ents, feeling the infirmities of age creeping over 
them, needed his presence, and lie went back to the 
old homestead in order that he miglit return to 
them in their declining years, in some measure, the 
care and devotion which they had in his earl}' j'ears 
bestowed on him. He rented the farm at first, but 
in 1885 purchased the entire ijro|)erty, and will 
m.ake it his ])ermanent home! His parents still con- 
tinned to reside with him; his father is now sev- 
enty-four years of age. The mother of our subject 
departed this life Ai)ril 23, 1880, at the age of 
seventy-three years. Our subject has proved him- 
self as successful a farmer as ninson, and is extremely 
pros|)erous in his agricultural work, having ably 
demonstrated the good results to l>e obtained by 
energy and unremitting pei'severance. He and his 
excellent wife have the good-will of the entire 
neighl)orhoo<l, and their home is a pleasant, place 
of resort to their many friends. Li politics Mr. 
Woolston affiliates with the Republican part}'. 



EWITT C. KIES. The life record of this 
I) gentlem.an is to a certain extent inter- 




woven witii the history of Moscow, as he 
has literally grown np with the town, his 
being the distinction of having been the first boy 
born within its borders, and he is now prominently 
identified with its .agricnitnral interests, owning and 
man.aging a valuable farm on section 18. He was 






n 



^ 



938 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




born here July 25, 1834, being tlie son of Aloiizo 
.ind Sally ('Ifiylor) Kies, pioncoss of Moscow Town- 
ship (for tlieir record se& sketch of Alonzo Kies). 
His parents had but shortly before that time re- 
moved to Wichigan from their early home in the 
.State of New York, and lie was born before his 
f.nther had built his first house. He received a 
careful tiaining from his worthy jiarents on the old 
homestead, and they further fitted him out for a 
life of usefulness by giving him the benefit of a 
sound education. In his earl^' years he attended 
the district school, and was then sent to the Union 
School at Jonesvilie. and iiis education w.as finally 
comi»lcted at an excellent select school in Clinton. 
He was an ambitious, active youth, and inherited 
from a thrifty Scotch ancestry a sturdy independ- 
ence of character, and habits of industry and pru- 
dence that have been important factors in making 
his life a successful one. At the age of eighteen he 
m.ade his first purchase of land, a tract containing 
eighty acres, the same on which his house now 
stands; he continued, however, to work with his 
father. In 1858 he was married to Miss Frances 
Stookey, who has since been to him an invaluable 
helpmate. She is a daughter of Benjamin and 
Martha (Grover) Stookey, natives respectively of 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania, her father being of 
Anglo-Scotch descent; his ancestors were distantly 
related to King Erwin, of Scotland, and her mother 
was of English ancestry. After marriage Mr- 
and Mrs. Stookey settled in Luzerne Count}', in the 
township of Salem, where they continued to reside 
for many yeais, and there their eleven children, 
five bo3s and six girls, were born to them, of whom 
Mrs. Kies w.as the youngest. In 1839 Mr. Stookey 
removed with his family to Michigan, and settled in 
Pulaski, Jackson County, where he liecame the pros- 
perous owner of 300 or 400 acres of land. He finally 
disposed of his property and went to live with his 
daughters. His wife died in 18G4, at the age of 
seventy-one years, and he died Dec. 25, 1873, having 
rounded out a period of ninety years. Mrs. Kies 
was born on the old homestead of her parents in 
Luzerne County, Pa., Feb. tJ, 1837, and was but a 
babe when bruught to Michigan by her pai-ents. 
She receiveil the [Hcliminarics of her education in 
the common schools of the Michigan town where 



she grew to womanhood, and later became a pupil 
in a select school at Homer. To her and her hus- 
band have been born two children: Fred Alonzo 
and an infant daughter, deceased ; the son was a stu- 
dent of the High School at Concord, Jackson 
County, being a member of the class of '88. 

Mr. Kies has been generally very prosperous in 
his chosen calling, and is now the owner of 239 
acres of land, which he has developed into one of 
the most valuable farms in this neighborhood. He 
is a practical farmer, using intelligently the sound- 
est and most modern methods to produce the 
desired results in tilling the soil. A few years ago 
he met with a severe loss by fire, his buildings be- 
ing destroyed while burning out lime. He replaced 
them with a commodious dwelling and ample barns 
in 1884. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kies are peojjle of strong charac- 
ters, broad and liberal-minded in their views, and 
in religion are in favor of Universalism; their son 
has been identified with a Sunday-school. They 
are both strongly in favor of the strict enforce- 
ment of the temperance laws. They are worthy 
members of the township Gr.ange of Moscow. No. 
108. Mr. Kies is prominently identified with the 
Masonic fraternity, Fayette Lodge No. 16, of Jones- 
vilie, has been Junior and Senior Deacon, also 
Junior and Senior Warden, and Master, holding that 
oHice for one year, and Mrs. Kies is a member of 
the True Kindred. Mr. Kies was a member of the 
Republican party up to the time of the National 
Greenback movement, when he became identified 
with that body and has since been a member of the 
parly that organized it. He cast his first vote for 
Gen. John C. Fremont. 

^ ^^-^ ^ 



^s^ [MON B. HADLEY cast his lot among the 
^^^^ pioneers of Southern Michigan in 1847, 
lv^-3i when a young man twenty-one years old. 
He emploj'ed himself at farming for a period 
of four years, then, desirous of visiting the P.acifio 
Slo|)e, started on his journey Oct. 15, 1851, mak- 
ing his way first to New York City, in order to go 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He reached 
San Francisco, after ueail^' a month's voyage, on 



f 



-4^ 



I 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



939 



•► J i^j g- 



the lOtli of November, and continued his journey 
up the Sac Vidicy to Stockton and Sonora City. In 
the latter place lie engaged at mining, in company 
with Brooks Gale, Milton and Fairbanks, who were 
also of Michigan. He was thus occupied for the 
twelve months following, and was subsequently em- 
plo3'ed l)y the raontli, cutting ditches, and later was 
appointed mauiiger of the company, which position 
he occupied until setting out u()on his return home. 
He arrived at his old tramping grounds on the 28th 
of June, 18.i4, with a snug sum of money, resumed 
.agricultural pursuits .as before, and thereafter re- 
mained a resident of this county. 

The subject of this biography, a native of Oswego 
County, N. Y., was born Feb. 12, 1826, and was 
the third child of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Briggs) 
Had ley, who were natives of Vermont, the father 
born in Brattleboro, and the mother in Dummerston. 
His maternal grandfather served directly under 
Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary War for a 
period of seven years. The parents, after their 
marriage, settled at Sandy Creek, Oswego Co., N. 
Y., where the father followed farming until setting 
out for the young State of Michigan, in the early 
part of 1847. lie was accompanied by his family, 
and secured IGO acres of land in Litchfield Town- 
ship, which is now the property of our subject. 
Here he lived and labored until folding his hands 
to his final rest, his death occurring in 18G4, when 
lie was sixty-nine years old. The mother died in 
.June, 187."). at the age of seventy-nine years. They 
were the |)arents of eleven chihlren, and the sur- 
vivors arc residents mostly of Michigan. 

Mr. Iladley, our subject, after leaving the com- 
mon school, attended the academy at Mexicoville 
two terms, then returning to the farm, assisted his 
father until setting out for California. After his 
rcluni from the Pacific Slope, he was married, Aug. 
27. 18.j."), to Miss Susan Slivers, who was born Aug. 
8, 1839, and was the only child of Daniel and Lucy 
(Tripp) Stivers, natives of Cayuga County, N. Y., 
the father born in Sempronius Township in 181.'), 
jiiid the mother in Sci|)io Townshii). Cayuga County, 
in 1817. They came to Michigan in 1839, settling 
first in Tecumseli, Lenawee County, where the father 
followed farming until 1841, then took up his resi- 
dence in Scipio TownshijJ. this county, and later 



removed to Litchfield. Both i)arents are now liv- 
ing with their cljuighter, Mrs. Il.adley. 

Genesee County, N. Y., was the early home of 
Mrs. Hadley, and where she acquired a very good 
education, which was completed in the High School 
at Albion, this State, and she occnpied herself as 
a teacher one term thereafter. Upon her marriage 
with our subject they settled upon the farm which 
still remains their home, and where their five chil- 
dren were born: Their eldest son, Walter S., was 
married to Jliss Il.atlie King, and has charge of the 
homestead; Abliie is the wife of Vestus Riker, .and 
the mother of one child, a son, Guy; Asa assists 
his brother on the farm; Fddie and ShirJey are pur- 
suing their studies in the district school. 

After the outbreak of the Rebellion, Mr. Iladley 
proffered his services as a Union soldier, enlisting in 
Company H, 4tli Michigan Infantry, upon the very 
diiy that the first gun was directed upon Ft. Sum- 
ter. He wjis mustered into service at Adrian, and 
departed at once for the scene of conflict. Going 
by the way of Washington, he arrived in time to be 
present at the battle of Bull Run, and soon after- 
ward was im.animonsly elected First Lieutenant of 
his com|)an>'. In December following he tendered 
his resignation, and returning home, remained until 
July. 1862. when he re-enlisted in Company G, 4th 
Michigan Cavalry, leaving Detroit in September fol- 
lowing. The regiment was in camp at Jeffers(m- 
ville, Ind., until the 14tli of October, then joined 
the Union forces at JVIurfieesboro, and with his 
comrades Mr. Hadley participated in the desperate 
conflict at Chattanooga, and went all through the 
Tennessee cam|)aign. He was one of the small 
company of Union cavalry which at one time cap- 
tured COO rebels, together with their wagons and 
ammunition, and which brave encounter is a sub- 
ject of history. 

At the battle of Atlanta, the horses belonging to 
the brigade of which Mr. Hadley was a. member 
were given to Gen. Kilpatrick's men, and our sub- 
ject, with a number of his comrades, returned to 
Louisville to be reniouiited. Mr. II. was soon after- 
ward given the aiipninlinent of Assistant Divis- 
sion Quartermaster, and stationed at Kastiwrt, 
Miss., where he remained until the close of the war. 
He was mustered out of service at Nashville, and 



n 



940 



u 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 




received his honorable discharge there in July, 
186S. In bis regimental record he is accredited 
with ninelj'-six ha tiles and ^kirniiflies. He- was 
never excused on account of sickness or disabilit3', 
but sustained permanent injury to the brain by the 
explosion of a bomb one night in ennip. After his 
retirement from the army he resumed his farm pur- 
suits in this county with fair success. He cast his 
first Presidential vote for Fremont, identifying him- 
self with the Republican party, of which he has since 
remained a firm adherent. Socially, he belongs to 
Post No. 259, G. A. R., at Litchfifld. Nature en- 
dowed Mr. Hadley with fine capacities, but his 
bright, intellectual faculties suffered greatly on ac- 
count of the injury which he received while giving 
his services to his countrj". 

mOMAS C. M0NTG0MP:RY, Station Agent 
of the Lake Shore & Wicliigan Southern 
Railroad, at Hillsdale, is a native of this 
county, having been born in Camden Township, 
Aug. 24. 1847. He is the second son and child of 
William R. and Amanda (Mills) Montgomery, who 
were natives of New York, and came to this county 
during its early settlement. A sketch of them will 
be found on another page of this work. William 
Rochester Montgoraerj-, Sr., married Agnes Treat 
Willard. daughter of John M. and Susan (Lamb) 
Willard, and granddaughter of Gen. Anthony 
Lamb, Jan. 21, 1869, at Hillsdale, Rev. G. E. Peters 
officiating. 

The subject of this biography passed his boyhood 
on the farm in Camden Township, and in the vil- 
lage (now cit}') of Hillsdale, Mich., acquired his 
education in the Union Schools, and college at 
Hillsdale. At the age of twenty-two he entered the 
sorvice.of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern 
Railroad, as clerk in the freight office at Hillsdale; 
four months later he retired from this to a more 
desirable berth with the same company in their 
freight office at Burr Oak Station, in St. Joseph 
County, where he remained a period of fifteen 
months. From this point he repaired to Blissfield, 
in Lenawee County, where he was |)romoted to Sta- 
tion Agent; he was at this place one year, and then, 



still in the emplo}' of the same companj', was sta- 
tioned at ftLanchester in the same position, and a 
year later was promoted to the nicire responsible 
post of Agent at Hillsdale; two and one-half years 
later he resigned, and accepted a position with the 
same comjiany as clerk in the freight office at Chi- 
cago; three months later wenttoBr3an, Ohio, on Air 
Line of the same road, where he officiated as Station 
Agent one year, and from there went to Ligonier, 
Ind. ; three and one-half years later he completed the 
circle by returning to Hillsdale, and assuming charge 
of the station as Station Agent, and in the dischai'ge 
of his responsible duties is acquitting himself with 
satisfaction to all concerned. 

Mr. Montgomery was married in Hillsdale, on the 
3d of March, 1809, to Miss Julia F., daughter of 
Ambrose Spencer, Esq., vvho is a native of New 
York, and came to Southern Michigan with his 
family in 1857. The mother of Mrs. Montgomery 
was in her girlhood Miss Roxy Ransom, and her 
parents are now living. Mrs. M. was born Nov. 26, 
1848, in Lockport, N. Y..and of her union with our 
subject there are two interesting children, Nellie 
A. and Hugh R., who are students at Hillsdale 
High School. They occupy a pleasant home on 
North street, and enjoy the friendship of the best 
residents of the city. 



->yv\.-'\tjma/S-^^i 



>->*'^-3/<!)di3*^'\/v~- 




RS. MERIAH HUNT, an aged and vene- 
rated ladj', who has for the last twent^'- 
four jears been favorably known to the 
people of Litchfield Township, came here 
in the pioneer days, and as a wife and mother 
acted well her part among the scenes of early life in a 
new settlement. She reared a fine family, and 
stood by the side of her husband in his struggle 
with the elements of a new soil, and now, in her 
declining years, is sheltered by a comfortable home, 
and is the owner in her own right of seventy- five 
acres of fertile land. 

Mrs. Hunt is the daughter of William and Anna 
(Hiscock) Howard, who were natives of New York 
State, the father born in Columbia County, and the 
mother in Onondaga County, in the town of Mar- 
cellus. They continued iu their native county fif- 



/ 

t 



■» ^ l l ^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



'J41 



teen years after their inarria<;c, tlien removed to 
Livingston County, and in IJSa.') made tlieir way to 
Michigan, becoming residents of Branch County, 
wliere the father followed farming, and where iiis 
death took place in 1803. The mother died in 
1811. 

To William and Anna Howard there was born 
one child onl^', tlieir daughter IMeriah, who first 
opened her ej'es to the light in Onondaga County, 
N. Y., Oct. 2, 1809. She .ic-quired but a limited 
education, and remained at home until her marriage 
with Philo 11. Hunt, which took place Jan. 1, 1834, 
in Livingston County, and where they continued 
to live until 1855, when the two families came to 
Michigan. Mr. Hunt was horn in Lewis County, 
N. Y., June 2'J, 1812, and died at his home in 
Litchfield Township, this county, in October, 1875. 
He followed farming his entire life, and was an 
honest, industrious man, wlio lived at peace with 
his neighbors and perfomed conscientiously his 
duties in life. 

Mr. and JMrs. Hunt became the parents of six 
children. Their eldest son, William, married Miss 
Sarah Warner, is the father of one child, and lives 
in Girard, Branch County, this State; he enlisted 
as a soldier of the Union army in 18G2, serving 
until 1865, and escaping the dangers and hardships 
of a soldier's life to return in safety to his friends. 
Hiram died in Litchfield Township in 1875, at the 
age of thirty -eight 3'ears; Horatio, who has charge 
of the homestead, was born in 1843, and married 
Miss Jennie Whitney, of Litchfield Township; they 
are the parents of tiirecciiildren, two sons and one 
daughter, namely: KImer, Myrtle and Earl. This 
son has been the main reliance of his aged mother, 
and upon whom she i)rinoipally leans for sujjport 
and counsel. Elizabeth died in (iuincy. Branch 
County, in 1857, when a child fourteen years of 
age; Frank married Miss Emma Jones, and is 
farming in Litchfield Township; Eugene died in 
1855, aged two years. 

Mr. Hunt through great industry accumulated a 
good property, being the owner at the time of his 
death of 225 acres of land. The most of it, however, 
has been divided up among his children. The sub- 
ject of this biography is a member in good standing 
of tlie Baptist Church, at Litchfield, while her son 




i~ 



Horatio is identified with the Eree-Will Baptist, of 
Todd Town, Litciifield Township. Mrs. Ibjratio 
Hunt adheres to tiic Preshj^terian faith. Horatio 
Hunt, politically, is a stanch Ueptd)lican, an un- 
obtrusive and modest-mannered gentleman, who, 
in a quiet way, keeps himself posted on matters of 
general interest. He is the owner of ninet\' -seven 
.acres of land, which he cultivates to good advan- 
tage, and where he has a neat farm dwelling and 
the other buildings necessary for his comfort and 
convenience. The family is well and favorably 
known throughout this section, and eniinenti}' 
worthy of representation in a work of this kind. 

'^\ YRON G. WOOD, Sheriff of Hillsdale 
County, among whose people he has spent 
his entire life, was born in AVheatland 
Township, on the eastern line of the county-, 
April 23, 1843, and is consequently in the prime of 
life and in the midst of his .activity and usefulness. 
He early developed more than ordinary intelligence 
and capacities, and when but a youth began the 
career which has placed him in an enviable position, 
among his friends and fellow-citizens. 

Our subject is one of the pioneers of Southern 
Michigan, his parents being Seth and Lydia (Gates) 
Wood, who were natives of ]Madison and Wash- 
ington Counties, N. Y., whence the^ I'emoved first 
to Ohio, and, after a residence of probably nine 
years in the Buckeye State, migrated to this county. 
The father secured a tract of land, but was not 
permitted to carry out his plans in regard to his 
homestead and family, being cut down in middle 
life when Mjtou G. was but a little lad twelve 
years of age. 

Yoimg Wood, after this bereavement, became 
the principal stay of his widowed mother, remaining 
with her and assisting in the labors of the farm 
and the care of the family. Upon reaching his 
majority he purchiised the interest of the other 
heirs, and in connection with general farming en- 
gaged quite extensively in stock-raising, and witii 
excellent success. He; Iirought a lu'ide to the old 
pl.ace in the spring of 18CG, being married on the 
24th of May, that year, to Miss Susan Crater, a 

-— , ■» 



u 



042 



HILLSDALE COUNTY, 



Hr 



native of bis own townsliip. wbo was born Jan. 29, 
1848, nn<l is the rliuightfr (if Mnthins and Mary 
Crater, wbo came to Micliigan iu 1838, and are now 
in Wbeall.and Townsbip. Of the union of our sub- 
ject and his wife there were born four daughters, 
who are recorded as follows: Mary, born Nov. 23, 
1868; Hattie, Jan. 5, 1873; Klsic. April 20, 1876; 
Bessie L.. July 27, 1878. They are all living at 
home with their parents, attending the Union School, 
with the exception of the eldest, wbo was graduated 
in the class of '88. 

Sheriff Wood has always taken a lively interest 
in the growth and welfare of his township, and 
there are few men who have more and warmer 
friends. He was elected Sheriff in the fall of 1884, 
and assumed the duties of bis office on the 1st of 
January following. In 1886 he was re-elected to 
tlie same office, and the people of Hillsdale County 
have bad no reason to regret their choice of the 
man for this most important and responsible posi- 
tion. In the various enterprises inaugurated for 
the [)rogress of morality, education and sociability, 
Mr. Wood is a leading spirit, being a member of 
the Knights of Pythias and also of the Independent 
Order of Foresters. He contributes cheerfully of 
bis time and means, wheie there is labor to be per- 
formed or money required for the edification or 
gratification of the people of the communit}'. and is 
efficient as a leader where good judgment is most 
needed as well as tact and ingenuity. 




5^^ TEPHEN II. WOLCOTT has the jiroud 
distinction of deriving his origin from one 
of those men wbo affixed their names to 
that immortal document, the Declaration of 
Independence, which marks an era in the history of 
the progress of the world. It is a just remark that 
no people on earth owe more to their ancestors than 
the descendants of the early New England families. 
The courage and devotion manifested by the zealous 
and freedom-seeking people, throughout all the 
American colonies during the opening scenes of the 
Revolution and the long-continued trials of war, 
are entitled to the profound respect and admiiation 
of all. Against the [iressure of social influence 



in the large Colonial towns, where bribes and offers 
<if emolument were freely made by the emissaries of 
the Crown, and where predictions of anarchy and 
ruin were consbintlj' poured forth by the timirl and 
mercenary; against the temptations lield out by the 
wealthy ruling classes, and threats hurled at them 
by the most powerful of the Royalists, these New 
England born men and those noble woman were 
proof. Mr. Wolcott, a prosperous and represent- 
ative farmer, situated on section 5, Moscow Town- 
ship, is such a man as we would expect to find 
from a perusal of his history and that of his ancestry'. 

The parents of our subject, Jason B. and Lydia 
(Iloxsie) Wolcott, were born in Massachusetts, the 
father in Berksbiie County, and the mother near 
North Adams. The father is a direct descendant 
of Oliver Wolcott, one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, while his grandfather 
assisted to maintain what they so nobly asserted. 
After their marriage the parents of our subject re- 
sided for a short time in Massachusetts, after which 
they removed to IMacedon Center, Wayne Co., N. 
Y., and then migrated to Ohio, settling in Portage 
County, in Cbarlestown, and remained for a period 
of two years. They then removed to Lenawee 
County, Micb., and purchasing a farm two miles 
east of Ailrian, Mr. Wolcott devoted his energies 
to its cultivation, an<l resided there nine years. He 
finally came to Hillsdale County in 1844, and 
settled in Moscow Township, where he bought eighty 
acres of land, to which he afterward added eighty 
acres more. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, 
serving seven j'ears' apprenticeship to this business 
in Nortbaniijton, Mass. After his arrival in this 
State he worked at the joiner's trade in connection 
with the cultivation of his land, and finally took up 
his residence with bis son Jesse, where he remained 
until his decease in 1871, at the ripe old age of 
eighty-four years; the mother had died several 
years previor.sly, in 18G3, at the age of seventy- 
three. 

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the 
four children, two sons and two daughters, who 
comprised the parental family, and w.as born Sept. 
29. 1831, iu Macedon Center, Wayne Co., N. Y. 
He was bat a babe of two years when bis parents 
removed to Ohio, and four years old when they 



f 



■♦- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



943 



came to Lenawee County, where his childliood and 
youth were passed in tiie manner common to far- 
mers' sons of that time until he was thirteen years 
of age, when he came to Ilillsihilo County with his 
parents and attended the common schools of his 
township. The knowledge gained in this w.ay he 
afterward suitplemcnted by an attendance at the 
High School at Joncsville, and by the [lerusal of 
such books .ns he was able to procure. 

In 1853 Mr. Wolcott w.as united in marriage, in 
Macomb County, Mich., with Miss Eliza Woodard, 
but their married life was of short duration, as 
she w.as called to her reward in 1854. In 1862 our 
subject was a second time married, to Miss Cora E., 
daughter of Cornelius and Maria (Coville) Under- 
hill, the former a native of Dutchess County, N. 
Y., and the latter of Fairfield, Conn. Her great- 
grandfather on the paternal side was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War. After their marriage her 
l)arents settled in Ontario County, N. Y., where they 
remained until 1844, when they came to Michigan, 
and settled in Palmyra Township, Lenawee County, 
which became their home for four years. They 
then removed to Scipio Township, in this county, 
where the father followed the occupation of a far- 
mer, but in 1867 he sold out his interests in that 
township, and removed to Moscow Township, where 
he accumulated a substantial pro[)erty, and died in 
1875, at the age of sixty-nine years. The mother 
survives, and is living on the homestead at the age 
of eighty-one years. In politics the father affiliated 
with the Democratic party. Four children, one son 
and three daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Undcrhill, of whom Cora, the wife of Mr. Wolcott, 
was born Oct. 12, 1842, in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. 
Y. Her parei.ts came to Lenawee County when 
she was at the tender age of two years, and three 
years later they came to Hillsdale County, and here 
she grew to womanhood, receiving her education 
in the Ufnion School ;it Jonesville, and engaged in the 
domestic duties which fell to the lot of the daugh- 
ters of the settlers of this county. 

Four children have come to brighten the home 
of Air. and Mrs. Wolcott — A. Clare, Jesse B., Clif- 
ford H. and May. A. Clare is a member of the 
class of '88, of the Hanover Union School, and 
Jesse B. of the class of '81t; Jesse began to teach 




school when fifteen years of age, and A. Clare at 
the age of seventeen. Clifford H. and May reside 
at home with their parents, 

Mr. Wolcott owns 110 acres of excellent land, 
which he has cleared and brought to a high state of 
cultivation, and on which he carries on successfully 
his independent calling. He has erected a substim- 
tial and commodious residence, and all the farm 
buildings required, together with the machinery 
that enables him to compete with the modern agri- 
culturist. Having a warm interest in the cause of 
education, he has accepted school offices, which he 
has held six years in succession. In politics the 
Democratic party most nearly voices his sentiments, 
though he voted for Lincoln and represented Grant 
for his first term. 

ON. J. B. GRAHAM, who is well known 
throughout Fayette Township, came to this 
section of country while Michigan was a 
Territory, in 1836. After selecting his loca- 
tion he brought his family the following year, mak- 
ing the way by carriage, the trip occupying a period 
of thirty-seven daj's. Since that time he has been a 
continuous resident of the township and quite prom- 
inent in local affairs, serving as Supervisor, Justice of 
the Peace, Township Treasurer, and occupying 
other positions of trust and responsibility. In the 
fall of 1843 he was elected to the Michigan Legis- 
lature. 

Our subject is the son of Benjamin and Candace 
(Bidwell) Graham, the latter a daughter of Jona- 
than Bidwell. The Grahams descended from the 
Scotch and settled where the city of Il.artford. 
Conn., now stands, where they reared their family 
and spent the remainder of their lives. The Gra- 
hams arc now scattered all over the United States. 
Benjamin Graham was the father of ten children, 
four sons and six daughters, of whom our subject 
was the ninth child. He and his younger brother, 
of Hartford, Conn., are the only survivors. 

Mr. Graham was married, on the 19th of August, 
1835, to Miss Maria J., daughter of Jacob and Je- 
rusha (Gillett) Looniis, who was born April 23, 
1813. in Bloomficld, Conn. Her mother w.as a 



-^*- 



i 



-<•- 



\) 944 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



>i 



cousin of Senator Marion Gillett, of Connecticut. 
Mr. Looniis was a farmer I13' occupation, .and with 
his estimable wife lived and died within five miles 
of the city of Hartford. Mr. and Mrs. Graham 
began life together in a modest home, and in due 
time were the |)arents of four sons: Malcolm is a 
practicing physician of .lonesville; Frank M., a 
bright and promising young man. fitted himself for 
the profession of law and entered n[)on his practice 
in Kansas. He was married; his death took place 
in Jonesville on the 14th of June, 1S74. The 
greatest efforts were put forth to save his life, but 
proved unavailing. The third son, Guslavus Mills, 
is farming in Rook County, Kan. The j'oungest, 
John, died very suddenlj' of heart disease, in Ellis 
County, Kan. The first wife of our subject passed 
away at her home in Jonesville, on the 17th of 
Fcbruar}\ 18.S1 . 

Mr. Graham contracted a second niairiage, on 
the 6th of December, 1881, with Miss AnnaThomp- 
son, who was born in Butler, Branch County, this 
State. The wedding took place at the home of the 
bride, in Spring Arbor, Jackson County. Of this 
union there are two children — Lilly and Jonathan 
B., Jr. Mr. Graham was the candidate for his 
part}' two or three times for State Senator, but be- 
ing on tlie minority ticket, was defeated with the 
balance of the candidates. 









- ENJAMIN FISHER, Esq. Prominent among 
„ 'C. the pioneers of Hillsdale County stands the 

#name of Benjamin Fisher, of Hillsdale Town- 
ship, and although he has passed away to 
the recompense due his long and useful life, his 
memory still lives and is cherished, and his honora- 
ble and successful career stands forth as a fitting 
example of what can be done by earnest and con- 
stant effort. 

The subject of this notice was born at Lyons, 
Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1811, and is the only 
son of three children included in the parental fam- 
ily. Our subject first came to Hillsdale County in 
1832, on a prospecting tour, and subsequently lo- 



cated a farm in Camden Township, settling there 
permanently in 1 837, or the following year. 

Mr. Fisher was united in marriage, Dec. G, 1841, 
with Miss Rozettc B., daughter of Robert B. Sut- 
ton, Esq., who died in this county in 1876. The 
children of this marriage who survive their parents 
are recorded as follows : Spencer O. resides in West 
Bay City. ]\Iich. ; James K. is doing business in this 
city; Benjamin B. resides in Wahpeton, Dak.; Mary 
E. is the wife of Charles E. Underhill, of this city, 
and Rose is the wife of George W. Thompson, of 
Grand Rapids, in this State. The mother of these 
children departed this life on the 18th of April, 
18.53, and Mr. FisLer was a second time married, 
in 1854, to Adeliza Leach, a native of the same 
place as her husband. This union resulted in the 
birth of one daughter, Sarah. On the 13th of 
August. 1808, the faithful wife and mother was 
removed from his side, and Mr. F''isher was left in 
his declining years deprived of her counsel and 
solace, hi 184.5 Mr. Fisher removed from Camden 
Townshi[) to this pl.ace, where for ujjward of ayear 
he was proprietor of what was then known as the 
AVestern Hotel, since replaced by the new Smith 
Hotel. He then removed with his family to Can- 
aila, where he engaged in the lumber business and 
remained until 1852, when he returned to this 
county and took up his residence in Hillsdale, which 
he continued to make his home until his death. 
From his arrival in 1852 until 1856, he lived in a 
dwelling located in what is now the principal busi- 
ness part of the city, and at the latter date he re- 
moved upon a farm, which he improved to a high 
state of cultivation, and beautified until, including 
its fine residence .and out-buildings, it is as fine a 
homestead as can be found throughout the county. 

Mr. Fisher was a thoroughlj' active business man 
all his life, and was closely identified with the prog- 
ress of this community. He held at various times 
offices of trust in the county and in the cit}'. For 
a number of years he was associated in business 
with Mr. R. B.Sutton, under the firm name of Sutton 
& Fisher, and did a very extensive and lucrative 
business in the lumber trade, not only in this State 
but in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Some time 
before his death it was evident that his end was 
approaching, and all his children gathered around 



■*► 



-U 



HILLSDALK COUNTY. 



945 



i' 



him to pay the last filial tribute to a kind anil in- 
dulgent parent. His death occiirreil on llie 2d of 
June, 1882, and was deeply mourned by the com- 
munity as that of a man whose place it will liedifll- 
cult to fill. Few men have shown more business- 
like ability tiian he; while he was honest and 
straightforward in all his dealings, he was not loud 
in his professions, but he set an example which his 
descendants may follow with credit. lie has gone 
leaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances, 
by whom his acts will be remembered and his mem- 
ory cherished as long as life shall last. 

¥^ f^ILLIAM L. LORDS, an enlightened and 
progressive farmer of Camden Town- 
ship, is well worthy of representation in 
this work iis one whose life record is honorable and 
useful to himself and his fellow-citizens. He maj' 
well be classed among that noble army of so- 
called "selfmade men" who have been such im- 
portant factors in the upbuilding of this glorious 
I{ei)ublic, and who are to-day doing their part to- 
ward its maintenance in the fiont ranks of the 
great nations of the earth, as he started in life a 
jjoor man. and has steadily worked his way up to 
his present jrosition of influence and comparative 
wealth 1)3' unremitting toil, frugality, and the ex- 
ercise of excellent judgment and forethought. 

Mr. Lords is a native of Ohio, Athens County the 
place of his birth, and May 31, 1821, the date. He 
comes of good stock, originating in the State of 
Maine; his parents. John and Wealthy Lords, were 
both natives of that Slate. When our subject was a 
child, his parents removed from the county of his 
birth to Richland County, in the same State, where 
they lived several years. Subsequently they re- 
moved to Van Wert Count}', and afterward left 
Ohio, in which they had made their home for many 
years, and took up their residence iu Steuben 
County, Ind., where they continued to live for 
several 3-ears. They spent their declining 3-ears in 
Hillsdale County, this State. The father died in 
Berrien County, Mich., about 18G7; the mother 
died in Richland County, Ohio, in August, 182.3. 
The father had been twice married, an<l was the 

M» ' ■■ 



parent of ten children, four of whom are now living, 
namely: Waldon, Iia. Mary (the widow of Fred- 
erick Perrin) and William L. 

The 3'ears of his childhood and 3'oiith were passed 
by our sulijeet mostl}' in Richland County, Ohio, 
where his parents made their home when he was 
quite young. He received the rudiments of an 
education in the early schools of the time (^f his 
boyhood, and was reaied to a farmer's life under 
the practical training of his father, who was an 
experienced and able farmer. Shortly' before he 
attained his majority, his parents moved to Van 
Wert County, whence iu the fall of the year 1 8 12 he 
came to Hillsdale County. Mich., and was here en- 
gaged the following tiuee years in the laborious 
task of clearing land. He Ihen went to Indiana 
and settled in Steuben Count}', where his parents 
had a home, and for many 3'eais was profitabi}' and 
industriousi}' engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 
1882 our subject decided to return to Hillsilale 
Count}', of wiiose rich and fertile soil lie liad gained 
a ver}' favorable impression during his residence 
here many years previously. He was soon settled 
on his present farm in Camden Township, and has 
ever since made his home here, and is numbered 
among the most substantial citizens of the place. 
His farm, which is beautifully located on section 
32, is one of the most valuable in this district, and 
is unsurpassed in productiveness and careful culti- 
vation b3' any other around it. It is supplied with 
a commodious set of buildings, and he h.as made 
man}' good improvements since it came into his 
possession. 

Mr. Lords h.'is been tiin^e times married. His 
first marriage was in 1841 to Miss Esther Brown, 
.•md to them were born two ehihlren — Alonzo and 
Mortimer. They are still living; Alonzo makes his 
home with his fiither, and Mortimer is living in 
Steuben County, Ind. Mr. Lords' second marriage 
took place in 1870, and was to M iss Margaret Corry. 
She was a native of New York .State; she had no 
children. Mr. Lords' marriage to his present wife, 
formerly Miss Harriet A. Burk, took place Jan. 
24, 1885. 

Wherever the lot of our subject h.as been cast 
he h.as taken a promient part in the administration 
of public affairs. He is very piil)lic-si)iritcd, and 




-^^ 



946 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



is always anxious to promote in every wny that he 
can any project for the material advancement of 
his township, and seeks its moral and social ele- 
vation. In politics he is well known as a stalwart 
Republican, lending his influence and vote to pro- 
mote the interests of his party. While a resident 
of Clear Lake Township, Steuben Co., Ind., he 
was for two years its Supervisor, and since making 
his home here he has served his constituency 
in Camden Township very acceptably as Super- 
visor for three terms, his administration of the 
affairs of this responsible office having been char- 
acterized by wisdom, soundness and integrity. 
He is a man of advanced ideas, is high-minded, and 
straightforward in all respects; he has never con- 
nected himself with any society, has never taken 
an oath in his life, and is exceedingly temperate in 
all things; he enjoys the esteem and confidence of 
his neighbors and friends to a ^reat extent. 



JAMES LEONARDSON, a retired farmer now 
living near the village of Pittsford, on sec- 
tion 3, in Jefferson Township, owns and oc- 
cupies a fine brick residence, and on the same 
section has a valuable farm, comprising 200 acres 
under a high state of cultivation, and equipped wiih 
good buildings. He has been a resident of Jeffer- 
son Township since 1843, having come to this 
countj' in tlie fall of that year, and jjurchasing first 
eighty acres of land on section 12. 

The face of the country in this locality at that 
time was wild in the extreme, and Mr. Leonardson 
was among its first settlers. He put up a little log 
house 18x22 feet, which constituted his home for 
nine years following. In 1852 it was replaced by 
a more modern residence, and not long afterward 
Mr. L. purchased first twenty acres and after a time 
another twenty on section 13 in the same town- 
ship, where he continued to make improvements, 
and kept good grades of live stock, including cattle, 
horses, sheep and swine. His thrift and industry 
met with their legitimate reward, and his neighbors 
soon began to look upon him as one of the leading 
fai-raers of Jefferson Township. In the course of 

-♦ ^ — 



time he had two houses on his farm, and his son now 
has the man.agement principally of the land. 

Our subject was born in Root Township, Mont- 
gomery Co., N. Y., April 12, 1817. His father, 
William Leonardson, was also a native of the Em- 
pire State, and the son of John Leonardson, who 
was the son of one of the original settlers of this 
name in the United States, who came over from 
Holland during the Colonial days, and purchased a 
tract of land in Montgomery County. John Leon- 
ardson followed farming all his life, which he spent 
entirely in Montgomery County. He did not, how- 
ever, live to be aged. His son William, the father 
of our subject, was also reared to agricultural pur- 
suits, and upon reaching manhood was married, in 
Root Township, to Miss Polly Flint, a native of the 
same count\', and where she also spent her entire 
life, dying when her son, our subject, was a little 
lad six years of age. The father onh' survived his 
wife five or six years, and their family of seven 
children were thus left wholly orphaned. Of these 
six lived to mature years and were married. One 
died later in the Mexican War, and two died in 
Ohio. The two living besides our subject. Ester 
and Louisa, are residents of Ohio, and of whom 
James is the eldest. 

Our subject was a lad twelve years at the time of 
his father's death, and was then thrown entirely 
upon his own resources. Being bright and intelli- 
gent, he found plenty of friends and work, and 
continued his education for a time in the common 
school. At the age of seventeen he left his child- 
hood haunts, and made his way to Toledo, Ohio, 
where he lived most of the time from 1836 to 1843, 
although some of this time was spent in his native 
county. In the latter he became acquainted with 
his future wife. Miss Lucinda Hilts, to whom he 
was married June 22, 1843. 

This lady was born in Montgomery Count}', N. Y., 
March 14, 1819, and was the daughter of John and 
Effle (Schuyler) Hilts, who were natives of New 
Jersey, and were there reared and married. The 
father was of German ancestry, and on the Hilts 
side of the house, of Gen. Schuyler stock. After 
the birth of three chiklren, Mr. and Mrs. Hilts left 
their native State and took up their residence in 
Glynn Township, Montgomery Co., N. Y., where 

wp^ 



I 

t 



^ 



-4«- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-^r^ 



947 t i 



4 



tlicre were added to their liousehold six more cliil- 
dren, they tiius being the parents of two sons and 
seven dangiitors. Of tliese Mrs. Lconardson was 
the sixth child and filth daugliter. She was reared 
under the home roof, acquiring a common-school 
education, and remained witli lier parents until her 
marriage. 

Our subject and his wife are the parents of two 
children only: Warren I), mariied Miss \'iola Haw- 
kins, and is practicing law in Fremont, this State; 
they have one child, a son, James, named after his 
paternal grandfather. Warren was graduated from 
Hillsdale College, and pursued his law studies with 
the eminent attorney, K. L. Koon, of Hillsdale; 
Sanford, the j'ounger son, lives upon and oi)erates 
a part of the homestead belonging to his father; he 
married Miss Nellie McNeal, of Jefferson Township, 
and they have four children — Sarah, Frederick, 
Watson and Anna. This boy, like his brother, is 
well educated, and a practical farmer and business 
man. 

Mr. and Mrs. Leonardson commenced the jour- 
ney' of life together with ver}' little cajjitiil save 
their willing hands and courageous hearts. In fact 
thej' had no money at all, but the qualities of in- 
dustry and perseverance with which nature had 
endowed them both, served them perhaps better 
than a moneyed inheritance. The second year was 
even harder than the first, on account of their taxes 
becoming due, and which reached the enormous 
sum of ^1.25, which to obtain Mr. Leonardson was 
obliged to send back to his friends in New York 
State. This he paid back as soon as possible. His 
taxes now aggregate more than $200 annually, anrl 
he has far less trouble to raise that than he did 
that first insignificant sum. 

During the late war Mr. Leonardson was ap- 
pointeil Provost Marshal of Hillsdale County, and 
was the only official of this kind in the State not 
subjected to reprimand at some time during their 
term of service at headquarters. He was also en- 
rolling oflicer in Pittsfordand Wheaton Townships. 
He has represented Jefferson Township in the 
Count}- lioard of Supervisors eigiit terms in suc- 
cession, was Road Commissioner six years. Under 
Sheriff twelve years, and has filled other offices of 
trust and responsibility. Politically, he is a solid 



Republican, and takes a live!}' interest in every- 
thing pertaining to matters of public moment. As 
a man well balanced, and of fine judgment, he is 
uniformly called into the counsels of his fellow- 
citizens, and his opinions are invariably held in 
respect. He is public-spirited and liberal, and will 
do any reasonable amount of work in support of 
the enterprises calculated for the best gooil of his 
community. 



o^S^ 



"T^f^T' 



<«4*C- 



fF_^KNRY LYON, farmer, section 24. Adams 
~ Tuwnsiiip. Among tiie many fine farms in 
the agricultural region of Southern Michi- 
gan, that of our subject occupitis a promi- 
nent position. l)eing one of the best improved in 
Hillsdale Count}', and the most extensive in that 
township. It is pleasantly located, and with its 
large, convenient barns and the spacious dwelling 
of brick, which was erected in 1870, inevitabl}- at- 
tracts the attention of the passerby. One glance, 
however, does not suffice the beholder, who, if he 
has anj' interest in or natural liking for fine blooded 
stock, pauses to .admire the large numbers of iiorscs, 
cattle and sheep that are seen in the fields and 
along the hillsides. Mr. Lyon is the owner of 
twenty-one horses, among which are two celebrated 
English shire or English draft stallions, imported 
and pedigreed. Fils du John and Ed(U-stonc. 
His herd of fifty cows is of the Short-horn breed, 
the bull being registered as "29lh Duke of Hills- 
dale." Among his other fine stock, our subject is 
quite proud of his I'oland-China hogs, the best to 
be found in the vicinity. In stock-raising Mr. 
Lj'on has been unusually successful; he commenced 
at first twenty-five years ago with a flock of sheep, 
buying a high grade of Merinos, and has raised 
more sheep and a larger amount of wool than any 
other man in Adams Townshi|), selling annually 
from 1,000 to 3,000 pounds of wool. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Allegany 
County, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1822, his parents having 
been Simeon and Diana (Ta^'lor) L^'on, of Irish 
and Scotch descent respectively. They located in 
Allegan}- County. N. Y., after their marriage, liv- 



:^^!*^ 



948 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ing there six years, then renioverl to "\V3'oming 
County, the same State, where thoy remained until 
their removal to Michigan in the fall of 1843. 
They came directly to Hillsdale County and settled 
on section 24 of Adams Township, where they re- 
mained engaged in agricultural ptirsuits until the 
death of Mr. Lyon in June, 1877. He had spent a 
long and useful life of eighty-one years, and his 
widow, who is still living at the venerable age of 
eighty-three 3'ears, makes her home with her daugh- 
ter Clara in Adams Township. They were the par- 
ents of five children, three boys and two girls, of 
whom Henry is the eldest. 

Our subject was five 3'ears old when his parents 
moved to W_yoniing Countj', N. Y., and can remem- 
ber but little of the town of his nativity. One incident 
th.at happened during his residence there is indeli- 
bly impressed on his memory. Slavery was tol.er- 
ated at that date In Allegany County, and he 
distinctly recollects the punishment of a colored man, 
belonging to his uncle, for stealing maple sugar. 
The education of our subject was received in the 
district schools of Wyoming County, he having re- 
mained in that county until twentj'-one j-ears of 
age. He then came to Michig.an with his father, 
who purchased IGO acres of land, which he assisted 
in clearing. A few years after his father gave him 
sixty acres of heavily timbered land, which our sub- 
ject at once commenced to improve. He labored 
assiduously', and by industry and strict attention to 
business, he has been enabled to add to his first 
sixty acres many times the original number, so that 
now he owns a valuable farm of 480 acres, 360 of 
which are on section 24 and 120 acres on section 13, 
all under a good state of cultivation, with a mag- 
nificent set of buildings and all the modern appli- 
ances for conducting his business. 

Mr. Lj'on has been twice married. The maiden 
name of his first wife, to whom he was united in 
1851, was Miss Fanny Elizabeth, daughter of Brad- 
street S. Hicks, of New York. She died in 1882, 
leaving five children, namely: Lorana E., Amelia, 
Ida M., Jane and George W. Lorana is the wife of 
George Jackson, of Adams Township; they have 
three children — Lottie, M3'rtie and Arthur. Amelia, 
the wife of Benjamin Lamb, of Adams Township, has 
three children — Iva, Bertha and Berlie. Ida is the 



■^•- 



wife of C. Church, of Adams Township ^ they have 
one child. Jane is the wife of Austin A3'res, of 
Reading Township; George W. is at home. 

Our subject was .again married, taking for his 
second wife Miss Ida M. Sober, of Ypsilanti. Mr. 
Lyon is a man of ability and influence in his com- 
munity, keeping pace with the times in regard to 
all things pertaining to local and general .affairs, and 
is especially interested in the education of the 
young, and has been a school officer the m.ajor part 
of the time since becoming a citizen of Adams 
Township. In politics he is a strong Democrat. 




"^UDGK JOHN MICKLE is a noble represent- 
ative of the sturd3' pioneers who prepared 
the wa3' for the settlement and development 
of Southern Michigan, fearlessly and with 
unfaltering courage encountering the severe priva- 
tions, and even dangers, of a life in the forest cov- 
ered land, that they might possess it, and from its 
rich virgin soil provide the means of obtaining 
comfortable homes for themselves .and their chil- 
dren. Our subject was the first settler of Reading 
Township, and although more than half a century 
with its marvelous changes has rolled by since he 
first took up his abode here, he is still spared to 
bless and honor this community with his kindly and 
venerable presence. No man did more than he in 
those early da3's to promote the growth of this town- 
ship and of Hillsdale County, and he has ever since 
exerted himself to promote their welfare. When 
he first came here, long 3'ears ago, he bought up 
large tracts of land to keep them out of the hands 
of grasping speculators, and sold them to men desir- 
ing settlement at a fair price and within their means, 
and thus in a short time gathered a communit3' of 
good, steady, hard-working settlers about him. 
These he encouraged and helped by his wise coun- 
sel, his ready sympathy and generous aid when 
they were needy. Many a poor man who was strug- 
gling to gain a foothold had ample reason to be 
grateful to him for the help freely given in aiding 
him to build up a home. 

Judge Mickle was born in Phelps Township, On- 



*t 



■^•- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY'. 



949 



tario Co., N. Y., Sopt. 2, 1804, being .a son of .John 
and Catherine (Sniitli) Miokle, natives of New Vorli 
State; liis fatlicr wiis of mingled Scotch and Dutch 
ancestiy, and bis mother was of Dutch descent. 
The first Mickle in this country came from Scot- 
land during the religious wars, and joined a colony 
of Dutch settlers in New York City, and of that 
good old stock came our subject. John Mickle, Sr., 
was born and reared on the banks of the Hudson 
River, but married and settled in Ontario Count}', 
remaining there for several j'ears, prosperously en- 
gaged as a tanner and currier, and also running a 
shoeshop in connection with that business, being a 
good workman as a boot and shoe maker. After 
the birth of nine children he and his wife removed 
with a colon}' to Oswego Count}', and settled in the 
township of Oswego in the early part of this cent- 
ury. He there turned his attention to farming, 
and, with the aid of his sons, imi)roved a farm of 
135 acres. The years remaining to himself and 
wife were passed in that home, and by their sim- 
plicity, industry, and genuine worth of character, 
they won the esteem and confidence of the i)eoi)le 
among whom they had settled. 

Our suliject grew to manhood on the homestead 
of his parents in Oswego, guided l)y their kind 
influence to habits of sobriety, industry and honesty, 
which have since been to him the controlling prin- 
ciples of his life. When nearly of age he left the 
parental home to make his own way in tlie world, 
having but nine cents in his pocket, but, what 
served him better tiian money, having a vigorous 
constitution, a strong will, and a manly self-reli- 
ance, by which lie overcame every obstacle in his 
pathway, and in the course of years became exceed- 
ingly ])riisperous. Many a young man of to-day, 
stalling vut in life with no better i)rosi)ects, might 
despair of success in encountering such hardships 
and dangers as fell to his lot. Our subject worked 
hard at cutting wood and in other employment until 
he got a good start, gathering together sufficient 
income to enable him to marry, and he was united 
to his first wife in Oswego County, N. Y.,her name 
being Elizabeth S. DeMott. 

Mr. Mickle came to Michigan in 1 831 .and setlle<l 
on Government land which formed a [lart of the 
disputed territory between Ohio and Michigan, and 



during the four years that he lived there, he took a 
conspicuous part in all the conflict for tlie possession 
of that territory, said conflict being known as the 
"Toledo War," and he served as a fifer, being the 
only one in the regiment in that struggle. Having 
heard of the beautiful eounli-y around .lonesville 
through a surveyor, he sold out his property there 
and set out for the coveted spot. After selecting 
a desirable location, in September, 1835, he went to 
Monroe and purchased of the Government the 
north half of section 9 and the south half of sec- 
tion 3. all in what is now the township of Heading, 
then known as Allen. He has since purchased large 
tracts of land, and at the time bought all he could 
to keep it out of the haixls of speculators. He 
found the surn)unding country a dense wilderness, 
and it took a man a week to cut a road to his land, 
the distance to any opening, or to any neighbors, 
being at that time six miles. His first work was 
to build a tempoiary log cabin, which he afterward 
replaced by a more commodious block-house, built 
of black walnut logs, and which was fo" several 
years the finest dwelling in town. It took many 
years of steady, hard labor to clear the forest trees 
from his land, but with the assistance of his sons he 
improved inO acres of it, having disposed of agre.at 
deal of his land, and has since further reduced its 
area by giving some of it to his sons, until his farm 
now comprises only 130 acres of land, all highly im- 
proved by the erection of comforUible and commo- 
dious farm buildings, dwelling, etc., and under a 
fine state of culture and well stocked. He has paid 
a great deal of attention to raising and selling sheep, 
swine and cattle in large numbers, and, in f.act, has 
always been excee<1ingly thrifty and prosperous 
in everytliing that he has undertaken. Ue is now 
living in retirement from the cares of an active 
business life. 

The Judge has been not only an important factor 
in developing the great agricultural interests of 
Hillsdale County, but he has from the very first 
years of his setllenienl here been actively identified 
with its public interests, and with the local affairs 
of the place of his residence, Reading Township. 
In 1842 he was a member of the State Legislature, 
representing the county .as a representative. He 
was for several years Associate Judge of the Cir- 



"*► 



950 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



"^K* 



cuit Court, and siibseqently liekl the office of 
County Court Judge for some time. He was Jus- 
tice of the Peace for thirteen years and Notar3' 
Public for six years. He earnestly and faitiifidly 
discliarged the duties imposed upon liim in those 
high positions vvitli becoming dignitj', firmness and 
wisdom. It is said that in all the years that he 
jjresided over a court, only one case was appealed, 
and then his decision was sustained in the higher 
court. In politics the Judge was for many years 
the leading Whig in Reading Townsliip, until the 
formation of the Republican part}', when he joined 
its ranks, and has ever since acted in harmony with 
it, his sons also being stanch supi)orters of that 
party. Oni- subject is a true Christian, and for 
many years has been numbered among the mem- 
bers of the Regular Ba))tist Church, being one of 
its most active workers. 

Judge Mickle has been twice married. His first 
wife, who was reared at Newburg, on the Hudson 
River, departed this life in Reading Township on 
the old homesteail, in 1838, dying in childbirth. 
.She shared vvitli him the early trials and privations 
of their pioneer home, and with her husband often 
extended its generous and vvidel^'-known hospital- 
ity to the new-comers who had no shelter of their 
own. She was a good Christian woman, and a lov- 
ing wife and mother. Five children were born of 
that marriage, .all dead. Our subject was a second 
time married, Sept. 8, 1839, in Reading Township, 
to Miss JMarj' Fitzsiramons, daughter of George 
and Lydia ( Rapelee) Fitzsimmons, early settlers of 
this township and county. She was born Dec. 3, 
181 G, in Yates County, N. Y., an<l after attaining 
womanhood came with her parents to this county, 
remaining with them until her marriage. She was 
very industrious and energetic, and her kindness 
and sympathy won for her the regard of all with 
whom .she came in contact. She was a sincere Chris- 
tian, and for many years a devoted member of the 
Regular Bai)tist Church. Of her marriage with our 
subject ten children were born, of whom two are 
now dead: one who died in infanc}-, and George. 
The latter was very well educated, and was a prom- 
ising teacher; he died from an aeci<lental wound in 
the leg. The record of the eight living is as fol- 
lows: The first-born living is John Q., who married 



Phebe Chappell, and lives in Reading Village, where 
lie carries on the trade of painter and grainer; 
Henry C. married Louisa McNeil, and now lives in 
Arthur, Saginaw Co., Mich., and is Supervisor of 
the township; D. Webster is a mechanic and 
painter living in Reading Village; he married Sena 
Kidder; B. Franklin married Flora S. Hughbone, 
and they live on a farm in Reading Township; 
Luther S. is a mechanic, jiainter and farmer, living 
in Reading Village; he married Mary Westgate. 
George Lee married Jessie Whitney, and they live 
on a farm in Osceola County, Mich., where he 
follows the trade of mason; Eugene O. married Hat- 
tie Bowman, and they live in Reading VilKage, 
where he is engaged as a mechanic and a painter; 
Elias R. married Kldora Eyrs, of Reading, and they 
live with his father, he having the management of 
the hitter's farm. Mrs. Mary Miekle, the second 
wife of our subject, departed this life Feb. 29, 
1888. 



-SG= 



=E>- 




OSEA W. FOLGER, a settler of 1839 in 
ij Hillsdale County, and who has now a fine 



farm on section 4 in Cambria Township, 
settled first in Allen Township upon a tract 
of unbroken land, 100 acres in extent. This he 
labored upon a number of years, bringing it to a 
good state of cultivation, and effecting various im- 
provements, and ill 1864 sold out and took up his 
residence in the village of Hillsdale. A j'ear later, 
being dissatisfied with town life, he secured posses- 
sion of a farm in Reading Township, and lived there 
and in Hillsdale until 1884, when ho settled upon 
his present farm. He is now one of the landmarks 
of this section, a responsible and enterprising man, 
who has proved a valued citizen and stands well 
among his neighbors. His present farm comprises 
nearlj' seventy acres, is well stocked, and furnished 
with a good set of frame buildings. 

Our subject is a native of the Province of On- 
tario. Canada, and was born May 23, 1818. His 
father, Daniel Folger, was a product of the Green 
Mountain State, and of New England ancestry. 
He married Miss Sarah Williams, of V^ermont, who 
was of descent similar to his own, and the}' began 



•►Hh^ 



I 



•<^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



951 



('■ 



life together in New York State, where the father 
followed his trade of carpenter. From there he 
removed to Canada, where iiis two 3^oungest chil- 
dren were born, but spent his last days with his 
excellent wife in Niagara County, N. Y. Both ])ar- 
ents lived to a ripe old age. 'I'heir family consiste<l 
of five sons, of whom 11. W., our subject, was the 
fourth in onler of birth. There are now only two 
survivors, t)ur subject and bis brother Alonzo, and 
the latter is carrying on farming in Allen Town- 
ship, this county. 

]Mr. Folger, of whom we write, from the time he 
was five years of age, made his home in Pendle- 
ton Township, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he was 
reared and received his education. He was mar- 
ried in the town of Litchfield, that county, to Miss 
Eliza Worden, who was born and reared in that 
locality, and whose father died when she was quite 
young. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Folger emigrated to Michigan, and the wife of our 
subject died in Heading Township, this counl3'. in 
1870. when fifty-one years old. They had become 
the parents of three children, two of whom are 
deceased. The surviving son, Oscar, married Miss 
Lucy Cane, and is carrying on farming in Katon 
Count3'. The deceased children were Sai'ah and 
James. 

Mr. Folger contracted a second marriage, with 
Mrs. Sarah E. (Bagley) Hill, in Cambria Township, 
Oct. 27, 1872. This lady was the daughter of 
David and Louisa (Penoyer) Bagle^', who were 
natives of Connecticut, and the descendants of 
families who had settled in New England, it is sup- 
posed, prior to the Revolutionary' War. Her fa- 
ther was a cousin of ex-Gov. Bagle^', of this State, 
and a cabinet-maker by trade. He followed this 
occujiation during his residence in liis native State. 
B.v a previous marriage he had become the father 
of five children. After his marriage with the motlier 
of Mrs. Folger he moved to New York with his 
family, settling in Cayuga County, where hisiiaugh- 
ter Sarah WHS born. ,Iul3' 12, 1835. She was the 
fourth child of the second marriage, and was one 
year old when she was brought by her parents to 
this State. They settled first in Adams Township, 
where the father secured a large tract of unbroken 
land, u[)on which belabored with his estimable wife 



until life for them was over. The mother, hciwever, 
died in 1840, and Mr. Bagley was the third time 
married. His death took place when he was nearlj' 
seventy years of .age. He was a man of much force 
of char.acter, and held the minor offices of his town- 
ship, while at one time he was Probate Judge of 
the county. He improved a large tract of land 
and accumulated a fine propert3'. 

Mrs. Folger was reared and educated in Adams 
Township, where she met and married her first hus- 
band, Ira Hill. The latter was born in AVavne 
County, N. Y., and during earl3' manhood served 
an apprenticeship as carpenter and wagon-maker. 
Upon coming to the West he al)andoned mecliani- 
cal pursuits for farming, and taking up a tract of 
land in Cambria Tt>wnship, resided there until his 
death, which occurred July 7, 18G4. Mr. and iNIrs. 
Hill became the parents of three children, of whom 
onl3' one is living, a daughter, Martha, who is now 
the wife of M. E. Dow, a sketch of whom will be 
found elsewhere in this Aluum. 

To our subject and his wife there have been born 
two children, a son and daughter. Charles W. and 
May C, who continue at home with their parents. 
Mr. Folger, politically, is a solid Republican, and 
both he and his estimable wife are ver3' intelligent 
people, generous and hospitable, .and have one of 
the pleasantest homes in Cambria Township. 

LBH;RT ken YON, a prominent farmer and 
(@rJJ| representative citizen of North Adams, is 
"ill the son of Benjamin I. and Susan (Stowe) 
S^JI Kenyon, the former of whom was born in 

Washington County. N. Y., and the letter in Sulli- 
van County, N. H. The father was a farmer by 
occupation, and after his marriage settled in Cayuga 
County, where he held the position of Overseer of 
the Auburn State Prison for a (leriod of about 
twelve years. In the year 183G became to Hillsdale 
County, and located and bought 400 acres of (gov- 
ernment land. He then returned to his home, which 
he h.ad left on leave of absence to come to this State, 
and resumed the duties of his position, which he 
discharge<I until political differences caused by his 
anti slavery principles were the means of removing 



■*► 







952 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■ ^ w . <• 



him from office. He then rlisposed of liis interests 
in the Empire State, and bidding good-hy to tlie 
scenes of his cliildhood, with liis wife lie started for 
this State, to whieli liis son Albert had come some 
five years previously. Here the parents made their 
home until their decease, the mother passing away 
June 14, 1861, aged sixty-foiiryears, while the father 
died Jan. 31, 1873, in the seventy-eighth year of his 
age. 

Albert Kei\yon was the only child horn to his 
parents, and first saw the light Feb. 20, 1823. on the 
farm in New York State, where he was reare<l until 
about twelve years of age, when the family removed 
to Auburn. While on the farm he began his edii-' 
cation by attending the district school, and afti'rliis 
removal he entered Auburn Academy', pursuing his 
studies there for about six years, and receiving a 
good education. He then conceived the idea of 
coming to the West, and promi)tiiess in executing 
his plans being one of Air. Keiiyon's prime qualities, 
he at once set out for Hillsdale County, and arrived 
here Oct. 8, 1841. Availing himself of the educa- 
tion received in liis native State, he engaged in the 
profession of school-teaching, which at that early 
period was greatly in demand, and which he fol- 
lowed for ten winters in succession. I he pioneer, 
be it said to iiis credit, no sooner made ready his 
log cabin for the reception of his family than he 
sought means to secure educational advantages for 
his children. A log house, similar to that in which 
he lived, was erected, equally guiltless of furniture, 
and here some noble man, a lover of his race, gen- 
erall3' for a mere pittance, would spend the prime 
of his life engaged in imparting knowledge, and 
succeed in sending abroad noble men and women, 
capable of doing their duty in any walk of life and 
adorning anj' position. From such schools have 
gone forth some of the greatest men that this or 
any other country has ever seen, notably Abraham 
Lincoln, our martyred President. In such a school 
Mr. Kenyon laliored, and his first section comprised 
what is now three districts, with an enrollment of 
sixty pupils, five of whom were older than their 
teacher, while one was a married woman. His 
remuneration was 850 for four months of twenty-six 
days to the month. During the summer he was 
engaged in farm work, and thus alternated in his 



-<•• 



employment for a number of j'ears. He then traded 
eighty acres of land, which had been given him by 
his father, for another eight}' acres, partially im- 
pr(_)ved. which he has made his home ever since. 

(^n the rith of December, 1847, i\lr. Kenton was 
united in marriage with Miss Grace, daughter of 
James and Grace (Barker) Fitten, natives of Lan- 
caster, England, who came to America when Mrs. 
Kenyon was a child of two years. They settled at 
Lowell, Mass., where her father engaged in the man- 
agement of a woolen factory for some 'time, after 
which they came to Hillsdale County, in 1835. The 
father departed this life June 15, 1807, while the 
mother followed him to the silent laud Nov. 20, 
1808. The parental famih' of Mrs. Kenyon in- 
cluded eight children, five girls and three bo^'s, of 
whom Mrs. K., the fourth in order of birth, was 
bovn Aug. 28, 1821. At the age of thirteen ^ears 
she came with her parents to this State, and received 
a common-school education in the public schools of 
this count}'. 

In politics Mr. Kenj'on engages heart and hand 
with the Democratic party, with which lie has had 
a lifelong connection, and his popularity with all 
classes is so great that he was elected for the high- 
est position in his townshi|), when the Rei)ublicans 
had a majority of eighty votes. This is due to his 
character as a reputable man and his sterling busi- 
ness qualities, together with the fact that during the 
war no man was more interested in the maintenance 
of the Union. About fifteen years ago, after a suc- 
cessful career as an agriculturist, he retired from 
active life, and has since made his home at North 
Adams, while he still owns seventy acres of good 
land in Moscow Township. Since locating at North 
Adams he has held various offices of public trust, 
having been elected Supervisor in 1875, and serv- 
ing for one year. In 1882 the village of North 
A<lams was incorporated, and Mr. Kenyon was 
elected its first President. He was also elected 
President and Treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual 
Insurance Compaii}', and w.as re-elected five times, 
serving twelve consecutive years, lie was also for 
a time freight and ticket agent, dealing at the same 
time in lumber and building supplies. In 1870 Mr. 
Ken^'ou was candidate for State Senator, running 
against his personal friend, Whittier J. Baxter. 



H 



■<^ 



,t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



■•►-■i-4* 



t)53 ik 



Hillsdale County, then the Second Senatorial Dis- 
trict of Mifliigan. wasstronsjjly Republican, so much 
so as to earn the name of the "Hanner Ropiiljlican 
County" of the State. Our subject recciveil more 
than his party v'ote, but of course the Republican 
element was too strong, and he was unsuccessful. 
He was also candidate for the State Legislature in 
1868. 

In the autumn of 1876 Mr. Kenj-on visited the 
Centennial Exhibition, but while on his way to 
Philadelphia with Dr. Noyes. George Marsh and 
Orrin Smith, from North Adams, he was taken ill 
on the cars, and was obliged to remain at Waverly, 
N. Y., until he recuperated, after which he resumed 
his journey to the Quaker City. He afterward vis- 
ited AVashington, Mt. Vernon, New Y'ork City, 
Niagara Falls, and many other places of interest. 

\f? AMES Mc DOUG ALL. .Ii!. The agricultural 
interests of our country are not better sus- 
tained bj' people of any nationality than the 
thrifty Scotch, and Hillsdale County has a 
due proportion of that element among its farmers. 
Occupying a loading position among these sturdy 
tillers of the soil stands the subject of our sketch, 
who is an enterprising farmer and stock-grower on 
section 17 of Woodbridge Township. He was born 
in Scotland, near Glasgow, July 18, 1815. being the 
son of James and Agnes (Boyle) McDougall, who 
were of Scotch blood, pure and undefiled. In 1848 
they emigrated to America with their family, 
disembarking in New York City, whence they 
l)roeeeded to Cayuga County, where the}' remained 
five years. Mr. McDougall worked by the day, or 
as a well-digger the first three years, and then 
engaged in farming. In 1858 he removed to Michi- 
gan, and bought eighty acres of land in Woodbridge 
Township, three acres of which were cleared; he 
labored hard to accomplish much in the way of 
improvement, devoting his entire time and atten- 
tion to his farm until after the breaking out of the 
Rebellion, when, insi)ired by patriotic devotion to 
his adopted country', he enlisted as a private in 
Company C, 1st Michigan Infancy; he served 
faithfully' untd the expiration of his term of enlist- 



ment, wlien he veteranized and continued to lake 
part in the war, serving in all more than four yeai"s. 
He is still living. His wife is a most excellent rep- 
resentative of the noble women of her native 
country, as well as of America, who have bravel}' 
and cheerfully assisted their husbands in their strug- 
gles for independence, proving hcli)mates in the 
truest sense of the word. She is a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and much 
esteemed in her neighl)orhood for her kindly spirit 
and Christian virtues. To her and her husband 
eight children were born, of whom the following is 
the record: Jeannette married Robert Moore; 
Robert married Agnes Dow; James, Jr. ; Andrew 
married Adelia Ilubbcll; Jane married Robert 
Carruthers; John married Cadis Root; Agnes mar- 
ried G. H. Curtis; Margaret E. is at home with 
her mother. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm 
and received a common-school education. In 
December, 186^, he enlisted in Conipan}- K, 27th 
Michigan Infantr}', and served bravely in defense 
of the institutions of this countrj' until the close of 
the war. being honorably disehai-ged Aug. 27, 18C5. 
He was with the Army of the Potomac, took an 
active part in the battles of the Wilderness and Cold 
Harbor, and at the former place received severe 
wounds, having had his ribs broken; he was sent to 
the hospital, and after recovering from his injuries 
.again joined his regiment at People's Farm, Va., in 
season to take part in the siege of Petersburg, 
after which he was detailed to bury the dead, and 
was near Lee when he surrendered. He then ])ro- 
ceeded to Washington, where he was mustered out of 
service, and he is now drawing a pension of $4 a 
month. 

Mr. JMcDougall was married, Jan. 11, 1864, to 
Miss Elizabeth Hoals, a most estimable young lady, 
who was born in Richland County. Ohio, May 2, 
1843. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Hart) 
Boals, natives respective!}' of Ohio and Pennsyl- 
vania. To our subject have been born three chil- 
dren, of whom the following is the record: Nettie 
B. married Arthur Hinkle; Myrtie A. and Charlie 
are at home. 

The homestea<I of our subject consists of eighty 
acres of well-improved land, and near by he owns ^ 



■•► 



=L. 



954 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



a tract of forty acres, all of which is in a fine 
condition for tilling or grazing. Mr. McDoiigall 
makes a specialt}' of fine blooded horses and cattle, 
having six head of the foimer and eight of the 
latter, besides seventy head of sheep, all of high- 
grade stock. His success in his business is un- 
disputed evidence of the judicious manner in 
which his labor and time have been expended, and 
shows what can be accomplished by industry, fru- 
gality and perseverance, coupled with the good 
common sense that readily takes a lesson from ob- 
.servation and experience. In educational matters 
our subject takes much interest, and has served 
acceptably to all as School Director for many years. 
His ever readj' courtesj' and probity of character 
have won for him the full trust and esteem of his 
fellow-townsmen, and when he was elected to his 
present responsible office as Township Treasurer, 
he leceived the largest majority of any candidate 
on the ticket. In politics he is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and a firm adherent of the party. Socially, lie 
is a member of the G. A. R. 



^^8^ 




LMON DAY, Justice of the Peace in Cam- 
bria Township, and also carrying on gen- 
IJl eral farming on section 1 , purchased his 
present homestead of 100 acres five years 
ago, in 1 882. He has been a resident of this county 
for a period of over forty years, and prominently 
identified with its various interests, discharging the 
duties of many of its offices, and signalizing him- 
self as a reliable and piaiseworthy citizen. He was 
iSherifl and Under Sheriff for about six years, and 
whether in great or little matters has exercised the 
same care and fidelity to duty which have gained 
him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
The boyhood of our subject was spent in Bur- 
lington Township, Otsego Co., N. Y.. where his 
birth took place on the 27th of January, 1819. His 
father, Charles Day, was a native of Connecticut, 
a full-blooded Yankee of stanch New England 
ancestry, whose first representatives in this country 
crossed the Atlantic from the Principality of Wales, 
and consisted of two biothers, Robert and John, 
who came over as soldiers of the British army. After 



the close of the war they decided to remain in the 
New "World, and settling in New Ensland. there 
spent the remainder of their lives. The family 
patronymic in their native country was spelled 
-Dey." 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Charles 
Day, Sr., spent his entire life upon the rocky soil of 
the Nutmeg State, where he carried on farming to 
the best of his ability, and was a highly respected 
and honored citizen. The great-grandfather, also 
named Charles Day, was the son of Adonijah Day, 
the latter being a near descend.int of the original 
brothers. Religiouslj', tlie3' were Presbyterians of 
the sternest type, and in political matters the later 
generations identified themselves with the old Whig 
party. Charles, the father of our suliject. was a 
native of Otsego County, N. Y., where he was 
reared to manhood, and married Miss Eunice King, 
who was born in the same locality. After they had 
become the parents of several children, they changed 
their residence to Oneida County, taking up their 
abode in Paris Township, where both parents died 
at an advanced age. the mother when eighty-one 
and the father when ninety-one years old. They 
also were Presbyterians, and carefully trained their 
children in the doctrines which they believed would 
prove for their ultimate good both in this world and 
•the next. 

Almou Day was reared at the home of his par- 
ents in Otsego County, where he developed into 
manhood, and became familiar with farm pursuits. 
Upon leaving the jwrental roof he repaired to the 
city of Rochester, and engaged in boating. He was 
married in 1844, and remained a resident of that 
city until 1848, in the spring of which year he 
determined to seek his fortunes in the young State 
of Michigan. Making the journey by a lake steamer 
from Buffalo to Toledo, and thence by rail to Cam- 
bria Township, this county, he purchased 1 60 acres 
of wild land on section 10, and there began the 
improvements which to-day attract the admiring 
eye of the passing traveler. He was soon recog- 
nized as a valuable addition to the community, and 
in due time was elected Sheriff of Hillsdale County. 
He also re|)resented Cambria Township in the 
County Board of Supervisors five years, and has 
for a period of twelve years held his present oflSce 



/ 

t 



-^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



955 



f 
"l 



as Justice of the Peace. In early life a Whig, he 
later became identified with the Repiibh"caii party, 
and has alw.ays taken a lively interest in kjcal 
jwlitics. 

Mr. Day was first marrleil, in 1844, to Miss Pau- 
lina Streeter. They became the parents of four 
children, one of whom died at the age of one year. 
JIdwin S. married Miss Ruth Chappell, and is 
engaged in the grocery and provision trade at Lud- 
ington, this State. William E. took to vvife Miss 
Mary Holmes, and is carrying on general merchan- 
dising in Ludington; Everet is in the store of his 
brother in tlie latter place; Alice S. died in earl^' 
childhood. The mother of these children passed 
away at her home in Cambria Township, on the 7th 
of April, 1857. 

Mr. Day contracted a second marriage, Oct. 19. 
1862, with Miss Mary E. Sweetraan, of Grand Rap- 
ids, and they are the parents of five children, one of 
whom, a little son, Frank, died in infancy. The 
eldest daughter, Mary C, is the wife of Floyd J. 
Campbell, an extensive grain dealer of Rock Valley, 
Iowa; Cassius A. is engaged in the boot and shoe 
trade in Kendallville, Ind.; Alberts, and Roscoe 
A. are at home with their parents. Our subject and 
his wife, usually accompanied by sonic of their 
children, attend regularly the Presbyterian Church, 
at Hillsdale. 



-€^-^-- 



;NDREW McDOUGALL. The finely cul- 
(fei^Ol tivated farm of this gentleman, comprising 
140 acres on section IG in Woodbridge 
/©>y/ Township, is a remarkable illustration of 

the results of energj^ and perseverance. The sub- 
ject of this sketch commenced life without any 
means whatever except his strong hands and willing 
disposition, and h.as the satisfaction of looking 
around ni)on his possessions, and feeling that for 
them he is indebted to no man. Among his neigh- 
bors he is the synonym of all that is honest, 
straightforward and trustworthy, and a man whose 
word is :is good as his bond. 

Mr. McDougall was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 
Dec. 31, 1847, and was brought by his parents to 
America when an infant six mtjnths old. They 



landed in New York Cit}', whence the father pro- 
ceeded to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he lived 
a number of years engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
In 1858 he came with his famil}' to Michigan, and 
purchased eighty acres of land, nearly all timber, 
in Woodbridge Township, Hillsd.ale County, where 
he labored early and late, and built up a good 
home from the wilderness. Upon the outbreak of 
the late war, he was one of the first to fly to the 
relief of his adopted countr}', joining a Michig.an 
regiment in the fall of 1861. Of his war record 
there is further notice in his sketch, which will be 
found on another page of this work. 

Andrew McDougall was a lad of eleven j'ears 
when his father came to this State, and has all his 
life been familiar with agricultural pursuits. Upon 
reaching manhood he lived in this township, and 
when twenty-five years old was married, Aug. 25, 
187-2. to ]\Iiss Delia Elubbell, a lady of fine capa- 
bilities, and a teacher who had been educated at 
Toledo and in Hillsdale College, and who had 
taught in Ohio and Michigan for about twenty- 
four terms, being very successful. Her parents, 
Vernon and Nanc^' (Dake) Hubbell, were natives 
of New York State, where their daughter Delia 
was born. M.ay 3, 1847. Her paternal grandfather 
was a minister of the Baptist Church. Her father 
was a farmer bj' occupation, and died in 1872, the 
year of her marri.age. The mother is still living, 
making her home on the old homestead in Cambria 
Township. The parental household included eight 
children, namely: Vernon, Jr., Marietta, Joseph 15., 
Harrison; Mary J., Mrs. S. Rugg; Nancy A., Mrs. 
Deniott; Hannah, the wife of Ed Fitzsimmons, .and 
Delia, the wife of our subject. 

Mr. and iMrs. McDougall after their marriage 
lived two years on a rented farm in this township, 
and then our subject worked his father's farm two 
years. He then purchased twent3'-five acres of 
partially cleared land in Woodl>ridge Township, for 
which he paid ^43 per acre. His next (jurchase w:is 
five acres, for which he paid $150, and after several 
more additions to his real estate and struggling 
hard to liquidate his indebtedness, he found himself 
once more with his head above water, and the 
owner of the fine body of land u|)on which he h:is 
operated with such good advantage, making a good 



I 



956 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



living for his family nnd accumulating something 
for a rainy day. He has two cliilrlren only: Carrie 
A., born July -20, 187ti. and Algia, Dec. 12, 1878. 
They are at home with their parents. Mr. Mc- 
Dougall is a stanch adherent of the Republican 
partj', but has little time to give to politics, being 
mostly interested in his farm and family. 



GEORGP: p. wolf, proprietor of the plan- 
ing-mill which stands conspicuous in the 
western part of tlie city of Hillsdale, carries 
on extensively the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, 
etc., and established his present business in 1874. 
During his residence of fourteen 3'ears in this locality, 
the people among whom he has lived have learned to 
regard him with iiigh favor, as being a responsible 
business man and a worthy and reliable citizen. 
His birth occurred in the little Kingdom of Saxony, 
Germany, on the 2'3<\ day of March, 1827, and his 
ancestors were of pure German stock, possessing in 
a marked degree all the substantial and honest 
traits of that nationality. 

John Peter Wolf, the father of our subject, was 
a carpenter bj' trade, and as a natural consequence 
his son George, after being released from school 
where he had spent his time since he was a little lad 
of six years until he became a youth of fourteen, 
entered the shop of his father, under whom he served 
a thorough apprenticeship, and with whom he re- 
mained until reaching bis majority. Then, in accord- 
ance with the requirements of the Government of 
the Fatherland, he served a j-ear in the German 
armj'. At the expiration of this time he set sail 
at the port of Bremen, bound for America, in 
which he arrived after a voyage of four weeks. He 
staid a brief time in New York City, then made his 
way to Sandusky, Ohio, where he soon secured 
employment, and where he lemained until the spring 
of 1874. 

Our subject now determined to seek the farther 
West, and coming to this county continued em- 
ployed as heretofore, and soon discovered the 
urgent need of better facilities for carrying on the 
manufacture of the articles which he now puts forth 
from his factory. He accordingly established a 



planing-mill on a small scale, and greatly to his 
satisfaction was soon in the enjoyment of a thriving 
little business, which increased so rapidlj' that he 
was soon obliged to enlarge his facilities. He has 
now a fine two-story building, equipped with all 
modern machinery, including a steam engine of 25- 
horse power, and all the other improvements natu- 
rally suggested in order to meet the constant pres- 
sure of orders received from all parts of this .and 
adjoining counties. Nature provided Mr. Wolf 
with excellent business cap.acit}-, which, coupled 
with his industry and perseverance, has resulted in 
setting him on the highway to a competenc3'. 

Mr. Wolf has been twice married. His first wife, 
Miss Elizabeth Fisher, was born in Saxony, Cob.alt, 
and departed this life at her home in August. 1863. 
She was the mother of one son and three daughters 
— Ernest, Margaret. Caroline and Emma, who are 
now in Michigan and Lidiana. The present wife 
of our subject was formerlj' Miss Christina Sei- 
gle, a native of North Baden, and who is the mother 
of two children — George C. and Christina. This 
son is the assistant of his father in the mill, and 
the daughter continues at home. Mr. Wolf upon 
becoming a naturalized citizen identified himself 
first with the Republican partj', but considered that 
he had reason to change his politics, and now atfili- 
atcs with the Democracy. 



D 



EUBEN B. MASON, the leading merchant 
'lui-} of Frontier Village, Hillsdale County, car- 
lJL\ ri^s a large general stock of dry -goods, 
W^boots, shoes, hats, caps, hardware, drugs, 
dyes, etc. His is the oldest established house in the 
village, and his store is in a fine building, ne.atly 
and tastefully fitted up, and admirably adapted to 
its purposes. His wide experience in the mercan- 
tile business enables him to judge of the demands 
of the trade, and of the class of goods suited to the 
wants of his patrons, and he controls the largest and 
best custom of the place. Mr. Mason comes of a 
mixed Anglo-Celtic ancestry, and was born in Bur- 
lington County-, N. J., March 4, 1826. His parents 
were natives of New Jersey, and are now deceased. 



i 







HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



957 



The early years of our subject were passed in his 
native State, where he acquired the rurtiinents of 
his education in tlie public schools. Wlien lie was 
thirteen years of age he accompanied his parents to 
their new home in Lucas County, now Fulton 
County, Ohio, where he attended school and com- 
pleted his education. When quite young he estab- 
lished himself in business there .as a peppermint 
distiller, and he afterward ran a pearl ashery and a 
saleratus factory. He w.as very enterprising and 
energetic, and did not, by any means, confine his 
attention to those branches of business, but branched 
out in other directions, and we next hear of him as 
managing a store in the town of Blanc, Fulton 
Co., Ohio, and he also conducted the post-olDce in 
connection with his store, serving as Postmaster for 
eleven years. 

Mr. Mason w.as niairicd, March 15, 1849. to Miss 
Sarah Oldham. She comes of a good old German 
family, and was born Dec. 17, IScJO. Iler parents 
were honest, sober-minded. God-fearing people, who 
trained her in habits of industry; they reared her 
in the faith uf the Methodist Episcopal Church, but 
she is now a devout and highly esteemed member 
of the United Brethren Church. To her and her 
husband have been born nine children, all of whom 
have grown to maturity and married, with the ex- 
ception of one, and their record is as follows: 
Rhoda A., born Dec. 27, 1S49, married Allen 
Agnew; Freeman C, born Aug. 1, 1B51, is a phy- 
sician; Rebecca B. was born .June 7, 1853; John 
R., born Jan. 14, 1855, is a clergyman; Reuben B., 
Jr., was born Nov. 10. 1857; he is a stonemason. 
George W. was born Jan. 1, 18G0; Sarah C, Aug. 
5, 18G3; Emett C, Dec. 24, 18(J5; Abraham, Oct. 
12, 18G7. 

In 18G() Mr. Mason came with his family to 
this county, and settled in the tovvnshii)of Ransom, 
where he purchased 1184^ acres of fine, arable land, 
and devoting himself assiduously to agricultural 
pursuits for some years, improved a very fine farm. 
In 1879, however, he decided to enter the mercan- 
tile world once again, and accordingly established 
his present business in Frontier, and has since suc- 
cessfully conducted it. He carries a large stock, 
valued at about $5,000, and has an extensive and 
constantly growing trade. He also carries on quite 



a large commission business in connection with his 
other trade, and in the month of April shipped 
seventy-five barrels of eggs to the New York mar- 
ket. He has erected two fine residences, and owns 
other valuable property. 

Mr. Mason is one of the stand-bys of the Demo- 
cratic party in this vicinity, and uses his influence 
to promote the success of that party. While he 
resided in Ransom Townshij) he held the ollice of 
Justice of the Peace for some years. He is a peace- 
able and law-abiding citizen, and his genial and ever 
courteous manners and obliging disposition have 
gained for him .many friends. He comes from a 
good old (Quaker family', and in his religious views 
espouses the faith of his fathers. 

— ,>> -o»»-®v«v®-<>*<" •**•— 

WILLIAM T. BUCHANAN, of the firm of 
W. T. Buchanan & Son, manufacturers of 
doors and window screens, established in 
business in 18G7 at Hillsdale, operating a planing- 
mill at first about five years, and then began the 
7nanufaclure of milk safes and fanning-niills, and 
carried on quite an extensive business in lli;it line 
for a period of some ten years In 1882 he began 
the manufacture of screen doors, and the year fol- 
lowing was obliged to enlarge his facilities, and now 
receives orders from' points throughout Michigan 
.and the States adjoining. 

Mr. Buchanan, like many of the enterprising men 
about Inn), is a product of the Buckej'e State, and 
was born in the town of Reed, in Seneca County, 
Nov. 6, 1833. His parents, John, Jr.. and Lucy B. 
(Rice) Buchanan, wore natives of New York State, 
whence they removed to Ohio, locating among the 
earlj^ settlers of Seneca County. The father took 
up a tract of land, from wiiich he eliniinati>d a good 
farm and carried on .agriculture until his death. 
The parental household included three children, of 
whom William T. w.os the second born, and in com- 
mon with his brother and sister, acquired his early 
education in the district schools, and learned to 
plow, sow and reap. 

Our subject came to Hillsdale County in 1838, 
in company with his uncle, and for a time was vari- 
ously employed. Later he commenced an appren 



i~ 




;h 



•«► 



968 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



tieeship as a earpcntei- and joiner, and followed this 
trade for a number of years, and until after the 
late Civil War. In August, 18G1. he determined 
to become a soldier of the Union army, and accord- 
ingly enlisted in Company C, 1st United States 
Sharpshooters, which regiment was assigned to the 
Army of the Potomac, and did considerable picket 
duty in and around the city of Washington and at 
Yori<town, in the District of Columbia. 

About the time ot the evacuation of Yorktown, 
Mr. Buchanan was taken ill with typhoid fever, was 
conlined in the hospital for a time, and finally sent 
home. Upon his recovery he rejoined his company 
at Harrison Landing, in Virginia, but on account 
of the exposure he suffered a relaiise, and found 
himself in the hosiiital a second time. When par- 
tially recovered he was assigned to the convalescent 
corps, liut on account of continued ill-health was 
compelled to accept his discharge in March, 1863. 
He now returned to Hillsdale, and commenced the 
business career to which we have .-dready alluded. 

Mr. Buchanan was married in Adrian, Mich., 
Dec. 24, 1803, to Miss Louisa A. Warren, of Nor- 
walk, Ohio, whose paients, Thomas and Martha 
Warren, were also residents of that city. The 
father is dead, the mother living in Hillsdale. Mrs. 
Buchanan w.as born Oct. 4, 1837, in Korwalk, Ohio, 
and by her union with our subject became the 
mother of one child only, a son, Harry T., who was 
born Oct. 13, 1864, and is now the partner of his 
fatiier. He was married, Nov. 11, 1886, to Miss 
Louisa Snyder, of Montpelier, Ohio, and they have 
one <laughter, Minnie, who was born March 15, 
1888. Our subject, politically, is a solid Repub- 
lican, and a member in good standing of the G. 
A. U. 



i^vOLNEY A. SEBRING. Tiiis gentleman is 
comfortably located on section 20, in Cam- 
bria Township, where he has a snug farm of 
eighty-nine acres, with excellent buildings, a fair 
assortment of live stock, and all the appurtenances 
of a prosperous country estate. He purchased this 
property in 1882, but had worked the land on 
shares for several years previously. Its condition 
reflects "reat credit u|ion his skill and industry. 



Mr. Sebring is a native of Southern Michigan, hav- 
ing been born in Ogden Township, Lenawee County, 
Nov. 10, 1844. His parents. Perry and Dorcas 
(Jewell) Sebring, were natives of Sodus, N. Y., 
where the father carried on farming during his 
younger years, but after his marriage came to this 
Slate, as early as 1840, and settled in the swampy 
wilds of Ogden Township, where he succeeded in 
making some improvements on the land which he 
purchased, and whence he removed in 1852, to Fay- 
ette Township, this county. He improved a very 
good farm there, but in 1854 sold out and took up his 
abode in Cambria Township, on section 34, wliere 
he made his home several years. Then selling his 
propertj' there also, he purchased on section 27, in 
the same township, and followed farming as before 
until his death. Dee. 6, 1881, when past sixty- 
three years of age. He had been quite active in 
local politics, endorsed the principles of the Rei)ub- 
lican party, and had held most of the offices of the 
townshii), from Supervisor down. In religious mat- 
ters he was a Uni versalist. The wife and mother dieil 
in middle life, in 1805, at their home in Cambria 
Townshii). She was a lady of many excellent quali- 
ties, and her name is held in tender remembrance 
by her children. 

The parental household included four sons and 
three daughters, of whom Volney A. was the second 
child, and is the oldest one living. The two other 
sons and the two daughters surviving are all mar- 
ried and comfortably settled, making their homes 
mostly in Michigan. Volney A., when reaching man- 
hood, was married in Woodbridge Township, Aug. 
'J, 1868, to Miss Dorcas E. Wyllys, who was born 
in Ridgeville, Lorain Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1844. 
Her parents, Rufus and Dorcas (Darling) Wyllys, 
were boin, reared and married in Cattaraugus 
County, N. Y., whence they removed to Lorain 
County, Ohio, during its pioneer days. The father 
from the unbroken wilderness built up a good farm, 
but in 1849 sold out, and coming to this county, 
purchased forty acres of land on section 2, in Wood- 
bridge Township. Upon this he labored industri- 
ously with excellent results, and added by degrees 
to his real estate until at the time of his death he 
was the possessor of a lialf-section. with good build- 
in<^s. Here his death took [ilace in 1802. when he 



M^ 



•«► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



959 



was fifty-eight years of age. The mother survived 
her husband a period of lliirtcon years, and was 
about the same age as he at the time of her decease. 
Mrs. Scbring was one of tiie younger of eight 
children born to her parents. Of her brothers and 
sisters, six are now living and residents of Michigan 
and Virginia. Mrs. S. attended the district schools 
of her native township, and completcci her studies 
in the city of Hillsdale. She began teaching when 
eighteen years of age, aTid was thus occupied until 
her marriage. Our sulijcct and his wife have two 
interesting children, Thom;is 0. and Erma D., who 
arc seventeen and six years of age respectivelj'. 
Their otiier two children — liufus and Lewis — died 
young. Mr. Sebring gives most of his attention 
to his farm, but at the times of general election 
votes the Republican ticket. 



-^-s- 



#^ 



frr ^^ " — ^ — o o — o — 

^^^^ eral agriculture on section 1 1 in Cambria 
(l\/jj) Township, makes a spocialt}' of fruit grow- 



pr chu 



OLOMON DAVIS, who is engaged in gen. 

ia 
w- 
ing,and owns a well conducted little farm 
of eighty acres in a good state of cultivation and 
supplied with good buildings. Seven acres of the 
land are devoted to fruit trees of the better grades, 
and of tliis industry Mr. Davis has made a success, 
realizing each year from this department of his 
farm handsome returns. 

Mr. Davis took possession of the land which con- 
stitutes his present homestead in the spring of 1849, 
when the question of its successful cultivation 
seemed a doubtful matter. Nature had, however, 
blessed hini with great perseverance and resolution 
of character, and he is now, or should be, well satis- 
fied with the results of his labors. 

A native of Locke Township, Cayuga Co., N. 
v., Mr. Davis was born Ot^. 27. 1822, and is the 
son of Solomon Davis, Sr., who was born in Massa- 
chusetts, and whose ancestors have been natives of 
New England for many generations. He carried 
on farming during his younger years in his native 
State, and there m.arried Miss Sallj' A. Bancroft, a 
native of his own county, and the daughter of an 
old and highly respected family of Eastern M;issa- 
chusetts. They emigrated to New York and set- 



tled among the early pioneers of Cayuga County, 
where they were married. They subsequently' re- 
moved to Wayne County, settling upon a small 
tract of land, where the mother died in middle life, 
about 1828. Solomon Davis, Sr., survived his 
partner many years, and passed away after reach- 
ing his threescore years and ten. 

The subject of this sketch was the youngest but 
one of his parents' family, and was a little lad five 
years of age when they removed from his native 
township to Wayne County. From there, in 1814, 
after reaching manhood, he made his way to South- 
ern Michigan, and purchased forty acres of land in 
Jefferson Township, this county. Six years later 
he returned to Wayne County, N. Y., and fulfilled 
the pledge which he had m.ade to a maiden whom 
he had known from boyhood, their marriage taking 
place on the 1st of October, 1850. This lad^'. Miss 
Roxsena Strickland, was born in Walworth Town- 
ship, Waj'nc County, Dec. 28, 1824, and was the 
daughter of Joseph and Roxsena (Bancroft) Strick- 
land, who were natives respectively of Connecticut 
and M.assachusetts. Her f)arents came to New 
Y'ork early in life, and were marrietl in Walworth 
Township, of which their parents were earl}' pio- 
neers. The}' were of quiet and contented disposi- 
tions, and settling down near the scenes of their 
childhood d.ays, there spent the remainder of their 
lives, the mother dying at the jige of fift^'-two. 
The father, surviving many years, passed away at 
the age of eighty-six. 

'I'o the parents of Jlrs. Davis there were born 
five sons and six daughters, and of these three sons 
and four daughters are living. Miss Mar}' Strick- 
land makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Davis. 
All are provided with a practical education, and are 
carefully trained in those principles which have 
made them honored and valued members of the 
community. 

Our subject and his wife, after their marriage, 
commenced life together in a modest dwelling in 
Cambria Township, where Mr. Davis carried on the 
farming pursuits with which he had been familiar 
since his earliest recollections. Of this union there 
were born five children, all of whom are deceased. 
Martha L. died at the age of seven yeivrs,and Ettie 
V. when two yeare old ; Augusta V. became the wife 



i 



-^- 



960 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



of William Butler, anrl died at her home in Hills- 
dale Township when twenty-five years of age ; Cora 
D. was taken from the borne circle when three years 
of age; the next child died in infancy, unnamed. 
They adopted a boy, Herbert Lawrence, who re- 
mained with thera until nineteen years old, and is 
still in the county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davis set out for Michigan soon 
after their marriage, and settled upon the eighty 
acres of land which Mr. D. had previously purchased. 
During the thirty-eight j-ears which he has lived 
among the people of Cambria Township, he has 
full}' established himself in their esteem and confi- 
dence, proving a most worthy representative of his 
sturdy New England forefathers. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for Fi-emont, and has held the 
minor offices of his township, discharging the duties 
of each in a careful and conscientious manner. Mrs. 
Davis is a zealous member of the Free-Will Baptist 
Church, in which her father served as a Deacon for 
many years. 



-^-^m- 



"JYl F. FITZf5lMM0N.S,a farmer who resides on 
section 36, in Hillsdale Township, is a native 
of Hillsdale County, having l)een born in 
^^// Reading Township, June 16, 18.iL He is a 
son of John and Charlotte A. (Merriman) Fitzsim- 
mons, both natives of New Yoik, the former hav- 
ing been born in Dundee, Yates County. .Sept. 6, 
1818, and the latter in Chazy, Clinton County, 
March 15, 1828. They were married at Reading 
in 1848. 

John Fitzsimmons c.Tine with his father to Michi- 
gan in April, 18o7, and settled with his father's 
family on the farm, where he died Feb. 8, 1887. 
He had been identified with every enterprise and 
improvement conducive to the welfare of his town- 
ship and county from the days of the earliest pio- 
neer until his death. He first lost his theretofore 
robust health in 1869, by overtaxing his strength 
in aiding in laying out and building the then Ft. 
Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad. From that 
lime until his death he suffered with a disease of the 
heart. He was stricken with apoplexy on the 3d 
day of February, 1887, and never spoke afterward. 



t 



although at times he was thought to be conscious, 
and died on the 8th. His funeral was conducted 
by the Eureka Commandery, Knights Templar, of 
Hillsdale— of which organization he had been a 
member for many years — on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 
1887. His death was mourned as a public calam- 
ity, and his funeral, although the day was exceed- 
ingly stormy, was attended by a very large number 
of people. There were hitched at the time of the 
funeral ceremonies, in and around the yards of his 
late residence, over 250 teams, and the several Ma- 
sonic organizations and many others came from 
the railway station on foot. A more extended 
notice of Mr. Fitzsimmons' affairs is given in the 
biographical sketch of George R. Fitzsimmons, of 
Reading Township. 

Mrs. Fitzsimmons survived her husband only 
a short time, she having been called to her final 
rest on the night of the 9th day of March, 1888, 
after only a few hours' illness. The cause of her 
death was paralysis of the heart. Thus both father 
and mother were called away very suddenly. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimmons were liberal contrib- 
utors toward the support of the Regular Baptist 
Church, although the family of Mrs. Fitzsimmons 
had been of the Presbyterian school. The family 
of Mr. and Mrs. John Fitzsimmons consisted of four 
children, viz: George R., who was born Aug. 23, 
1849, and now resides on the old homestead; John 
F., the subject of the present sketch; Georgia A., 
wife of Orville G. Burch, born Nov. 18, 1852, who 
also resides on the homestead, and Vincent E., 
born March 2, 1860, and died July 6, 1862. 

J. F. Fitzsimmons was united in marriage, Dec. 
24, 1874, with Miss Ann E. Gilmore, who was 
boin Nov. 14, 1851, on the farm of which the one 
now occupied by them is a part. She is the daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Mary (Swift) Gilmore, also na- 
tives of New York. Samuel Gilmore was born in 
Cayuga County, Jan. 17, 1814, and Mrs. Gilmore 
was born in Seneca County, Nov. 25, 1816. They 
were married April 5, 1842. They are living in 
the city, having literally worn themselves out on 
the farm. Mr. Gilmore came to Michigan in Octo- 
ber, 1836, in company with his brother, John Gil- 
more, who was two j'ears his senior. John never 
married and always lived with his brother, owning 

•►- 



-U 



■» 1 1 ♦ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



9Gi 



the farm nnd oilier jjroperty in coiiimon witli him, 
until his death, wliicii uccuired Sept. 7, 1870. Both 
of them were pnniiineiit in the formation of the 
early history of the county. 

Although not ineinliers of any church, IMr. and 
Mrs. (iilmore are Christian pec)[jle, ever ready to 
lend a helping- hand in all undertakings inaugurated 
for the promotion of the cause of morality in the 
community, and as far as declining years and 
feelile health will permit, are regular attendants at 
the Methodist Church. i\Ir. and Mrs. Gilmore are 
the parents of two children : Margaret, now the 
wife of Hon. L. S. Kaincy, horn Jan. 29, 1S4;3, who, 
with her husband and son, resides with her parents 
in Hillsdale, and Ann E., wife of J. F. Fitzsiramons, 
as stated. 

Mrs. Fitzsimmons was educated in the public 
schools of Hillsdale, and at Hillsdale College. Her 
union with Mr. Fitzsiraiuons has been blessed with 
one child, Clare Gilmore, who was born on the 2oUi 
of September, 1«79, and is a bright boy attending 
school. They now have in process of erection a 
fine stone residence two stories high, built from 
stone on the farm, and it is verily a "house with many 
gables." The interior is finished in natural woods, 
and altogether it is a fine specimen of architecture; 
Mr. Fitzsimmons is the architect, and has been 
hapiw in superintending its construction in every 
detail. 

Mr. Fitzsimmons was educated at the district 
schools and at Hillsdale College, where he was grad- 
uated in 1870 on his ninteenth birthday, with the 
largest class ever graduated at that institution. He 
then attended the law department of the Michigan 
University at Ann Arbor. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1874, and practiced law in Hillsdale for 
eight years with success, but having been reared 
upon the farm and being used to vigorous exercise, 
his odice duties and indoor work so undermined 
his health that he was compelled to relinquish his 
profession and return to the occupation of his fathers. 
Mr. Fitzsimmons still keeps his law librarj', so it is 
evident he has by no means lost sdl interest in his 
profession, although he steadily refuses to practice. 

Mr. Fitzsimmons has been for many years promi- 
nently identified with the Hillsdale Count}' Agri- 
cultural Society. Very few persons have worked 

4» 



so arduouslj' for its success as he, and very few 
indeed are more attentively listened to in its coun- 
cils. In politics Mr. Fitzsimmons holds the faith 
of his fathers, and is a Democrat, and having al- 
ways lived in Hillsdale County, he has not held 
many otlices. 



-j-^^^^- — s.-^||^o^^- 



0-^- HAliLES E. SWIFT. There are few men of 
. Woodbridge Township who are more enter- 
, ' prising than the subject of this sketch. He 

owns a fine farm on section 14, where he put up a 
sawmill in 1887. and that year alone got out 200,- 
000 feet of lumber, besides which he also runs a 
stave and heading factory, in addition to the saw- 
ing of shingles and lath, and the manufacture of 
apple barrels. He has just completed a line barn, 
40x50 feet in area, with a stone basement under the 
entire structure, and the coming year proposes to 
build one of the finest dwellings in the county. 

Mr. Swift is a native of this county, and wsis 
born in Hillsdale Township, Oct. 31, 1852. His 
parents, .lohn C. and Huth (Davis) Swift, were na- 
tives of Jvew York, the father born iu 1820. The 
latter was a farmer by occupation, and one of the 
pioneers of this county, coming West with his par- 
ents when a lad eight or nine years old. He ac- 
quired a practical education, and in 1873 purchased 
160 .acres of land, upon which he erected a stave 
and heading factory, and besides clearing his land, 
operated his mill four years, realizing therefrom a 
good income. He was known as a straightforward 
business man, and enjo3'cd the confidence and es- 
teem of his neighbors. After a long and useful 
career, he departed hence June 7, 1877. The 
mother of our subject, after the death of xMr. Swift, 
became the wife of Hugh Loughery, and is still liv- 
ing. Of her first marriage there were born five chil- 
dren, namely: Ernest, Matilda, Wellsie, Nellie and 
Charles E. The latter was the eldest child. 

Our subject continued a member of his father's 
household until 1 87'J, being married, February' 27 of 
that year, to Miss Elizabeth Dow, who was born in 
Ohio, Oct. 13, 1853. Her parents, Alexander and 
Elizabeth (Cowen) Dow, were both natives of Scot- 



f 



-4•- 

962 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



l\ 



land, and born near tlie city of Glasgow. Tiie 
father was a farmer bj' oecupaiion, an<l tliej' came 
to America in 1845, settling in Ohio, where the 
father became owner of a farm. In 1 854, however, 
he sold out, and coming to tliis county, purciiased 
eighty acres of wild land, where he lived and labored 
twelve years, his death taking pl.ace Oct. 18, 186(), 
in Cambria. The mother is still living at the old 
liomestead, and is now seventy years of age. Their 
children were named respectively: Christina, Isa- 
bellc, Elizabeth, Agnes .and two Williams, the first 
one having died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Swift have one child only, a son, 
Dean, who was born Feb. 5, 1882. Mr. Swift h.as 
very little time to give to political affairs, but l<eeps 
himself well posted upon matters of general inter- 
est, and uniformly votes tlie Republican ticket. 
The products of his mill are shipped largely to the 
city of Hillsdale, and he employs from five to fifteen 
men. He has a thirtj'-horse power engine, and all 
the other appliances for carrying on his mill busi- 
ness to tlie best advantage. The mill is likely to 
become one of the indispensable institutions of this 
part of the county. The barrel headings are manu- 
factured mostly from basswood and the staves of 
elm and oak. 



-Ha- 



-7jj~>~- 



DWARD E. MOORE, M. D., a worthy mem- 

Eber of the medical profession of Hillsdale 
County, has, since the beginning of his prac- 
tice in 1883, made good headway, and is numbered 
among the rising young physicians who are evi- 
dently destined to a successful future. His early 
home was in Marshall County, 111., his birth taking 
place in the city of AVenona, Oct. 26, 1855. His 
father, Hon. Nathaniel Moore, was one of the 
active business men of that section, merchant, 
banker and capitalist, a man of excellent educa- 
tion, more than ordinary ability, and taking a 
lively interest in politics. After filling various 
positions of trust and responsibility in his county, 
he was elected a Member of Congress from the 
Eighth Senatorial District of Illinois, and served 
acceptabli', being always the supporter of those 
entcri)rises tending to the general welfare of his 

-^ 



district, and introducing measures calculated to 
advance the interests of its people. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, David 
Moore by name, was a native of New Jej-sey, 
whence lie emigrated to Ohio early in life, and there 
spent the remainder of his d.ays. Coming from a 
family noted for its longevity, he was in nowise 
behind his ancestors, and rounded up the ripe old 
age of ninety-nine years. The mother of our sub- 
ject was in her girlhood Miss Julia Banta, of Ger- 
man ancestry, and the daughter of Abraham Banta, 
who was born, reared and married in the Father- 
land, and subsequently emigrated to the United 
States, settling in the Territor}' of Illinois at an 
earl}' day. Both Nathaniel Moore and his esti- 
mable wife are still living, and residents of Wenona. 
Of their nine children, comprising eight sons .and 
one daughter, five survive, and are residents mostly 
of Illinois, Michigan and Arizona. 

The subject of this biography was the third of 
the family living to maturity, and, like his brotheis, 
p.assed his boyhood in his native town, pursuing his 
first studies in the common school. Subsequently 
he entered the Northwestern University, at Evans- 
ton, from which he was graduated in 1878, and 
afterward became a student of Dartmouth C(jllege, 
from the medical department of which he was 
graduated in the fall of 1882. From there he 
repaired to New York City, where he was graduated 
from the New York Polyclinic College, in 1884, 
and served for nine months as Assistant in the 
Ciiair of Gynecology and Ophthalmology in the 
New York Polyclinic, and three months Assistant 
Surgeon in Chambers Street Accident Hospital, 
New York Cit}', and for nine months .as Assistant 
in the Department of Heart and Lungs, in the Uni- 
versity of New York. In the fall following he 
made his way to this county, and opened an office 
on Howell street, in the city of Hillsdale, where lie 
has since been located, and is gradually, but surely, 
working his way to a good position among his 
Compeers. 

Dr. Moore, while a resident of New York City, 
was married to one of the most estimable young 
ladies of Saybrook, Conn., Miss M. A. Ingham, 
the wedding taking place at the home of the 
bride in Saybrook, in 1883. Mrs. Moore was 



i 



-4•• 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



963 




I 



born in Snybrook. *^onn., March 8. 18fi"2, and is 
liie (laughter of IL F. and Jennie Ingham, whose 
ancestors settled in New England, it is believed. 
l)rior to the Revolutionary War. Her parents are 
now residents of Saybrook, Conn. Of this union 
there have been born two children — Blanche B. and 
Heiir}' L The3' occupy a neat and comfortable 
home on Manning street, and enjoy the friendship 
of the best people of the city. Dr. Moore belongs 
to the Southern Micliigan Medical Association, and 
is Surgeon for the Lake Shore & Micliigan Southern 
Raiht)ad Company. 

LBERT MOORE, a prosperous farmer liv- 
ing on section 36 of Adams Township, is 
a native of New York, born in Lockport, 
^J Niagara County, April 6, 1827, being the 

youngest of the seven children who grew to matur- 
ity born to Levi and Lucretia Moore. His father 
was reared in Albany- County, N. Y.. which was 
the birthplace of his mother. Thej' married and 
settled in Broome Township, where they lived for a 
few years before moving to N iagara County. From 
the latter place they came to Michigan in Novem- 
ber, 1836, and bought a fai'm in Lenawee County, 
Palm3'ra Township, where tliej' remained until 1844. 
Mv. Moore then bought a farm on section 25, Ad- 
.ams Township, which he soon afterward traded for 
a part of the farm on which his son Albert now 
resides. He commenced clearing the land, and 
made that his home until his death, in 1849, when 
he was sixty-seven years of age. His widow was 
afterward married to Judd D. Tucker, who lived 
but a short time after the marriage. Mrs. Tucker 
spent the remainder of her life with her son, of 
wliom we write, dying in October. 185.'), at the .age 
of sixty-seven years. 

Our subject was eight and one-half years old 
when he came with his parents to Micliigan, just at 
the age when an intelligent child receives and re- 
tains iniiircssions. The journey was an exciting 
and fascinating one for him; traveling overland with 
a team of horses, a wagon containing the family and 
the househohl utensils, and a cow, from Lockport 
to Bufl'alo, thence by the >tcanicr "Coluniiius" to 

^» 



I 



Detroit, then with the team again through the long 
an<l almost pathless woods to pMlniyra, where the 
family settled. The educational facilities of New- 
York, where our subject first attended school, were 
very good, but after coming to Michigan there was 
no public school that he could attend for the first 
two or three years, and after that no sessions except 
in the winter seasons. He was sixteen years old 
when his parents removed to Hillsdale Count}', and 
he afterward remained at home, assisting on the 
farm until his marriage. That impoiUaiit event in 
his life took place in 1855, when he was wedded to 
Miss Lucy J., daughter of Royal and Phebe Con- 
verse, natives respectively' of Vermont and New 
York. Their marriage took place in the latter 
State, where they settled and remained until 1846, 
when they followed the tide of emigration to Michi- 
gan. The following 3-ear the death of the father 
occurred, he being then only fift^'-one years of age. 
The mother survived until 18GG, when she died at 
the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents 
of twelve children, seven daughters and five sons, 
of whom Mrs. Moore is tho eighth child in order of 
birth. She was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Dec. 
19, 1835, .and was therefore eleven years old when 
she came to Michigan. She attended the public 
schools of her native and adopted States, and re- 
ceived from her mother a most excellent training 
in the duties of a housewife, thus preparing her in 
early life for the responsible position she was so 
soon to assume. To her and her husband have 
been born si.^ children, namely: Fremont C, Frank 
L. and Fred A. (twins), Faj' R., Louisa E. and an 
infant. Fremont is a farmer in Ransom Count}', 
Dak.; he married Emma Moore, and they have one 
child, Albert Leroy. Frank, Fred and Fay arc at 
home. Louisa E. married Charles R. Marvin, the 
wedding taking jilace at the residence of Elder Wil- 
cox, in Adams Township, Aug. 21, 1887. 

During Mr. Moore's residence of more than half 
a centurj' in Michigan, he h;is seen its rapi<l develop- 
ment from a forest covered land to a thriving agri- 
cultural region, supporting busy towns and popidous 
cities. In all of this progress our subject h.is been 
an important factor, and has materially aided every 
enterprise conducive to the welfare of his county or 
town. He is an industrious and capable agricult- 






-H^- 



964 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



iirist, whose labors have produced most excellent 
results, which are visible to the observer in the well- 
tilled farm of eighty-nine acres, on which he has 
erected ample farm buildings and a good dwelling. 
The latter, which w.as built in 188.5, stands not far 
from their previous home, the old log house built 
in 1843. Our subject has always taken an interest 
in securing the best educational advantages for his 
township, and for nine years h.as been one of the 
school officers. Socially, he is a member of the 
IMasonic fraternity. In politics he is a devoted 
Kei)ublican, and h.as been since the formation of 
tliat party, when he cast a vote for Gen. John C. 
Fremont. 



\f| OHN F. McBAIN, senior partner of the firm 
of McBain & Harris, dealers in dry-goods, 
I notions, etc., is one of the leading merchants 
of North Adams, and altliongh still a young 
man, has established himself in a good position, 
socially and financially, among his fellow-citizens. 
He is the scion of an excellent old family, his par- 
ents having been Charles and Permelia (Blackmer) 
McBain, the former a native of Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, and the latter of the State of New York. 

Charles McBain left his native hills in the spring 
of 1855, and crossing the Atlantic, made his way 
directly to Michigan, and locating in Faj-ette 
Township, engaged as a farm laborer in the vicinity 
of Jonesville. His sturdy honesty and fidelity at 
once secured him friends among all who knew him, 
while the resolute and determined spiiit of industry 
which he luad inherited from his ancestors in due 
time yielded its legitimate fruit. He lived eco- 
nomically and saved his earnings, and in due time 
became owner of one of the best farms in Adams 
Township. Socially, and as a citizen, he occupies no 
secondary place among the responsible men about 
him, and, with his estimable wife, is still living at his 
country residence north of the town of North 
Adams, his age being fifty-eight years, and that of 
the mother fiftj--four. 

To Charles and Permelia McBain there were born 
three children — Eugene, John F. and Edwin. The 
eldest and youngest sons are residents of North 



Adams and Toledo, and occupied in the mercantile 
business. John F., our subject, w.as born in Scipio 
Township where his parents then resided, April 23, 
1863. His education wiis conducted inthecommon 
schools, and when a j'outh of sixteen years he began 
his experience in the dry-goods trade as clerk for 
C. E. Upham, of North Adams, who was located 
in the same building which Mr. McBain now occu- 
pies. He continued with this house until the failure 
of his employer, and when the business passed into 
other hands was retained at the old stand which 
now came under the control of Col. Edwin J. March. 
For the latter young McBain was principal manager 
six and one-half years. 

Our subject, by the exercise of economy and 
steady attention to his business, in 188G luad accu- 
mulated sufficient means to purchase a half-interest 
in the store of Col. March, who the spring following 
sold out to Mr. Ira Harris, since which time the firm 
has been McBain & Harris. They are both business 
men of more than ordinary capacity and stand at 
the head of the trade in North Adams. Taking 
into consideration the youth of Mr. McBain, and the 
favors which he has already received from the pub- 
lic, there appears little doubt that he will continue 
to command the bulk of tiie dry-goods business in 
this section, and is already rated among its most 
responsible and solid citizens. In the spring of 
1887 he w.as elected Tovvnship Treasurer, and it is 
expected that if spared and prospered he will occupy 
no unimportant position among the business and 
industrial interests of the county. 

The snug and tasteful home of our subject is 
pleasantly located in the central part of the little 
city of North Adams, he having been married, on 
the 5th of January, 1887, to Miss Nora Moorehouse, 
who was born July 20, 1866, in Litchfield, and is 
the daughter of Isaac and Eliza Moorehouse, natives 
of Steuben County, N. V., and the father a carpen- 
ter by trade. Mr. Moorehouse is also one of the 
solid citizens of Adams Township, a man of more 
than ordinary intelligence and greatly interested in 
educational matters. Mrs. McBain is a member in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in politics our subject votes the straight Re- 
publican ticket. He h.asservedas Village Treasurer, 
and is frequently called upon to preside at the local 



>» m ^^^ - 



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••»- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



965 



meetings called to discuss the matters relating to 
the general welfare of the conuiuinlty. His present 
office of Township 'I'ronsurer was given him over the 
combined vote of Democrats, Grecnbackers and 
Prohibitionists. 




BNER BALCOM, deceased, was formerly a 
TlII I farmer of Reading Township, where he is 
held in respectful remembrance as an lioii- 
est man and a good citizen. He was a 
native of New Yoik State, and was born Sept. 19, 
1819. He was reared to manhood in Ontario 
County, and in boyhood learned the trade of shoe- 
maker, which he did not, however, adopt .as his life 
work, preferring agricultur.al pursuits, but in after 
years occasionally worked at his j'outhful trade 
quite profitably for the benefit of his neighbors. 
Our subject met and married Miss Harriet Aldrich 
in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., and to her good 
influence, able assistance and unselfish devotion to 
his interests, he owed much of his success in after 
life. Her parents were David and Nancy (Harring- 
ton) Aldrich, both now deceased. They were na- 
tives of New Y'ork State, where the father died in 
middle life, having been a farmer there for many 
years. His widow lived to come to Michigan, and 
finally died in Reading 'J'ownship. At the time of 
her death she was the vvife of John Rising, her third 
husband, her second husband having been Robert 
R. Russell. Mrs. Balcora of this notice was born 
in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1819. 
Her father dying when she was but seven years of 
age, her training and education devolved upon her 
mother, and she still continued to reside in her 
native town until her marriage with our subject, 
and even after that, as the first few years of their 
wedded life were spent in Hopewell. In 1846 they 
left their native State and came to Michigan, that 
they might secure for themselves the benefits of its 
wonderful agricultural resources, and build up anew 
a home in which to rear their children. They lo- 
cated in Allen Township, where Mr. Balcom pur- 
chased a farm, which he subsequently sold, and 
purchased the farm on section 3 of Reading Town- 
ship, which his widow now owns. It comprises 100 

4* 



acres of land very pleasantly located in a most fer- 
tile and iMoductive region, which b}' his care and 
intelligent management in the 3'ears of patient toil 
that followed his settlement ujion it, Mr. Balcom 
brought to a high state of cultivation, not exceeded 
by that of any other farm in the neighborhood. 

On the ! 8th of December, 1871, our subject de- 
parted thij life, although not then past middle age. 
By his death his family was deprived of a loving, 
thonglitful husband and a devoted father, and the 
community lost one of its most valuable members. 
His character and conduct were above reproach; he 
was a sincere and manly Christian, and an active 
member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, with 
which he had been oflicially connected. In politics 
he favored the Republican party. To him and his 
wife were born five daughters, of whom one is noW 
deceased, Mariette; she was the wife of W. II. Mur- 
ray, who is now living in Reading Township. The 
record of those surviving is as follows: Angenette 
is the wife of J. O. Smith, and the}' now live in 
Atchison, Holt Co., Neb.; Ellen is the wife of Rev. 
H. H. Whittaker, and thej" live in Dover. Mich.; 
Emma is the wife of R. Baggarjy, and they live on 
a faim in Eaton County, Mich.; Carrie A. is the 
wife of Chauneey F. Rising, a hardware merchant in 
Allen. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Balcom has 
successfully managed the farm that he bequeathed 
her, showing marked judgment ar.d ability, and 
keeping the farm up to the same high standard that 
it had attained in her husband's day. She is uni- 
versall}' esteemed for her kind and amiable disi)o- 
sition an<l her gre.at worth. She has been a valued 
member of the Free-Will Baptist Church for several 
j'ears. 



hS. ONTGOMERY MACKEY. Among the 
prominent and enterprising men which the 
Empire State has contributed to the great 
West, and especially to Hillsdale Count}', 
the subject of this sketch occupies a most excellent 
position. His present homestead occupies a partof 
section 32, Pittsford Township, and whicli he built 
up from the uncultivated soil, working diligently 
for many years, and achieving results which should 




966 



a 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



be eminently satisfactory to him. His resilience, 
barn and out-buildings have about them the air of 
thrift and comfort. He has a fair assortment of 
live stock, a good orchard, creditable farm machin- 
ery, and all the other appliances necessary for his 
convenience and comfort. A selfmade man, indus- 
trious and enterprising, he may be classed as a good 
citizen in the broadest sense of the term. 

The birtliplace of our subject was near the town 
of Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., iind the date 
thereof. May 27, 1826. His father, Urion Mackey, 
was born in Marlboro, Dutchess County, that State, 
in August, 1772, where he was reared and married, 
and whence he soon afterward removed to Delaware 
County. He purcliased a farm near the village of 
Roxbury, upon which he lived and labored until 
1853. Then, although quite an old man, he turned 
his face toward the setting sun. and coming into the 
new State of Michigan, located in Pittsford Town- 
ship, this county, where he spent his last days, pass- 
ing away on the 8tli of June, 1862, at the residence 
of his daughter, Mrs. Alanson Bangs, of Tecumseh, 
Lenawee County, while there on a visit. 

The wife of Urion Mackey, the motiier of our 
subject, was in her girlliood Miss Sarah Jenkins, 
who, like her son, was a native of Roxbur3', Dela- 
ware County. Her father, Sniffiu Jenkins, followed 
agriculture all his life, and spent his last years in 
Roxbury. Mrs. Sarah Mackey ]5assed away in 
AYright Township. Hillsdale County, in November, 
1855, when sixty-two years of age. She had spent 
the latter part of her life in Delaware Countj', N. Y. 
Mr. Mackey was twice married, and with both wives 
had eighteen children. Of these latter, fifteen lived 
to mature years, and ten are still surviving. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
county, acquiring his education in the district 
school, and m.aking himself useful about the home- 
stead, plowing, sowing and reaping. In 1 849 he left 
Delaware and went into Otsego Countj^N. Y^., where 
he was employed on a farm until the year follow- 
ing. Jan. 1, 1850, he took unto himself a wife 
and helpmate, and soon afterward the young people 
started for Michigan, and made their first location 
in Hudson Township, this county. They com- 
menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling, and 
Mr. Mackey for two years thereaftei' continued to 



labor at whatever his hands could find to do. They 
lived economically, saving something each year, and 
in 1853 our subject purchased eighty acres of tim- 
ber land, one mile south of Main street, in Hudson. 
Tlioreon he erected a log cabin, cleared fifteen acres, 
and after the space of two 3'ears sold out and pur- 
chased a farm in Wright Township. This also 
was mostly in timber. Mr. M. here put up a plank 
house, cleared forty acres, and after occupying it 
two j'ears, sold out again, and purchased the land 
comprising his present homestead. 

Of this, when our subject took possession, there 
were about twenty acres from which the trees had 
been partially cleared, and the log house which, the 
famil}' occupied for some j'ears. In 1862 they re- 
moved from this into a fine, new frame dwelling, 
and Mr. Mackey has 100 .acres under a good state of 
cultivation. The lady who has been his faithful 
companion and helpmate nearlj^ forty 3'ears, was in 
her girlhood Miss Jane Morenus. and their wedding 
w.<is celel)rated at the home of the bride in Otsego 
County, N. Y., on the 1st of January, 1850. Mrs. 
Macke3^ was born in Oneonta, Otsego Co., N. Y'., 
Ma3' 19, 1832. Her father, Martin Morenus, was 
also a native of Otsego County, and born in 1800. 
Her paternal grandfather, Thomas Morenus. a native 
of Schoharie Count3', was one of the pioneer far- 
mers of that region, and spent his last years on the 
homestead which he had built up at Oneonta. 
Martin Morenus also followed .agricultural pursuits, 
and died about 1854. on the farm which his father 
had cleared from the wilderness. Grandfather 
Morenus served .as a soldier of the Revolutionary 
War, and being captured by the British, was taken 
a prisoner to England. He succeeded in making 
his escape to France, an<l returned to America after 
an absence of fourteen years. 

The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. M.acke3' 
w.as Almena Palmer; she was born in Salem, Cort- 
land Co., N. Y''.,May 8, 1805. Her father. Solomon 
Palmer, was born in Connecticut, and was the son 
of .Solomon Palmer, Sr., a wheelwright by trade, the 
record of whose birth is lost, but who spent the 
greater part of his life in Connecticut. Solomon, 
Jr., married a lady of his own State, and removed 
to Salem, Cortland Co., N. Y'., in the vicinity of 
which he purchased land, but a few 3'ears later, in 



-i 



-4•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



967 



1808, went into Delaware County. There he set- 
tled near the town of Davenport, where liis death 
took place. His wife was Miss Hannah Williams, 
who was born in Pcnnsylvanin, and whose father 
was killed afterward in the AVyoming massacre. 
Her nioliier, the paternal great-ijrandmother of Mrs. 
Mnckey, esca[)ed with her children, fleeing to Con- 
necticut, where she settled and spent the remainder 
of her life. Grandmother Morenus died in Dela- 
ware County, N. Y. After the death of her hus- 
liaiid, the mother of Mrs. Mackey was married, in 
18;j6, to Eliallia Stock well, and they resided in 
Dover, Lenawee County, this Slate, until the death 
of Mr. S., six j'cars later. Mrs. Stockwell now 
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mackc3'. 
Monlgonury Mackey ca.st his first Presidential 
vote for Taylor, and since the organization of the 
Republican party has been a stanch supiwrter of 
its principles. Reliable in business, prompt to meet 
his obligations, a man of integrity' and forethought, 
he enjoys the esteem and confidence of the entire 
community. He began in life dependent upon his 
own resources, and this excellent school developed 
in him the traits of character which have no doubt 
been the secret of his success. 




•^ 



ON. LEVI BAXTER was the father of the 
late Hon. Witter J. Baxter, and the son of 
Levi Baxter, who was born at East Wind- 
V<^ sor. Conn., Oct. ,5, 1778. While a child he 
removed with his father's family to Delhi, Dela- 
ware Co., N. Y., and again in 1 803, to Sidney Plains, 
in the same county. Mr. Baxter was united in mar- 
riage at Sidney Plains, Jan. 12, 1 81 1, with Lois, eldest 
daughter of Col. Witter Johnston, who had served 
with this rank during the Revolutionary War, and 
was one of the first settlers of Sidney Plains, hav- 
ing come there when a child, with his father, the 
Rev. William Johnston, of Scotch-Irish descent, as 
early as June, 1812. He was engaged in farming, 
lumbering and merchandising until 1831, when he 
removed with his family to Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., 
Mich., arriving there July 4 of the same year. 
Here, in connection with his partners, Sellcck C. 



Houghton and Gen. Joseph W. Brown, he built the 
first flouring-mill of much importance west of Mon- 
roe, in the then Territory of Jlichigan. During his 
residence at Tecumseh, he was apjjoinled Chief Jus- 
tice for the county of Lenawee, and thus obtained 
his familiar title of Judge. In 1 834. lie. with Cook 
Sisson, built the flouring-mill at White Pigeon, 
Mich., and another in connection with Henry L. 
Hewitt, at Jonesville. Heremoved to White Plains 
in 1835, and during the making of extensive re- 
pairs on his mill at Jonesville, in 1840, he received 
an injury from a stick of timber falling upon and 
crushing one of his limbs, from which he never 
fully recovered. Previously to this, on the 26th of 
October, 1834, his wife, Lois, died at Tecumseh, 
and he was a second time united in marriage, with 
Miss Elizabeth M. Orton, at Albany, N. Y.,and re- 
moved from White Pigeon to Jonesville in 1848, 
where he coutinueil to reside until the time of his 
decease in 1862. 

Mr. Baxter was prominently connected wiih the 
Whig i)arty until the organization of the Eree-Soil 
or Republican party in 1848, and was made their 
candidate for State .Senator; being endorsed also by 
the Whigs, he was triumphantly elected. He was 
regarded as a ready debater, and a close reasoner, 
and was in reality one of the leaders in the .Senate. 

By his first wife Hon. Levi Baxter had ten chil- 
dren — Benjamin L., Witter J., Mary J., Lois F., 
George Harvey, James Henry, Francis, Mary Ann, 
Narcissa, and an infant who died unnamed. Ben- 
j.amin L., who vvas Regent of a university, and ex- 
member of the Legislature, resides at Battle Creek, 
Mich., where he is an attorney -at-law; Mary J. is 
the wife of George Kellogg, of Jackson, Mich.; 
Lois F. is the widow of Robert Self ridge; George 
Harvey died in Sidney Plains, N. Y., when quite 
young; Henry is written of elsewhere in this work, 
while Francis. Mary Ann and Narcissa died in Sid- 
ney Plains. 

Mr. Baxter was temporary Chairman of the Re- 
publican Convention at J.ackson, loorganize the Re- 
publican party in 18i)4. He was a man of very 
decided opinions,and a practical speaker. In 1845 
and 1846 he was candidate for State Senator in the 
district in which St. Joseph County is located, and 
taking the stump, lie w.os regarded as a strong op- 



i 



968 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



- ► '^ ■I <• 



ponent in debate. His aim was to exercise rigiit- 
eousness and justice, and by lliese qualities he 
attained that social, political, industrial and re- 
ligious influence which he possessed in an unusual 
degree. He was a man of influence in all public 
capacities, and while he was vigorous in defense of 
his friends, he was also greatly respected by his 
opponents. 



<if/OHNSON MEIGS, Supervisor of Reading 
Township, has been widely and favorably 
known to the citizens of this part of the 
(^^7/ county for the last twenty-two years, having 
come to this section in the spring of 1866. He is 
serving his second term as Supervisor, and during his 
long residence here has filled many other positions 
of trust and responsibility. His farm of twelve 
acres is pleasantly located on section IG and is in 
a good state of cultivation. He has also several 
acres in timber, and utilizes the sawmill which was 
established on his farm in 1860, and which he has 
operated most of the time since taking possession 
of the property'. The mill has a thirty-five-horse 
power engine, with a capacity of 10,000 feet of lum- 
ber per day, and has proved an institution quite in- 
dispensable to the people in the western part of the 
county. 

Our sul)ject is a native of the Empire State, hav- 
ing been born in Van Buren Township, Ouond.aga 
County, March 30, 1 829. His father, Phineas Meigs, 
was a brotlier of Capt. Lucien Meigs, a sketch of 
whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. 
Johnson was the eighth child of the family, which 
consisted of seven sons and five daughters. He 
was reared and educated in his native township, and 
when a youth of eighteen years began his appren- 
ticeship at the carpenter trade, under the instruction 
of Silas H. Nicholas, with whom he remained for a 
period of four years. He then started out on his 
own account, and followed his trade in the Empire 
Stale until starting for the West. In the meantime 
he had become skillful and was accounted one of 
the best workmen in Onondaga County. 

Mr. Meigs chose for his wife one of the maidens 
of his own county. Miss Susan C. Howe, to whom 



he was married at the home of the bride in Van 
Buren Townsliip, Dec. 3, 1851. JMrs. Meigs was 
born Nov. 4, 1832, and is the daughter of Sam- 
uel and Catherine (Cunningham) Howe, who died 
in Van Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., many 
years ago, the father, Sept. 29, 1849, aged fifty- 
eight years, and the mother, Jan. 17, 1864, at the 
age of sixty-nine years and six months. Mr. Howe 
was of New England birth and ancestry, a Demo- 
crat politically, and was reared in the strictest prin- 
ciples of the Puritans. He emigrated to New York 
State when a young man, and was there married to 
Miss Cunningham, who was of Scotch-Irish .incestrj-. 
She was also carefully reared, and was a devoted 
member of the Baptist Church. There were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Howe ten daughters and one son, 
of whom five daughters and the son are now de- 
ceased. All of the children lived to mature years, 
and the daughters surviving are all married and 
settled in comfortable homes of their own with 
their children about them. 

Mrs. Meigs vvas next to the youngest of her par- 
ents' family, and received that kind and loving 
tutoring which developed in her those qualities 
which have enal)led her to fulfill the duties of a 
wife and mother in a most praiseworthy manner. 
She vvas educated in the same school as her husband, 
they being associates from early childhood. She 
was in her youth noticeable for her quick intelli- 
gence and amiable disposition, and these qualities 
remaining with her during her life have constituted 
her the idol of her family and friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Meigs became the parents of two 
sons and two daughters, the former of whom died 
young, one in infancy an'l one at the age of eight 
years. The elder daughter, Emma J., is the wife 
of George W. Terpening, who occupies the old 
homestead. She was graduated at the High School, 
of Hillsdale, at the age of seventeen, and received 
her diploma. The younger daughter, Maude, is 
completing her studies at Reading, and is especially 
distinguished for her intelligence and love of studj'. 
Mrs. Meigs, in religious belief, is a Methodist, and 
has exhibited in her daily life that true Christian 
character that is everywhere recognized as the sin- 
cere emanation of a pure heart and a guiltless con- 
science. Mr. Meigs has been prominent in his 

•► 



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4 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



90!) 



township among tlie local offices, serving as School 
Director and Hoad Commissioner, and was elected 
Supervisor two years ago, in wliicli position lie is 
acquitting himself with satisfaction to his townsmen 
aixd credit to himself. Politically, he is a solid 
Kopubiican, and takes a lively interest in all mat- 
ters pertaining to the general welfare of the people 
about him. He has a well-conducted farm, a desira- 
ble homestead, and holds a good position among 
tiie representative men of Hillsdale County. 



>-««Stf-< 



'S^LISHA C. L. MUMFORD, a inominent 
lU] member of the farming community of Mos- 
llL^ cow Township, has a fine estate on section 
IG, in the building up of which he has given the 
best years of an active life. He is the offspring of 
an excellent familj', his parents having been Ira 
and Eureta L. (Mann) Mumford, the former a na- 
tive of Herkimer Count}', and the latter of Yates 
County, N. Y. 

Ira Mumford spent his childhood days in his 
native county, then removed to the town of ItiUy, 
Yates County, where he engaged in farming pur- 
suits, and where he was married. In 1S35 became 
to the Territory of Michigan and took up 120 acres 
of Government land, besides securing forty acres 
partially improved. The mother died five years 
later, in 1840, wIhmi but thirty years of age, leav- 
ing three children, of whom our subject was the 
eldest. His brother, Robert T., died when four 
years of age; Lucy L. became the wife of Peter 
Williamson, of Moscow Township, and died there 
in 1868. 

The father w.<is subsequently married, in 1842, to 
Miss Mercy Morford, of Moscow, and by this union 
there were added si.x more children to the liouse- 
hold circle, five girls and one bo^'. Ira Mumford 
is still living, having reached the advanced age of 
eighty-three years, and is a resident of Hanover, 
Jackson Count}'. Elisha C. L. was born July 31, 
1827, in Italy Township, Yates Co., N. Y.,and was 
a lad of seven years when he came to Michigan 
with his parents. He still recollects something of 
his old home in the Empire State, and how, after 
selling the farm, the father loaded the household 



goods into three wagons and started out for the 
Territory of Michigan. They traveled first by the 
Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from there took a steamer 
to Detroit, making the balance of tiie journey over- 
land by team. The father was induced to locate in 
Washtenaw County, near the embri'o town of Saline, 
where he farmed two years, then disposing of his 
interests in that region, moved to Moscow Town- 
ship, this county, pressing into the service as before 
his OS-teams and wagons. 

The woods at that time abounded with Indians 
and wolves, while deer, wild turkeys and other 
game sufficed to furnish the family larder with the 
choicest of wild meats. The children attended the 
pioneer school, which was carried on in a log cabin, 
and our subject .as soon as old enough was required 
to make himself useful on the farm. When twenty- 
years of age his father gave him his time, and be- 
ing anxious to secure a better education, young 
Mumford entere<l Albion College, taking a course 
of stud}' which greatly brightened up his knowledge 
and gave him a better preparation for the duties 
of the life before him. 

On the 3d of October, 1.S48, our sul)ject being 
now ready to establish a home of his own, was 
united in marriage with a maiden of Moscow Town- 
ship, Miss Julia A., daughter of Levi and Sarah 
(Eslow) Camburn, who were among the i)ioneers 
of Calhoun County, this State, to which they had 
emigrated about 1 834, from their native New Jersey, 
With their family of five daughters they took up their 
residence in Moscow Township, where the father 
died two years later, in 183G. The mother is still 
living witii her second husband, and has now reached 
the advanced .age of seventy-seven years. 

Mrs. JIumford was born near Macedon Center, 
Wayne Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1831, and was five years 
of age when her parents came to Michigan. Her 
girlhood was spent in the counties of Calhoun and 
Hillsdale, where she obtained a good education in 
the common schools, and for some time before her 
marriage was eng.aged in teaching. After this event 
our subject and his wife settled on a portion of tiie 
homestead in Moscow Townshi|), wlitMe they have 
remained, and become the parents of eight children. 
Their eldest son, Charles L., married Miss Esther 
Rowley, and is the father of nine children, namely: 



t 



4 



<- 



=L 



', ■ 970 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



^: 



Blanche, Julia, Flora (deceased), Wheeler, Howard, 
Lena, Bartlett, Ada and Bernice. William B. mar- 
ried Miss Ada Peters, of Tecumseh, and is engaged 
in a book store at Cleveland, Ohio; of the three 
children born to them but two are living — Ida and 
Edgar. Sarah is the wife of Edgar Gregory, a boot 
and shoe merchant of Jonesville, and the mother of 
one child, a son, William; Jennie is the wife of C. 
F. Ward, of Moscow Township, and the mother of 
two children — Floyd and Bessie; Lizzie, Mrs. Frank 
Millis, is a resident of Lapeer, this State; her hus- 
band was formerly of Wheatland Township, and is 
now Pi'osecuting Attorney of Lapeer County ; they 
have three children — Emerson, Edgar and Ethel. 
Arthur married Miss Minnie Shepherd, of Moscow 
Township, and is the father of two children — Etola 
and Jennie; Frederick B. is a student at Albion 
College, taking a scientific course in the class of 'DO. 
The younger son, Herbert, is also attending the 
same institution. 

The Mumford homestead includes 300 acres of 
valuable land, with good buildings, a choice as- 
sortment of live stock, and all the farm machinery 
requisite for the prosecution of agriculture after 
the most approved methods. The proprietor began 
on the lowest round of the ladder, and for the first 
three years of his residence here farmed on shares 
on rented land. His progress has been gradual but 
sure, and in addition to his real estate he has a 
snug bank account. To such men as he, with his 
plodding industry and strict sense of honor, is the 
present generation indebted for the creature com- 
forts and the institutions which have sprung up, 
affording facilities for an easier life and more of its 
luxuries than the pioneers could enjoy. 

Mr. Mumford has watched the growth and de- 
velopment of Southern Michigan with paternal 
solicitude, and has occupied the various offices of 
his township, serving in some capacity on the School 
Board for a period of twenty-five years. He rep- 
resented Moscow Township in the County Board 
of Supervisors five years, and during his residence 
in Jackson County was the Assessor of Hanover 
two years. In all the enterprises tending to the 
moral and financial welfare of the people he has 
been a leading spirit, and given cheerfully of his 
time and means. He ar,d his estimable wife are 



members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 
Hanover, and Mr. M. belongs to the Granges of 
both Jackson and Hillsdale Counties. He east his 
first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, at the 
time of the organization of the Republican party, 
and has been since that time a fervent supporter of 
its principles. 

In February, 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Mumford, with 
their two youngest boys, took up their residence in 
Hanover Village, but in the spring of 1 888 returned 
to the old homestead endeared hy many associa- 
tions, and probably will here spend the remainder 
of their days. Here it is that they have gathered 
around them their nearest and dearest friends, and 
here have expended their best efforts in roaring and 
educating their children, and building up the home 
which is not only a credit to themselves, but one 
of the most attractive spots in the landscape of 
Moscow Township. 




;REKLAND G. VARNUM. The father of 
the subject of this sketch was Richard S. 
Varnum, who was born in Haverhill, Mass., 
on the 12th of April, 1817. His early life was 
spent in school and college in the East until the 
year 1840, when he came West, finally settling in 
Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., Mich. He married Miss 
Potter, but their married life was short, she living 
but about a year thereafter. June 29, 1854, he 
married Miss Harriet Champlin, who is a daughter of 
the Hon. Elisha P. Champlin, of whom a sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. After marriage the 
parents of our subject first settled in Jonesville, 
where they continued to reside until the death of 
the father, which occurred Dec. 26, 1880. He held 
the office of Postmaster of Jonesville for about 
three years, and socially, belonged to the I. O. O. 
F. Shortly after he settled in Hillsdale County he 
went into business for himself in the drug and book 
trade, in which business he continued until the time 
of his death. 

The parents of our subject had a family of three 
children — Grosvenor C, Freeland G. and Edward 
C. Grosvenor C. married Miss Ida M. Benner, and 
they are the parents of one child, whom they named 






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HILL.SDALK COUNTY. 



971 






Harriet; Edward married Miss Rlarj' Carr; Freciand 
G. is also married. After llie deatli of Ricliard .S. 
Variuiin, tlie hLisinesis was carried on iirider the firm 
name of H, fS. "Varnuni & Co.. tiie members of wiiicli 
were Mrs. R. 8. Varnum and G. C. Varnuin. Tlie 
business was tlius conducted until 1884, wlien in 
March of that year a new firm was organized, com- 
prising the sons of R. S. Varnum, and is now known 
as R. S. Varnum's Sons. The father was a gener- 
ous and upright business man, and by liis liberality 
and fair dealing he won the respect of the entire 
community in which he so long resided. The sons 
now carry on a drug-store, and in connection with 
it they have also a book -store, and receive liberal 
patronage. The brothers are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and because of their straightfor- 
ward and business-like methods and fair dealing 
with their patrons, they are esteemed as valued 
members of their community. 

Richard 8. Varnum commenced business in Jones- 
ville with the Hon. E. O. Grosvenor, who married 
a sister of Mrs. Varnum. Mrs. Varnum is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 



-S- 



-i- 



^'-^* 

"jf? 1V1NG8T0N D. WOOD WORTH was born 
I (@ '" Greenville, R. I., Aug. "23, 1859, and is 
ilL^!^ the son of Richard and Lucy (Gilmore) 
Woodworth. natives of Ohio. The father was born 
in Wayne County, June 4, 1825, and the mother 
in Geauga County, in 1826. Siie died at her 
home in Rhode Island on the 21st of November, 
18G7. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Wood- 
worth were from Vermont, and his mother's people 
were from Massachusetts. Grandfather Woodworth 
was a very capable and worthy man, and lived to 
the advanced age of ninetj'^-six years, spending his 
last days in Ohio. 

Richard Woodworth, the father of our subject, 
was reared to follow agricultural pursuits, but pre- 
ferring to educate himself to work in a new field, 
at the age of nineteen he began the profession of 
teaching. After a somewhat broken course of eight 
years' study, during which time he taught ten terms 
of school in Dauiclsonville, Conn., he was ordained 
a minister of the Kree-Will Baptist Church, iu which 



he has labored faithfully and with most excellent 
results. He has since become a member of the 
Congregational Churcii. His present home is in 
8alcm, Mich. 

Our subject was married, on the 28th of Septem- 
ber. 1881, to Miss Marcia Church, the.accomiilishcd 
daughter of F. G. and Mary Church, a sketch of 
whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The mar- 
riage was celebrated at the home of the bride, at 
Church's Corners, Wheatland Township, and they 
have had born to them one son — Rey Church Wood- 
worth. The mother is an active member of the 
Baptist Church, and the father is, politically-, a 
member of the Republican party. Our subject had 
two sisters. Ella and Matie, both now deceased. 



»r^i 






>^ HARLES W. WALDRON, a prominent 

.: banker and capitalist of the city of Hillsdale, 

^^/ represents one of the old and wealthj- fami- 
lies of the county, being the son of William AVal- 
dron, who was a native of Albanj', N. Y., and 
settled in Hillsdale in 1843. He engaged in the 
mercantile business and subsequently became a 
banker. (P'or further information see biography 
in this volume.) 

The subject of this sketch was born in the city 
of Hillsdale, Aug. 31,1 855. He was the eldest son 
of his parents, and his mother, who in her girlhood 
was Miss JMar3' E. Moon, was a native of Waterloo, 
N. Y., and is now deceased. He acquired his edu- 
cation in the city schools, and early in life evinced 
decided business talent, and when but a youth of 
eighteen years started in business for himself, open- 
ing a store of general merchandise in North Adams, 
which he operated successfully' for a period of four 
j'ears. Then selling out he purchased the Exchange 
Bank owned by Chapman & Co., of Reading, of 
which he took possession in 1879, and which he 
still owns. 

On March 15, 1)S84. Mr. AValdron became con- 
nected with the Second National Bank, which was 
subsequently changed to a private bank and in 
which Hon. E. L. Koon became his partner, the 
lirm name being C. W. Waldron ik Co. The career 
of our subject had been uniformly successful, and 



^ 



•^^f^ 



972 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



he invested a portion of his capital in land in dif- 
ferent portions of Hillsdale County, the most val- 
uable tract being- the Underwood farm west of the 
city, which once obtained a jMize for being the model 
farm of the county. This lies three miles from the 
city limits, and in all its appointments is admirably 
adapted to the raising of fine stock, of which Mr. 
Waldron makes a specialty, giving particular atten- 
tion to coach horses, of which he has some very fine 
specimens imported from France, and one of which 
is known as the French coach horse Epron, which 
was bred and owned by the French Government. 
The buildings and grounds of this estate are h.and- 
some and substantial, and the latter, which have 
been very tastefully laid out, indicate at once the 
exercise of cultivated tastes and abundant means. 
Mr. Waldron has given to this his own personal 
supervision, though he does not reside on the farm, 
his intention from the tirst being to make it the 
model farm of Southern Michigan, and no one will 
dispute his claim. A busy man, like his father before 
him, the enterprises which he has taken hold of he 
has alwaj's made a success. 

For several years Mr. Waldron was a Director of 
the First National Bank, of Hillsdale, which busi- 
ness was established by his father, and which has 
become one of the solid institutions of the county. 

December 31, 1878, Mr. Waldron was united in 
marriage with Miss Alice Murphy, who was born 
Feb. IG, 1859, in Hillsdale, and is the daughter of 
John and Margaret Murphy. The household circle 
comprises a son and daughter, GraceF. and Charles 
W., Jr. In polities Mr. Waldron is a stanch Re- 
publican. 

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-t 



1^^ AMUKL RIBLET. a worthy and respected 
J^^^ pioneer of this county, residing in Litch- 

|fl^3) field Township, is the son of Solomon and 
Mary (Kiper) Riblet, natives respectively 
of Missouri and Pennsylvania, and the former of 
French ancestry. The parents settled in Erie 
County, Va., where the father became a successful 
farmer and resided there until 1835. He served 
in the War of 1812 with the rank of Captain over a 
party of minute men, who enlisted to protect the 



building of Perry's fleet, and the grandfather of 
our subject commanded Perry's bodyguard. 

In 1835 the parents of our subject removed to 
Huron County. Ohio, where thej- resided until their 
death, that of the father occurring in 1847, at the 
age of sixty-four years, while the mother died in 
1858. They left a family of nine children, four 
sons and five daughters, of whom our subject was 
born on the anniversary of Washington's birthda}', 
Feb. 22, 1811. He received his education in the 
district schools of his native place and at Erie 
Academy, a scientific school, where he completed 
the course. By the desire of his mother he began 
the stud}- of medicine, but not liking the work he 
abandoned it and engaged in the educational pro- 
fession, the scene of his labors being in a select 
school near Pittsburgh, which he bro\ight to a high 
standard and received a good patron.age. 

In 1833 Mr. Riblet was married to Deborah 
Woods, .and continued teaching until 1834, and 
then with his wife and child came to Michigan, and 
was the second man to settle in Litchfield Town- 
ship, and to-day he is its oldest living pioneer. He 
was just the type of man to cope successfully with 
the hardships and privations of a new country; 
strong, physically, mentally and morally, while his 
young wife was likewise gifted with many graces, 
and was a potent force in l)ringing about the de- 
sired result. Mr. Riblet took an active part in 
bringing the railroad to Litchfield, and in 1872 he 
delivered a speech before the Senate Committee, 
which was largely instrumental in bringing about 
the desired result. He became one of the Directors 
of the road, and served as such until it was sold to 
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. Of 
the union of Mr. Riblet and Deborah Woods there 
were born five children — Solomon K., Mary Jane, 
Deborah A., Martha and Cyrus. The mother of 
these children died Dec. 21, 1878. and our subject 
was a second time married, Jan. 10, 1881, to Mrs. 
Clarinda Hartwell, of Vermont. Hy her first mar- 
riage she had two children, James A. and Lillie, 
the former of whom is a merch.ant of Litchfield, in 
partnership with our subject, under the firm name 
of S. Riblet & Co. 

Mr. Riblet is authority upon all matters pertain- 
ing to the history of Litchfield and adjoining town- 



*r 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



973 




ships, and rcnrlered invaluable assistance in the 
liri'panvtion of the History of Hillsdale County, in 
1879. He was Justice of the Peace while Litchfield 
and Ollin Townships were still united, and it fell to 
his lot to organize Litchticld Township and to qual- 
ify its first board. He has also been School In- 
spector and Highway Commissioner, and in politics 
was an Abolitionist, voted for Lincoln, and is a 
Prohibitionist. His history is that of progress, and 
in politics his motto is "Justice and Reform." 



FRANKLIN DUSH is classed among the 
model and well-to-do farmers and stock- 
raisers of Hillsdale Count)', and he owns 
and successfully manages on section 9, Wood- 
bridge Township, one of the finest farms in this 
vicinity. He was born in Licking Count)', Ohio, 
July 2, 1841, and is a son of John and Drusilla 
(Woodruff) Dush, who were also natives of Ohio, 
the father born in 1817 and the mother in 1820, 
the former being of German descent. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. 
He died May 12, 1864, of consumption. He was 
twice married. His first wife, mother of our sub- 
ject, died in Licking Count)', Ohio, in 1848. Of 
that union eight children were born, whose record 
is as follows: Two died in infancy; Henry died in 
childhood ; Isaac, / who has been twice married. 
Miss Mesina Harding having been his first wife, and 
after her death he married Miss Mary Pettitt; our 
subject; Elgia died in infancy; Alexander and 
William. The second marriage of Mr. Dush was 
to Miss Sarah Tuttle, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren, some of whom died in infancy ; the record 
of the otliers is as follows: Benjamin; Catherine 
died at the age of nineteen; George; John, Mary 
J. and Sarah J., twins. 

Franklin Dush grew to manhood in his native 
State, and early startetl out in the world to make 
his own living, with no money in his pocket, but 
plenty of pluck and determination to succeed in 
life; he is thus a self made man, and a self-educated 
one as well, as his opportunities for schooling were 
I very limited, but he managed to secure a fair busi- 
ly ness education. Kor several years he w:is eng.agcd 
V 



in working by the month or by the job. and at last 
his steady industry and hard toil were rewarded; 
he had gained a competency, and could now marry 
and establish a comfortable home with the woman 
of his choice. Miss Melissa A. Miles. Accordingly 
their union was celebrated March 16, 1869. She 
was born May 18, 1853, and is a daughter of 
Stephen W. and Lovina W. (Gray) Miles, natives 
of Ohio. The father was born in 1821, and is still 
living in Licking County, Ohio, pursuing his voca- 
tion as a farmer. He was twice married. His first 
wife, mother of Mrs. Dush, to whom he was married 
in 1851, died in 1856, leaving but one child. He 
was subsequently married, and by this union has 
one child, William, who lives in Ohio. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Dush have been born four children, 
namely: Alice M., Albert S., John F. and AVill- 
iam H. 

After marriage our subject purchased a farm in 
his native State, which he successfully and profit- 
ably managed for several years. In 1882 he dis- 
posed of his property in Ohio, and removed with 
his family to this State, locating at that time on his 
present farm, and has ever since been a valued resi- 
dent of Woodbridge Township. He has a good 
farm of 1 20 acres, which he has brought to a fine 
state of cultivation, and has erected a substantial 
and roomy dwelling; he also has a very large brick 
barn in process of erection ; it is 30x56 feet with 
18-feet posts, and with a gamlirel roof. 

Mr. Dush is justly regarded as fair-minded and 
honorable in his dealings with others, and is well 
worthy of respect. In his political views he strongly 
favors the doctrines promulgated by the Demo- 
cratic party. 

Jl ASPER A. WATERMAN, one of the old and 
i rolialilc citizens of Reading Township, is 
locati'd in the village limits, and is familiarly 
' known as the manufacturer of the popular 
Waterman Pumps, which he inanuf.actured up to 
1875. Mr. Waterman is the inventor of, and holds 
the patent for the construction of loose barrels. 
Aside from inventing the barrel Mr. Waterman 
also invented the machinery for its construction. 



»► i <• • 



« ► ■""^ 



974 



HILLSDALP] COUNTY. 



It 
I 



He carried on the maiuifaetuie of these barrels until 
he transferred his interest to a Detroit company, 
who are making of it a financial success. 

Mr. Waterman has been a practical mechanic for 
a period of forty years, and has jilaced before the 
people other inventions of note, including a ma- 
chine which appears destined to effect a complete 
revolution in the art of barrel malsing. This is 
now being manufactured b}' the 'Waterman-Chap- 
man Barrel Company, of Detnjit, the machinery of 
which has a capacity for turning out 4,000 barrels 
per day. Mr. Waterman produced his first barrel 
by means of a very imperfect machine, and then the 
business rested until 1885. In the meantime bis 
liusy brain had not been idle, and he kept work- 
ing at his project as time and opportunity per- 
mitted, and during the year mentioned secured 
a patent on the very practical machine which 
is now being operated with such satisfactory re- 
sults. He is also the inventor of a force pump, 
which if it could be brought out would doubtless 
prove of great utility, but of which he has not yet 
secured the patent. He is a man very quiet and 
unobtrusive in his manners, unwilling to make much 
stir In the world, and has devised various imple- 
ments which have sullicient merit to entitle them to 
a prominent i)lace in the patent office. 

Mr. Waterman came to Reading in J 855, while 
the town consisted of but a few poorly constructed 
houses and no stores. His first venture in the build- 
ing line was his pump factory, and after acquiring 
asmall tract of land he put up a brick house, which 
is still standing in a good state of preservation 
although constructed ov^r thirty 3'ears ago. His 
operations, like those of many othei- men, were 
interrupted by the outbreak of the late Rebellion, 
and in September, 18G1, he enlisted as First Lieu- 
tenant of Coujpany G, 2d Michigan Cavahy, being 
then its only oflicer who understood the art of drill- 
ing soldiers. He was accordingly, in addition to 
his duties as Lieutenant, installed as Drill I\Laster, 
an<l showed a peculiar aptitude at training his men. 
He had previously acquired considerable experi- 
ence during his connection with a company of New 
York Militia of which he was Captain. During his 
cunuection with the United Slates service he w;is 
sitigulai'ly fortunate iii being able to report for 



duty every day, and although meeting the enemy 
upon numerous occasions, being in the Army of the 
Cumberland, he miraculously escaped both wounds 
and capture. Undei- the command of Gen. Halleck 
the •2d Michigan participated in the battle of Farm- 
ington, at vvhich time Lieut. Waterman was given 
orders by the commanding General to hold a line 
of the enemy at all hazards, and which he accom- 
plished by a piece of strategy, with the assistance of 
forty good cavalrymen, and kept in abeyance for 
some time 5,000 of the eneni}-. 

The entire regiment subsequently was at the bat- 
tle of Booneville. and a detachment of sixtj' cavalry- 
men was single^l out b}' Gen. Sherman and given 
in charge of Lieut. AVaterman, and with which he 
broke the ranks of a line of 2,000 of the enemy — 
the Union soldiers l)eing armed simply with Colt's 
Navy rev(ilvers. While at Rienzi, Miss., Lieut. 
Waterman was disabled for a time by a severe 
sunstroke, in consequence of which he was com- 
pelled to accept his discharge, Sept. 7, 1862. From 
the effects of this he has never fully recovered. Heat 
the time refused to be taken to the hospital, and for 
this reason probably has been unable to secure the 
pension which he deserves. 

Mr. Waterman has now passed beyond his three- 
score years and ten, having been born May 4, 
1815, in Cattaraugus Count}', N. Y'. His father, 
Col. Benjamin Waterman, was connected with the 
militia of the Empire State, and there spent most 
of his life engaged in farming pursuits. He was 
of New England birth and parentage, bemg a na- 
tive of Vermont, and married a Connecticut lady, 
Miss Sarah Metcalf, whose ancestors settled in New 
England probably during Colonial days. The 
mother died in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where 
she had made many friends on account of her 
womanly Christian character. She vvas a Pres- 
byterian in religious faith, while the father was a 
member of the Regular Baptist Church. The latter 
took a lively interest in politics, and was one of the 
stanchest adherents of the Whig party. Both par- 
ents passed away when ripe in years. 

Mr. Waterman was reared to manhood in his 
native county, and there also was married, Oct. 11, 
1851, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Hen- 
rietta (Blackwood) Wright, who were natives re- 




HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



97 



spectivoly of Irclsind and Scotland, and were of 
Scotch ancestry. They were married in County 
Antrim, and after the birth of seven cliildren, four 
sons and tiiree daughters, emigrated to the United 
States and made their way directly to this county. 
Mr. Wright died at the home of liis daughter at 
tiic age of seventy-one years. The mother is still 
living, and makes her home with our subject in 
Reading. She also is well advanced in years. 

During the late war the wife of our subject fol- 
lowed her husband to thefi'ontand rendered kindly 
ofHces among the sick and wounded on the field. 
She is a lady of great kindness of heart and hospi- 
tality, finding her chief satisfaction in doing good 
to others. Our subject and his wife were not 
blessed with children of their own, but have per- 
formed the office of parents to others, all of whom 
are living and resjiected citizens. Three of these 
are married and have comfortable homes. Mr. and 
Mrs. W. arc connected with the Presbyterian 
Church, in which our subject has officiated as Dea- 
con, Sunday-school teacher and Superintendent 
for many j'ears. He has in his possession a sword 
which was captured by one of his soldiers at the 
battle of Booneville, and which from its size and 
construction has been recognized as the regulation 
sword of a Lieutenant General. 

Mr. Waterman has been one of the most pro- 
gressive and enterprising men of this county, con- 
tributing largely of his means to build up his town- 
ship, giving at one time $1,000 in order to effect 
the passage of a railroad tiirough its borders. Prob- 
ably !$5.000 would not exceed the limit of his con- 
tributions to the general welfare of the people. 



<Of)AMES H. LINSDAY. Tiie late James H. 
J>insday, who died May 21, 1!S88, was a 
l)rominent citizen of Litchfleld Township. 
IJe became identified with the people of 
Southern Michigan in 1837, while it w:is still a 
Territory. As the son of a pioneer farmer, he was 
in early life trained to habits of industry, and ivjjon 
reaching his majority started out for himself de- 
I I pendent upon his own resources for his future suc- 
IX cess. Nature had endowed him with a courageous 

.►-i-4- 



spirit and willing hands, and after manj' years of 
continuous labor he found himself considerably 
above the foot of the ladder and on the highwaj' to 
prosperity. He was numbered among the solid 
residents of tiiis county, and proved no unim- 
portant factor in the develoimient of its resources. 

The family history of our subject is in its main 
points as follows: His parents, David H. and Anna 
(Dayton) Linsdaj', were natives respectively of New 
\'"ork State and New England, and after their mar- 
riage settled in Van Buren Township, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., near the birthpl.acc of the fatiier, and 
where they lived until 1830. David Linsday then 
desiring to better his condition, came with his fam- 
ily to Branch County, Mich. His first wife had 
died in 1826, and in this journey he was accom- 
panied by his second wife and six children, among 
whom was James B., our subject, then a lad twelve 
years of age. 

The father of our subject took up a quarter- 
section of land in Butler Township, Branch Count}', 
and while operating as a tiller of the soil, also offici- 
ated as a local minister of ^the Christian Church. 
After a worthy and useful life he departed hence, 
March 24, 1862, at the age of sixty years. He had 
been deeply interested in the progress of the war 
which was then pending, and the only thing he 
regretted at the time of his death was that he was 
not permitted to see the abolition of slaverj' and 
the independence of the Union niaint.aincd. Of 
the three children born of his first marriage, one 
died in infancy. The one remaining, Joel D., is a 
resident of Michigan. Of the second marriage 
there were born two sons and three daughters. The 
daughters are the only ones living. 

James B. Linsday was born March 11, 1825, in 
Van Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His 
parents lived in Oswego County about nine years 
after their marriage. James B. there conned his 
first lessons at school, being in the tenth year of his 
age when the family removed to Onondaga County*. 
He enjoyed very little schooling after the removal 
to Michigan, his services being required in the cul- 
tivation of the farm and the building up of the 
homestead. Seven j'ears after attaining his m.ajor- 
ity he was married, Nov. 4, 1852, to Miss Emeline 
Meade, who was born Dec. 5, 1826, in Wayne 



i 



f 



h- 



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976 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



County, N. Y., and was tlie (laughter of Levi and 
Olive (Graves) Meade, natives of New England, 
the father horn in Mt Washington, Conn., and tiie 
mother near Prattsburg, Vt. Her paternal grand- 
father seived in the Revolutionary War and spent 
his last years in New York. 

Levi Meade served his country later in the War 
of 1812. He was first married to a Miss Smith, and 
they became the parents of four children, only one 
of whom lived to mature years. Of his second 
mari'iage there were born eight children, of whom 
Mrs. Linsday was the fifth. These all grew to ma- 
ture years. The eail}' home of Mrs. L. was in 
Galen, Wayne Co., N. Y., where she was reared to 
womanhood. In the meantime Levi Meade de- 
jjarteil this life, in 1842, when his daughter was a 
maiden of sixteen 3'ears. He had been prosperous 
as a farmer and business man, and at the time of 
his death, at the age of sixty-three 3'ears, was the 
owner of 120 acres of good land. Emeline con- 
tinued with her mother until twenty-one years old, 
and on leaving the district school finished her studies 
in the college at Albion. She was subsequenily 
occupied as a teacher two terms. Of her marriage 
with our subject there were bora three cliildren, the 
eldest of whom, Elton A., married Miss Ada Allen, 
and is carrying t>n farming in Litchfield Township; 
they have one child, a son Allen. Eldorus J. is now 
at home with his mother, conducting the farm ; he 
married Miss Kate Reese, and tliej' have had one 
child, Vera, who died at the age of two years. Ida 
M. is the wife of Gilbert Lewis, a commercial man, 
of Cambridge, Ohio. 

Mr. Llnsda}' upon becoming of age was given a 
small piece of land by his father, but it not being 
verj' profitable, he sold it and occupied himself at 
farm labor until his marriage, when he invested his 
capital in 130 acres in Litchfield Township. His 
wife also had some means whicli, together with their 
mutual labors, formed a very good basis upon which 
to build for the future. He left acomfortable home 
and considerable property besides. He did much 
hard labor in clearing his laud, and had upon it a 
substantial farm residence, with a good barn and all 
the other necessary out-buildings for the shelter of 
stock and the storing of grain. 

Our subject was a very warm advocate of tem- 



perance, as also is Mrs. L. Mr. L., following in the 
footsteps of his honored father, took a firni stand 
on the slaver}' question, and rejoiced with all his 
heart when it was finally settled by emancipation. 
He cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Tay- 
lor, and continued a member of the old Whig party 
until its abandonment in 1856, when he threw up 
his hat for John C. Fremont, and until his death 
was a firm supporter of Republican principles. 






] SAUNDERS is a successful general farmer 
residing on section 30, Cambria Township, 
where he owns eighty acres of finely' im- 



proved land. Mr. Saunders has been in possession 
of this propertj' since 1855, at which date he came 
to tliis county from Palmyra, Waj-ne Co., N. Y. 

The subject of this narrative was born in Palmyra, 
Wayne Co., N. Y., Feb. 23, 1829, and his father, 
Orlando Saunders, is a native of the same place, 
where he still survives, at the age of eightj'-five 
3'ears. He was reared to farm pursuits, and has 
constantly followed the occupation of an agricult- 
urist, in which he has been successful. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Balina White, was born 
and reared in Wayne Countj', N. Y., and died at 
the homestead there after she had attained the age 
of sixty-two years. The grandfather of our subject, 
Enoch Saunders, was a native of Connecticut, and 
came of an old New England family of pure En- 
glish ancestry. Enoch Saunders was a farmer by 
occupation, .and settling in New York State soon 
after marriage, purchased land from the Govern- 
ment in Palm3'ra Township, Wayne Count}', and 
there spent the remainder of his da3's on the farm 
which his son Orlando now owns. The wife of 
Enoch Saunders, a Connecticut lad}', whose maiden 
name was Abigail Holmes, came of an old and wor- 
th3' famil}' of English descent. She died at the old 
homestead in Palmyra Township when she had at- 
tained the age of sevent3'-seven years. The old 
Saunders' stock were old-line Whigs during the 
entij-e existence of that political party. 

E. Saunders is the eldest of the famil3- of four 
sons included in the parental family. All of these 
bo3's are yet living — two at the old homestead in 



\ 

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I 



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HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



977 



*t 



llio Empire State, and two in tlie Wolverine State. 
Our suliject grew to manhood in his native town- 
ship, and there contraclt'd a matrimonial alliance, 
Nov. 18, 18.o7, with Miss Marj- F. Young, who w.ns 
born in the city of New York, Oct. 13. 1835, and 
is the third daugiiter and fourth ciiild of Daniel and 
Abbie J. (Fields) Young, both of whom are now 
deceased. The father died iu Joncsvillc, in 1880, 
aged seventy-five years, while the mother passed 
away in Ulster County", N. Y., in the prime of life, 
when only twenty-nine years of age. She was by 
birllnight a (Quaker, and was ciiaracterized by the 
unostentation and sterling qualities of that sect. 
J^aniel Young was for many years a banker in New 
York, and was a man of good education and large 
experience. He was a graduate of a collegiate 
institution, and was well versed in current topics, 
a deep thinker and a close reasoner. Among the 
gifts with which nature endowed him were a fine 
physical development and a genial and sprightly 
disposition, which gave him prominence among his 
fellows, .and contributed in a large measure to his 
successful business career. He wiis twice married, 
and survived his last wife .about eight years. In 
politics he was always active in the advocacy of 
Republican principles, believing these to be best 
calculated to perpetuate and improve our n.ational 
existence. 

Mrs. Saunders was reared in her native city of 
New York through eleven years of her girlhood, 
and then removed to Palmyra, in the Empire State, 
where she resided until her marriage. Many of our 
most prosperous .and intelligent farmers owe their 
position and influence in a large measure to their 
heroic wives. Although many of these ladies came 
from homes of culture and refinement in the earlier 
settled States, whore they had been reared among 
the comforts and the luxuries of life, they willingly 
turned their backs upon so much that the heart holds 
dear, and accompanied their husbands to the west- 
ern wilds, where they cheerfully endured all the 
pioneer trials and privations in order to Iiuild up 
with their husbands a home where their children 
might have a wider field for the exercise of their 
talents. To this class belongs the heroine of our 
sketch, who has nobly seconded her husband in his 
laudaljlc efforts to carve out a name and fame in 

^ 



the great western country; and, as is ever the case, 
wiiere the aims and desires .are mutual, they have 
succeeded in realizing more than their most s.an- 
guine anticipations. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Saunders has been 
brightened by the birth of six children, all boj's, 
who are recorded as follows: Alton C. resides at 
Toledo, Ohio, and is a painter b}' trade, and master 
of the art ornamental; George O. also lives at To- 
ledo; Orson took to wife Josci)hinc Bryan, and oper- 
ates a wine and liquor store in (Joslien, Ind. ; Luther 
D. and L. Alfonzo reside at home. Luther assists 
in the management of the farm and is a musician by 
profession ; he is in Toledo for the se.ason. 

One year after their inarri.age Mr. and Mrs. Saun- 
ders came to their home here in Cambria Township, 
which place Mr. S. had owned four years before 
his marriage and had improved to some extent. 
They are liberal-minded and broad in their relig- 
ious belief, while in politics Mr. .Saunders is a solid 
Republican. 

yARREN STURDEVANT, a gentleman in 
the prime of life, actively engaged in .agri- 
cultural pursuits in Cambria Township, has 
a finelj' improved farm of 120 acres on section 24. 
Besides this property ho owns ninetj' acres on sec- 
tion 25, the greater part of which is in a productive 
condition. He has been a resident of this county 
for over thirty years, and is numbered among its 
solid and reliable men. 

Our subject was born in Tompkins County, N. 
Y., April 2, 1844, and is the son of Eli.as L. and 
Olive (Leonard) Sturdevant, who were also natives 
of the Empire State. The paternal grandfather, 
Joseph .Sturdevant, w.as also born there, but spent 
a good share of his life in Pennsylvania, where he 
followed the trade of shoeni.aker; when a young 
man he served as a soldier in the War of 1812. 
Quite late in life he came to Michigan, and died in 
Woodhridgc Township, Hillsdale Countj', in 18C3, 
when seventy-seven ^-ears old. He had been twice 
married, and was iu all respects a most estim.able 
citizen. 

Elias L. Sturdevant, the father of our subject, 



• ^ji f ^' 



■•►^1- 



978 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



spent his boyhood and youth in liis native State, and 
was married in Tom i)kins County. After the liirth of 
five children tlie parents removed to Fulton County, 
Ohio, living tiiere one year, during which time they 
lost one son by death. About 18.53 they came to 
this State, locating first in Medina Township, Lena- 
wee County, whence later they removed to a new 
farm in Wright Township, this county, which the 
father purchased, made some improvements, and 
then selling out invested a part of his capital in 
forty acres in Woodbridge Township. This prop- 
erty, a few years later, he traded for a farm in Ran- 
som Township, which he occupied two years, then 
returned to Woodbridge Township, whence he 
again removed to Caml^ria Township, settling this 
time on forty acres on section 24, where he still lives. 
He is now seventy-five years old, a hard-wurking, 
honest man, in early life a Whig, politically, and later 
a Republican. 'J'he wife and mother still continues 
the faithful partner of her aged husband, and is 
sixty-seven years old. 

To Elias L. and Olive Sturdevant there were born 
nine children, five sons and four daughters; one of 
the former and two of the latter are deceased. The 
living children are all married and settled in com- 
fortable homes. Warren, our subject, acquired his 
education in the district schools, and in early man- 
hood served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's 
trade; he followed this some years, and put up many 
excellent houses both in this county and in Eaton. 
He was first married, in Cambria Township, to Miss 
Helen Reynolds, who was born in Branch County, 
this State, in 1849, and a history of whose father. 
Chancy Reynolds, will be found on another page in 
this volume. Mrs. Helen Sturdevant died at her 
home in Cambria Township, Sept. 9, 1871. She 
had no children. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage in 
Cambria Township, this county, Nov. 20, 1875, 
with Mrs. Esther (Miles) Hall, who was born in 
Califo)nia Townshij), Branch County, this State, 
March 18, 1849, and is the daughter of Chancy 
and Mary A. (Reynolds) Miles, who died some 
years ago, the father at Pilot Knob, Mo., about 
1802, when forty -six years of age. The mother 
passed away some five years before the death of her 
husband, her death taking place in Branch County 

-♦ . : =...= 



about 18.t7, when she was forty }'ears old. They 
were natives respectively of Connecticut and New 
York, and were married in Branch County, this 
State. Mr. Miles was a well-educated man and fol- 
lowed teaching considerably during the younger 
years of his life. Later he engaged in farming. 

The wife of our subject was first married in 
Adrian, Mich., to Andrew Hall, a farmer by occu- 
pation, and who, during the late war, served as a 
Union soldier about three years in Companj^ F, 2d 
Michigan Infantry. After receiving his honorable 
discharge he returned to Cambria Township, from 
which he had enlisted, and died on the 28th of May, 
1873. He left a wife and three children, one of 
whom, Eugene, died at the age of fifteen years; 
Harry and Bert, twenty-one and seventeen years of 
age, are living with their mother and stepfather. 
By this marriage Mr. Sturdevant is the father of 
three children — Andrew W., Elias L., Jr., and Mi- 
nerva E. The family residence is a well-built 
structure, convenient and suDstantial, and the other 
improvements of the homestead bear fair compari- 
son with those of the intelligent farmers around. 
Mr. S. gives most of his attention to his agri- 
cultural pursuits and his personal affairs, having no 
desire for the responsibilities of office. He keeps 
himself well posted, however, upon current events, 
and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. 



—i9»^k—^>&> 



>fM^>'<^i^^ 




(l^ ORACE WEAVER. Southern Michigan is 
"^ largely indebted for its progressive element 
to the New England and North Atlantic 
States, particularly the old Empire State, 
which has furnished its full complement of the men 
and women who have witnessed and taken their 
part in the development of the natural resources of 
this section of the country. They are of a class of 
people in whom a regard for the dictates of con- 
science appears to have been transmitted just as 
clearly and forcibly as are the thrift and enterprise 
for which the original settlers of those States were 
noted. It was there, in Wayne County, the sub- 
ject of this sketch first saw the light, Oct. 22, 1829. 
James Weaver, the father of our subject, re- 
moved from Wayne County, N. Y., to the Terri- 

-. ■» 



t 



•^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



979 ', 



4. 



tory of Mieliigan in 1834, and located upon rented 
land in LaSalle. Monroe County, and continued a 
resilient of that neighborhood until his deatii, in 
1845. The mother of our subject, who in her girl- 
hood was I'hebe Ilaight. died in Wayne County, 
N. Y., when her son Horace was but an infant. He 
was a little lad of five years old when he accom- 
jmnied the family to Michigan, and locating in 
jlonroe County, resided tliere until 1848. lie 
then came to AVright Township, this county, when 
a young man, and engaged in various occupations, 
taking contracts for chopping and clearing land. 
Soon after his arrival, and when he had saved a 
little of his earnings, lie bought forty acres of tim- 
ber land at 1200, giving i!20 in cash, a rifle valued at 
$14, and his note for $6; the remaining $100 was 
to be paid in three years. There was already a 
log house on the place and a few acres of the land 
were cleared, but the house burned down soon after 
the time of purchase. Prior to his marriage Mr. 
Weaver erected a frame house, and there he re- 
sid(Hl, engaged in the improvement of liis purchase, 
until 1870, when he sold that propert}' and bougiit 
his present farm of sixty acres on section 27, 
Wright Township. At the time of i)urch.ase tiiere 
were on the place a log house and shed, but 
these have been superseded by a substantial and 
commodious brick residence, and a good frame 
barn, with other necessary out-buildings. 

Earlj' in the history of the war of the Rebellion 
Mr. AVeaver's sympathies were enlisted in the cause 
of the Union, and he enlisted, Sept. 11, 18Gl,in 
Company F, 11th Michigan Infantry, for tiiree 
years, and marching to the scene of action with his 
regiment, served in the Army of tlie Cumberland. 
In tiic battle of Stone River the 11th Michigan 
and the 1 IHh Illinois crossed the river and made 
the charge that gained the battle. Mr. Weaver was 
in the battle of Chiekamauga, where he was cap- 
tured .Sept. 20, 18(j3, and was subsequently con- 
lined in the rebel [irisons at Richmond and Danville, 
Va. He remained in prison until the 8th of Maj'. 
18(54, and was then i)aroled and discharged with 
the regiment at Sturgeon, Mich., Sei)t. 13, 1804. 
Upon obtaining his discharge, he returned to his 
home, and resumed his agricultural operations. 

Mr. Weavi'r was united in marriage, May 5, 



1872, with Mrs. Lucinda M. Allen, who was a 
native of New York. By her marri.ige with her 
first husband, Mr. Allen, she had one daughter, 
Ora Dell, wife of Levi Baker; they have five chil- 
dren. The first wife of Mr. Weaver was .fuditb 
A. Vanschaick. By this marriage Mr. Weaver 
had one child, Emma D.. who first married George 
E. Soper, by whom she has one child : she is now 
the wife of Henry Owen, and lives in Bcllaire, 
Mich.; she has three children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the Dis- 
ciples' or Christian Church, and are reputable people, 
enjoying the confidence and respect of their friends 
and .acquaintances. Mr. Weaver was a Republican 
until the formation of the Proliibition partj', which 
his strong temperance i)rinciples induced him to 
join. 



LVIN S. AVILSON, son of one of the hon- 
ored pioneers of Hillsdale County, and a 
gentleman in the prime of life, was born on 
the farm which he now owns and occupies 
in Wright Township, three-quarters of a mile 
north of Waldron, on the 7th of November. 1844. 
His father, James Wilson, was a native of Monroe 
County, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood, 
and where he married Miss Mary Allard. After 
residing there some time after his raarrijige he came 
tothe Territoiy of Michigan and located in Wright 
Townshi]), on the southwest quarter of section 27. 
He had made the journey via the lake to Detroit, 
and from there overland with a team to his future 
home. It was then butatr.act of uncultivated land 
covered with timber. His first work was to erect 
a log cabin, into which the family removed, and 
which they occupied for some 3^ears. The face of 
the country was flat and low, and the beavers had 
l)uilt a dam which prevented the water from es- 
cai)ing. thus constituting a swamp at least in ap- 
pearance, which involved no small amount of labor 
in converting it to a sUite of cultivation. 

The father of our subject, in common with his 
neighbors, could not afford the luxury of horses, 
and for a number of yeai's carried on his farm 
work, milling and marketing, with oxen. The 







J^ 



-A 



980 



HILLSDALE COUMTY. 



land was covered with heavy timber, and in order 
to get rid of this the trees were cut down and de- 
stroyed by fire. In this manner thousands of 
1 flne blaciv walnut logs were burned, which, could 
they now be obtained, would bring a handsome 
sum of nionej'. The nearest milling point at that 
time was the unimposing hamlet of Tecumseh, in 
Lenawee County. It was the custom when one 
neighbor went to mill, to talie a grist along for each 
of tiie others, and this changing about was a great 
accommodation, as tlie distance was about forty 
miles, and covild not be traversed in much less than 
a week on account of the bad roads and tbe slow 
means of locomotion. 

About 1845 James "Wilson decided upon a re- 
moval to Hillsdale, which was also but a hamlet, 
and engaged in keeping a hotel. One year's ex- 
perience, however, sufficed, and he returned gladly 
to his farm. Soon afterward he became interested 
in the lumber trade, and believed there was a better 
way to dispose of those magnificent trees than to 
burn them. He determined at least to make the 
experiment, and put up the first sawmill erected 
in this section. This structure was located on a 
small stream on section 3, in Wright Township, and 
from that time until his death the father of our 
subject was engaged in the lumber business, which 
yielded him handsome returns. For his first 
thousand feet of black walnut delivered at Adrian 
he received 110. The stream upon which the mill 
was located did not furnish sufficient water-power 
the entire year, and he built a steam-mill on his own 
farm. When timber became scarce here, he went 
into Midland Countj', and engaged in the manu- 
facture and sale of pine lumber, making his head- 
quarters at Midland City. There his death took 
place March 1, 1875. 

The mother of our subject fulfilled in her life 
and character all the virtues of the matrons of those 
days. A careful wife and helpmate, she spun and 
wove wool and flax, and like the women of Scrip- 
ture, " looked well to the wa3S of her household." 
The paternal grandmother of Alvin S. Wilson came 
to Michigan with his parents, and made the cloth 
for the family wear. Sbe died at the home farm 
about 1862, and the mother of our subject passed 
away in the spring of 18o2. When James Wilson 



and his family first settled in Wright Township, 
deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful, 
while bears and wolves in real form sufficed to 
keep the children from going very far from home. 
Two hunters used frequently to come from Adrian 
with their guns, and employing the mother of our 
subject to do sewing for them, they in return kept 
the family supplied with fresh wild meat. 

Our subject is the only surviving child of the 
parental family. His education was acquired in 
the pioneer school, which was first held in a log 
house. This structure was located on the present 
site of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in Waldron. 
As soon as old enough he was required to make 
himself useful about the homestead, and when but 
a little lad, could manage a team to perfection. 
When eleven years old he officiated as fireman in 
his father's steam-mill, at which he was occupied 
seven years, then became engineer in the flouring and 
saw mill at Waldron. He occupied this position 
three years, then changing his vocation somewhat, 
engaged as clerk in a store of general merchandise 
nine years. 

At the expiration of this time our subject re- 
turned to the old farm, which he operated one 
year, and then, in company with Dr. A. C. Bates, 
purchased a stock of general merchandise, and en- 
gaged in trade until in February, 1888. The new 
railroad now being completed, he sold his interest 
in the business to his partner, and became the pio- 
neer grain buyer of Waldron. He still, however, 
makes his home at the old farm, which possesses for 
him a far more than moneyed value with its many 
and precious associations. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject w.as his marriage, which occurred on 
the 5th of January, 1864. The maiden of his choice, 
Miss Annis Smith, was born in Delaware County, 
Ohio, April 15, 1847, and is the daughter of James 
H. and Eunice (Foust) Smith, natives of the State 
of New York. Mr. Smith died in July, 1887. The 
mother of Mrs. Wilson is still living. Their two 
living children are : Leroy, who married Miss Adelle 
Boyd, and vvho is carrying on tbe business of grain 
buying with his father at Waldron, and Ernest, who 
continues at home with his parents. Their first 
born son died March 11, 1 872, when six years 



»► B ^j *: 



:• nrst- 
jars of W ' 



-^•- 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



981 



nge. Mr. and Mrs. WiKsoii .are niemliers in gooil 
standing of the Wesleyan IMetliodist C'huich, in 
which our subject has officiated as Superintendent 
of the Sund.ay-scliool for eiglileon years. lie has 
always been warmly interested in the religious 
training of the young,and isPresidentof the Hills- 
dale (bounty Sunday-School Association, also 
Secretary' in Wright Township of the same. In 
politics he is a Prohibitionist. 




RS..1ERIJSHASTURGES. This very intelli- 
gent and capable lady came to the Terri- 
tory of Michigan when a newly married 
wife, in the fall of 1 8.3;}, and settled first 
with her husband in Tecuniseh Township. Two 
years later they changed their residence to Scipio 
Townsliii), this county, locating on section 0, where 
Mr. Sturges died on the 14th of May, 1864, and 
where his widow has since lived. The Sturges 
homestead is noticeable for the air of thrift and 
comfort around it, the neat and substantial build- 
ings, and the laud which has been brought to a good 
state of cultivation. There were originally 240 
acres in the farm, and of this Mrs. hturges now 
owns 1 20 acres, which is the source of a snug 
income. 

The subject of this biography-, who w.as in her 
girlhood Miss Jerusha Steele, was the eldest daughter 
of Perez and Clarissa (Brainard) Steele, who were 
natives of Connecticut. They settled after their 
marriage in Greene County, N. Y., to which the 
parents of Mr. Steele had removed when he was but 
a lad six or seven years of age. To Perez Steele 
and his wife there were born seven children, Jeru- 
sh.a, Feb. 23, 1811. Of her brothers and sisters, 
three are now living. 

Miss Jerusha Steele continued under the parental 
roof during her childhood and 3-outh. acquiring her 
education in the common school, and being trained 
by a good and sensible mother to all housewifely 
duties. Her marriage with James Sturges vvas cele- 
brated at her home in Greene County, N. Y., in June, 
1833. The seven children who came to bless their 
union were all born at the homestead in .Scipio Town- 
ship, except the eldest, who was born in Tecuniseh, 



Mich., and, with the exception of one who died 
in infancy, and one at the age of ten years, .are all 
living. Mary F. is the widow of F. M. Culver, 
late of Scipio Township; Mrs. C. lives on her hus- 
band's estate. Martha C, the second wife of F. 
M. Culver, died at her home in Scipio Township, 
April 11, 1881; David B. is engaged in teaching 
in California; Hannah K. died Sept. 9, 1851, at the 
age of ten years; Selina W. is the wife of John 
Riggs. of Jlosherville; Ellen continues at home 
with her mother; James died in infancy. 

Mrs. Sturges since the death of her husband has 
had charge of the farm, the operations of which she 
has superintended with rare good judgment, being 
fortunate in her investments and effecting the im- 
provements most needed. Both she and her husband 
identified themselves with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in early life, of which Mr. S. remauied a 
member until his death, and with which Mrs. S. is 
still connected, and has always proved a cheerful 
and liberal contributor to the many calls for benevo- 
lent work. The faniil3' are widely and favorably 
known throughout the northern pait of the county, 
and have formed no unimportant factors in its 
development and progress. 




ANIEL D. DIVINE, a farmer and stock- 
breeder, and one of the pioneers of Wood- 
bridge Township, is comfortably located on 
section 5. He was born near Oswego, 
Cayuga Co., N. Y., May 1, 1814, four days before 
the battle of Oswego, which was fought during the 
War of 1812, and in which his father, Josei)h Divine, 
p.articipated as Captain, which rank he held in the 
State Militia for a i)eriod of eleven years. He was 
also a Major of militia ten years, but after liis mili- 
tary services were no further required turned his 
.attention to agriculture. 

Joseph Divine moved to Ohio in 1833 and to 
Michigan ten years later. He died in March, ISS."). 
He was a man i)iominent in his comnuinity and a 
church member. The parents of our subject were 
married about 1800. The mother died about 1861 
or 1862; she was a very amiable and excellent lady, 
and a true Christian. The family included three 




i 




982 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



daughters and nine sons, namely ; Lucinrla, Arminda, 
ISelali, Samuel, John, Daniel D. (our subject). Asa, 
Joseph, Margaret, George, James and William. 
Seven of these are deceased. John died at the age 
of seventy years. 

Mr. Divine, our subject, came to this State in 
1849, and settled upon the farm where he now livesi 
sixty acres of which are in a fine state of cultivation 
and which yields a comfortable income. He has 
done much hard work during his lifetime, and bears 
the reputation among his neighbors of an indus- 
trious and responsible citizen. He has two sons 
and two daughters — Lafayette, Joseph L., Louisa 
and Rhoda — all married and comfortably settled. 
The mother of these was in her girlhood Miss Per- 
melia French, who was born in Saratoga County, 
N. Y., in June, 1820, and is the daughter of Ben- 
jamin and Lydia (Wilbur) French, also natives of 
the Empire St.ate, and the parents of twelve chil- 
dren. The}' died near Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. 
Divine vvere married Nov. 17, 1839. 

Our subject is a man of much intelligence, and 
politically, a solid Republican. He has studiously 
avoided the responsibilities of office, and although 
elected Township Treasurer refused to qualify. 
He was at one period of his life a church member, 
but is not now identified with any religious denomi- 
nation. He aims to follow the precepts of the 
Golden Rule, and to do good as he has opportunity. 
As one of the old settlers of this county who has 
faithfully performed his duties in life, he is held in 
general respect. 



LEXANDER CAMPBELL RIDEOUT, 
fuW LL. D., Principal of the Commerci.il and 
Telegraphic Department of Hillsdale Col- 
lege, was born at Brilliant, above Wheeling, 
on the west bank of the Ohio River. Feb. 8, 184L 
His parents were Mark and Rachel (Wherry) Ride- 
out, the father a native of Maine and the mother 
of Pennsylvania. Mark Rideout left his native 
State after his marriage to Irene Barton, his first 
wife, and settled in Washington County, Pa., where 
about 1840 his wife died. He subsequently settled 




in Jefiferson County, Ohio, where the subject of 
this sketch spent his earlier years and pursued His 
primary studies in the common school. 

Prof. Rideout, when twenty years of age, the 
Civil War being in progress, entered the army as a 
member of Company G, 110th Ohio Infantry, com- 
manded by Col. Keiffer, afterward General, and 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and was 
assigned to the 6th Army Corps, which took part 
in all the battles under Gen. Sheridan in the Shen- 
andoah Vallej'. This campaign included the fight 
at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and various other minor 
engagements with the enemy. 

Young Rideout came out safely from the service, 
receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1865. 
Returning to his home in Ohio, he soon entered 
upon a commercial course at Oberlin, from which 
he was graduated in the class of '66. In Septem- 
ber following he came to this county'. A branch 
of the Oberlin school having previously been estab- 
lished at Hillsdale, Prof. Rideout was employed as 
a teacher, which position he filled eighteen months. 
He was then made Principal of the school, also 
proprietor of the interest held here by the Oberlin 
Commercial College. Under his wise management 
the school has been raised to its present standing. 

From the time of his connection with Hillsdale 
College, Prof. Rideout gave to it his best thoughts 
and attention. During the j'ears 1876 and 1877 
he erected the four-story building in which to con- 
duct his department of the school, and by degrees 
introduced new features which proved the basis of 
its present success. The branches now taught are 
principally book-keeping, commercial law, political 
economy, commercial arithmetic, shorthand, type- 
writing, telegraphy and electrical engineering; the 
college, which is now the pride of Southern Michi- 
gan, numbers among its students young men from 
all parts of the Union. It is generously furnished 
with all the appliances necessary for the successful 
prosecution of a thorough course of commercial 
study, and various other departments furnish the 
instruction so essential to the proper equipment of 
the enterprising business men of the present time. 

Prof. Rideout was one of the principal movers in 
the establishment of the College Herald, a weekly 
paper, published throughout the entire year, and 



-•► 



t 



M^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



983 Ij 



wliicli is now in its timtli volume, having a circula- 
tion of 1,200. Prof. Ricleout suggested the plan by 
which ^25.000 wei'e raised to add to the eiidow- 
nient fund and pay an indebtedness on the college 
buildings, and was largely instrumental also in 
raising the $10,000 required for the college church. 

The Professor was married, June 3, 18C8, in Ober- 
lin, Ohio, to Miss Bessie B. Brewster, who was at 
the time one of the accomplished teachers of Ober- 
lin public schools, and the daughter of Calvin 
Brewster. Both her parents are deceased. Mrs. 
Rideout was born in 1845, in Portage County, Ohio, 
and came to Michigan with her husband in 1SG8. 
Of her union with our subject there is one child 
living, a son, Paul, aged nineteen, who is now pur- 
suing a classical course in Hillsdale College. 

Li 1876 Prof Rideout was honored by Muskin- 
gum College, Ohio, with the degree of Doctor of 
Laws, a title for which he is amply fitted by vir- 
tue of his erudition and natural capabilities. 




r 



^^EORGE W. CUTLER, engaged in a general 
[l| s^ banking business in North Adams, is also 
^^5) the owner of eighty acres of land on section 
14, in Adams Township, which is very valuable 
anil under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Cutler 
erected for himself a fine residence in the village of 
North Adams, in which he and his family are 
enjoying the comforts of life, with which he has 
surrounded himself by a life of honest industry and 
energy. 

The parents of our subject, William and Esther 
(Van Aiken) Cutler, were natives respectively' of 
Niagara County, N. Y., and Sussex County, N. J. 
They united their lives and fortunes in Niagara 
County, N. Y.. and came directly from the Empire 
State to this county in the year 1835. He was 
among the very first settlers in Adams Township, 
and took up land directly from the Government, 
while he has in his possession letters patent for 120 
acres, signed by Andrew Jackson. Here, it niay be 
said, the country grew up around him as truthfully 
as that he grew up with the country. He was a 

4» 



man of great energy of character, and became well 
and favorably known in Adams Township, where 
he accumulated between 300 and 400 acres of land, 
while he was also the owner and proprietor of the 
hotel known as "Cutler's Corner," from 1835 to 
18C2. In his character of "mine host" he became 
acquainted with all whom business brought to this 
section of countrj-, and gained a shrewd insight 
into human nature. He figured conspicuously 
among his folio wmen, and became a leader in all 
matters of a public nature, securing in a large 
measure the confidence and esteem of all his ac- 
quaintances, as is proved by the fact that he has 
held all the public offices of his township. After 
witnessing in his residence here of a third of a 
century those marvelous changes which have trans- 
formed Southern Mich.igan from a vast wilderness 
to one of the most fertile tracts in the country, and 
doing well his part in bringing about these devel- 
opments, he ceased from his labors in 18G9, d^'ing 
at the age of sixty years; the mother survives, and 
resides in Hillsdale at the age of seventy-one. 

The family of William and Esther Cutler com- 
prised seven children, four sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom the subject of this sketch was 
the third in order of birth. He was burn in this 
county, Aug. I'J, 1842, and his boyhood was passed 
on a farm until 1862. His experience in the pio- 
neer schools of his townshii) and in the labors in 
connection with farm life, as soon as he was of an 
age to assist in those duties, was similar to that of 
farmers' sons of that tiuic. They were happy in their 
freedom from care, and in that rugged health which 
a life of healthful exercise wiihoul unnatural stim- 
ulus always brings. In 1S62, when twenty years 
of age, Mr. Cutler res|)onded to the call for assist- 
ance in defense of the Union, and enlisted as a 
private in Company G, 18th Michigan Infantry, 
being marched directly to the front. He served 
one year in that capacity, after which he was pro- 
moted to the position of Lieutenant, in Company 
L, 11th Michigan Cavalry, and served in that rank 
until the close of the war in 1865. His regiment 
took part in the battles of Mt. Sterling and Cynthi- 
ana in Kentucky, and as a cavalryman with his regi- 
ment he skirmished through Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Virginia and North Carolina. At Salt Works, W. Va.. 



i 



•4^ 



984 



-•► 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



the Union forces under Gen. Burbridge encount- 
ered a division of the rebel army, commanded by 
Gen. Brecliinridge, and a hotly contested battle en- 
sued. Lieut. Cutler was shot through the right knee, 
and was captured with the rest of the wounded and 
confined in Libby Prison six months; he was then 
released, being exchanged in March, 1865, and did 
not again engage in active service, but was Assist- 
ant Provost Marshal at Louisville, Ky., serving in 
this capacity until the close of the war. He was 
mustered out at Louisville, and lionorably dis- 
charged at Detroit in the same year. 

Lieut. Cutler then converted his sword into a 
plowshare, and returning to his home resumed 
agricultural occupations, which he continued some 
two or three years. In the meantime he was united 
in marriage with an amiable and accomplished lady, 
Miss Mary, daughter of Jabez and Harriet (Knapp) 
Langdon, natives of Wayne County, N. Y. Mr. 
and Mrs. Langdon were married in Michigan, set- 
tling in Hillsdale County in its early pioneer days, 
in 1835. The father was successful in his efforts 
to subdue nature, redeeming from the wilderness a 
farm, which became a goodly heritage for his chil- 
dren, and died in the midst of his usefulness in 
1866, at fifty-eighi years of age, while the mother 
died in 1874, aged sixty years. Of their children two 
grew to years of maturity : Mary, Mrs. Cutler, and 
Henry C, who is engaged in the hardware business 
in North Adams, and has an extensive patronage. 
Mrs. Cutler was born June 2, 1849, and passed her 
girlhood in Lenawee County, ne.ar Adrian, where, 
under the improved school sj'Stem which had been 
brought about by the worthy veterans of .Southern 
Michigan, she obtained a good education. 

After having farmed for three years Mr. Cutler 
went into business at North Adams, being the junior 
partner of the firm of Williams & Cutler, dealers in 
drugs and medicines. His next enterprise was in the 
dry-goods business, in company with E. E. Upham. 
At the end of a year they closed out this business 
and Mr. Cutler engaged in the hardware business, in 
company with his brother-in-law, Henry C. Lang- 
don, in which he remained until starting his present 
line of business in 1886. He has been successful in 
this as in other business ventures, and carries on a 
banking business in its various branches, affording 



excellent accommodation for the people of the sur- 
rounding country to carry on their m dietary trans- 
actions. 

Politically, Mr. Cutler is identified with the Re- 
publican t)arty, to which he uniformly gives his 
cordial support. He was Depul}' Sheriff of Hills- 
dale County for a period of six ye.ars, discharging 
the duties of his office with that dispatch which has 
ever been one of his prime qualities; he has ever 
been forward in the cause of education, ready to 
assist by counsel, or more tangible means, in any 
measure inaugurated for its advancement, and iden- 
tifying himself closely with its interests by serving 
as a member of the Board of Education for a period 
of fourteen years, while he is now a member of the 
Board of Trustees of North Adams. Lieut. Cutler 
is a member of the G. A. R., T. S. Meade Post No. 
189, of which he is at present Adjutant, and he is 
also a member of the Masonic fraternitj'. 



o<ss»HBI)>-9^o 



-#" — E^ 



, SHER B. LaFLEUR. This gentleman is 
f ^TLJl l well known throughout Hillsdale County, 
and is the subject of a history at once filled 
with the sadness of a homeless orphan, the 
romance of chivalry, the glory of a soldier, and the 
patriotism of a LaFayette. As near as can be 
learned from legal documents obtained from his 
guardian, he was born in New York State, July 1, 
1841. His parents died when he was very young, in 
fact, he was but four years of age at the time of his 
mother's death, when he was thrown upon the 
mercies of a cold world, falling into the hands of 
the Superintendent of the Poor, who bound him 
out to a farmer, James Henshaw by name, in Erie 
County, N. Y., to serve until he should reach his 
majority. He received cruel treatment at the hands 
of this man, which he endured until sixteen years 
of age, then fled from his oppressor, and worked 
for the neighboring farmers by the month during 
the summer season and attended school in winter. 

Young LaFleur, taking advantage of every oppor- 
tunity for obtaining useful information, succeeded 
in acquiring a practical education, and saved what 
he could of his wages. In the fall of 1860 he came 
to this county with the purpose of attending Hills- 
dale College and working his way through. He 
•► 



t 



♦-i-*. 



,t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



985 



liarl been in attendance bnt two terms, and in the 
meantime had kept a close watcli upon the progress 
of liic R(^l)ellii)n, and could now no longer resist 
the sense of dut3' wliiuli seemed to call him to the 
field. He accordingly' enlisted in Company H. 4th 
Michigan Infantry, and was mustered into service 
at Adrian. His regiment was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac, and he was present subsequently 
at the battles of Bull Run, the siege of Yorktown, 
Malvern Hill, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Get- 
tysburg, being at the latter place wounded, and 
suffered confinement in the hospital for five months. 

At the expiration of his first term of enlistment 
Mr. LaFleur veteranized in the same regiment for 
another three j-ears, or during the war. He joined 
his comrades at Rappahannock .Station, in time to 
participate in the battle of the Wilderness. On the 
10th of May, the fifth day of this figlit, while 
charging a rebel battery, he was struck in the right 
leg by a volley of grape shot which shattered it 
below the knee so badly that the limb liad to be 
amputated upon the field. As soon as possible he 
was conveyed to a hospital at AVashington, and 
later gangrene set in, in consequence of which two 
more operations were rendered necessary, first at 
Washington and later at Detroit. From this he 
suffered a whole year. At the close of the war he 
received his honorable discharge, June 21, 1865, 
in the meantime having been promoted to a Ser- 
geant. 

Returning now to Hillsdale Mr. LaFleur em- 
ployed himself at farming, and fulfilled the pledge 
which he had made to a j'oung lady there, Miss 
Laura E. Hadley, to whom his misfortune had 
made no change in her affection, and thej' were 
married Feb. 22, 1864, and not long afterward 
purchased a farm in Butler, Brancli County, upon 
■which the}' removed and continued to live until 
1876. That year Mr. LaFleur came to this county, 
and purchased a little farm of forty acres on sec- 
tion 15. in Litchfield Township. He now began 
to realize the importance of gaining some clew to 
his family antecedents, and decided to use the 
small amount of his surplus funds in returning East 
and gaining what information he could of his par- 
ents in Erie County, N. Y. 

Upon reaching the Empire State our subject for 



tlie first time learned that he was Itorn in Cattarau- 
gus County. He went back to his birthplace, and 
there learned thrttiiis father's name was Ainltrose 
LaFleur, that he was born in France, was a tanner 
by trade, and had been accidentally killed while in 
pursuance of this occupation. He also learned that 
his mother, Elizabeth LaFleur, w.as a native of 
Wales, and had been twice married, being the 
mother of four children by her union with Mr. La- 
Fleur, and one daughter by licr other marriage. 

These children at a tender age had been placed 
with different families and kept in ignorance of 
their parentage, so that to-day our subject does 
not know the whereabouts of his three brothers and 
sister. He traced up his half-sister and made her 
acquaintance; she is now a resident of New York 
State. Returning to his home in Litchfield Mr. 
LaFleur was occupied in farming until the fall of 
187'J, when he was elected County Treasurer, serv- 
ing two terms of two years each, during which 
time he was a resident of Hillsdale. He was 
afterward appointed Deputy' Collector of Inter- 
nal Revenue, holding this position two and one- 
half years, and until the incoming of the present 
administration. Then returning to Litchfield he 
engaged in genenal merchandising one year, and 
in the spring of 1888 purchased the McDougall 
farm, which consists of 120 .acres, lying on section 
15, and which under his judicious man.agement will 
in time become a valuable piece of property. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of Cor- 
nelius and Elizalteth (Briggs) Hadley, natives of 
Vermont, and married in the town of Brattleboro. 
The)' came to Michigan in 1847, settling on a farm 
near Litchfield, where the death of the father took 
place in 18G4, when he was sixty-seven years old. 
The mother survived her husband until 1875, con- 
tinuing at the old homestead, and died at the 
advanced age of seventy-nine years. The Hadle)' 
estate was quite valuable, and besides the personal 
proiierty included a good farm of 320 acres. The 
family included eleven children, four sons .and seven 
daughters, of whom Mrs. LaFleur, the j'oungest, 
w.as born .Sept. 16, 1845, in Sandy Creek Township, 
Oswego Co., N. Y. She w.as little more than an 
infant when brought to Michigan by her iiarents, 
and after leaving the district school attended Hills- 

— ■» 



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986 



HILLSDALE COUNTT. 



dale College, and eDgaged in teaching a short time 
before her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. LaFIcur became the parents of five 
children. Their eldest son, Hubert D., was gradu- 
ated from the Hillsdale High Schcol, and now has 
charge of the faini; Asher B. attended Litch- 
field Union School as a member of the class of '88; 
Clara and Winnifred are also students there, the 
former in the class of '93 and the latter in the 
primary depai'tnient; Chancy Cook, the youngest, 
remains at home with his parents. It is hardly 
necessarj' to say that Mr. LaFleur is a stanch 
supporter of Republican principles. Considering 
the circumstances of his early life and the dif- 
ficulties thrown around his path, the position 
which he holds to-day is a remarkable illustra- 
tion of energy and perseverance. Few of those 
even who have been upheld by the encourage- 
ment and assistance of friends have arrived at the 
point to which he has attained, as a man among 
men and a valued member of society. His intelli- 
gence and true worth have received ready recog- 
nition from the people of Litchfield Township, 
where his career has been unmarked by a dishonest 
act. He served as Township Treasurer ten years 
in succession, and is a charter member and Director 
of the Hillsdale Savings Bank. Liberal-minded and 
public-spirited, he is ever willing to aid by his 
influence and his means every worthy project strug- 
gling for a foothold, and which will result in good 
to the people. Socially, he is a member of Frank- 
lin Lodge No. 40, A. F. & A. M., and in the G. A. 
R. at one time was Commander of Hillsdale Post, 
which he was largely instrumental in organizing. 
He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham 
Lincoln. Among the selfmade men of Southern 
Michigan he is one of the brightest lights. 



-^s- 



#-# 




RTHUR EDWIN HAYNES, Professor of 
'fuW Mathematics and Physics in Hillsdale Col- 
lege for the last eleven years, during 
which time he has distinguished himself for 
his erudition and his thoroughness as an instructor, 
was born near Baldwinsville, N. Y., on the 23d of 
Ma}', 1849. He was the second son in a family of 

»► 1 <■ — 



six children, the offspring of Horace and Adalinc 
(Sweet) Haynes, who were also natives of the Em- 
pire State, being born near the birthplace of their 
sou, in Onondaga County. 

The parents of our subject came to IMichigan in 
June, 1858. They located near the village of Read- 
ing, in the southwestern part of Hillsdale County, 
where the father carried on farming successfully, 
and where he, his faithful wife and their eldest 
daughter still live. Their children received a com- 
mon-school education, and the boyhood of Arthur 
was spent upon the farm until he had reached the 
age of twenty years. Then, his tastes inclining 
toward the professions, he returned to his native 
State, and entering the academy at Baldwinsville, 
pursued his studies there two terms, while in sum- 
mer he was employed upon the farm of his uncle. 
Col. Thaddeus Haynes. Upon returning home he 
soon entered the employ of the Ft. Wayne, Jackson 
& Saginaw Railroad Company, and after being oc- 
cupied here for a short time, was appointed to the 
position of assistant foreman of a gang of section 
men. 

In the fall of the year 1870 he entered Hills- 
dale College, where he remained a student, closely 
applying himself to his studies until he was gradu- 
ated from the institution in June, 1875. He taught 
several terms of district scliool very successfully 
before graduation, and was emplo3'ed more or less 
during his college course as tutor in mathematics in 
the college. During the vacation between the junior 
and senior years he assisted in the erection of the 
Central College building, in order to earn money 
to continue his studies, carrying a hod from the first 
story until the completion of the fourth, shoulder- 
ing eighty pounds of brick, and walking from the 
bottom to the top of the ladder (20 feet) without 
touching the hod-handle, a feat that he was justly 
proud of. The brick in those walls echo back the 
words that he now repeats during the recitations of 
his pupils. Immediatel}' following his graduation 
he married Miss May Hewitt, the daughter of Hon. 
Alexander Hewitt and Mary Hewitt, of Allen. He 
was a|)pointed instructor in mathematics in his 
Alma Mater (Hillsdale College) in the fall of 1875, 
and two years later was elected to the full Pro- 
fessorship, which position he still holds. The very 



i 



« 



t 






1 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



987 



manner in which he secured liis education is suffi- 
cient evidence of tlie character of tlie man, his 
application, liis resohition and his love of learning. 
In the sunnncrs of 1877 and 1878 he was a student 
in mathematics under the instruction of the late 
Dr. Edward Olnuy, of Michigan University, one of 
the ablest educators of the Northwest. In 1885 he 
was elected a member of the London Mathematical 
Society, anil has received many marks of honor in 
recognition of his qualifications and his eIRciency as 
an educator. Professor Haynes is a believer in and a 
worker for Prohibition, and hopes that his whole 
country ma\- finally be blessed by its benign 
influence. 



ICHARD FOGG, farmer, is a fair reprcsent- 
V^/ ative of the industrial element of Hillsdale 
i/I^\V Count.y. He is of sturdy' English stock, and 
^jwas born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 21, 
1809. He grew to manhood in his native countr}', 
where he learned the trade of cartwright, which, 
however, he has never made an^' practical use of. 
At the age of twenty-three j-ears he decided to 
emigrate to America, therefore, in the spring of 
1831 we find him en route for Quebec. His stay in 
that city was short, his next stopping-place being 
Montreal. From there our subject proceeded to 
Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., where he remained 
three or four j-ears, engaged, first in building canal 
boats, and subsequently as a millwright. In 1835 
Mr. Fogg turned his steps westward, and coming to 
this Stale secured work in Manchester, Washtenaw 
County, as a millwright, and assisted in building 
the first flouring-mill of that place. The next season 
that work was repeated in Jackson County, the town 
of Concord, where he assisted in the erection of a 
similar structure, the first in that place. He fol- 
lowed that trade for some years, and during the 
lime assisted in building thirteen mills in Southern 
Michigan. In 1842, desiring to establish himself 
permanently, where he could enjoy the comforts of 
a home, Mr. Fogg came to Hillsdale County, and 
purchased IGO acres of land on section 19, Scipio 
Township, where he settled and has since resided. 

As mistress of his household, our subject installed 
a most estimable j'oung lad^'. Miss Ann Welbourn, 



to whom he was united in marriage in White Pigeon, 
Mich., Feb. 8, 1844. She was born in Yorkshire, 
England, March 3, 1818. and came to the United 
States with her parents in 183(1. 'J1iey landed in 
New York, and proceeded by the Erie Canal and 
lake to Detroit, and from there to AVhite Pigeon 
by wagon, the latter part of their journey consum- 
ing nine days. By their union Mr. and Mrs. Fogg 
have become the jjarents of two children — William 
T. and John F. William married a Miss Delbridge, of 
Albion, and they reside in Scipio Township; John 
F., who resides in Fayette Township, married Miss 
Anna Sheldon. 

Since becoming possessor of his farm, Mr. Fogg 
has erected substantial and commodious buildings, 
and made many other valuable iuiprovenienls, hav- 
ing now 100 .acres of his land cleared, which yields 
him rich returns for his labors. In the pursuance 
of his chosen occupation our subject has used good 
judgment and skill, and has shown himself to be an 
able and practical farmer. He is now passing his 
declining years in the enjoyment of a competency, 
which he has secured by prompt and careful atten- 
tion to business and unremitting toil. His good 
wife, who, during the long 3ears of their wedded 
life, has faithfully labored by his side, is now shar- 
ing with him the recompense of their work. By 
the people among whom they have lived for so 
man}' years they are truly respected and esteemed 
for their m.iny sterling traits oi character. In poli- 
tics the Republican party finds in Mr. Fogg an 
earnest advocate of its principles. 

ENJAMIN B. WELLS is one of the sub- 
' stantial, well-to-do citizens of Allen Town- 
ship, who has for many years actively assisted 
in the maintenance of the farming interests 
of Hillsdale Count}-. His father, Alexander D. 
Wells, was a pioneer of Southern Michigan, and at 
one time quite an extensive land-owner in Allen 
Township, of which he was an early settler. He 
w.is born in England, and came to America at an 
early day. He married Miss Julia Bishop, of Con- 
necticut, and they first settled in New York, near 
the beautiful Lake Champlain. They subsequently 




4 



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it^ 



■•► 



988 



HILLf^DALE COUNTY. 



removed from Washington County to Cohocton, 
Steuben Co., N. Y., where thej' lived for eleven 
years. The father of our subJL-ot was of an adven- 
turous, enterprising disposition, and not being quite 
satisfied with his surroundings in his home in New 
York .State, he determined to see if life did not hold 
something better for him in the forest covered 
lands slowlj- being opened up for settlement in the 
southern part of the Territory of Michigan. Accord- 
ingly, in 1833, he started on the then toilsome jour- 
ney to this part of the country, accompanied by his 
wife and cliildren. On their arrival here they set- 
tled in the township of Raisin, Lenawee County, 
where they remained until 1837. In that year Mr. 
Wells decided to make still another move, ha\ing 
been attracted by the many advantages of Hillsdale 
County, and coming to Allen Township, he pur- 
chased here a large tract of wild land, comprising 
345 acres, and with his family made his permanent 
home in this place until his death, which occurred 
Sept. 16, 1854, aged fifty-seven. lie was a man of 
much ability, keen foresight, and by his persistent 
labors did his share in developing Lenawee and 
Hillsdale Counties. His worthy wife died at the 
home of their daughter, Mrs. Julia Forster, in 
Litchfield Township, June 28, 1876, aged seventy- 
two years. They were the parents of six girls and 
four boys. 

The subject of this sketch was the second son born 
to his parents. His eldest brother was killed by a 
stallion in Allen Township. He (our subject) was 
born in Camillus, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 
1820. He was thirteen years of age when he came 
with his |)areuts to Michigan, and seventeen years 
old when he accompanied them to Hillsdale County. 
He obtained a common-school education, as good 
as was afforded in those early days. He grew to a 
stalwart and energetic manhood, amid the primitive 
surroundings of his pioneer home, in the then wild 
and uncivilized state of this part of the country, so 
that it has been his good fortune to witness the 
wondrous development of Southern Michigan from 
n forest covered, swampy land to one of the richest 
and most prosperous agricultural and industrial re- 
gions of the country, second to none in religious, 
educational or social advantages. Mr. Wells has 
been a resident of Allen Township for over half a 

<■ — — — 



century, and has always devoted himself to agricult- 
ural pursuits. His fine farm in the northern part 
of Allen Township, on section 3, once formed a 
part of his father's old homestead. It comprises 
105 acres of valuable land, under an admirable state 
of tillage, with neat and comfortable buildings, and 
many other valuable improvements, all betokening 
the utmost care and skillful management on the 
part of the owner. His prudence, clear-sighted 
business policy, and close attention to his duties, 
have made our subject very successful in his chosen 
career. 

Mr. Wells was first married to Miss C^ntherine 
Kelly, daughter of James and Catherine (Wood- 
ruff) Kellj', who were natives of Connecticut. 
After marriage her parents settled in New York 
State, where they died. She was born in June, 
1824, in Connecticut. Being left an orjihan at a 
very early age, she fell to the care of Joshua M. 
Lindsley, with whom she came to Hillsdale when 
she was seven years of age. She was married to 
our subject in Allen Township. By that union 
seven children were born, whose record is as fol- 
lows: Mason B. is a conductor on the C. W. & 
M. R. R. ; Alton D. is an engineer on the W. R. R. ; 
Julia died at the age of eighteen; Abby is the wife 
of Charles Hawes; Byington is a resident of Jones- 
ville, Mich.; Herbert is station agent and telegraph 
operator on the C. & A. R. R. ; Catherine died at 
the age of nineteen years. The devoted wife and 
beloved mother departed this life in Allen Town- 
ship, Nov. 28, 1870. 

Mr. Wells was a second time married, in Allen 
Township, Oct. 14, 1872, his second wife being 
Amanda Kelly, a sister of the first wife. After a 
brief uiarried life she too passed away, her death 
occurring April 2, 1884. The third marriage of our 
subject, in Allen Township, took place Oct. 12, 
1884, at which time he was united to Mrs. Emily 
A. Nellis, daughter of Jared and Emily (Stone) 
Tyler, and widow of David Nellis. She was born 
in Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y., June 2, 1828. 
She had been twice married before her union with 
our subject. Her first husband was James Austin. 
Her second husband was born in Ridgeway, N. Y., 
March fi, 1820, and came to Hillsdale County when 
twenty years of age. He made his home in Allen 






HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



-•► 



989 



Township most of the time till his death, which 
occiirioc) Maicli 7, 1882. To liiiii and his wife were 
born two children — George (deceased) and William 
H. 

Mr. Wells has taken an honorable part in the 
administration of the public affairs of Allen Town- 
ship. He has held various local offices; has been 
Justice of the Peace for three years, and is still an 
incumbent of that oHice, and hiis been Road Com- 
missioner for three years. In his politics he is a 
stanch Republican, and also a firm advocate of Pro- 
hibition. In every respect he is a thoroughly good 
citizen and an upright man, in whom his fellowmen 
place implicit trust and confidence. 



1^ 



"j^OHN P. KMENS, who for a period of twenty- 
two years has moved among the people of 
Wright Township, securing a large measure 
of their esteem and confidence, is the owner 
of a good farm on section 14, upon which he located 
when the soil was mostly in its original condition. 
Like many of the enterprising men of this section, 
he is a native of the Empire State, having been 
born in the town of Romulus, Seneca County, Aug. 
5, 1833. He was reared, educated and married 
near the place of his birth, and resided in that local- 
ity until 18GG, engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
That year witnessed his arrival in this county, and 
he soon afterwaid purchased the land which he has 
since transformed into a valuable farm. 

Francis Emeus, the father of our subject, was 
born in Freeliold, Monmouth Co., N. J., March 9, 
1807. and was the son of John P. Emeus, Sr., a 
native of the same State. The paternal great-grand- 
father of our subject w.as Peter Emens, whom it is 
believed was of English birth and ancestry-. The 
earliest record of him places him in Monmouth 
County, N. J., where he carried on farming until 
after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, when 
his buildings were destroyed by tlie British soldiers. 
He continued a resident of that State, probably, until 
his death, and his son, John P., Sr., spent his entire 
life there. 

The father of our sul)ject continued in his native 
Stale until leaching his majorit}', and when starting 



out for himself proceeded to Seneca County, N. Y., 
where he began to till the soil and w.as married to 
Mrs. Anna (Roberts) McClelan, also a native of 
New Jerse3-, and born Feb. 18, 1802. Her parents 
were John and Rebecca (Phillips) Roberts. After 
marriage Mr. Emens and his bride continued to live 
in Seneca County until 186G, when they came to 
Michigan with their son, our subject, settling first 
in Prattville, but for the last two years the}' have 
made their home with their son, John P. 

Our subject, while a resident of his native county, 
was united in marriage with Miss Penelope Smith, 
Feb. 10, 1858. Mrs. Emens was born in the same 
town as her husband, on the 19th of January, 1836. 
Her father, Coe B. Smith, was also a native of 
Romulus, N. Y., and was the son of Gilbert Smith, 
of Orange County. The latter was the son of Henry 
Smith, whom it is supposed was a native of the 
same county, and it is known that he .at one time was 
an extensive land-owner. Subsequently, on account 
of signing notes for friends, he lost the larger por- 
tion of his property. His death took place in 
Orange Count}'. Grandfather Smith removed to 
Seneca County early in 1800. and was one of the 
pioneer settlers of Romulus Township. Upon Iiis 
removal he had a little capital of $500, and in com- 
pany with his father-in-law, purchased land there. 
The title, however, proved to be defective, and 
they lost the whole of it. Mr. Smith came to Michi- 
gan with Mr. and Mrs. Emens, and made his home 
with his children and grandchildren until his death, 
in 1871. 

The maiden name of the paternal grandmother of 
Mrs. Emens w;is Penelope Caton. She died in 
Romulus, N. Y., about 1841. The father of Jlrs. 
E. resided in Seneca County until 1866, then com- 
ing to Southern Michigan purchased, in company 
with Mr. Emens. a farm in Hillsdale County, which 
they operated together several years. Mr. Smith 
then disposed of his interest to our subject, and is 
now living in Hudson, Lenawee Count}'. His wife 
was in her girlhood Miss Fanny Hagaraan, and was 
l)orn in Seneca County. N. Y., April G, 1812. Her 
parents, Francis and Catherine (Waldron) Hag.a- 
raan, were natives of New Jersey and early settlers 
of Seneca County, N. Y., where they spent their 
last years. The motlicr of Mr.s. Emens died in 

v^ 



I 



090 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



r 



Wright Township on the ICth of March, 1870. 
Mr. and Mrs. Einens have had born to tiiem eight 
children, namely: Minerva, wife of Clarence IL 
Johnson, residents of Wright Township, and who are 
engaged in fanning; they have one daughter, Bes- 
sie E. ; Famy Anna married Willis Johnson, and they 
are also farmers of Wright Township, and have one 
child, Clifford M. ; Coe F. lives at home and is a 
teacher, as were also Minerva and Famy; Addie, 
who is also a teacher, resides at home, as do Matie 
J., Ruble, Cora and Alfred J. Mr. Emens has 
given his children the benefits of a good education. 
Samuel Waldron, the maternal great-grandfather 
of Mrs. Emens, was a native of New Jersey, and the 
son of Francis Waldron, the son of Samuel Wal- 
dron. The fatlier of the latter, a native of Holland, 
and one of the nobility, was a Baron in his own 
right, and after emigrating to America settled in 
New York State, securing the grant to a portion of 
the land now included within the limits of New 
York City, wliere it is supposed he spent the last 
years of his life. The father of Penelope Caton, 
and the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. P^raens, 
was a Baptist preacher, and also one of the pioneers 
of Seneca County. He also lost a large amount of 
property by the purciiase of land to which he could 
not obtain a clear title. He, however, recovered a 
part of his losses, and spent his last years in com- 
fortable circumstances in the State of Ohio. In 
politics Mr. Emens is a Republican. He has 
represented Wright Township in the Board of 
Supervisors four years, and is now one of the Di- 
rectors of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, of Hillsdale Count}'. He and his wife 
are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. 

,RIG. GEN. HENRY BAXTER was the 
third son of Hon. Levi and Lois (John- 
ston) Baxter, and a brother of the Hon. 
Witter J. Baxter, of Jonesville, Mich, (see 
sketch of Hon. Witter J. Baxter elsewhere in 
this work). Mr. Baxter was born Sept. 8, 1821, at 
Sidney Plains, Delaware Co., N. Y. His paternal 
grandfather, Levi Baxter, Sr.. was a Captain in the 
Revolutionary War, serving until peace was de- 




clared, while his maternal grandfather. Col. Witter 
Johnston, also served during tiio entire struggle. 

In 1831 Henry Baxter came to Michigan with 
his father, and settled at Tecuraseh, where he re- 
mained until 183C, and then removed to White 
Pigeon. In 1845 or 1846 he settled at Jonesville, 
where, in connection with his father, he bad an in- 
terest in a store and mill, which he conducted until 
1849, when, in company with a number of other 
young men, he went across the plains to California, 
acting as Captain of this semi-military organization 
during their journej'. On his return in 1852 Mr. 
Baxter made Jonesville his home, and engaged in 
milling and other business until the commencement 
of the Civil War. In connection with Capt. S. B. 
Vroman and others he assisted in raising a company 
who were to choose their officers from their own 
number. Mr. Baxter was chosen Captain, and 
with the other officers of the compfiny. passed the 
spring of 1861 at the camp of instruction at P't. 
Wayne, Detroit. They were organized as Com- 
pany C. 7th Michigan Infantrj', and went into 
camp at Monroe, under Col. Ira R. Grosvenor; 
they left for the front on the 5th of September, 
1861. The 7th Regiment was with Gen. McClellan 
during the entire Peninsular campaign, and was 
actively engaged during the battle of Fair Oaks. 
During the campaign Capt. Baxter was promoted 
to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and acted in this 
cap.acity in all its memorable battles. At the battle 
of Antietam he was wounded in the abdomen by 
a musket ball, and considering his case hopeless he 
remained in his saddle until exhausted, and was 
then borne off the field, as he supposed to die. The 
ball had, however, passed around the vital parts 
and lodged in the hip, and though it could not be 
extr.acted, his excellent habits and strong constitu- 
tion Ijrought him safelj' through. 

In December, 1862, Col. Baxter was on duty in 
command of the 7th Regiment at the battle of 
Fredericksburg. He volunteered to cross the 
Rappahannock, and dislodge the Confederate sharp- 
shooters from their works, so that Gen. Burnside's 
forces could throw pontoons across the river to at- 
tack the stronghold, but he was not permitted to 
lead his gallant regiment in that daring undertak- 
ing. After embarking his men and while standing 



r* 



4 



IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 



991 



in his boat, directing tiieir movements, he was 
struck in the left sh<)ul<lei' by a bullet, which 
shattered the lione and paralyzed liiui for several 
(hiys. Again he was supposed to be fatally wounded, 
and he was returned to the shore, but his men, 
inspired by his daring example, effected a crossing 
and accomplished their object. He was promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier General, and in the battle 
of Gett3'sburg commanded a brigade in the 1st 
Corps under Maj. Gen. Reynolds. In that engage- 
ment Gen. Baxter lost every member of his staff 
by woundst capture or death, and more than one- 
half of his men. He was with the Army of the 
Potomac during the entire time it was commanded 
bj" Gen. Meade, and was severely wounded in the 
leg above the knee the second day of the battle of 
the Wilderness. The same ball killed his horse, 
and the second horse was killed under liim during 
the engagement. For the third time he was unable 
to assume command, and after his recovery in 
about a month, he again took the field, and was 
with the 5th Corps in all the battles preceding the 
fall of Richmond, and after the surrender of Lee 
and Johnston he was put in command of a brigade 
in the provisional corps. For his brilliant services 
the Government presented him with a valuable 
sword, and promoted him to the rank of Brevet 
Major General, an honor worthily bestowed and 
honorably earned. 

On leaving the service Gen. Baxter returned 
to Jonesville, and served two years as Register of 
Deeds, and in 1869 President Grant appointed him 
United States Minister, resident at Honduras. 
There he remained until the consolidation of the 
Central American Republic under one head dis- 
pensed with the odicc. On his return in 1872, he 
engaged in the lumber business, but a cold which 
he contracted developed into a severe attack of 
pneumonia, and after a very short illness he died, 
Dec. 30, 1873. He became a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and died peacefuUj' in the assur- 
ance of Christian faith. Gen. Baxter's religious 
experience was clear and marked from the first. 
From a loving and sainted mother he received 
Godly training, and her example, with its silent but 
mighty and ever-working force, was a coiistiint 
voice urging to a Christian life. In 1866 he com- 



menced his religious life, entering upon it with the 
same bold-hearted spirit that cliaracterizeil his 
acts. His was no halting, half-way devotion ; with 
no wish ever to leave the Master's service, all Chris- 
tian duties were promptly performed. While in 
Central America, when his family was deprived of 
the privileges of public worship, he held household 
worship, and so he lived everywhere, ever seeking 
to know and serve the Master he loved. 

Mr. Baxter was united in marriage, May 4, 1854 
with Miss Elvira E., eldest daughter of Austin 
George, Esq., an old resident of Hillsdale County. 
He left four children, three daughters, and a son, 
a Lieutenant in the San Salvador Army, in Central 
America. The local papers in mentioning Gen. 
Baxter's death said : " He was one of the best of men, 
social, unassuming, honest and generous to a fault. 
Not many who have passed through so many of 
the varied scenes of life have had so few enemies, 
or been so universally beloved as Henry Baxter." 



£-*^ 



l!.- 



JOIIN MILLER. It has been the privilege 
of this old and honored pioneer of Hillsdale 
County to witness the development of Cam- 
den Township from nearly first princii)les 
to its present flourishing condition. He came to 
this section of country when a young man, with his 
little family, and settled practically in the wilder- 
ness upon the land which he has since transformed 
into a valuable farm. In his labors and struggles 
he was assisted by the most excellent of wives, who 
still continues his loving companion and helpmate, 
and who now with him is enjoying the decline of 
life, surrounded bj- all its comforts and many of its 
luxuries. Thej' have built up for themselves a 
good record, one which will be remembered to 
their credit in the years to come. 

Our subject is a native of the now great and 
populous State of Ohio, his birth taking place in 
Columbiana County, Sept. 10, 1826. His parents. 
John and Barbara (Keller) Miller, were natives of 
Pennsylvania, and his paternal grandfather, John 
Miller, wa.s killed by the Indians fifteen miles west 
of Ilarrisburg, during the early days before the 
Indians had been removed from that section of 



^ 



992 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



country, and when iLey were continually enemies 
to the peace and inosiieiity of the while settlers. 
At the time of Grandfatlier Miller's taking cff two 
of his sons barely escaped with their lives, and the 
rest of the family were all massacred. From those 
two sprang this luanch of the Miller family of the 
United States. 

John Miller, Sr., was one of the pioneers of 
Columbiana County, Ohio, where he lived until 
1845, then sold out and moved to Ft. Wayne, 
Ind. There he engaged as a tiller of the soil, and 
remained until his decease, which occurred about 
1858. 

John Miller, Jr., the father of our subject, took 
up his residence in Portage Count}', Ohio, five 
years after the birth of his son John, and where he 
spent the remainder of his life, liis death occurring 
in 1872. He settled upon a tract of Government 
land, and was subjected to the common lot of the 
pioneer, building up slowly from the uncultivated 
soil 'a comfortable homestead. He was a man 
active, industrious and energetic, and became widely 
and favorably known throughout that section of 
the Buckeye State with whose interests he was 
closely identified, and was foremost to encourage 
all the projects set on foot for the general progress 
and welfare of the people. In religious matters he 
belonged to the Lutheran Church. The mother 
died man}' years before her husband. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
fourteen children, twelve of whom survive, being 
all quite aged and enjoying excellent health. Joshua 
resides in Kosciusko County, Ind.; John, our sub- 
ject, is next to the eldest living; Elizabeth died 
when about thirt}' years old; Susan, Mrs. Porter, 
is a resident of Stark County, Ohio; Catherine, 
Mrs. Snyder, is also a residentof that State; Normal 
lives in Indiana; Sarah A. in Wisconsin; Mary A. 
died when thirty-five years old ; Henry, Edwin, 
Levi, and Samantha, Mrs. Richard Dipple, are all 
living in Portage County, Ohio; Melvin lives in 
Akron, Summit County, that State; Frederick died 
when about three years old, and one infant died 
unnamed. 

Mr. Miller, our subject, spent his early life iii his 
native county, and as soon as old enough com- 
menced helping to clear the land and build up the 



pioneer home. He received a limited education in 
the subscripticm schools, and at the age of twenty- 
seven years was united in marriage, Nov. G, 1853, 
with Miss Catherine Stambaugh, who was a native 
of Stark Coimty, tiiat .State, and born Dec. 16, 
1830. Mrs. Miller is the daughter of Moses and 
Betsy (Cop) Stambaugh, who were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, and eaily settlers of Stark County, Ohio. 
Her father was twice married, Mrs. M. being the 
child of the first marriage. He was the parent of 
eight children, namely: Catherine; Mary A., Mrs. 
Walter Kellogg, of Woodbridge Townshi)), this 
count}'; Henry, who died when nine months old; 
Melinda, Mrs. David Shook, of Portage County, 
Ohio; Albert, of Cleveland, Ohio; Henry T., of 
Woodbridge Township, this county ; Alpheus, of 
Kent, Ohio, and Alice. 

Our subject and his wife after their marriage 
settled in Portage County, Ohio, whence they re- 
moved in 1854, coming to this county, of which 
they have since been residents. They are the par- 
ents of one child only, a daughter, Alice A., who 
was born Nov. 7, 1854, and is now living with her 
l)arents. Mr. Miller, politically, is an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat, and has held the various township 
offices, being particularly interested in the establish- 
ment and maintenance of schools. He is in favor 
of everything to improve the county and elevate 
society. 



ORATIO NELSON ROWLEY. The pa- 
il ternal ancestrv of this gentleman dates back 




to the Rowley family who emigrated from 
Wales during Colonial times, and the an- 
cestry on the maternal side also dates back to th.it 
early period, they having been former residents of 
England. The grandfather of our subject, Daniel 
Rowley, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
at that time a native and resident of Connecticut, 
afterward moving to Wyoming County, N. Y., in 
which place he died at the age of eighty years, 
leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his 
decease. The father of our subject, Daniel Rowley, 
Jr., was born in Washington County, N. Y., and 
the mother of our subject, Lois (Holmes) Rowley, 
was born in Saratoga County, of the same State. 



=r 



t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



993 



A 



Shortly after their marriage war was declared against 
Greal'Britaiii.and the husband enliste.l as a soldier, 
participating in many of the battles of the War of 
1812. After the war closed they settled in Lric 
Countv, N. Y., where they remained until their 
emi>'ration to Hillsdale County, Mich., which oc- 
curred in 183C. They bought 158 acres of Land 
in Moscow Township, and made their home on the 
farm the remaining days of their earthly career, the 
mother's death occurring in the year 1860, and that 
of the father in 186G. They were the parents of 
nine children, four girls and five boys. 

Our subject, the fifth child of the family, was 
born on the 15th of September, 1819, in Erie 
County, N. V., where he passed his boyhood days. 
When his parents came to Michigan he was seven- 
teen years old, receiving his education in the com- 
mon schools of the day. On the 19th of February, 
1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Betsey 
Ann McKercher, a daughter of Duncan and Kath- 
erine (Campbell) McKercher. Her father was born 
in Montgomery County, N. Y., and was a soldier in 
the War of 1812, but having been accidentally 
aiven poisoned food, he suffered for many years 
from the effects of it, which finally resulted in his 
death iu the year 1824. The mother was bom in 
Scotland, and died in the year 1830, aged forty- 
seven years. They had six children, three boys 
and three girls, two of whom died when young. 

Mrs. Rowley, the wife of our subject, was the 
youn-est of her father's children, having been born 
on the 23d of August, 1824, in Montgomery 
County, N. Y. She remained there until seven 
years old, and then moved with her brothers and 
sisters to Livingston County, N. Y. She attended 
the common schools and was fifteen years old when 
she came to Michigan with her brothers and sisters, 
in the year 1839, where her brother John, who was 
the guardian of the rest of the children, bought a 
farm in Moscow Township, on which they settled. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are the parents of eleven 
children: Marion and John M., since deceased; 
Daniel D. ; Ransom A., deceased ; Horatio N. ; Dian- 
tha V. and Osman D., deceased ; Elizabeth A. ; Will- 
iam C, deceased; Josephine L. and James W.; the 
latter is decease.]. I>aniel D. married Miss Kranccs 
Haynes, and resides at Hanover; he is a dealer m 



agricultural implements, and has four children- 
Horatio H., Edith M., Josephine F. and Arthur V. 
Horatio N. is engaged in business at Hanover, .-vnd 
married Mary E. Finch, by whom he has one child 
—Elizabeth A. Elizabeth A. married Clarence T. 
Rogers, an attorney-at- law, residing at Sycamore, 
III. Josephine L. is at home. The children who 
survive in this family have received excellent edu- 
cations, Daniel D. having taken the classical course 
at Hillsdale College; Horatio, a graduate from the 
commercial department of the same college, and 
Elizabeth, who graduated with the degree of P. D. 



in the class of '83. She is also a graduate from 
Mrs. Noble's School of Elocution, of Detroit, in the 
class of '85. Josephine was a member of the class 
of '83 at Hillsdale College, but did not graduate. 

Mr. Rowley is the owner of 340 acres of land in 
Moscow Township, 100 acres in Crawfor.l County, 
and is also the owner of valuable village property 
in Hanover. He has left the care of his farms to 
others, and is now successfully engaged in the 
banking business at Hanover. When he was a 
young man of twenty-one years he wished to locate 
a tr.act of Government land in Kent County, but 
his parents refused permission for him to do so, and 
he reluctantly gave up his own plans and remained 
at home. Fortune has since smiled upon him, and. 
without self-conceit, he bestows upon Providence 
the honor of his success, though doubtless most 
of it is due to his own good management and splen- 
did business qualifications. 

Our subject must not only be remembered as a 
pioneer of Michigan who helped to subdue the 
forests and cultivate the land, but also as one of 
the foremost workers to the advancement of religion 
and temperance. To him is due the honor of hav- 
ing conducted the first barn raising in Moscow 
Township without the stimulus of whisky being 
given the workmen. He has cleared and improved 
his farms nicely, having constructed 900 rods of 
stone fence, also good houses and barns, which com- 
pare favorably with any in the county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, of Hanover, having been 
church members for forty-five years, and they are 
also strong a.lvocates of the temperance cause. At 
the breaking out of the war our subject was receiv- 



994 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



ing medical treatment in Chicago, and wiiile there 
it was that the first gun of the war was opened on 
Ft. Sumter. The last three years of the war he was 
Treasurer of the Soldiers' Fund of the First Con- 
gressional District of Michigan. He was originally 
a member of the Whig party, but upon the birth of 
the Republican party he voted for John C. Fre- 
mont. He has always voted and will continue to 
vote for principle and reform. At the age of 
twenty-one he was elected Constable, and since 
then has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, 
with credit to himself and his constituents, for many 
years. He has been five times elected Supervisor. 
He may well be gratified with the success that has 
uniformly attended lus business, and the esteem in 
which he is held bj- the residents of his community. 



M;i]_^ ON. WITTER J. BAXTER, A. M., sou of 
Levi and Lois (Johnston) Baxter, was born 
'/ at Sidney Plains, Delaware Co., N. Y.. 
1 June 18, 1816. The Baxter and Johnston 
families were among the first settlers in the valley 
of the Susquehanna, and were strongly imbued 
with the pioneer enterprise and stanch patriotism 
which have won for that section an honorable place 
in our early history. 

The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Baxter 
served during the entire Revolutionary War, enlist- 
ing as a private, and attaining the rank of Captain. 
Mr. Baxter's maternal great-grandfather, the Rev. 
William Johnston, was of Scotch-Irish nationality, 
and settled in Sidney Plains, N. Y^., in 1772 ; he died 
at Cobleskill, N. Y'., soon after the termination of 
the war. His son, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born in Ireland, and when sixteen years of age 
removed with his father to Sidney Plains. During 
the whole period of the Revolutionary War, in which 
he acquired the rank of Colonel, he served liis 
adopted country with unswerving devotion. 

In 1831 the subject of this sketch came with his 
father's family to what was then the Territory of 
Michigan, making a home first at Tecumseh, where 
they remained for five years, when they removed to 
White Pigeon, and thence, in 1848, to Jonesville. 
Mr. Baxter received his education in the common 



schools of Sidney Plains, N. Y., and Tecumseh, 
Mich., and at the branches of the Michigan Uni- 
versity in Tecumseh, White Pigeon and Detroit. 
The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred ujjon 
him by the university, and in 183C he engaged in 
teaching, spending a number of years in this voca- 
tion, and being at different times connected with 
several branches of the State University; he was for 
one year Principal of the Collegiate Institute at 
Ontario, Ind. In 1841, while teaching in Detroit, 
he commenced reading law in the office of Barston 
& Lockwood, and continued his legal studies with 
Zephaniah Piatt, then attorney of the State. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1844, and formed a 
partnership with Andrew Harvej'. which was main- 
tained for four years. During Mr. Baxter's resi- 
dence in Detroit, he was a working member of the 
Young Men's Society, and served upon its board as 
Director and President. In 1848 he removed to 
Jonesville, and entered into business with W. W. 
Murphy, the partnership existing until 1874. Mr. 
Baxter from its organization wiw a member of the 
banking firm of Grosvenor & Co., Jonesville, and 
was actively identified with the social, educational 
and business interests of that progressive town. 

In 1852 the subject of this notice was united 
in marriage with Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. 
Abraham and Clarissa (Holly) Beaumont, and 
o-randdaughter of Myron Holly, who will long be 
remembered as prominent among the earnest and 
uncompromising advocates of the abolition of 
American slavery. Dr. Abraham BeauuKjut was a 
contractor in building the canal through Lyons, N. 
Y. The family came to Monroe, Mich., and re- 
moved to Tecumseh in 1849, and to Jonesville in 
1851. They made their residence in Jonesville, but 
at the same time Dr. Beaumont was Station Agent 
at Burr Oak, St. Joseph County, in this State, and 
died there March 31, 1852. His remains were 
brought back to Jonesville for interment. The 
widow survives, and resides in Iowa. 

The parental family of Mrs. Baxter included ten 
children, recorded as follows: Ellen is the widow 
of the late Hon. William W. Murphy ; Alice, Mrs. 
B.axter, was born Sept. 18, 1831 ; Sallie is the wife 
of Prof. J. M. B. Sill, Princii)al of the State Normal 
School at Ypsilanti; Gertrude is the widow of Wal- 



i 




-4* 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



tev Aikenl.ead. and resides in Louisiana; Myron 
H served during Ihc laie war, in wlncl. lie attained 
the rank of Colonel, and is deceased ; Oliver, who also 
served in the army, and Mary are deceased ; Mary H 
is the wife of Prof. A. S. Welch, of the Iowa State 
Agricultural Society, Elizabeth B. is the w.dow o 
Fr-ink li. Graham, and resides in Ypsilantu and 
Robert H. is a business man of Port Huron, this 

State. 

Hon Witter J. and Alice Baxter became the par- 
ents of four children, recorded as follows: Lev. 
Benjamin died in infancy; Nellie B. is the wife of 
George P. Peabody ; Walter M. died in Jonesvde, 
March 7. 188.5, aged twenty-eight years, and Wittei 
J Ir is Uving at home. Alice (Beaumont) Baxter, 
the'faithful and loving wife, the kind and indulgent 
mother, an.l the true and affectionate fr.end, de- 
parted this life April 2, 1872. She possessed ,n an 
nnusual degree both mental and personal attrac- 
tions, and her death was widely felt as an irrepara- 

ble loss. 

Hon Witter J. Baxter was one of the organizers 
of the Joint Exchange Bank of Grosvenor & Co., 
which was established in lSo4, first doing business 
,„Kler the name of W. W. Murphy & Co. He was 
connected with this institution until 187/, when he 
disposed of his interest to his associates. Mr. Bax- 
ter was a very generous man, though h.s gifts to 
the poor were in most instances known only to the 
,eeipients of his bounty. He was extremely liberal 
in church affairs, ..nd he contributed several thou- 
sand dollars toward the building of radroads, the 
cotton and woolen factories, and other enterprises 
which it was thought would add to the welfare of 
the town he called home. He invariably contrib- 
uted his share to every movement set on foot or 
the benetit of his community, and continued h.s 
.ood wo,k up to his death, which o---' ^"^ 
denly at his residence in Jonesv.Ue, leh. G, 1888. 
The funeral took place from the Presbyter.an 
Church in the afternoon of February 9, -f^^f^^ 
of the Knights Templars, and was la.gely attended 
by all classes, the business houses be.ng closed dur- 
i,;. the funeral service. His death was consnle.e. 
a m.blic loss, as that of a man whose place .t would 
be hard to fill, and friends and acquan.tances far 



and near united in tendering their heartfelt sym- 
pathy to the family in their bereavement. 

Connected from his boyhood with the Presby- 
terian Church, Mr. Baxter was ever a stanch ad- 
herent to its principles, and was well known as a 
faithful and efficient Sunday-school wo.ker. J.i 
1857 he was appointed by Gov. Bingham a member 
of the State Board of Education, and was elected 
to the position for four conscotive terms of six 
years each, serving for twelve years as President 
He was Secretai-y of the State Board of Geological 
Survey from its establishment until his res.gnat.on, 
in 1881. Originally a Whig, he was connected 
with the Republican iiarty after its o.-ganization, 
and was unswerv.ng in his political alliliations. He 
was elected State Senator from the Ninth District 
for the biennial term beginning in 1887, and was 
durino- his residence in JonesviUe a member of 
the St'ate Agricultural Society, serving for one t«rm 
as President. He was an active member of the 
Masonic fraternity, having atUxined the degree of 
Kni-ht Templar. He also belonged to the I. O. 
O F In March, 1881, he was elected Sec.-etary 
of the State Board of Cor.ections and Chant.es. 
Cordially interested in Hillsdale County P.oneer 
Society, a.id in the State Pioneer Association, he 
was a member of each from the time of its o.gan.- 
zatio..,and in each as President rendered faithful 
service. 




ILLIAM H. CAN N IFF. George Stephen- 
son did n,ore for the world than he or the 
most sanguine of his colleagues dreamed 
would ever be possible. The commerce of the 
world would be an impossibility without h.s d.scov- 
ery an.l application. With this it is a miracle. Ihe 
preset sketch is a brief co.npen.lium of one who .s 
',tncially connected with one of the great ra.lroads 
linkin- the Eastern market with the Western pro- 
duceiCandsofar as his intelligent ability allows, 
aids in producing the marvelous results of the 

WilUam II. Canniff, Division Superintendent of 
the La.ising Division of the Lake Shore & Michi- 
gan Southern Railroad, who makes his headq..arters 




996 



■ •► ^ h 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



: -a vt 



at Hillsdale, is a native of this district, and was born 
at Litchfield on the 2-2d of October, 1847, and is 
the eldest son of a family of three children born to 
Lewis B. Canniff and wife, both natives of New 
York State. The maiden name of his mother was 
Matilda L. Hatch, who, like her husband, was born 
in Orleans County, in the above State. Not long 
after their marriage, however, they removed to 
Eaton County, Mich., which was their home from 
the year 1846 until, perhaps, two years later, when 
they removed to Hillsdale County, and made their 
home at Litchfield. 

Having some aptitude and desire toward mechan- 
ics, the father of our subject went into the mills 
near home, but later turned his attention to rail- 
roading, went to Lenawee Count}', and was em- 
ployed in what was then known as the Miciiigan 
Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad, and was sta- 
tioned at Clayton, acting as agent for several yeai's, 
but for the past twenty years has been living upon 
his farm near that city. 

Our subject attended the school at Clayton, and 
after completing its curriculum, entered the railroad 
service in 1863, being then about sixteen years of 
age. In 1865 he was appointed Station Agent at 
Trenton; in August, 1868, was promoted to be joint 
agent at Salem Crossing, and in August of 1882 
was appointed trackmaster at Kendallwell upon the 
Air Line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern 
Railroad; in December, 1879, was appointed track- 
master of the same road in another district, and in 
November, 1880, was promoted to his present posi- 
tion. The year following his appointment the 
company placed under his charge lines of the De- 
troit, Hillsdale & Southwestern Railroad, and some 
time later added to this the Ft. Wayne & Jackson 
Railroad. 

Upon the 1st of June, 1868, our subject was hap- 
pilj' married to Miss Grozelia Simmons, of Tren- 
ton, a lady of refinement and culture, and eminently 
fitted to occupy any position in life, whether in the 
home or in the larger circle of general society. 
This lady is the daughter of John Simmons, f^sq. 
This marriage has i)een happily fruitful in the birth 
of one son, and in him his parents center hopes of 
future success, and have been glad to watch the de- 
velopment of character, anil traits that point toward 



a noble manhood. He has been named Charles, 
and will doubtless wear it with honor and dignity. 
Socially, our subject is connected with the order of 
the Knights Templar, and by them most highly 
esteemed. This is equally true of his companion- 
ship and brotherhood in the Chapter of Blue Lodge. 
True manhood and nobility of character always de- 
mand and will receive admiration and respect from 
those whose regard is worth receiving. 



38^ 




NDREW J. SPEER is one of the prosper- 
MIU\\ ous farmers of Fayette Township, whose 
ll\ position socially and financially, and whose 
eminent respectability and high moral char- 
acter require for him some mention in a volume of 
this description. His highly cultivated and fertile 
farm is situated upon section 32 of the above town- 
ship. He is the son of Henry T. and Abigail (Du- 
bois) Speer, both natives of New York. His father 
was born in Essex County, June 4, 1792; his mother 
in Ulster County, on the 30th of June the year fol- 
lowing. They settled in Seneca County of the 
same State upon their marriage, and continued to 
reside there until 1829, when they went to Michi- 
gan, and settled at Lodi Plains in Washington 
County, whicli was their home until their death. 
The mother of our subject died on the 30th of March, 
1863; his father, April 20, 1867. Their family cir- 
cle included five sons and one daughter. 

Our subject was the j'oungest member of the 
family, and was born at the homestead at Lodi 
Plains on the 2d of September, 1837. He was reared 
ui)on his father's farm and was early initiated into 
the work incidental to such life, and which has be- 
come far from uncongenial to him, and he has made 
it his life occupation. What education he received 
was obtained in the common school of his native 
place, which was, however, very inferior to that 
which would be obtained to-day. 

Until the year 1872 our subject continued to 
make his home at Lodi Plains, but early in that 
year he removed to North Atlaras, Hillsdale County, 
where he purchased a farm known as the '-Cutler 
Farm," which is novv occupied for the most part 
by North Adams Village. Our subject operated 



*t 



■^•- 



IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 



•J97 



tliat farm for about four years, lint continued to 
live in North Adams till the year 1884, when he 
removed to Fayette Township, and there iiurcliased 
a property comprising 13G acres, in close proximity 
to the village of Jonesville. 

At Lodi Plains, on the 22d of April, 1857, Mr. 
Speer entered into a matrimonial alliance with Miss 
Sarah E. Ilamlin, a daughter of Oliver and Mary 
(Bailey) Hamlin, who was born near Danbury, 
Conn., where they were married and settled until 
the death of Mr. Hamlin. Jan. 7, 1844. Some time 
after the death of her husband Mrs. Hamlin be- 
came the wife of Joseph Ball, and still resides with 
her husband at Columbia, Jackson Co., 3Iieh. The 
mother of our subject, by her first marriage, be- 
came the mother of a son and daughter. Mr. 
and Mrs. Speer have had the happiness of see- 
ing three children born to them, grow up and de- 
velop characters which promise large returns in the 
high attributes of character, and proportionately 
satisfactory and successful lives. The names of Mr. 
Speer's children are as appended: Clarence E., 
Frank H. and Edith B. The eldest son is married 
to Jessie M. Farmer, and has a very pleasant and 
happ3- home in Hillsdale; this son is by profession 
a dentist. The other children are still at home. 

Our subject is connected socially with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity. He is not a man prominent in the 
political arena, but is at the same time diligent to 
perform to the best of his power every obligation 
as a citizen and patriot. For many years he stood 
in the ranks of the Democratic part3', but latterly, 
believing that the times demanded some such meas- 
ures as those proposed by the Prohibition party, he 
has had the courage of his convictions and joined 
that party. 




LBERT J. WHITNEY is a prominent far- 
mer residing on section '20, Litchfield 
Township. His father, Isaac A. Whitney, 
was boiii in Seneca Township, Ontario Co., 
N. Y., and his mother, Jane (Moore) Whitne}', was 
born in Phelps Township, Ontario Co., N. Y. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject, Washing- 
« ton Moore, lived in Massachusetts, and served in 
IT the War of 1812. The parents of our subject lived 



1^ 






for awhile in Genesee County, N. Y., where they 
were engaged in farming until the fall of the year 
18()G, when tlie3' came to Michigan, .settling in 
Hillsdale County. Here the father died, in the year 
187C, aged seventy-one years, but the mother still 
lives with our subject, being eighty-two j'cars old. 

Our subject dates his ancestrj- back to the time 
of the "Mayflower," to the person of John Whit- 
ney, a Puritan, who left his home on Whitney street, 
Liverpool, and came to Massachusetts in 16.34. at 
the age of thirty-five 3'ears. In the immediate 
family of our subject there were nine children, all 
of whom lived to the years of manhood and woman- 
hood. His two brothers, Loran and Frank, enlisted 
in the Civil War, the former in the 18th Michigan 
Infantry and the latter in the Ifjlh New York Cav- 
alry. Loran was taken seriously ill and died in the 
hospital to which he had been removed. Frank 
died at Milan Prison, in Georgia, after having been 
transferred, confined and tortured in the following 
prisons: Belle Island, Andersonville, Savannah and 
Milan. 

Our subject, the youngest of the children, was 
born in September, 1847, in Alabama, Genesee Co., 
N. Y. He had two brothers who participated 
in the battles of the late Civil War. but who were 
permitted to return to their homes in safety. Wash- 
ington enlisted in the 11th Michigan and served 
for three years, and Ami enlisted with the 27th 
New York Infautrj' and served two j'cars. Albert 
was a boy of nineteen when he came to Michigan 
with his parents, and he remained with them until 
he was married, which event occurred on the 3lst 
of July, 18G'J. 

Mrs. Laura A. (Waite) Whitney' is a daughter 
of Joseph and Caroline Waite, her father having 
been born in Lima, N. Y., and her mother in New- 
stead Township, Erie Countj', of the same State. 
They settled in Crittenden, in which place the father 
followed the oecu[)ation of a farmer, and then com- 
ing West thej' lived for five years in Illinois, after 
which they moved to Michigan and settled in But- 
ler, Branch County. The ni(»ther died in New 
York, aged sixty-three years, and the father died 
in 1877 at the age of fifty-five 3'ears. They had 
two children — Cerrissa A. and Laura Ann. 

The wife of our subject was born on the 27lh of 

— >► > ^ 1 



'I 



998 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



March, 1850, in Newstead Townsliip. Erie Co., N. 
Y., and wlien her parents came to Michigan she 
was not quite a year old. At the age of thirteen 
j'ears she began to work out for her living, which 
she did until she was nineteen years ohl. The edu- 
cational facilities being limited, and she iiaving to 
support herself, she was unable to attend school 
after she was fourteen years old. Our subject also 
received his education in the district schools of that 
time. He and his wife have been granted four chil- 
dren: Jennie L. ; Emma O., who died in infanc3'; 
Emmett A. and JNIabel E. ; Jennie is attending the 
Litciifield Union School, and will be a graduate in 
the class of '89; Emmett A. is at home, and Mabel 
E. is attending school. 

Mr. Whitney is the owner of eighty acres of 
farming land, and is industriously engaged in agri- 
cidtural pursuits. He is a member of the First Baptist 
Church, of Litchfield, a member of the A. O. U. W., 
of Homer, and has served seven years as School 
Director. He has enjoyed a reasonable amount of 
success in his business, and has won the respect and 
esteem of the residents of his community. He is 
strongly in favor of the strict enforcement of the 
temperance laws of the land, and is closely identi- 
fied with the Prohibition party. 



m 



^T^lLMORE A. CAHOW, farmer, living on 
IJU] section 5 of Camden Township, occupies a 
l} ^ — --< / prominent place among the representative 
agriculturists of Hillsdale County. He is a native 
of the Buckeye State, born in Summit County, 
March 9, 1842. His father, David Cahow, was also 
a native of Ohio, and married Harriet Gleason, who 
was born in New York State, her ancestors, both 
paternal and maternal, being of New England 
origin, and probably early settlers of that section 
of the country. After marriage the parents of our 
subject located in Ohio, remaining there until 1850, 
when they removed to Michigan. They came 
directly to Hillsdale County, and became pioneers 
of Reading Township, buying the farm now owned 
and occupied by their son John. They were in- 
dustrious, hard-workingpeople, and by their energy 



and perseverance succeeded in clearing a fine farm 
from the dense forest covered land, which was in 
its primeval wildness when Mr. Cahow purchased 
it. Both he and his wife were noted fi)r their 
neighborly spirit, kind acts and wortliy deeds, and 
were well and widely known through this section 
of the county. Mr. Cahow had learned the trade 
of carpenter, and after coming to Michigan, engaged 
in it to a considerable extent, besides attending to 
his agricultural work. He was an enterprising man 
with progressive views, and assisted by all the 
means within his power the advancement of his 
community and his county. His death, which oc- 
curred in 1872. was a sad loss to Reading Town- 
ship, .IS well as to his immediate family. In religion 
he was a member of the United Brethren Church, 
always taking an active part in church work, 
and contributing liberally toward its support. His 
good wife preceded him to the better world, dying 
in 1857. She was a woman of rare Christian 
character, and an earnest member of the Methodist 
Church, and for years walked three miles that she 
might attend divine service. To her and her hus- 
band had been born five children, three of whom 
are now living, namely : John and Myron, residing 
in Reading Township, and Elmore A. 

The subject of this sketch was about eight years 
old when his parents removed to Michigan, and his 
subsequent boyhood and youth were passed amid 
scenes of pioneer life. His education was acquired 
in the schools of Reading Townsliip, and his practical 
knowledge of the different branches of agriculture 
was obtained at home, where he assisted his father 
in clearing and improving his farm. In January, 
1862, inspired by patriotic motives, our subjecten- 
listed in his country's defense in Comp.iny G of 
the (J8th Ohio Infantry, as a private, but for 
gallant conduct was afterward promoted to the 
rank of Corporal. His regiment was organized 
Oct. 7, 1861, and mustered into the United States 
service Nov. 28 following. It was first placed under 
the command of Gen. Grant, but was subse- 
quently transferred to Gen. Sherman's division. 
Mr. Cahow did brave service in the Union army, 
serving faithfully until the close of the war, re-en- 
listing as a veteran at Vicksburg, Dec. 16, 1863. 
He participated in the following engagements: 



t 



>» mM ^ 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



999 



Ft. Donelson, M.arch 18, 1862; t-hiloli, April 7; 
seige of Corinth in Muy ; liikii, S« pt. '2\ ; Mclaniora, 
Oct. 5; Thompson's llill.Fcl). 3. 1SC3; Knjniuiid. 
Mny 12; Champion Hill, W.iy IG; Jnclison, IMay 
19; Ft. Hill, June 22; Vicksburg, July 4; Mon- 
roe raid, July 21; siege of Atlnnla, July 21, 
18G4; Big Shanty, June 10; Eu.'h Mountain, 
June 18; Kennesaw Mountain, July 4; Nickejack, 
July 10; Atlanta, July 22; Atlanta, July 28; 
Jonesboro, Sept. 1 ; Lovejoy, Sept. 3; Milledgeville, 
Nov. 15; Savannah, Dec. 21; Pocotaligo, Jan. 16, 
18G,'); Saltcatciier Creek, Feb. 3; Orangeburg, Feb. 
12; Fayctteville, March 11; Columbia, Feb. 17; 
Cheraw, March 3; Bentonville. March 19; Golds- 
boro, March 24; Raleigh, April 14; participated in 
the capture of Johnston's army, April 28, 1865. 
He was also at Ocanee Ferry, Broad Kiver Ferry, 
Kangaroo Bridge, Began Chitto and Meridian 
raid. He was honorably discharged from service 
July 11, 1865, and now receives a pension of $4 
a month. 

After leaving the army, our subject returned to 
Hillsdale County, and Feb. 27, 1866, was united 
in marriage to Miss Maiy Shafer, a native of San- 
dusliy County, Ohio, born Jan. 16, 1848. Her 
father, the late John Shafer, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, being of German descent. He married 
Sarah Huston, who was of New England ancestry, 
but was born in Ohio. Mr. Shafer's death occurred 
iu Michigan Sept. 5, 1880. and his widow, who sur- 
vives at an advanced age, lives in Three Rivers, 
Mich. This excellent couple were the parents of 
nine children, seven of whom are living, the fol- 
lowing being their record: Samuel lives at Three 
R'vers; Adam is a resident of that township also; 
John lives in Kansas; Freeman and Clinton live .at 
Three Rivers; Sarah is the wife of Clark Rice, of 
the same place; Mary married our subject. Of 
her union with Mr. Cahow three children have been 
born: Freeman and Helena, and one who died in 
infancy. 

Two years after marriage our subject decided 
to make a permanent settlement, and looking about 
for a suitable locality. Camden Tt)wnshi|> seemed to 
liim a most desirable place, lie therefore purchased- 
the homestead where he now resides, and in the 
spring of 1868 took possession of it. Our subject 



has spared neither time nor labor in bringing his 
farm to its present fine condition, and his seventy- 
five acres of well-cultivated and well-improved land 
show him to be an adept in his occupation. His 
untiring energy and frugality, assisted by his good 
wife's able management of the household affairs, 
have been productive of good results which are 
everj'where apparent to the observer, and the career 
of our subject presents a striking exemplification 
of the success to be gained by any one, however 
poor in this world's goods, if persevering and at- 
tentive to business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cahow 
are esteemed members of societ}', and give their 
aid and influence toward improving the intellectual, 
moral and material welf.are of the township. Our 
subject is honored and respected by his fellow- 
townsmen, not onlj' for his integrity and sterling 
wortii as a man and a citizen, but for his bravery 
and patriotic conduct as a soldier who fought well 
for his country. He is a valued member of the 
Eli Oliver Post No. 209, G. A. R., Montgomery, 
Mich., and has served as .Sergeant .Major of the 
post. In politics he is a.true Republican. 






";i,UDSON A. CHURCH, who is well known 
throughout Whe.ntland Township and vicin- 
ity as one of the pioneers of .Southern 
Michigan, came to this county during its 
earl}' settlement and Ik-is since been closely iden- 
j tified with its agricultural interests. A native of 
AVayne County, N. Y., he was born Dec. 28, 1819, 
and h:is consequently nearly spanned his threescore 
years and ten. He comes of an excellent old famil^y, 
his parents being Lorenzo and Susan (Halleck) 
Church, and his p.aternal grandparents, Willard and 
.Sally (Davis) Church. 

Wilttird Church was a native of Connecticut, 
where he siH'nt his childhood, and when a lad of 
fourteen years was persuaded to leave the paternal 
roof and free himself from its natural restraints. 
He regretted this step, however, not long afterward, 
as he was captui'ed by sailors belonging to a British 
man-of-war, and he'd a prisoner for some time. 
Two years later, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted 



=^ 



i 



-4^ 



1000 



A 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



in the Revolutionary War, serving all tlirough the 
struggle and until the Colonists had secured their 
independence. Willard Church was a distant rela- 
tive of the noted Capt. Church who settled at an 
early d.ay in Connecticut — the Capt. Church who 
participated in King Philip's War. The Church 
family are of English ancestry, several members of 
the family having borne an honorable part in the 
Revolutionary War, and some of whom were pris- 
oners for the length of nine months on the British 
prison ship "Jersey," at the expiration of which 
time they were exchanged, and re-enlisted in the 
regular armj'. 

Grandfather Church, in 1842, left New York 
where he had previously settled, and made his way 
to the j'oung State of Michigan, where he took up 
his residence with his youngest daughter for a time, 
who was living in Whe.atland Township, this county. 
Later he left home to visit with a daughter in Oak- 
land County, this State, but died on his way home, 
aged eighty-five years. His wife, Sally, was also a 
native of New England, and spent her last 3'ears in 
Wayne County, N. Y., having died many years 
before her husband, at the age of sixty-five. They 
were the parents of nine children, of whom Lorenzo, 
the father of our subject, was the eldest of the seven 
boys. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., 
March 2t), 1799, and remained with his father until 
twenty years of age. He was then married to Miss 
Susan Halleck. The young peoi>le took up their 
residence on the old homestead, and a few years 
later Lorenzo Church purchased a portion of this, 
and continued a resident there until his removal to 
Michigan in January, 1838. He came on horse- 
back, his family coming in June, 1838, as indicated 
above. He had visited the Territory in the summer 
of 1834 and located 280 acres of Government land, 
then returned home and waited until the country 
should become more fully developed. 

The father of our subject, upon his removal from 
the Empire State, disposed of all of his property 
with the exception of his household goods, and 
started on the journey via the canal to Buffalo, and 
by lake to Toledo, and from that then small town 
over the first railroad built westward to Adrian. 
Thence he proceeded by w.igon, and was two d.ays 
on the road from Adrian to Wheatland Township, 



this county. Tiie family took up their abode in a 
partially finished log house, and the father at once 
commenced to clear the land, and succeeded that 
first year in putting a few acres under cultivation. 
The mother did Irer cooking out of doors by the 
side of a log for about six weeks, using for an oven 
an old-fashioned reflector. 

The second year Lorenzo Church made very 
good progress in the clearing and cultivation of his 
land, and thirteen years later had nearly the whole 
in a productive condition. He was very active and 
energetic and a hard worker, not only for himself 
but in the community around him, assisting in the 
establishment of schools and the erection of school 
buildings. He officiated as Tovvn Clerk, was active 
in polities, and served as Justice of the Peace four 
years. He was a man whom ever)'body trusted 
and respected. Like his father before him, Lorenzo 
Church identified himself with the old Whig party, 
and upon its abandonment supported Republican 
principles. It is to just such men as Lorenzo Church 
that Hillsdale County is indebted for its present 
position among the communities of the West. A 
self-educated man, he fully realized the importance 
of knowledge, and by his own efforts became thor- 
oughly well informed and familiar with the various 
topics of the day. After a long and well-spent life 
he departed hence, June 27, 1851. 

Mrs. Susan (Halleck) Church, the mother of our 
subject, was born in Greene County, N. Y., Jan. 
18, 1798, and married March 4, 1819, in Ontario 
County. She was of New England ancestry. Her 
father, Nathan Halleck, was a tailor by trade, and 
the parental household included a large family of 
children. Mrs. Church accompanied her husband 
to the West, and with him shared patiently and 
cheerfully all the hardships and privations of pio- 
neer life. She died at the home now occupied by 
our subject on the 1st of June, 1875. 

Judson A. Church, after the death of his father, 
assumed charge of the homestead, which was left to 
him as a portion of his lierit.agc, and the mother 
and children all lived there for some years. Frank 
Church, the youngest brother of our subject, has 
continued with him since that time, the two labor- 
ing together with a common interest. Judson A. 
was married, on the 24th of March, 1809, to Miss 



t 



T 



IlILLSDALK COUNTY. 



1001 



Caiolinc Liveniiofc, who was born in Ontario 
County, N. Y., Nov. 14, 1840. Iler |)arents. John 
and Mary (Martin) I^ivcrmore, were natives of New 
York, and long since passed awa}'. Tliey had a 
l';in)ily of eleven ehildrcn. 

Mrs. Church is a Iad\' greatly respected in her 
connnunity, active, earnest and intelligent, a de- 
voted niemlier of tiic Baptist Ciiurch, and has been 
President of its Home Missionary Society, with 
whicii she has been connected for years. She is 
also one of the Vice Presidents of the W. C. T. U., 
and is active in Sundaj'-school and temperance 
work. They have no children. 

Mr. F. G. Church is connected bj' niembershii) 
Willi the Baptist congregation, and uniformly votes 
the Kepublican ticket. He has held various local 
oflices in Wiieatland Township; was Postmaster for 
a [leriod of over ten years, and served as Township 
Clerk for live years; he is at present Assistant 
I'ostmaster and a .School Director in his district. 
For several yeai's he was Secretary of the Ceme- 
tery Association. He and his son-in-law, Mr. Wood- 
worth, have considerable capital invested in a store 
of general racrehandise at Church's Corners. The 
Church's Corners post-office occupied a room in the 
house of IMr. F. G. Church for a period of eighteen 
years. 

Frank G. Church was born in Wayne County, 
N. Y., Sept. 5, 1830. He continued with his mother 
after the death of his father until his marriage, and 
after bringing his bride to the old homestead, 
erected a house for himself, and still occupies a part 
of the land which his father took up from the Gov- 
ernment. His wedding with Miss Mary AYood was 
celebrated on the 20th of October, 18.58, at the 
home of the bride in Wheatland. Mrs. Mary Church 
was born May 6, 1838, in Columbia, Lorain Co., 
Ohio, and is the daughter of Seth and Lydia (Gates) 
Wood. Mr. Wood was born in Madison, N. Y., 
his wife in A'ermonl. Mr. Wood died Jan. 1, 
1855; Mrs. Wood is still living. Of JMiss Wood's 
union with our subject there is one child only, a 
daughter, Mercia, who was born at the homestead 
in Wheatland Township, .Tan. 1, 1863. She was 
married, Sept. 28, 1881, to Mr. Livingston 1). Wood- 
worth, of AVhcatland, and they arc the i)arents of 
oue child, a son. Key C, l^orn July 1 :>, 1882. Mrs, 



Woodworth was given a thorough education, com- 
pleting her studies in the Adrian High School, and 
also received tuition for several terms. .She ofliciated 
as teacher one term before her marriage. 

The parental household of Mr. F. G. Church in- 
cluded ten children, Ijrothers and sisters, si.v of 
whom are living and all residents of Wheatland 
Township. T'liey are a family peculiar in their affec- 
tion for each other, and have always managed to 
keep together. They occupied the old log house 
first built on the land for manj- 3'ears, the present 
dwelling being built in 1881. Of the ten children 
the record is as follows: Mercia was born Maj- 18, 
1824, and was married to Chancy Treadwell on the 
3d of February, 1845; they are the parents of two 
daughters: Mar^', the wife of Bartlelt Bump, and 
the mother of a son and daughter; Susan marrieil 
Mr. James iMoreland, and is living in Adrian, Mich. ; 
Miss Sarah Church was born Feb. 15, 1826, is the 
wife of Perry Knapp. being married Sept. 28, 1848, 
and the mother of three children: Amanda M. was 
born Dec. 20, 1828, and w.as married, Dec. 3, 185(>, 
to John Clark; they have one son and three daugh- 
ters. The son married Miss Lydia Evans, and the 
daughter, Minnie, is the wife of Jerome AVitlicrill, 
of Wheatland. L3-dia was born Maj- 1, 1833, and 
died in California on the 23d of June, 1857; she 
was married, on the 1 2th of October, 1 853, to James 
Humi)hrcy, and became the mother of one daughter 
who died young; Jane H. was born Feb. 8, 1834, 
and died in Wheatland, Feb. 27, 1864; Bethia was 
born Sept. 26, 1836, and died July 29. 1837 ; Alonzo 
W. was born March 4, 1838, and was married to 
Miss Helen A. Potter, Sept. 19, 1865; they have 
two children, a son and daughter. JIary II. was 
born May 17, 1840, and died June 3, 1812. 

eHARLES F. WADE, the subject of our 
sketch, is the son of James H. Wade and 
grandson of John Wade, a native of Ireland, 
who emigrated to America in 1842, .'md with his 
family of six children, four sons and two daughters, 
settled on a farm in the township of Litchfield; he 
subsequently removed to Joncsville, where lie re- 
.sidcd until his death, which occurred in 1872. His 
■» 



I 



1002 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



wife, whose maiden name was Mary Parker, died 
in Jonesville in 1863. 

James IL Wade was tlie fiflli child in order of 
hirth of his parents' family-. He was born in 183o. 
His early life was spent npon the farm in Litciilield 
Township, and he received a common-school edu- 
cation in tlic neighboring schools. Upon leaving 
the parental roof he obtained a clerliship in a drug- 
store in Jonesville, where he remained until 1852, 
when he was seized with llie "gold fever," and took 
the overland route to California for the purpose of 
raining, but on reaching the Golden State lie went 
immediately into the service of a liydraulic water 
company as agent and collector, and a part of the 
time was engaged in surveying. He returned to 
Jonesville after an absence of four j'ears, and en- 
gaged in the dr3- -goods trade under the firm name 
of Babcock & Wade. 

In 18G5 we find Mr. Wade in the hardware busi- 
ness, in company with Silal C. Baker and his 
brother, William W. Wade. In 1871 he disposed 
of the business and was appointed agent of the Ft. 
AV., J. tk S. R. li. Co., and at the same time was 
engaged with his brother William in the grain 
business; he was thus employed until February', 
1883, when he was appointed Secretary and Steward 
of the State University, at Ann Arbor, Mich., which 
position he still retains. 

While a resident of Jonesville, James II. Wade 
was alwa3's identified with every effort introduced 
for the good of the community; he was chosen 
President of the villiage, was Supervisor of the 
township, and held other local offices. For four- 
teen years he was a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation, and took an active interest in all measures 
inaugurated for the promotion of the cause of edu- 
cation. He was a member of the Presb3'-terian 
Church, and for several years served the society as 
Trustee and Elder; he is also a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and of the A. O. U. W. 

James H. Wade was united in marriage, in Jones- 
ville, in January, 1859, with Miss Elizabeth A., 
daughter of Thomas and Anne (Dickson) Sibbald, 
who was born in the township of Allen, in 1841. 
They became the parents of three children: Charles 
F.; Bertie, deceased, and Gertrude S., who is now 
a student at the State University, Mrs, Wade, like 



her husband, is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, a highly respected Christian woman, zeal- 
ous in all good works. 

Charles F. Wade, the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Jonesville, May 9, 1860, and was educated 
in the common schools of that village. In 187'J he 
accepted the position of cleikand bookkeeper in the 
dry-goods house of J. A. Sibbald <fe Co., where he 
remained until 1881; he then entered the employ 
of Grosvenor & Co., bankers, in the capacity of 
bookkeeper. At the end of one and one-half yeais 
Charles E. White, then cashier of the bank, retired, 
and Mr. Wade was appointed cashier, the duties of 
which he has since discharged. 

On the 26th of October, 1881, Mr. AVade was 
united in marriage to Miss Minnie A., daugiitei- of 
William S. Curtis, of Scipio Township, of whom 
a sketch is presented elsewhere in this volume. 'J'lie 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Wade has been brightened 
by the advent of one son, whom they named Harry 
Curtis. Mr. AVade is a member of the A. O. U. AV., 
and the United Legion of America, and has been 
Trustee of the village, and also Recorder. Though 
just entering the arena of life Mr. AA^ade has 
already won his way, by his manly qualities and 
straightforward business habits, into the esteem of 
all with whom he comes in contact, either socially or 
in business relations. 

ELIZUR AVRIGHT. Camden Townsliii) has 
few more patriotic, respected and prosperous 
citizens than the gentleman whose name and 
biography are herewith presented, and whose ad- 
mirably worked farming property and home are 
situated on section 4 of the township. He is a 
native of Portage County, Ohio, and was born ou 
the farm of his parents on the 9th of September, 
1830. He is the son of Elizur and Celinda AV^right. 
The family of which our subject is a member 
included beside the parents seven children, of whom 
five are still living: Elizur, our subject; Annie is 
living in Portage County, Ohio; Sarah, whose home 
is in Trumbull County of the same State; Charles 
and Edward, of Portage County. The family is 
descended from an old English family upon the 



r^=^ 



•► j i ^ 



■•► 



.t 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



1003 



^;,;;;;;;:7^', ^vho we.e of eaVly Eastern settlers, 
■xiid of very honorable record. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
St-ite and received a rudimentary education in the 
somewhat crude and primitive common schools of 
that time, in places so far removed from the centers 
of society, commerce .-.nd education. He was 
early inured in the trials and familiarized with the 
scenes of pioneer life, which would seem both 
slran-e and hard to ns who have been reared amid 
more" favorable surroundings and brighter influ- 

ences. , , ^ .1 

Upon June 26, 1859, Mr. Wright led to the 
nntrimonial altar and was married to Elizabeth 
Procter, a native of Ohio. The happiness of their 
married life has been deepened, and their union 
more strongly welded, by the birth of four children, 
whose names are recorded as follows: Amanda, 
Elizur, Edward and Irene. 

Mr Wright removed from Ohio about the year 
1865 and s°ettled in Hillsdale County upon his pres- 
■ ent property, which comprises eighty acres of arable 
land exceptionally suited in its composition for 
agricultural pursuits, and yielding, other things 
bein- equal, most abundant harvests. The success 
that "has come to our subject is due to his own 
earnest effort and continued perseverance, dictated 
by a laudable ambition. 

Socially, our subject is a member of the A. F. & 
A. M., and connected with the local lodge, where 
he" is'received with every respect as a true and 
faithful brother. In political matters his sympathies 
are with the Democratic party, of which he has long 
been an ardent supporter. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Wri<'ht take deep interest in all matters of local 
import, and are earnestly in favor of every project 
which promises to benefit the county or State, and 
are accorded the cordial esteem of the community, 
as is warranted by their high character and social 

position. 

. i-O-i — ■ 




ENJAMIN F. MOSS is a .very thrifty and 

progressive farmer and mechanic, and is at 

present associated willi tiie D. C. Atkins' 

Saw Company, of Indianapolis, Ind., which 

manufacture the Diamond Tooth Saw, it having 




first been made and brought into practical use by 
Messi-s. Moss & Abbott of this township in 1872. 
Our subject has since received considerable remun- 
eration from the company in return for the privi- 
lege which he granted them of manufacturing the 
said saw, though there has never been a patent 
.rranted on it. The aforementioned company 
manufacture the saws from three to twelve feet in 
length, and they have had the most extensive busi- 
ness in that line in the AVest for a number of years. 
Mr. Moss is a native of Kingsbury, Washington 
Co., N. Y., his birth having occurred on the 4lh of 
April, 1830. His father, William Moss, was a na- 
tive of the same place, having come from an old 
family which had located in that .State before the 
Revolutionary War, and some members of which 
family had served through the struggle for Ameri- 
can liberty. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject John Moss, was an extensive land and mill 
owner on the Hudson River. He was for some 
years the keeper of the public hotel situated at the 
head of Moss street, in Sandy Hill, Washington 
County. The building is an old landmark in the 
Moss family history of , Ih.at county. John Moss 
died in that place at quite an advanced age. 

The father of our subject followed the occupa- 
tions of a mechanic and farmer, and was at one 
time the owner of a very large amount of land. He 
lived to a ripe old age, enjoying his last days in the 
homes of his sons. He had married Miss Betsey 
Fritts, an aunt of John Fritts, of whom a sketch 
will appear in this work. Betsey Moss, tree Fritts. 
was a woman of remarkable vigor and physical 
strength, and she also died at an a.lvanced age, at 
the home of her son in Erie County. She was the 
mother of ten children, seven sons and three daugh- 
ters, our subject being the youngest son, and next 
to the youngest child of the family. 

When our subject was thirteen years old, his par- 
ents moved to Erie County, N. Y., and lived there 
for about twelve years. He received a good prac- 
tical education from the schools, and having natur- 
ally acquired an interest in mechanical work, he 
be'<ran to apply himself to the use of tools as early 
as^thirteen years of age. So thoroughly did he 
understand the different departments of mechanics, 
that when he was nineteen years uhl he could draft 



-•► 



I 



-4^ 



1004 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



his plans, etc., and build a house from his own archi- 
tectural and mechanical designs. Li the ye.ar 1853 
he came to Michigan and located in this township, 
where, as a thorough draughtsman and builder, he 
erected a large number of the houses. In 1855 he 
purchased eight}' acres of land, and later added 
forty-one acres to it; he has it well improved and 
adorned with good farm buildings. 

He was married in Reading Township, on the 18th 
of November, 1855, to Miss Helen M. Kinne, a 
daughter of Daniel Kinne, of whom a sketch ap- 
pears in this woi-k. INIrs. Helen INIoss was born in 
Erie County, N. Y., in 1837. She was onlj' a year 
old when she was bronght to this county, where she 
was reared and received a very good education. 
She was the mother of one child, Carl D., who died 
at the age of nine years, her own death occurring at 
her home in 1871. Mr. Moss was a second lime 
married, in Adams Township, on the 13th of March, 
1872, to Miss Hattie E. Anthony, who was born on 
the Cth of October, 1850, in Wayne County, N. Y. 



She is a daughter of Walter L. and p]liza (Sherman) 
Anthony, both of whom are living in Quinc}' Town- 
ship, Branch County. They came from New York 
to this State in 1857, and lived in Adams Town- 
ship until the year 1870, when they moved to their 
[)resent place of residence, where they are success- 
fully engaged in farming. 

Mrs. Hattie E. Moss received a very fine educa- 
tion in her native State, and before she was sixteen 
j'ears old began the profession of teaching, in 
which she was engaged until the time of her mar- 
riage, having in the meantime made a visit to Cali- 
fornia. She is the mother of three children — Blanche 
H., Daniel K. and Jlarlin B. Our subject and his 
wife arc very prominent society people of this place, 
the former l)einga member of the F. d- A. M., Blue 
Lodge No. 117, and Chapter No. 49, both of Read- 
ing. He is Treasurer of the Blue Lodge, and 
is a member of the Democratic part}'. As an en- 
terprising and successful businessman, he is entitled 
to rank among the first of his community. 



ifcS^ia 





■■r 



4 



-4»- 







Al.bcy, Albert A 718 

Ablmtt, Angus H 515 

Abbott, H.K 649 

Abbott, Lorenzo 300 

Adams, John 23 

Adams, J. Q 39 

Adams, S. K 539 

Aldrich, Benjamin F ..316 

Aldrich, Mrs. Delia F 521 

Alger, Russell A 173 

AUeger, E. 1 261 

Allen. W. S 518 

Aller. W. H 514 

A His, Lemuel A 551 

Anderson, Charles W 295 

Anderson, George F 508 

Anderson, Seth 548 

Andrews, Theron 291 

Andrus, Cassius M. C 505 

Armstrong, George 314 

Armstrong, Hon. John H 297 

Armstrong, W. A 926 

Arthur, Chester A gg 

Asliworth, John 294 

Atwood, Warren 329 

Avery, Taylor M 301 

B 



Racon, Jesse 555 

Haglcy, John J .157 

Haglcy, Joseph L --431 

Hailcy, Edward 624 

P.ailcy, Hcman D 406 

Hailcy, H. G 426 

Hailcy, L. H 445 

Bailey, Washington 298 

Baker, A. J 911 

Raker, Isaac ..430 

Raker, James 437 

Rnker, John K 597 

Raker, Willis 4U 

Halcom, Abner 965 

Raldwin, Henry P 153 

Ran, John T 615 

R.anks, George 1 554 

Bansill, George 5>7 

Rarkdall, Daniel 559 

Barker, James 386 

R.arkman, Mrs. Ellen. 439 

4» 






Barnes, Amos 416 

Barniim, W. G 886 

Barry, John S 113 

Rassett, J. H S16 

Baxter, Andrew A 536 

Baxter, Henry 990 

Baxter, Hon. Levi 067 

Baxter, Hon. Witter J 994 

Bean, Alonzo B .-•■■75° 

Beatiie, James 573 

Beatty, J. T 248 

Beckhardi, David 5^7 

Beer, William 495 

Begole. Josiah W 169 

Belcher, William H 795 

Bcmcnt, Oliver S 575 

Benedict, T. W 204 

Benson, Lorenzo 491 

Bcntley, C. A 500 

Hentley, George W 453 

Bentz, Emanviel 898 

Berleen, Paul S91 

Beriy, R. J 494 

Berry, Thomas 583 

Bibbins, Amaziah 563 

Bingham, Kinsley S 137 

Bishop, H. 1 741 

Bishop, William 562 

Black, M D 550 

Rlackman, A 

Rlair, Andrew 558 

RIair, Austin 145 

Blurton, Jonathan 244 

BoaU, John 451 

Boone, James 203 

Booth, Eli L 565 

Borton, Rev. J. P 415 

Row, Horace 538 

Rradley, Renjamin C 307 

Rranch, Walter R 411 

Brandon, George 414 

Brewster, E. C 4?9 

Brockway, B. W 858 

Brockway, T. N 865 

Brooks, R. H 360 

Brown, Dr. A. R 370 

Brown, Avery 564 

Brown, Cornelius 421 

Brown, George J 773 

Brown, Immanuel .... 39? 

Brown, Jonas 4^9 

Brown, Joseph C 577 

Rrown, Lemuel D 537 

Rrown, Parley 613 

Brown, W. E a?© 



Bruen, Charles H 420 

Bryan, William 409 

Bryant, Ira N 5»2 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buchanan, W. T 957 

Ruck. Albert B 552 

Buck, E. D 59^ 

Ruck, Hon. J. J 570 

Hunting, David P 865 

Burgan^S. R 745 

B urges, Arnold 375 

Burnett, W. E 5^7 

Burns, James A 884 

Burroughs. Ambrose M 427 

Bushnell, A. K .746 

Rushong, Andrew 217 

Rutton, James W 5*^ 

Butts, A. T sCi^ 



Cahow, Elmore A 998 

Camburn, Jacob K 852 

Campbell. E. C 590 

Canniff, W. H 995 

Card. Ira B 69^ 

Carncross, J. A 275 

Carpenter, W. A 869 

Carr, Henry T 7»7 

Carruthers, Robert 606 

Carruthers, Robert R 695 

Carter, Edward E 829 

Carter. William 680 

Case, William 847 

Case, William N 233 

Case, Willis 616 

Champlin, Hon. Elisha P... 685 

Chapman, H. B 706 

Cheney, Paschal 57^ 

Childs, W. B 266 

Church, J. A 999 

Clark, David C 789 

Clark. Mrs.C.C 7i5 

Clark, Vrtlentinc 7*9 

Clarke, John 263 

Clemans. Dr. Asa 37» 

Clement, Ch ristophcr 743 

Cleveland. S. G rover 103 

Cobb,D. T 643 

Cohn, Moses 6S9 

Colburn. Harvey 2*5 

Cole, Samuel 833 

Collins, N. R 635 

Coman, Lncian B 7<» 



Coniar, F, M 71-^ 

Concer, D. J 665 

Conklin, Dorr 896 

Con ley, John 2^8 

Converse, R. E 271 

Convis. Philo D 667 

Cook, James 634 

Cooper, James C 6^9 

Cooper, William W 827 

Cope, David 873 

Copp, Rev. John S 796 

Coryell. Charles R 702 

Cortright. C. C aiS 

Cortwright. T. C 810 

Couzens, Abraham 725 

Cox, Hon. Robert i... 657 

Cox, Robert M 191 

Crane, Albert 845 

Crane, Asa L 842 

Crane, D. P 791 

Crane, Hon. .\. H 223 

Crane, W. W 720 

Crapo, Henry H 149 

Crawford. Stewart 811 

Cioswell, Charles M 161 

Crow, Jesse 303 

Cunningham, P 739 

Curtis, William S 617 

Culler, George W 983 

D 

Daley, John 874 

Darling, R. L 580 

Davies, Edward 630 

Davis, E. C aOq 

Davis, L. R 53O 

Davis, Solomon 959 

Day, Almon 954 

Day, Willard F 2.17 

Day, Wilson 58^' 

Day, Winslow H ji/S 

Deal, Jacob J 487 

DeRow, J. A 928 

Dennis, James I 636 

DePue, A. F 6to 

Derby, Daniel J 240 

Deuel, Alfred 622 

Devillc, Stephen 777 

Dickinson, Andrew J 648 

Dillon, James K 74' 

Dillon, Joshua 493 

Diimars. Dr. W. R 483 

Divine, D. D 981 

Divine, Jamc; .750 



■ ► 11 ^^ 



INDEX. 



■'1 



Divine, Hon. Joseph 764 

Divine, William, S24 

Donaghy, W. W 585 

Doty, Silas 856 

Dow, M. E 854 

Downer, S. B 784 

Drake, W A 545 

Drinker, R. W 600 

DnBois, A. C 443 

Dunn, Rev. Ransom 584 

Dunn, Simeon 820 

Dnnton, Eben H 782 

Dtisli, Franklin 973 

E 

Eddy,H. H -.273 

Eidenier, H. W 246 

Ellis, Stephen W 480 

Ellison, James C 294 

Emens, J. P 'gSe 

Emerson, G. L 878 

Emerson, M . D . . 878 

English, A. H 49= 

Evans, James 756 

Everett, R. A., M. D 277 

Ewing, Henry McKendree. .312 
Ewing, William J 724 



Falley, John W 240 

Fast, lonathan 714 

Fekh, Alpheiis 117 

Field, Daniel 610 

Field, John 661 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Finch, O. D 732 

Fisher, Benjamin 944 

Fitch, John 646 

Fitzsimmons, George R 806 

Fitzsimmons, J. F 960 

F'itzsimmons, U. C 767 

Fleming, Andrew B 922 

Floyd, R. U .529 

Fogg, Kichard 987 

Folger, H. \V 9ro 

Foote, E. B 461 

Fooie, George W 838 

Foster, John S 690 

Foiist, Edwin 695 

Fonts, Charles 704 

Fowler, Col. Frederick 730 

Franklin, Benjamin - 885 

Freed, Henry H 880 

Freed, James W 797 

Freer, Alexander 801 

French, John 888 

French, William 874 

Frishie, Abraham 462 

Frisbie, John L • • . .266 

Frilts, John 710 

Fuller, Freeman 222 

Fuller, S. 804 

G 

Gaige, P. S 744 

Gamble, Edward 394 



Gardner, John G 368 

Gardner, Leroy T 907 

Gardner, Ransom. 359 

Garfield, James A 95 

Gates, IsaacS 402 

Gibhs, Isaac H 727 

Giiibs, Lemuel 895 

G id ley. James H 857 

Gier, Dr. Frank M 694 

Gilbert, Michael 265 

Gilbert, Mrs. Jane 668 

Gilohrest, J. H 384 

Glasgow, John 688 

Glasgow. S. W 383 

Glasgow, William 395 

Cleason, Eleazer 271 

Godfrey, Alfred 846 

Goodrich, Edgar 682 

Gould, Albert 392 

Graham, Hon. Jonathan B...g43 

Grant, U. S 67 

Gray, George 792 

Gray, Henry 771 

Gray, John 474 

Green, M. W gro 

Green hoe, John 377 

Greenly, William L 121 

Grosvenor, E . O 390 

Grosverior, Hon. E. O 185 

Guggenheim, Levi 726 

Guise, Henry 72S 

Guy, O. F 378 

H 

Hadley, Simon H 938 

Hall, Marvin E • • -917 

Hall, Mrs. Louisa 568 

Hall.Seth 641 

Halleck. John 786 

Hambhn, W'ard 659 

Hancheit, James M 319 

Hancock, J. A 866 

Harding, George D 322 

Harding, S. S 195 

Harrington, L. W 531 

Harris, Ira 748 

Harri';, Mrs. J. W 498 

Harrison, William Henry 51 

Hart. Ciilbert Z 572 

Hart, Harmon 341 

Hart, Samuel 533 

Hartley . William 502 

Haskell, John B 582 

Haskell. S. A 511 

Hawkins, r)r. W. B 536 

Hawley, Levi 229 

Hayes, Rutherford B gi 

Haynes, A. E 986 

Hay nes , M rs . L 793 

Hecox, William 393 

Henry, Horace 478 

Herring, John 331 

Herrin^j. W'illiam A 318 

Hess, Joseph 411 

Hesse, E. R 348 

He wett. Philander 464 

Hewitt, Hon. Alexander 334 

Hibbard, R. D 514 

Hickerson, Thomas 433 



Hicks, George W^ 675 

Hicks, William 463 

Higley, Harvey 541 

Hile, William 250 

Hill, Myron E 252 

Hill, Robert 530 

Hilton, John 338 

Hoag, L. J 862 

Hoard, Andrew 230 

Hodges, A.J 471 

Hollo way, F. M 619 

H opk ins , Perry 788 

Hopkins, S. D 645 

Houseknecht, W ilson. 346 

Houtz, John E 468 

Howard, B. B 199 

Howard, Goodwin 189 

Howard, L. A ., M. D 902 

Howe, Jared B 516 

How land, Gilbert 343 

Howiett, Thomas 542 

Hoxie, James 497 

Hubbell, Joseph B 224 

Huggett, Edward. 470 

Huggett, Silas \y 4>8 

Huggett, William 429 

Huggette, Richard 278 

Hughes, William 488 

Hunt, Mrs. Meriah 940 

Hursh, Jacob 465 

H uston, Alexander 347 

Huston, James 609 

I 

IngaUbee, Henry - ■ • .907 

J 

Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jackson, Samuel P 889 

Jackson, Warren 903 

Janes, Hon. O. A 684 

Jefferson, 1 homas 27 

Jerome, David H 165 

Jerrells, Harvey E 786 

Johnson, .Andrew 83 

Johnson. Calvin 815 

Johnson, C. C, M. D 686 

Johnson. S. E 898 

Jones, Walter R 699 

K 

Kane, John 447 

Kay, James 888 

Keefer, H. M 839 

Keith, M. S 638 

Kellogg.T. H 738 

Kelly, Daniel A 822 

Kelsey, Camp 660 

Kenyon, Albert 951 

Kenyon, M. H 812 

Kerr, -Samuel B 506 

Kesseiring, G. L 607 

Kesselring, Mrs. Elizabeth ..574 

Kester, George 601 

Kidder, W. R 818 



^ 



Kles, Alonzo 496 

Kies, D. C 937 

Kies, Eugene 473 

King, John F 467 

Kinne, Hon. Daniel 899 

Kinne> , George 602 

Kir by, James K .454 

Kirkwood, JohnS - 412 

Kllngensmith, C. P 435 

Knapp, Perry 837 

Koon, H.J 614 

Kroh, Daniel B 652 

Kunkle, W^illiam 434 

L 

LaFIeur, A. B 984 

Laird. Jonas.. 935 

Lake, Erastus 776 

Lamb, Morris 709 

Lambert, J. W go*) 

Lane, Henry So? 

Langdon, Henry C 463 

Lawrence, Edmund 716 

La;;enby. Thomas 349 

Leavitt, Ralph 913 

Leonardson, James 946 

Lewis. John S 231 

Lickly, George W 676 

Lickly, William 697 

Lincoln, Abraham yg 

Lindsey. Robert -705 

Linsday, J. B 975 

Lockwood, V. H 933 

Lords, William L 945 

Lovejoy, Samuel... 200 

Luce, Cyrus A 177 

Luke, Joseph L 927 

Lyon. Henry 947 

Lyon, Set h W 711 

Lyons, David M gi6 

Lyons, William T 930 

M 

Mackey, Montgomery 965 

Madison, James 31 

Maples. C. A 876 

Marvin, John 861 

Mason, R. B 956 

Mason, Stephen T 105 

Masters. N. R 814 

Mathias, Henry H 535 

Maxson, Howard A 803 

Maxson, Man ley M 365 

Mayer, Christian 651 

McBain. John F 964 

McClelland, Robert 129 

McCowan, Mrs. H 

McCrecdy, James M 639 

McDonough, John 504 

McDougall, Andrew 955 

McDougall, James 905 

McDougall. James 553 

McDougall. John 666 

McDougall, Robert 671 

McEnally, Capt. C. P 289 

McFarland, A. F 210 

McGee, Harvey 268 

McLouth, John 259 

4^ 



t 



INDEX. 



McNabb, Daniel 9" 

McWilliam, John G 9"' 

Meigs, Cnpt. I-ucicn =20 

Mciss, Johnson 9'* 

Mcijs, Morton 580 

Mercer, William ^u 

Mercer, William W 887 

Meredilh , 1 homas 863 

Merrill, VVilli.Tni H 629 

Mickle. Judge John 94^ 

Miller, Hon. 1 ''3 

■Miller, John 909 

Miller, John 99' 

Miller, Mrs.Phebe S"' 

Miller, Russell D *f"i 

Mi'ls,D. H 534 

Mills, James 595 

Miner,C.K ^37 

Miner, Luther 734 

Mitchell, Hon. C.T 9=0 

Monroe. George C 4'7 

Monroe, James ^5 

Montgomery, T.C 940 

Montgomery, Hon. Wm. R...647 

Montgomery, \V. R 211 

Moore, Albert 9*3 

Moore, Dr. E. E 9<« 

Moore. F.nos S^o 

Moore, J. E 52* 

Morey, Chester 24a 

Morey, William H 5*9 

Morford, Garret .'-28 

Morgan, Samuel 848 

Morton, Benjamin 655 

Mosher, Asa P 9=7 

M oshcr, George W 849 

Mosher, Dr. George W 893 

Mosher, Hon. Charles 525 

Moss, lienjamin K 1003 

Mumford, E. C. L 9*9 

Murray, D. E 2>9 



Osborn, John M... 
Osius, Charles P.. 
O.venham, Kobcrl. 



255 

444 

596 



Murray 
Myer 



\V. H . 



.362 



, W.H 285 



N 

Nil.lacli, William P 79? 

Nichols, Robert L 605 

Nicholson, Franklin 4^6 

Nickerson, S. .^ 587 

Noble, J ames 45° 

Norris, Byron 853 

Norris, Jason B... 280 

Norris, Joel B 45* 

Northrnp, C. L 625 

Norton, E. P 860 

Nutten, Fayette 524 

Nutten, George 448 

Nutten, Mrs. Sarah J 532 

Nye, NeUon P 794 

o 

Oaks, S. H 382 

Oberst, Frank 782 

O'Hanlon, Thomas 749 

Oldfield, S. A 286 

O'Neil. James 30» 

Orr, Samuel 774 

Osborn, John C 479 



Packer, Hon. Henry 624 

Page, John T 663 

Palmer, A. E 3'o 

Palmer, C.G t^' 

Palmer, W. H 489 

Parker, C. M 800 

Parmelee, Hon.L. S 7*6 

Parsons, Andrew t33 

Patrick, .Austin .\ 284 

Patterson, Robert C 664 

Payne, Dr. Charles E 859 

Pearce, Abner W 825 

Peirce, J. W 687 

Perry, Myron ^S* 

Person, James 758 

Pettis, William S 894 

Pfau, Earnhardt 747 

Phillips, A 665 

Phillips, Henry L 774 

Pierce, Franklin 7t 

Pixley, Hiram 503 

Polk, James K 59 

Pomroy, Hon. E. A 703 

Pope, Alexander 879 

Powers, Hiram M 455 

Pra:t, Daniel L 872 

Prentice, A. B 883 

Prentiss, Albert 689 

Preston, W. F 778 

Proper, George W 897 

Proper, Leonard 882 

Prouty, Harvey N 760 

Pnlver, Frank R 723 

Pulver.J. H 698 

Pulver, William 7"4 

R 

Ranuey, I-ucius 871 

Ransom, F.paphroditus 125 

Ransom, William M 3.35 

Raplee, A.J 718 

Raymond, John M 35» 

Reckerd, A. B 35' 

Rctler, Hoberl 798 

Reynolds, .Andrew 389 

Reynolds, Barney 272 

Reynolds, ElonG 308 

Reynolds, Lorenzo P 323 

Riblet, Samuel 972 

Rice, John L 353 

Rice, W. H 372 

Richards, Judge Willard 333 

Richards, Mrs. Harriet .\ ... 213 

Richardson, Thomas J 757 

Richtmyer, Peter 345 

Rickerd, Alanson B 351 

Rickerd, L. H 336 

Rideout.A.C 982 

Ridout,*;. H 829 

Riehm, George 355 

Riggs, J H 336 

Riggs. John J *9' 



Rising, A. M 835 

Robertson, C. G 7" 

Roche lie. Benjamin. 281 

Rogers, Kli B 363 

Roode, W. W 332 

Root, Hiram 790 

Root. John P 349 

Rool.Libctis H 33' 

Ro»ley, H. N 992 

Rowlson, H. B .679 

Rozell, Charles 35* 



Salmon. Robert 561 

Sampson. J. B 369 

Sarles. Garry '99 

Saunders. E 976 

Sawdey, Calvin 326 

Sawyer. W. H 643 

Schafer, Henry C07 

Schermerhorn, C- D 283 

Schermerhorn, W'illiam S 385 

Schrntt, George 828 

ScovelLMrs. LovinaR 8yO 

Sebring, Volney A 958 

Seeley, Peter 368 

Selfrid;e,J. A 330 

Shafer, Joseph 324 

Shaffer, Gilman B 260 

Shancour, William 413 

Shanks, S. J 3'4 

Shannon, John V 449 

Shattnck, E. A 923^ 

Shearman, J. H 396 

Shepard, Charles A. 561 

Shepard, L. A 206 

Shepard, P. B 809 

Sheriff,S. I' 3'7 

Shook, Phillip 3*8 

Sibbald, J. A 545 

Siddall. Dr. William 291 

Slane, P. J 830 

Slocum, Charles A 382 

Small, Alfred 699 

Smith, A. A 843 

Smith, Capt. Gustavus F 398 

Smith, Edmund J 804 

Smith, Hon. George A ;68 

Smith, Joel 7*9 

Smith, L. J «4i 

Smith, Samuel M 816 

Smith, SethH 393 

Smith , Warren 9'8 

Smith, W. H 309 

Soulhworth, J. 1 260 

Southworth, Roscius 7*3 

Speer, Andrew J 99* 

Sprowls, John *93 

Stall, James 3" 

Stanfield, Edmund 592 

Stanton, Luflus L 640 

Stearns, John M 3" 

Stevens, George P 264 

Stewart, F. M 296 

Stock, F.W 435 

Stone, James 7'9 

Stone, John 75* 

Stone, Theron D 783 



Stone, Thomas 784 

Stookey, B. F 632 

Storer, L. H ."O 

Storms, Archibald 914 

Stout. Jefferson 237 

Strait, Reuben 834 

Stratton, Joseph 452 

Strayer, Christopher 934 

Strong. Dr. B. G 570 

Strong. Jabin 424 

Sturdevant. Warren 977 

Sturges, Mrs.Jerusha 981 

Sutton, Robert B 403 

Swift, Charles E 96' 

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Taber, P. B 6*2 

Tanner, Edwin 470 

Taylor, J. F S41 

Taylor, ihomas B 423 

Taylor, Zachary *3 

Terpening, William 234 

Thacher. Israel *54 

Thomas, William E 421 

Thomas, Zimri D 683 

I'horn, Thomas D 65* 

Thorp, Haley M 247 

Tiffany, .Andrew J 868 

Timms, Daniel *44 

Timnis, John 485 

Travis, Jeremiah 63' 

Treadwell. Mrs. MarciaC 342 

Trunible, George R 549 

Tuller,H.W 45' 

Turner, Horace *" 

Turney, Harvey M 39' 

Turrel',n. N 74' 

T urrell , Nelson 522 

Tuttle, A.J 458 

Tyler, John 55 



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Upwood, Wilson P 472 



Van, Marcvis 752 

Van Allen, Dan C 932 

VanBuren, Martin 47 

Vandcrvolgan, H '87 

Varnum.F.G 97o 

Van Valkenbnrg, E 547 

Vincett, J. A 484 

Voorhes, John W 725 

Voorhes, Marvin S =7* 

Vreeland, N. G 3'* 

Vrooman, William 3*o 

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Wade, Capt. W. W 192 

Wade, Charles F 'ooi 

Wade, Isaac 40O 

Wade, J. J «' 

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Wagner, J." E eo8 

WaIdron,C. W 971 

Waldron, Hon. Henry 881 

Wales, Lewis 925 

Walker, George D 486 

Walls, A Ibert 780 

Walworth, H. S 867 

Ward, Horace M 931 

Ward, Trowbridge 357 

Warner, Homer 195 

Warren, Dr. H. M 367 

Warren, Hamilton 5og 

Warren, Rev. William S 232 

Washington, George 19 

Waterman, J. A 973 

Walk ins, Charles 589 

Watkins, John M .-364 

Watklns, Dr. L. R 446 

Way, A. D 9*0 

Way, Mrs. Eiipheinia ■J74 



'^ A dams, John . . . .22 

I'Adams, John Quincy 38 

' Algcr, RusseU A 172 

- Arthur, Chester A 98 

■ Bagley, John J 156 

Baldwin, Henry P 152 

Harry, John S 112 

■ Begolc, Josiah W 168 

Bingham, Kinsley S 136 

Blair, Austin 144 

'Bradley, B. C 306 

K Bryan, William 408 

Buchanan, James 74 

B urges, Arnold 374 



Weatheringron, Edward 1112 

Weaver, Horace 978 

Webb, B. L 338 

Webb, Joel 851 

Welden, Clark W 428 

WelU, A. G 370 

Wei ls» Benjamin B 9S7 

Wells, CO "....350 

Wheeler, Mrs. Augusta 755 

White, Benjamin 384 

White, C. P 759 

White, Orlando 754 

Wh itchead, William 358 

Whithornc.R. H 659 

Whitmore, A. B 612 

Whitmore, Henry W., M. D..613 

Whitney, A.J 997 

Whitney, Jonathan... 192 

Whitney, W 578 

Whitney. William G 893 




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Whitten, John 216 

Wickes, Israel 781 

Wigent, F. S 925 

Wight, Ira T 915 

Wilbur, Smith 823 

Wilcox, Mrs. Sarah 560 

Willets, Moses 761 

Williams, Alex.inder F 380 

Williams, G. G., M. D 257 

Williams, R. W 325 

Williams, Zebulon 817 

Wilson, A. S 979 

WiUon. Mrs. Martha 771 

Wilson, William 354 

Windsor. J. W 196 

Winfield, Joseph 430 

Wisner, Horace 603 

Wisner, Moses, 141 

Wolcott, Luther E 753 

Wolcott, Stephen H... ... . 942 



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^ Cleveland, S. Grover 102 

I Crapo, Henry H . . . 148 

; Croswell, Charles M 160 

' Day,Willar(^ 236 

■ Felch, Alpheus 116 

- Fil'more, Millard 66 

i Garfield, James A 94 

, Grant, Ulysses S 86 

Greenly, William 1 120 

Grosvenor, Hon. E. O 184 

' Harding, George D 322 

Harrison, Willi im H 50 

Hayes, Rutherford E 90 



Jackson, Andrew., 42 

-Jefferson, Thomas 26 

* Jerome, David H 164 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

• Lincoln, Abraham 78 

*" Luce, Cyrus. Gray 176 

•' Madison, James 30 

• Mascn, Stephen T 104 

McClelland, Robert 128 

^McEnally, C P 288 

'-'Merritt, William H 628 

' Mitchell. C. T 920 

' Monroe, James 34 

' Osborn, Hon. J. M 254 




Wolcott, William L 477 

Wolf. George P 956 

Wolf, John G 916 

Wood, Levi 404 

Wood. Myron G 941 

Wood bridge, William log 

Woods, Henry W 901 

Wood wo rth , L . D 971 

Woolsey, Mrs. Sarah A 486 

WooNton, Levi 936 

Wright, Elizur - . .1002 

Wright, Joseph A S50 

Wyllis, Hon. G.C 379 

Wyllys, Thomas H 258 



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■ Pierce, Frankin 70 

■Polk, James K 58 

- Ransom, Epapliroditus 124 

t-Rowlson, H. B 678 

VSarles, Garry ic^S 

^ Sibbald, J- A 544 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

■ Tyler, John 54 

' Van Buren, Martin 46 

' Washington, George if> 

*^Watkins. L. R 447 

Wisner, Moses 140 

AWoIcott, W. L 476 

Woodbridgc, William.. 108 



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•1 Hart, Harmon 340 0.venham, Robert 594^ St. Anthony's Church 831 

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